Photo features: 1957 Ford Fairlane 500 Sunliner Convertible | Daily Drive | Consumer Guide® The Daily Drive

newsofmax08/11/2022

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1957 Ford Fairlane 500 Sunliner Convertible

Note: The following story is excerpted from February 2016 the problem of Collectible cars magazine

With the competitive advantage of a completely new and attractive design, Ford was able to produce the best-selling car of 1957 in America. The push to deliver 1.67 million copies in its expanded lineup includes significant contributions from two body styles that were once top sellers in Ford’s segment: the station wagon and the convertible. bare.

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1957 Ford Fairlane 500 Sunliner Convertible

The five rolling stock products in the ’57 Ford portfolio hit a brand record of 321,170 clusters, or 19.4% of that year’s total of full-size Fords. Convertibles, too, have reached new heights. 77,726 Traditional fabric-covered Fairlane 500 Sunliners have been added to become a clear favorite in the field. However, 1957 was the year Ford added the Skyliner with a retractable metal upper underneath the vehicle’s uniquely shaped deck. Another 20,766 Ford owners signed up for this motoring wonder. With more than 98,000 cars in circulation, Ford outsold the next three biggest automakers of ’57 sedans – Chevrolet, Oldsmobile and Buick – combined!

Nineteen fifty-seven Fords come in two sizes, but even the “small” 116-inch wheelbase sedans and wagons are longer and shorter than their predecessors. The Fairlanes and Fairlane 500s sit on a 118-inch stretch, and get more dramatic styling thanks to slim fins that flare out of the rear glass panels. (The Customs and Custom 500s have smaller fins and smaller rear bumpers than the higher range cars.)

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1957 Ford Fairlane 500 Sunliner Convertible

Beneath everything is a redesigned frame about a foot wider in the center of the frame rails. The underslung crossover members gave the chassis the nickname “rubber” but they also allowed the floor panels to nestle between the frame rails. This allowed the designers to lower the vehicle while keeping room for passengers. The revised ball-joint front suspension, externally mounted rear springs and 14-inch wheels (replacing 15-inch wheels) are all new.

Inverted A-pillars replaced the upright windshield posts of the years 1955-56. The new dashboard has a fan speedometer. Closed-bodied Fairlane 500s have nylon and vinyl seats and ring rugs but the Sunliner features all-vinyl trim with a choice of four color combinations and colored keyed vinyl rubber floor coverings.

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1957 Ford Fairlane 500 Sunliner Convertible

John Kingston of Novato, California, has owned the 1957 Sunliner shown here since 2010. His purchase served as a gift home for the car, built at Ford’s plant in San Jose, California,. Kingston said Flame Red and Raven Black had his first home in Texas, eventually moved to Arkansas for restoration, then back to the Lone Star State, where he bought it.

When it first came out, the Sunliner had a starting price of $2605, but the Kingston car comes with a variety of options that can add up to around $600 more than the 577th delivery price. The most notable of the items. expensive is its “Thunderbird Special” 312-cid V-8. (Fairlanes comes with a choice of 223 cid or 292-cubic-inch V-8 as standard equipment.) With four-barrel carburetors and dual exhaust, it makes 245 hp. It is connected to the optional Fordomatic three-speed automatic transmission.

Vehicles move more easily with power steering and power brakes. Appearance and protection equipment includes wire-spoke wheels on white tyres, continental kit, rear fenders, twin exterior mirrors, grille guards and bright dashboard trim.

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