My name is Mike, from northeast Ohio, midway between Pittsburgh, PA and Cleveland, Ohio.
The car that I am the current caretaker of, was originally purchased 12, November 1956, by our neighbors whom I will lovingly refer to as grandpa and grandma, they were grandparents of my friend. In the early 1970's grandpa was going to have the car towed to the junkyard as he considered it to be unsafe. He also wrote notes with a marker, on the doors describing his displeasure about the way some of the weather seals were installed, those notes are still on the car, along with oil change stickers from the 1960's.
He bought a new 1973 Ford for grandma to use, but she said that she liked her Fairlane. The new car had power steering, seatbelts, power brakes, electric windshield wipers, and rearview mirrors, unlike the Fairlane.
Grandma eventually started using the newer car and after several years offered the Fairlane to her grandson. During this time he used it occasionally and he and I would do the maintenance and prepare it for winter every year. Eventually he got M/S and could not drive it anymore.
In 2016, I became the current caretaker.
It is all original except, that I put an oil filter conversion on it, even though I have a supply of filter cartridges, and because it does not cause any permanent damage, it is easier to change a spin on filter will laying on the garage floor than it is to position the canister filter into place.
It has plenty of "Patina" from the last 65 years!
I plan to keep the car in original condition, as much as possible. - Mike
Nice, Enjoy.
Man, some of you new members are just coming up with some outstanding cars. Congrats!! That's a beautiful car, and IMHO, the best model of the Fairlanes...it's got the look of a hardtop but with the solidity (is that a word, lol?) of a sedan.
Thanks for the intro!!
Very Nice!
Nice looking 57, but I thought Ford switched to spin on oil filters before 57. All three of my 57s (all 272 cars), had spin on filters, maybe some early 57s still had the canister oil filters?
My 312 had a canister as does my extra 292.
Nice car, and nice background story.
Pretty car, congrats. Welcome.
Welcome to the forum. That is a very nice car. I am curious, what size engine does it have?
Terry, The engine is a 292 - attached is a photograph of the grungy motor
I have not calculated the build date but I am certain it is a fairly early build.
Rich - it does look really nice, the gold accent really looks great between the wood smoke gray and colonial white.
It is pretty solid, but certainly could use new seals, and rubber bumpers, the originals have disintegrated quite a bit.
Mike
Welcome to our forum. Thats a beautiful car and looks rust free.
Mike, I keep thinking that these cars are 64-65 years old, so that doesn't look too bad!
Attached is a photograph of the passenger door, which shows one of the comments grandpa made regarding the quality of the vent seal, he also commented on the upper door to jamb seal that was very deformed.
The second image is a page from the owners manual that lists all the cars grandpa owned from 1924 - 1957, note there is on odd make for 1927.
Mike
That is so neat to have a record like that! The car looks pristine, I don't remember seeing a door panel in that condition. Welcome to the forum.
Just beatiful. Does it get driven?, and I'm curious what the odometer reads. Be careful with those tires. Even if they have lots of tread, the age makes them unsafe. I'd be doing lots of research on the best way to detail that engine compartment without harm to all that pristine, but dirty, OEM stuff.
Rich, I do drive it when I get the opportunity, I worry about the tires every time I take it out, they are over thirty-five years old.
I store it with the tires off the ground, although age is certainly a factor, I have used a black vinyl & tire wax on the other car, it has radial tires on it, but they are actually the same age.
The current mileage is 37,000, attached is a photograph of the car in front of one or the places we visit on a day trip.
I do plan to clean the engine compartment very slow and carefully
Lynn, the interior panels are in decent condition, the dashboard is very good, the front seat has some wear, but the back seat is fairly decent. the car is pretty solid though, especially considering the type of weather we have here
I have personally known the car since 1967, but have only actively participated in it's maintenance since about 1977
Mike
I love your car. "Care"(fully) is the operative word!
That carburator looks interesting, all my 2 barrel 57 Y Blocks had Holley carbs, that is an autolite 2100. I dont recall ever seeing a 2100 with the automatic hoke housing located so far forward, usually they are directly above the throttle shaft. Do you have a tag with a part number on it, or the number should also be stamped on the base plate, on the drivers side, just ahead of the throttle shaft.
Quote from: Mike Krakora on 2021-12-05 13:21
Rich, I do drive it when I get the opportunity, I worry about the tires every time I take it out, they are over thirty-five years old.
Yup, the tires that caused this damage were 12 years old! Looked perfect, never went flat, never hit a deep pot hole, just an older tire that came apart at 75 MPH.
That appears to be the correct 2100, as I can make out it is correct with the rare long accelerator pump housing. In my case I've never seen a 57 with a Holley 2 bbl. Maybe a regional thing or from different assy. plants.
Tom, the tag on the carburetor contains some of this text "EDB-(M) B7A 9510 - L"
Bill, thanks for the review of that very graphic message about tires. You cannot be too careful with tire condition, even when they look good.
Two of the most important components of an automobile are, tires and brakes.
Tires are your only connection to the road when driving, brakes are even more important.
Bill am I correct, on one of your posts, I read that you served aboard USS Intrepid, "The Fighting I".
My uncle served on CV-11 during World War II. unfortunately my farther instructed me not to ask about his time in the service, so I know nothing of his service time or that of my father or other uncles.
All I have, is his former crew members jacket, history of the ship, and videos from the Sea, Air, & Space Museum
Attached is a dashboard photograph.
Mike
Mike I was an Intrepid crew member from 66 - 69. Good ship, my first after boot and A & C school. The "Fighting I" is indeed filled with history. Number 3 in the line of Essex class carriers. Player in many battles in the Pacific, the Tet offensive in 68 and a bunch of "little" contributions during it's illustrious career.
I can understand your fathers request. My father was Army, New Guinea, Philippians and Australia. He never talked about the war or any of his encounters. Most of those memories are best left buried.
Here is a photograph of the rear seat.
The only bad part of the rear seat is the vinyl cover on the front of the seat base.
Mike
Welcome aboard Mike !
Wow, what a beautiful car and just love the history on this one ! Very, very nice ! You are certainly the right caretaker for this beauty, enjoy !
Guenter
Guenter, thank you! I have to admit, I admire you very much, reading some of your posts shows that you are a genuine expert on 1957 Fords, plus you always offer sound advice to other members. You seem to be able to do some amazing things without the advantage of being close to many sources of parts.
I think having a history of these cars is really something special. I always enjoy reading stories of how people came to own their cars, and what they might know from the time before they owned it. On the subject of history, attached here is a photograph of some of the oil change decals over several years.
Mike
Thank you Mike, very flattering. I want to mention that I was only able to acquire most of my knowledge because of other members who have been there before and are willing to share their experience and knowledge! I would never call myself an expert, because I am not. There are people here that have known these cars since they came out new and have passionately collected and worked on them most of their adult life. ( well I have too, but just not that long...haha)
Your car really seems to be very special, imho survivor cars are the most interesting ones. they do tell their history and carry on some of the former owners legacy.
I really don't know how 'grandpa' would deem your car unsafe back in the 70s, but maybe it was just a trade off to public opinion and looking for more safety in cars in that era.
That story and how this car has been in your life for decades, really makes my day. also the service stickers are awesome. Just look at the beautiful mid century design and layout of that Rotunda tag! Wishing you many more safe and trouble free miles with this beauty ! :004:
Please do post pics whenever you get her out or whenever you feel to !
Here is a photograph showing the engine running, and more owners manual pages showing Grandpa's nick-name for the car and the purchase date.
The other shows what was likely his last oil change while he took care of the car, and a record of the fuel price. I think the amount of fuel may be incorrect, I am sure the fuel capacity is less than 20 gallons. Besides the fuel price was rising then, driving everyone into a panic!
Mike
That fuel capacity of 20 gls is correct to the factory specs ! Just looked it up. I find that I cannot get exactly that much in, but that may come from the slightly awkward bend of the wgn filler neck.