Stored 10 Years: 1957 Ford Fairlane Convertible
1957 was a banner year for Ford. For the first time since 1935, Ford outsold Chevrolet, and the Fairlane and Fairlane 500 lineup was a good portion of the reason. This 1957 Fairlane 500 Sunliner convertible is listed for sale here on Facebook Marketplace and is available for an asking price of $8,000. The car is located in Bloomington, California, which hopefully means it’s relatively solid.
If I mention a ’57 Ford convertible to you, I suspect your mind (as good and enthusiastic Barn Finds readers!) will immediately jump to the Skyliner, the elaborate retractable hardtop that was new for 1957 — as a matter of fact, it wasn’t even ready for the beginning of the 1957 model year and only appears in mid-year ads and brochures. It might surprise you to learn that almost four times as many (77,726 to 20,766) Sunliner “regular” convertibles were produced versus the Skyliner. Unfortunately, largely due to a propensity to rust, not that many 1957 Sunliners are with us today.
Looking at what our friends at Hagerty have to say about 1957 Sunliner values, it’s a typical tale of the best cars going up while mediocre cars are pretty much where they were 15 years ago. According to the ad this car has been stored for ten years after receiving an engine and transmission rebuild. I wish we knew more, like what engine and what transmission those are — but in the great tradition of FB Marketplace and Craigslist ads, we are given no other information about the car and only one picture (through two filters). So I guess it’s up to you, readers — does this Sunliner convertible bring back enough happy memories to warrant a closer look? Does the lack of information intrigue you or make you turn away? Share your thoughts in the comments!
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Comments
Wouldn’t waste my time on something treated this bad and presented even worse.
Is that 8000 Peso’s? Insane
If this car sell’s for 8 grand Jamie should get a 50% sale’s fee
Thank you, I think? I do admit to a ‘57 Ford bias. Remember, $8k is an asking price…nothing to say you couldn’t offer $2k (and hurt that mythical fee🙂)
ok 90%
I acquired a 57 fairlane 500 I also acquired a 61 police car from Texas plain 4 door with a 390 cu inch 401 hp 3 2 barrels each 500 cfms with progressive mechanical linkage operated from the passage side a dual point distributor with 3spd electric over drive I put all in the 57 fairlane with a 63 Galaxy XL 500 interior bucket seats and rear seat over frame of fairlane rear seat. I used the automatic c6 transmission out of the 63 Galaxy XL 500 with the factory floor shifter. I changed the rear gear to a 411. Wow what a sweet ride I wish I still had it today it was definitely a keeper. I was going to automotive school, at Sacramento skill center in Sacramento California on Stockton Blvd. It was a 2 yr course that was in 1972 to 1974 . I used my GI bill we sure built a lot of nice fast cars. I was in the Marines from 60 to 64 every body in the school were veterans building chevys and Oldsmobiles I built the fastest ride . I never was beat on the street. Turned a 14: 20 et at 98 mph at the drag strip. Now I’m 80 years old those were the best days in America. Unless we pass on our old times youngsters will never know how much fun America use to be God Bless look up JESUS is coming soon!
“JESUS is coming soon!” And he’s looking for a 390 cu inch 401 hp ’57 Ford.
The 57 was my first car the top worked great and all my friends were jealous. it had a 312 v8 . I did have a hard time keeping transmission in it. If they need to give it to someone i’ll take it
Now this one’s a real pig in a poke. Hardly any info about the car. As much as I like Sunliners, I’d pass on this one no matter
the asking price. Just save your money until a nicer one comes
along. It’s sad too because the only thing this car is good for is
a pattern for one of my old car portraits.
This old girl was ridden hard and put away wet. Perhaps someone will come along that has deep enough pockets to save her. But I would hate to be starting with the current price tag. But who knows. I sure have been wrong in the past.
Present owner had no love for this Classic. Too bad the car was stored with no care whatsoever. Would be hesitant to offer $800 for this neglected beauty
Lee, the FB marketplace link is in the first paragraph.
The Seller is on another planet. Try it $2000.00 maybe. It’s a big project and a very sexy driver when complete.
Thats a lot of money for the sales brochure
Only one photo on FB? Thanks, but no thanks.
(And there isn’t probably a vacuum cleaner big enough to suck the dust and dirt out of the interior!)
Subjective of course. but give me the Sunliner convert. over the Bel Air any day.at all. Just a gorgeous piece of design
In 1966 I bought a 57 Ford (4 door) for $10.00. dropped in a 292 and drove it for 3 years. I did drive it from Westchester County NY to Milwaukee WI and back several times .I can only say this about 57 Fords. BODY ROT BODY ROT BODY ROT BODY ROT BODY ROT
I had a 57 skylines back in Hs, and I did quite a bit of work to it, I had to flush the transmission out as it was loaded with gunk and the tranny wouldn’t work, the filter was so clogged it was horrendous.
2 of the motors for the top didn’t work so I had to rebuild them and thank God the motor was good, those old 312 engines were tough and powerful!
After I got it all cleaned up, gave it a coat of wax, it looked like it came out of the show room. I was very proud of that car!
Even in a California climate these are rolling rust buckets. My bet is strip away the interior and you’ll be looking at rusty shale. Pandora’s Box on wheels no matter the price
I sold a yellow ’57 Ford conv. back in 1965 for $25. It was in very good condition with a bad engine.
As a kid I used to dream about getting a 57 Fairlane and dropping in a 427 Ford with a 4 speed.
That would be awesome I think. This poor thing would require more money than its worth IMHO
I’ll take the spotlight for $5.00.
Havenen’t seen any comments pro or con here I would disagree with and I agree it could be a beautiful car. At 75 I am about through period and my only comment is good or bad, the latter for most of us average hobbist this is what The Pickers and the The Count and the likes have done for the hobby
OK, but in my opinion this is a much better looking car when done than any Camaro or 59 Impala convertible selling for 3 times as much in worse condition than this car. Looks like a fairly rust free shell to start with would offer $5000 delivered to NY state. BTW I have lots of parts to finish one!
Hi, to who can I talk if I am interested in buying this 57 Ford?
[email protected]
Thank you
Chris
Hi. Is this 57 Ford cnvertable still available?
To who can I talk if I am interested in buying it?
[email protected]
Thank you
Chris