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23/12/2016 6:34 am
My First Love (PICS)
I was 15 when my cousin (more like an older sister to me) graduated from Nurse's Training and came to spend a couple of weeks with us. She arrived in a brand new white over blue '57 Ford Sunliner! We'd go to Jimmy's and cruise around with everyone-- did I mention she was about 5'5", 90 pounds and a beautiful blond? She'd pull out onto Memorial Drive. smile sweetly at the guy beside her, and when the light changed, leave him sitting. I firmly believed that an automatic couldn't burn rubber until she' leave two black stripes on Memorial Drive!
Neo has just released this superb model of her '57 which matches my memories and all the photos I could find with one small exception. Every detail is there, and in perfect scale; the big side checkmark trim is printed in bright chrome and gold while just about everything else is either plated or photo-etched. The latter includes the tiny door lock cylinders and the Ford crest in the rear seatback "dip". Headlight lenses are fluted, the big taillights are red plastic, there's a black wash on the grille, etc, etc. Interior detail has correct two-color upholstery and a very accurate dash. Once again my treasured MiniMarque 43 model gets relegated to the back of the shelf by one that's better ( a LOT better) in every way. One question: has anyone ever seen a '57 Ford with a folding deck-mounted antenna?
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23/12/2016 6:48 am
The 1957 Ford Fairlane happens to be on of my favorite American Classics and it is on the suggestion list I emailed to Neo, regarding
unreleased American cars worth making. I have ordered one,
hoping to get it soon!
23/12/2016 6:59 am
Love this model. Looks spot on. Now if they would only make the Country Squire wagon.
As far as the antenna, a quick Google search reveals a rear deck mount antenna for this car but I see nothing about one being a folding type.
23/12/2016 8:11 am
A very nice stroll down memory lane, somehow my mind keeps wandering off to your cousin...
23/12/2016 9:16 am
Curtis, I also wish they would make the Country Squire Woody Wagon, and I am confident they will. Terms of my post #22161.1
apply to 1957 Ford Fairlane hardtop, convertible and also
the Country Squire Woody Station Wagon!
23/12/2016 11:11 am
Neo 'Sunliner'
Wayne,
I also have the model. I removed the antenna shaft and re-fixed at proper angle. (No folding antenna existed). Agree with your appraisal, except the steering wheel should be dished and not flat. (Safety wheel was a big Ford selling point)
23/12/2016 11:33 am
And if you saw a picture of her 60 years ago....
23/12/2016 2:25 pm
My apologies to Neo
After more looking, as suggested, I did find photos of decklid antennae-- not nearly as common as the fender mount but certainly there. After looking closely I also found that the antenna was attached with a flexible glue and was possibly intended to be just straightened up, but I managed to detach it. There may be a hole in its base but I couldn't get all the glue off. so carefully glued it in the correct position like Stanton. It's fragile, though! And Stanton is right-- the "safety wheel" should be deeply dished. Don't know how I missed that since I broke the one on my '57 (just a base Custom 300, alas, but in the same colors) completely off the column one dark and snowy morning. Did my nose and teeth no good, either, but possibly saved me from a head injury. I WAS wearing a lap belt (from an F-105, but that's another story. Anyway, my bad, Neo's good, and my apology
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23/12/2016 3:51 pm
57 Ford convert
Hi Wayne; That was a beautiful car and was the reason my first new car was a 59 Ford red and white convertible. Some thing that always troubled me was why the 57 Chevy is considered by most as the iconic car of the 50's when the Ford was longer,lower and wider (very important back than) than the Chevy. Also the Ford had a beautiful two tone paint job while the Chevy Bel Aire just put a slab of Aluminum on the side. Go figure.
23/12/2016 3:54 pm
Where is model available? Even on the makers web site I don't see it. Please enlighten me. Thanks.
23/12/2016 6:58 pm
Wonderful review and story, Wayne. Fred, I agree, the Chevy looked older than '57 Ford and Plymouth
23/12/2016 8:40 pm
Ford '57
And the Ford actually outsold the Chevy...
.
24/12/2016 3:20 am
That has always been one of life's Major Mysteries to me, too, Fred. The Chevy was yet another re-do of the '55.
24/12/2016 3:22 am
I got mone from American Excellence
24/12/2016 6:27 am
Three reasons why the '57 Chevy became an icon--The '57 Ford is my all-time favorite. However, some real world practical matters diminished its luster.
In my book one of the biggest factors is rust. The '57--'59 Fords (and Plymouths) were notoriously susceptible to rust, especially in the areas where road salt was used. We replaced two sets of rocker panels on our '57 Custom 300 and the fender hoods over the headlights trapped water as well.
According to an Ohio Chevrolet dealer I travelled with in Italy, the '57 Chevy design, particularly its tailfins, were so unpopular in his area that they were traded in early and in large quantities. That flooded the used car market with the resulting prices of those used cars being lower than comparable models from Ford and Plymouth.
Thirdly, and not to be underestimated, performance parts from/for Chevrolet and GM cars were much easier to get than Ford.
Combine a lower cost ride with easily hopped up performance and rusting Fords, and the '57 Chevy had a good start on becoming a favorite.
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