Howdy everyone! Thanks for letting me join. New to the site, but no stranger to '57's.
Grew up riding in, admiring, and helping Dad wrench on his '57 Fairlane 500 2dr HT and a couple other y-block powered Fords. These days I do most of the heavy lifting since he's had double-knee replacement.
His '57 is very original and is a great cruiser. Coral Sand/Colonial White, D-code 312 4v, Fordomatic, T&C, rear speaker, heater, padded dash & backup lights. Early production car and still had the canister oil filter in place when he bought the car in 1979. Interestingly, it didn't have the glove box emblem like most early production 312's. I've read Ford had a supply issue with the emblems.
Here's a few pics. Can't find any interior/engine shots. Have to get some better pics soon.
That's a beautiful 57, whos 56 crown.
Quote from: 57chero on 2020-12-30 12:23
That's a beautiful 57, whos 56 crown.
Thanks. The '56 Crown is Dad's as well. Peacock Blue/Colonial White, P-code 312, Fordomatic. Currently has the drivetrain out and getting freshened up.
I think the 55-56 Crown Vic is one of the most beautiful body styles ford ever made, never has got the recognition it deserves like the Chevys get of the same year.
Quote from: 57chero on 2020-12-30 14:16
I think the 55-56 Crown Vic is one of the most beautiful body styles ford ever made, never has got the recognition it deserves like the Chevys get of the same year.
Absolutely, 100% agree!
Beautiful car(s)!!! Welcome to the forum!
Got me thinking after seeing your 56 and 57, they sure had some nice color combinations back in the fifty's plus all the chrome and stainless not like today where you have about four choices, silver- charcoal- white- or black and no chrome, Plus all the cars today look about the same.
Welcome aboard, both rides are absolutely stunning!
Welcome aboard! Looks like an all Ford family! Nice rides, keep the pics coming.....
Welcome to the site. Super nice cars. Back in the late 60's I had my black 57 and a white 55 Crown Victoria also.
:009:
(http://57fordsforever.com/smf/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=8535.0;attach=31176;image%5D)
Ya' know ....
I always thought Dolly Parton was the prettiest thing I ever saw, but this car has me now doubting that.
Absolutely beautiful!
Thank y'all!
Making another order from CASCO for the '57 bird now. Needed a water pump and now the list is pushing $300... the never ending urge to spend more $.
Hope 2021 goes better for everyone. Ready to get back to normal and enjoy some car shows.
Happy New Year to everyone.
Greetings from a little further north. I love both those cars. '56 has always been my favorite Ford........but never owned one. In normal times, I do car shows in the dfw area......maybe we'll run into each other when things get back to normal. It'll be nice having someone from around the central area to give me head's-ups on car shows, etc.
Rich
Quote from: RICH MUISE on 2020-12-31 19:10
Greetings from a little further north. I love both those cars. '56 has always been my favorite Ford........but never owned one. In normal times, I do car shows in the dfw area......maybe we'll run into each other when things get back to normal. It'll be nice having someone from around the central area to give me head's-ups on car shows, etc.
Rich
Absolutely, Rich! Been cooped up too long. One plus side to being stuck at home so much is getting more accomplished on the cars & other projects.
Your 57 custom looks tough. What drivetrain you running?
I went new school........4.6 dohc EFI, 4r70W 4spd od tranny, had the oem rear narrowed, rebuilt w/trac-loc and 3.50 gears. Finished it about 5 years ago, have put 43k miles on it. Just a cruiser, nothing hot, but has some giddy-up.
Quote from: yblock57 link=topic=8535.msg82057#msg82057=1609434786
Making another order from CASCO for the '57 bird now. Needed a water pump and now the list is pushing $300... the never ending urge to spend more $.
Hate to interrupt this thread but I am sure you are familiar with the 55-57 overheating problem(s). This is the newly designed CASCO WP for a Y-BLOCK BIRD? Maybe make sure you keep the core as it's ID markings will keep the car numbers correct in the future?
I installed there water pump on my 56 bird along with a aluminum radiator.
57 Ranchero has been done for a while, so got a new project.
New project??....hell that car looks like it spent many years being a project. Gorgeous!!
That is the best looking Y-block I have ever seen, in a stunning engine compartment!
Sounds like a great, dependable cruiser. Probably does pretty well on gas too.
WOW! That paint really came back!
Quote from: KULTULZ on 2021-01-03 11:24
Hate to interrupt this thread but I am sure you are familiar with the 55-57 overheating problem(s). This is the newly designed CASCO WP for a Y-BLOCK BIRD? Maybe make sure you keep the core as it's ID markings will keep the car numbers correct in the future?
You are correct, KULTULZ. Ordered that exact pump.
Car has never overheated but does creep up in traffic. The old pump is a generic parts-house garden variety. Original one is long gone, unfortunately.
I've been led to believe that all 56 T Birds were shipped with continental kits ( toilet seats ) to help correct the poor handling of 55s, too light on the rear. i don't like toilet seats either. Is the assumption correct?
From what I understand is 55 owners complained of no trunk space so in 56 they did the continental kit and because of it they were ass end heavy and didn't handle very good so in 57 they changed the styling by lengthening the 1/4 panels which meant more trunk space to accommodate the spare tire plus luggage.
Quote from: 57chero on 2021-01-03 17:22
I installed there water pump on my 56 bird along with a aluminum radiator.
That '56 looks great! Really like that aluminum intake and perfectly detailed engine compartment. Great job.
Detailed the '57 bird a few years ago. Black is very unforgiving. Turned out ok for a weekend warrior.
Looks really good, its a lot of work as you know getting the engine compartment dialed in. You went a lot farther than I did and it shows, on mine I cleaned it up best I could with the motor in and touched up a few areas on the inner fenders, these T-birds are a completely different animal when it comes to working on them compared to the 57 fords.