Will the headlights and headlight doors off a 58 fit in the 57? Not convinced I want to do it but wanted to know if the dimensions and parts will fit a 57 without a hitch. Many thanks!
Scott
Redding, Ca.
A58 entire front clip will bolt on to a 57, The doors will too... but the models must be the same(500 to 500) and 300 series to a 300.
Custom guys did it a lot in the 50's and early 60's.
I think I am the only guy on earth that loves a 58 front end better on a 57.....
Quote from: Jeff Norwell on 2017-12-08 06:46
I think I am the only guy on earth that loves a 58 front end better on a 57.....
I think you are :003:
But I have a friend who likes Edsel front ends on them, I don't talk to him anymore..
Quote from: hiball3985 on 2017-12-08 09:17
But I have a friend who likes Edsel front ends on them, I don't talk to him anymore..
Hey now......they are unique....:<)
Quote from: Ford Blue blood on 2017-12-08 10:05
Hey now......they are unique....:<)
Yes they are, and look fine on an Edsel.
Ha ha ha ..Jim.your off the Christmas list hahahah
WOW !!!!!!!
Take it easy boys.
LMAO, I just took pictures of a 57 or 58 ranchero with 58 Edsel front end, tail lights, and dash. I'll try to post them.
Back to the original question. The front panel in the fender on a '57 is made to hold a single headlight "bucket" for a 7" light. The '58 panel has to be configured to hold two small buckets. So the front panel would have to be replaced with a '58 panel, or the '57 panel modified to hold the dual buckets.
John
Some Australian cars... interesting.
Here's a well done '57 300 with 58 headlights.
http://www.hotrod.com/articles/1957-ford-custom-300/#1957-ford-custom-300-rear-three-quarter
My 2cents.......I don't like blend of the '58 headlight door to the 57 nosepiece, and I don't think you could use the '58 nosepiece without using the '58 grille. Works fine for a oem 58, but not as a mod to a '57, and the single headlight has a much cleaner look. Works fine for an oem 58, but not as a mod to a '57
This made me think of '57 imposter (Doug) whom we haven't heard from for over a year. If he's reading this post, he's probably wondering why anyone would want to do that, since he spent so much time converting his '58 to look like a '57. Doug.......where the heck are ya??
I've come to realize that for years I didn't like 58's (or59's), but finally realized it's only the trim on the '58's I don't like. The '58 Tbird is one of my all time favorite front ends, and the '58 Ford is not really all that different once the center pieces are removed.
Also, I recall a company back in the day offered aftermarket dual headlight conversion kits for the '57's......maybe Honest Charley's or JC Whitney.
Thanks to all who chipped in on this. I guess where I am at is : why mess with the original? The car looks great as is. Sometimes I think I spend too much time and effort thinking about this stuff and not enough enjoying what I have. thanks for all the help.
Based on Rich's note about a conversion headlight swap kit, I found this: http://flickriver.com/photos/unclegal/3252953752/
I then checked JC Whitney and , of course, found no product. But as usual, Rich is right again!
Scott
Ford also offered dual head light conversions for 57's.... I remember seeing NOS used sets on Ebay years ago..... I believe it was something to do with a govt. regulation......I have heard about that from a few different people.... but maybe an old wives tale.... something about making the big 3 convert to dual headlights for safety?... 58,59 .all companies went to duals......
I remember seeing some of those dual quad headlight conversions on 57 Fords back in the 50's. They really really did not look nice. They were not that popular and didn't flow with the 57 lines. However, there were some people that bought them.
Scott
You are right. " why mess with the original? The car looks great as is. Sometimes I think I spend too much time and effort thinking about this stuff and not enough enjoying what I have. thanks for all the help."
I'd love to have one of those right hand drive 57's. Were they built in Australia or exported from the US?
There were laws limiting cars to two headlights in some states.
The car co's lobbied for four headlights.
Ron.
Quote from: hiball3985 on 2017-12-10 09:29
I'd love to have one of those right hand drive 57's. Were they built in Australia or exported from the US?
IIRC, Australian Fords were the same or nearly the same from 55-58. Like the US 55-56. Someone please correct me if I'm wrong.
I don't care for the dual headlights on the '57 but I sure like the '58 hood on a '57. Had one on my '57 Custom 300 2 door with a 390 back in the late '60's. Wish I had that car back today with a 312 in it. Guy I sold it to rolled it and totaled it shortly after i sold it to him. Had a conversation with one of the guys who was in that wreck today and a local bar. He remembered it well.
terry-208 and hiball3985, Australia never got the 57/58 body shape, they rehashed the 55 all the way through to 59. The 57s in this topic with the dual headlight conversions are both in NZ, the colour photo was taken at the Palmerston North Hot Rod Club annual swapmeet held at the local horse trotting track. NZ RHD drive 57/58's were assembled at the Ford plant in Seaview, Lower Hutt from CKD packs sourced through Canada I believe but were Fords, not Monarchs or Meteors, and had the US style trim as opposed to the Canadian trim.
Quote from: junior58 on 2017-12-13 17:01
terry-208 and hiball3985, Australia never got the 57/58 body shape, they rehashed the 55 all the way through to 59. The 57s in this topic with the dual headlight conversions are both in NZ, the colour photo was taken at the Palmerston North Hot Rod Club annual swapmeet held at the local horse trotting track. NZ RHD drive 57/58's were assembled at the Ford plant in Seaview, Lower Hutt from CKD packs sourced through Canada I believe but were Fords, not Monarchs or Meteors, and had the US style trim as opposed to the Canadian trim.
Thank you, great info.