1957 Ford Fairlane Country Squire

Technical Specifications:

Details:

• Original California AC “Black Plate” car
• 1 of 27,000+ produced in 1957
• Second owner
• Sold new at Birdsall Motors in Victorville, CA
• Aluminum valve covers
• NOS wiring harness
• Air conditioning
• Power windows, steering and brakes
• Town & Country radio
• Right and left factory spot lights
• Tinted glass
• Padded dash and visors
• Front V grille guard
• Front wind guards
• NOS Kelsey Hayes wire wheels
• NOS FoMoCo mufflers
• Original rust free sheet metal and floors
• Body-off restoration
• Numbers matching car

Photos & text courtesy of Mecum Auctions

In the early 1950s carmakers were converting to all-steel Station Wagon bodies and clamoring to convince buyers that wood-framed haulers were a thing of the past. Expensive and maintenance-intensive, the old woody wagon had never enjoyed wide public acceptance, and yet when Ford introduced the steel-bodied Country Squire station wagon, initially with wooden body-side trim and then with imitation woodwork decorating its flanks, it became an instant status symbol with Baby Boomers and their growing young families. When Ford sales surpassed GM’s figures in 1957, Country Squire sales exceeded 27,000 vehicles, setting a record that would stand until 1965.

A solid, rust-free car, this 1957 Ford Country Squire has just emerged from a five year restoration using a collection of NOS and original parts throughout. In keeping with its position as Ford’s luxury wagon, it is generously optioned with factory “Select-Aire” air conditioning, power steering and brakes, power windows, a Town and Country radio and tinted glass. Its powerful 312 CI V8 (complete with Thunderbird finned aluminum rocker covers) drives a Ford-O-Matic automatic transmission. Its Colonial White exterior finish and warm faux wood trim are accented with twin factory cowl-mount spotlight mirrors, front grille V-guard and bumper wing guards and NOS Kelsey-Hayes wire wheels with wide Whitewalls. Providing a bright contrast in Red and White pleated vinyl, the interior features the padded dash and padded sun visors that were part of Ford’s new safety program. This 1957 Country Squire is a superior example of what is arguably one of the most elegant Station Wagons of its era.