1957 Ford

The mainstream Ford line of cars grew substantially larger for 1957, a model which lasted through 1959. The Crown Victoria with its flashy chrome "basket handle" was no more, and the acrylic glass-roofed Crown Victoria Skyliner was replaced by a new model, the retracting-roof hardtop Skyliner.

The new chassis allowed the floor to be placed much lower, which in turn led to a lower and longer look overall. The major component of this chassis was a differential whose pinion gear was exceptionally low relative to the axleshafts, lower than in conventional hypoid differentials.

1957

1957 Ford Fairlane 500 hardtop coupe

1957 Ford wagon

1957 Monarch Turnpike Cruiser.  Ford only sold the Monarch brand in Canada despite no relation with the 1910s Monarch brand.
 The 1957 models retained a single-headlight front end like their predecessors, but were unmistakable with their long flanks and tailfins.  A plethora of trim lines was introduced, starting with the base "Custom", "Custom 300", "Fairlane", and top-line "Fairlane 500".  The two Custom lines used a 116 in (2946 mm) wheelbase, while the Fairlanes had 118 in (2997 mm) between the wheels.  A new car/pickup truck hybrid based on the short-wheelbase chassis was also introduced, the Ranchero.

The 223 CID (3.7 L) OHV Straight-6 continued, now with 144 hp (107 kW). The V8 lineup included a 272 CID (4.5 L) Y-block making 190 hp (142 kW), a 292 CID (4.8 L) Thunderbird version making 212 hp (158 kW), a 312 cubic inch V8 making 245 HP and a supercharged 312 CID (5.1 L) Thunderbird Special making 300 hp (224 kW), and designated "Police Interceptor" on the glove box. A dual 4 barrel version of the normally aspirated (non-supercharged) 312 cubic inch V8 rated at 270 HP (some sources report 285 HP) was reportedly available, although that engine option was not listed in most Ford sedan factory literature and is more commonly associated with one of the optional Thunderbird engines. This option was dubbed "E code" and featured a unique camshaft, cylinder heads, intake manifold and various other performance enhancements. It came standard with the deep-dish steering wheel. The radio became transistorized.^[4] There were lights for the generator and oil instead of gauges.^[5] The controls became reccesed for more safety (the Lifeguard safety package was still available)^[6]

A new frame was used for the 1957 Fords. It moved to perimeter rails out, so that they would fully envelope the passengers.^[7]

In a survey of 1957 Ford owners in the March, 1957 issue of Popular Mechanics, only 6.2% of owners ordered seat belts.^[8]

1958

The line was freshened with a simulated hood scoop and dual-headlight front clip for 1958.^[9] The rectangular grille openings gave way to circles, and a simulated hood scoop was added.^[10] A new 3-speed Cruise-O-Matic automatic was optional along with the 2-speed Ford-O-Matic and manual transmission. Engines were also updated, with the 272 CID dropped, the 292 CID making 205 hp (153 kW), and a new-generation 332 CID (5.4 L) FE V8 rated at 240 HP in 2 barrel form and 265 HP in 4 barrel "Interceptor" form. The new 352 cubic inch V8, also dubbed "Interceptor" and rated at 300 hp (224 kW) made its debut. Galaxie production was started in Lorain, Ohio at Ford's Lorain Assembly plant for 1958 and continued through 1959 with 102,869 Galaxies produced there. Air suspension became optional.^[11]

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  1958 Ford Fairlane

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  1958 Ford Fairlane Skyliner

1959

The top-line spot for 1959 was the new Galaxie, positioned above the continued Fairlane 500. The Custom line was dropped, with Custom 300 the lowest rung on the ladder, and all 1959 Fords used the long 118 in (2997 mm) wheelbase. New for safety was fully padded armrests and rear door locks that were child proof.^[12] Prices ranged from the mid-1,000 to the low 3,000s.

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  1959 Ford Galaxie four-door sedan

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  1959 Ford Galaxie Club Victoria two-door hardtop

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  1959 Ford Galaxie Sunliner convertible

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  1959 Meteor (Canada)

References

Further reading

• David L. Lewis (2005). 100 Years of Ford. Publications International. pp. 178–193. ISBN 0-7853-7988-6. 
• "Generations: Ford Model T to Crown Victoria". Edmunds.com. Archived from the original on 5 September 2006. Retrieved August 21, 2006. 

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to 1957-1959 Ford.