The 40th annual Portland Transmission Spring Classic This Saturday, Beautiful weather mid 80s, there was probably around 500-600 cars and one lonely 57 Del Rio wagon and I thought I would throw this in a beautiful little 55 Bird. The majority of cars were 30s and 40s.

5-600 cars..wow, hasn't been squat going on around here. Both cars you posted are gorgeous.

Forgot to show the dash plaque they were giving away at the cruise in, kind of funny they would put a 57 on it since there was only one 57 out of all the cars there.

The picture on the dash plaque looks exactly my 2nd 57 blue and white 2DHT. I bought it in October of 1964, I WAS 16 at the time. I payed $70.00 for it and drove it home. The body and interior needed nothing but a good cleaning, however the engine was bad and smoked like crazy. The dealership took my check, but would not put my name on the paper work. They used my dad's name, Herb, for leagle reasons,I guess. For some reason I kept the sales receipt and it is framed and hanging on my showroom wall, Most guys that look at it can't believe the $70.00 price I believe I showed it to Hugh when he was here last spring. In todays world $70,00 well hardly fill the fuel tank.

True enough on the ability of the $70 to fill the tank! I can remember when $5.00 would do the trick!

When I started working in my Father's B/A station a $10.00 fill was big news.

My first car was a 1958 Custom 300, 223 6-cylinder automatic.

Terry
 

Quote from: FiveSevenLiter on 2024-05-20 11:04When I started working in my Father's B/A station a $10.00 fill was big news.

My first car was a 1958 Custom 300, 223 6-cylinder automatic.

Terry
 

Yea, that was usually a pick-up with twin tanks!

My first was a 58 Custom 300 with 272 and three speed.  I traded my Triumph motorcycle for it.  I had originally paid $75 for the bike.
Gas was initially 22c a gallon in our little Texas town and had gone up to
28c.  Gas was higher in Louisiana and I remember having to pay 33c a gallon when we were running bootleg through Louisiana and I swore I would never pay that much again.  Then came gas rationing during the seventies, so much for swearing.    

Quote from: 57chero on 2024-05-17 20:30Forgot to show the dash plaque they were giving away at the cruise in, kind of funny they would put a 57 on it since there was only one 57 out of all the cars there.

   If the dash plaque would have been a 57 Chevy I would have probably just told them to keep it.

Quote from: rmk57 on 2024-05-23 14:00If the dash plaque would have been a 57 Chevy I would have probably just told them to keep it.

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That black Del Rio is gorgeous ! Did you see what engine it's running ?

IT was a fuel injected 302 with a 57 air cleaner modified to fit along with steel valve covers painted black with Thunderbird special decals.

NICE !!! My first 57 (SD Courier) also had a 1969 302. maybe not a very spectacular engine swap, but they make great drivers. I also have a 302 in my 34 2dr Sedan. These engines will go 3/4 to full throttle on the Autobahn all day long.
In a 57 Ford a SBF engine also makes a big difference in weight distribution. My Del Rio has a 351W and it takes a lot of weight off the front axle, compared to the Y. Certainly improves handling. That said, I still love my 292 in the CS. wouldn't want to have any other engine in there.

Found a good video of the Portland Transmission car show, it shows a good variety of what was there. Go to YouTube and search Portland's secret car show.