| 1957 – 1959 Ford | |
|---|---|
 1957 Ford Fairlane 500 Skyliner | |
| Overview | |
| Manufacturer | Ford |
| Production | 1957–1959 |
| Assembly |
|
| Body and chassis | |
| Class | Full-size Ford |
| Body style | 2-door sedan (Tudor, Club Sedan) 2-door business sedan (Tudor) 4-door sedan (Fordor, Town Sedan) 2-door hardtop (Club Victoria) 4-door hardtop (Town Victoria) 2-door convertible (Sunliner) 2-door retractable hardtop (Skyliner) 2-door station wagon 4-door station wagon 2-door coupe utility (Ranchero) 2-door sedan delivery[2] (Courier) |
| Layout | FR layout |
| Related | Meteor (Canada) Edsel Ranger Edsel Pacer Edsel Roundup Edsel Villager Edsel Bermuda |
| Powertrain | |
| Engine | 223 CID (3.7 L) OHV I6 272 CID (4.5 L) Y-block V8 292 CID (4.8 L) T-bird V8 312 CID (5.1 L) T-bird V8 (1957) 332 CID (5.4 L) FE V8 (1958–59) 352 CID (5.8 L) FE V8 (1958–59) |
| Transmission | 3-speed manual 3-speed Cruise-O-Matic automatic 2-speed Ford-O-Matic automatic |
| Dimensions | |
| Wheelbase | 116 in (2,946 mm) 118 in (2,997 mm) |
| Length | 203.5 in (5,169 mm) [3] |
| Chronology | |
| Predecessor | 1955 Ford |
| Successor | 1960 Ford |
The mainstream Ford line of cars grew substantially larger for 1957, a model which lasted through 1959. The Crown Victoria with its flashy chrome "basket handle" was no more, and the acrylic glass-roofed Crown Victoria Skyliner was replaced by a new model, the retracting-roof hardtop Skyliner.
The new chassis allowed the floor to be placed much lower, which in turn led to a lower and longer look overall. Wheels were now 14 inches in diameter rather the previous 15 inches, this also helped to give a lower profile. The major component of this chassis was a differential whose pinion gear was exceptionally low relative to the axleshafts, lower than in conventional hypoid differentials.
- ^ Darwin, Norm (1986). The History of Ford in Australia. Newstead: Eddie Ford Publications. pp. 136–139. ISBN 978-0959228724.
- ^ 1957 Ford Courier Sedan Delivery sales brochure cover Retrieved on 31 December 2009
- ^ "Directory Index: Ford_Ranchero/1957_Ford_Ranchero_Foldout". Oldcarbrochures.com. Retrieved 2011-11-20.