Old Ford pics

[59meteor]

Does anybody know the production numbers of 57 E and F code 57s, and also by body style? Assuming all these Brazilian Police cars were E code Custom 4 doors, you have to wonder if that was a unique special order, and if any North American Police Departments had similar cars.

[hemidave]

  I read that there was an F code exported to Bolivia, and 2 F codes to San Salvador, but I think one of the posters of this pic on the internet might have heard or hoped they were E codes. I should have stated that.

[hemidave]

She loves her '57

[rmk57]

  You would think because of police or city budgeting most police cars got the c-code 292 or even the upscale 312. The e or f code police cars would be quite rare and an expensive option along with maintenance and dependability issues.

[hemidave]

  I think the F codes for export were for dignitaries or elites.

[djfordmanjack]

And the teapots would've probably put every other one of them on fire, before they could ever catch a criminal on the flight....hahaha 

[hemidave]

Living the Dream.......

[alvin stadel]

G. in regard  to your T-pot comment, I have a E code and have never had a problem, not saying that some day I won't.  I have put a lot of miles on it and it performs great. I know there has been a lot issues with carbs, however I think it's a maintenance thing, I keep mine clean and tuned  and seem to have  a trouble free ride.  But then maybe I'm just lucky.

[cokefirst]

I have owned my 55 Thunderbird since 1969.   The carburetor works fine and has never caught fire or cause a fuel spill.  Putting a good kit with alcohol resistant parts goes a long way in solving problems.  Using the carburetor manual from Holley and taking your time solves the rest.

[djfordmanjack]

Alvin, I was just making a (bad) joke. I am sure that many problems come from lack of maintainance. Glad your E is running without problems.
I have only had multiple carbs with 94 Holleys on Flatheads so far, and you just have to choose good straight cores/carbs or it will tend to leak all the time.

[hemidave]

8 prototypes of Front Wheel Drive 1958 Thunderbirds were supposedly built. Here are a couple of diagrams of the design.

[mustang6984]

Interesting...they seem close to what we see today.

[hemidave]

Getting ready to race

[John Palmer]

Getting ready to race

It looks like that "Cammer" would be a difficult engine to work on in the car.  The car still has a rear view mirror, and working vent windows!  Looks like it just has a single roll bar hoop, "no full cage or window net".   It's a wonder anybody lived through the early days of drag racing.  The safety rules had not yet been written.

John

[rmk57]

  The must have had a doghouse to access the engine between rounds. Also running 90% nitromethane would have made it a pretty wild ride. Best years in drag racing in my opinion.