This 1957 Ford Fairlane 500 is a modified convertible that was reportedly purchased by the seller’s father-in-law in the 1960s, sold to a friend, and reacquired before being set aside in lieu of other projects in the late 1990s. Power is said to come from a 427ci FE side-oiler V8 mated to a 4-speed manual gearbox from a later Fairlane, while other modifications have been made to the brakes, fuel system, gauge cluster, rear end, and more. The seller acquired the car approximately four years ago and has since driven it about 400 miles. It is offered with spare parts and a clean Minnesota collector title.

The car is believed to have been repainted at least 15 years ago and is said to present well from 20 feet, while closer inspection reveals significant scratching on the fenders, trunk lip, and leading edge of the hood as shown in the gallery below. Corrosion is present at the trailing edge of the passenger door. The seller believes the convertible top to be a replacement and notes that it functions as it should, but is best operated by two people due to its weight.

Cosmetic modifications include omission of the front bumper, hood pins, blacked-out trim, and cutting of the hood to clear the raised chrome air cleaner below. Dished 15″ Torq Thrust wheels are shod with 235/60 Firestone Indy 500 tires which are said to have been replaced in 2010. Running gear modifications include a disc brake conversion up front. The taillights are reported to function intermittently.

The all-black interior is outfitted with vinyl-covered bucket seats, a Mustang-style steering wheel, stock switchgear, and smooth door panels.

A custom gauge cluster includes replacement Stewart Warner and AutoMeter instruments which are said to work except for the speedometer and odometer. Approximately 5,300 miles are indicated, with total mileage unknown.

The trunk houses a relocated battery and fuel system, which includes an aluminum tank stenciled with “104 Octane” as well as an electric pump and spin-on filter setup. The seller’s father-in-law is believed to have performed the modification and while details of the configuration are not known, the seller points out that the car has always been run on 104 octane, either mixed 110 and non-oxygenated 91 or the Sunoco racing 104. Rust-through is noted on the inner fender wells.

The engine is said to be a Ford 427ci FE side-oiler V8 with high-rise cylinder heads, and is mated to a 4-speed manual transmission sourced from a 1969 Fairlane 428. The seller states that both were installed by his father-in-law but is unaware of further details, adding that the engine runs warm at times when the car is stopped. Engine stampings are shown in the gallery below. An oil change was performed in fall 2017, as was an inspection, which the seller reports revealed no immediate mechanical needs.

A start-up video is provided above.

A number of photos are provided to show several fluid leaks and the condition of the exhaust, disc brakes, suspension components, and chassis, the latter of which harbors varying levels of corrosion throughout.