Looking for a project 1957 custom 300 2 door.

[trent17]

I am looking for custom 300 2 door in Texas. I need the cab and frame. I need the frame and cab pretty straight. Rust is not a major problem. I have seen 2 this week that have been side swiped. I have about 2.5 1957 ford 4 door cars but the elusive 2 door has not come around. Any leads given into finding one, I would be greatly thankful for. Email me: th1957@thwaco.com

Trent

[suede57ford]

There is one on ebay in Ft Worth Right now.   It looks like a really good one, and a project.   I did an ebay search on 57 ford or 1957 Ford withhighest first and work your way down to it.   It has a yellow hood and looks like gray primer on it.

[JPotter57]

I saw that, its still at a good price too.  That car looks to be a 70B, Custom 300, has 300 door panels anyway.  Doesnt say if he has any or all of the trim for the sides, but the basic car is there and looks to be a good start.  Good luck in your search, keep checking back here, something always pops up.
Hows it going out there in the land of miserable heat, guys?

[RICH MUISE]

Trent...This lead is not in Texas..but probably close enough..he is in Lawton, Oklahoma. I ran into him at the Fort Worth Pate swap meet earlier this year. He has over 30 '57 Fords..from what I gather mostly complete project cars he had bought for restoration. He has a number of restored vehicles also. Like most of us who are finding that age is catching up to us..he needs to "thin out his herd" in case something happens to him..doesn't want to leave an overwhelming situation on his wife. I don't want to post his number until I talk to him and get his permission to do so, so in the meantime I'll send you a personal message with that info. Also ask him about his contact in Texas who has a much larger collection than that. Check your personal messages..the info is there. Rich
James...Heat?? is it hot down there? LOL. I'm getting into the old Mexican habit of working in the morning, working in the evening, and siesta time in the afternoon cause it's too darn hot to do anything. I wasn't expecting the global warming thing to come all at once.

[trent17]

Thanks for the information. In the land of heat makes it easier to bend metal. It is hot, very hot but that is Texas. Thanks for all the replies. The car on ebay is in great shape for restore but is out of my budget plans. I also want to save another rusty 57 from certain doom. I hope to find a one that the cab and frame are straight. Some rust is expected. I have 2.5 four door 57 fords right now. I should have some parts there. I'm trying to stay around 2k not to exceed 3k. Be honest with me what I am describing, Can i find one in that range or am I asking alot? Thanks

[RICH MUISE]

Trent..imho if you're patient, you should be able to find something in that $range that is relatively rust free as long as you're not looking for a rust free complete driver. You say cab and frame, you will also need doors of course and the seats will be different. from the firewall forward everything should be the same, so your 4dr parts cars will help there. I would think as I said, 3k should find you a straight body, mostly complete except drivetrain. with the cost of rust repair panels and associated materials, you'll be way ahead of the game paying 3K for a minimal rust body vs. 1K for a rustbucket body....both in time and dollars....
I'm in Amarillo..where are you?

[trent17]

waco tx.

[trent17]

Well it is not a custom but it was a very good deal. A very straight 2 door Fairlane 500. I thank every one that help me find one.

[RICH MUISE]

Congrats...sounds like you had a productive weekend! Any pics? What did you find(complete,runner,drivetrain?) and where did you find it?  Rich

[trent17]

It is not a runner. It is missing the trunk lid. Stright body and I mean straight. Only one rust through area behind the rear wheels (no bigger than a BB size hole.). There is very little rust anywhere else. It does have motor and transmission. Motor looks to be no count. I want to have a 302 to put in it anyway. I will have to find a windshield. I will post pictures when I get it home. But I bought it for less than 700.00.

Things needed when I get started: Trunk lid, Small piece of trim, the front piece above the grill and below the hood.(If anybody knows what the technical name for that is fill me in.)

[Rideau 500]

Parts book says it is a panel - radiator grille opening, part # B7A 8190-B1

[trent17]

Here is a picture of how I found it.

[RICH MUISE]

looks good and solid..that 49/51 would look good in your driveway next to it also. Too hilly for north Texas...must be down in your area. If you're needing cheap wheels and tires to get it on a trailer or move it around...donuts out of junk yard trunks can be had for about 5-10 bucks a piece..and you don't have to jack up the car to get them off..just reach in the trunk...I got mine from a couple of  lincoln town cars..$5. each...just bring a wheel stud pattern/gage to make sure you got the right diameter bolt pattern.  Rich

[JPotter57]

That is a good looking body.  I really wish we had solid stuff like that here in south MS....too much humidity and salt, therefore, too much rust.

[trent17]

I got really lucky. I does have rot through on the rear quarter panel on the side you see in the picture. It is bb size. The floor seems to be in good shape. I know I will have to put a couple of panels in the floor. Obvious brakes lock tight all around. It had a damaged front fender on the passenger side. He gave me a rust free never damaged fender he had bought for it. Now the vin number showed a automatic trans. but it has a standard in it. All other codes match what it has except the trans. It came from the dallas tx plant. I think I got a pretty good deal over all.