A cruiser fit for the boulevard
Nothing beats a convertible for summertime driving. Dropping the top and feeling the wind and sun sift through your hair is a quintessential experience behind the wheel of a car. Doing so in a piece of classic American iron adds a certain appeal that can’t be replicated by anything else. That’s where this 1957 Ford Fairlane 500 Sunliner for sale on Exotic Car Trader comes in. You can check out the listing by clicking here.
Ford’s 1957 lineup of cars retained the single-headlight arrangement of the previous year, but added sweeping tailfins and fenders that came to a point. Trim levels included the “Custom”, “Custom 300”, “Fairlane”, and top-line “Fairlane 500” in a variety of body styles ranging from a 2-door sedan to a convertible, a hardtop convertible, and even a station wagon. One of the things that set the Fairlanes apart from the Customs was their wheelbase, which was extended to 118 in versus the Customs’ 116 in. Engine choices consisted of a straight-six and four different V8s, depending on how speedy you wanted your cruising to be.
Exotic Car Trader
Thinking about selling your car?
Get a value estimate and list it online with Exotic Car Trader. Click here to learn more.
This Fairlane proudly shows off the aesthetics of an entire era
This particular example is a 1957 Ford Fairlane 500 Sunliner, the soft-top convertible version of the Fairlane trim. With just 67,000 miles since its restoration, this Fairlane is finished in one of the best color schemes of its era: a two-tone combination of Coral Sand and Colonial White. There is no mistaking this pastel beauty for anything other than a Fifties car, with just a tinge of inspiration from the upcoming sixties being visible in its body lines. Its rocketship-like aesthetics are complemented by the Continental Kit, which places the spare wheel on the rear bumper, rear fender skirts, searchlight mirrors, and enough chrome to line a path to the moon.
The cabin sports a contrasting black and white vinyl interior, not as pastel-y as the exterior but still classy, with the original Town & Country radio alongside a Bluetooth-capable modern audio system and power windows. Most notably, the glove box of this Fairlane was signed by Gale Halderman, the man who worked on redesigning the 1957 Fairlane and eventually helped design the first-generation Mustang.
Exotic Car Trader
Exotic Car Trader
Under the hood lies the 312ci “Thunderbird Special” Y-Block V8 mated to a 4-speed automatic transmission with overdrive and rear-wheel drive. Front-wheel drive powertrains wouldn’t become common for a few more years at that point.
Final thoughts
No other era can truly compete with the ’50s and ’60s in terms of automotive aesthetics. The sweeping tailfins, rocketship-inspired touches, and oodles of chrome lining every possible detail make them stand out in any crowd. They may not be the fastest, but when you drop the top of something like this 1957 Ford Fairlane 500 Sunliner and cruise down the PCH without a care in the world, speed becomes an unnecessary extra. With cars like these, it’s not about when you get there, but how you get there. Yes, it’s $79,000, but look at how much character and soul you get for your money. How many other modern rides at that price can provide this same experience? I’ll wait.
About the author
Gabriel Ionica
Senior Editor, Autoblog