Courier....'57 or '58????

[gasman826]

Interesting?

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Ford-Other-RARE-SEDAN-DELIVERY-1957-1958-ford-courier-panel-wagon-project-galaxie-fairlane-custom-/141539686549?forcerrptr=true&hash=item20f46c3895&item=141539686549&pt=US_Cars_Trucks

[Jeff Norwell]

Very interesting Gary,But,a lot of money for a engine less car.
I know they say production numbers are low, but??...

[gasman826]

Very interesting Gary,But,a lot of money for a engine less car.
I know they say production numbers are low, but??...

Agreed!!!!!!!

I found the interesting part that the VIN says '58 but the look says '57.

[canadian_ranchero]

i am told the 58 roof has ribs in it.if that is true,this one is a 57

[Ecode70D]

It looks like a 58 dash.  The side trim is 58 and there are ribs in the roof.  I can't make out what  the data plate says.   My 57 wagon had a smooth roof without the ribs.  I think it's a 58.

[Jeff Norwell]

So I guess someone put a 57 front sheet metal clip on it at one time.
I passed up on a 2 door 57 wagon in the last 8 months out of Buffalo(under 2 grand) original car,original pea green paint?all there,not molested.
The Courier is a neat different animal, but I think(my opinion here) to get a drivetrain,body,paint,interior,it would take a lot of green.

[Ecode70D]

So I guess someone put a 57 front sheet metal clip on it at one time.

The Courier is a neat different animal, but I think(my opinion here) to get a drivetrain,body,paint,interior,it would take a lot of green.

Jeff
    Don't forget that someone could change the SS and dash very easily, but look at the ribs in the roof.   That's what convinced me that it could be a 58.  Don't forget though there are crafty people that can do anything with sheet metal.  Those couriers sure do have some strange looking tail gate and lift gates don't they?.  What is the date code on the data plate?  Jay

[pepfalcon]

also look at the engine bay. no place for wiper motor, so wiper motor is under dash. 1958.

[Ecode70D]

also look at the engine bay. no place for wiper motor, so wiper motor is under dash. 1958.

     Good observation Phillip!  I need a demerit for missing that important clue. 
     I got to meet James last month when he came to Mass.  We got to take a couple of the cars out including the 57 Custom.  Too bad that it was such a short visit.   Jay

[djfordmanjack]

I say it's a 58 and a lot on it is grafted. the rear bumper is 58, roof too. The tailgates have been worked on also. There has been an option for a two-piece tail gate for the Courier, but then it would have the stock 1-piece glass liftgate. The gate on this car is obviously mixed. upper part must have been a (top hinged) cargo door before, since it has the reinforcing posts still there. thus 3 pc glass. lower gate appears to be stock 57 wagon. the car is a cool project but they are asking way too much for the condition. should be below 4k really.

[djfordmanjack]

I migh have overlooked something. the narrow gap on the lower part of the tailgate indicates that it's still the original 1pc cargodoor intact. Not absolutely positive but the 3 pc glass didn't have trim pieces on the devider posts, which were only rubber seals and painted metal. trim was only around perimeter of glass.
speedo is a 58 too. of course a 58 Courier ( Delivery sedan) would have the 57 taillights like the Ranchero from factory. so only the frontend seems to have been changed.

[Ecode70D]

Günter
   If you have a picture of the back of your 57 Courier, would you please post it so we can make a comparison.  The  back of that 58 looks "wonky" (schlampig). 
Thanks Jay

[djfordmanjack]

Yes it keeps bothering me too. something is phoney about it. But what I can say is, that the Delivery 1pc cargo door has a smaller gap on the bottom. the  'normal'2pc wagon and Ranchero tail gates they need a wider gap, so when it drops down, it can swing into the recess without interference. thats where the wagons have the wide lower rubber molding. The recess is the same with the Courier, but it's missing the lower hinges, obviously has a latch in the middle and in my mind the bottom gap was much less, maybe 1/4" whereas you can stick your finger in at the wagon opening. here's the rear of my old Delivery, but beware - it was Canadian buildt, so it might hold other secrets.
when I say 1 pc cargo door I mean it's opening in one piece. it is actually the glass part with the 2 posts, that hold all the weight to the upper hinges. and these posts extend under the window frame and hex head bolts solidmount the lower tailgate part. Since the lower tailgate needed all the reinforcements and threads for those upper posts, it means that it was different from a stock wgn/rnchro gate.
can you spot the MASSIVE hinges on top of the rear door?

[Ecode70D]

Thanks Günter  Now I get it and I can see the big hinges.   It's nothing like any 57 wagon that I have had in the past.   These things are just plain scarce.   JA

[pepfalcon]

there are going to be title issues and a big hassle with this sale. i messaged the seller yesterday, and told him that i thought the number 4 at the start of the serial number was actually an A, he e mailed me a picture of the title that shows the 4. but yesterday he ended the auction and relisted the car, this time deleting the picture of the data plate. just saying........