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For sale is my 1957 Fairlane 500 Sunliner convertible project. It runs and stops and can move under its own power but is a long way from being roadworthy.

Drivetrain: The engine is a 1956 292 V8 with a Holley 4000 "Teapot" 4-barrel carburetor and oil-bath air cleaner. The engine has been fully disassembled, cleaned, checked, and reassembled with all new bearings (cam, main, rod) and rings, and of course gaskets and seals. The water pump, distributor, and fuel pump are all new. It runs well and doesn't leak any fluids at all. There are no exhaust pipes so it is loud with open manifolds. The carburetor was rebuilt a long time ago and then stored, and though it is clean and in good condition the accelerator pump responds slowly which causes a hesitation/stumble. A new pump seal should remedy that issue. The fuel tank appears to be rust-free and I have been running the car from it with it installed in the vehicle.
The transmission is a 3-speed manual with floor shifter. The car was originally equipped with Fordomatic but the conversion was done long before I acquired it. The clutch disc is new and the parts seem to work all right without any shudder on engagement. I have not tested it extensively.
The axle has a 3.10:1 ratio.

Only the engine has been overhauled. The brakes do not leak and were probably replaced about 10 years ago, when the previous owner last did any work on the car. They stop the car well enough in my driveway but they should not be considered road-ready.

Body: Every panel on this car has rust damage to some degree, except for the trunk lid, which is excellent. The panels are straight but the lowest portions of the car (rockers, floors, quarters, etc) have succumbed to "cancer" and will need to be replaced. Fortunately, replacement panels are sold for all of these rusted areas except the trunk floor and rear underseat area. Any 1957 Ford donor car should be able to supply the trunk floor as well as the front clip, which needs to be replaced as well as it is quite rusty. The x-brace frame is in good condition and should require minimal work to be excellent. The windshield is in good shape; some of the side glass is cracked but once again it can be obtained at reasonable cost. The convertible top frame is fully intact and can be raised and lowered by hand without difficulty. No parts are broken and only the header bow has some rust (not cancerous though). The hydraulics (ram, pump, hoses) are present but not usable. I have 99% of the exterior trim.

Overall, this is an advanced project best suited to someone who enjoys metal repair and who can source a good donor '57 Ford to help complete the car, or as a donor for another '57-58 Ford Sunliner project. Soft-top Sunliners are scarcer than the retractable Skyliners and they are only becoming rarer. They are particularly uncommon in project form, so if you are looking to build one your way, this is a great opportunity. I have a NC title in my name. It is titled "inoperable" which means that when it is operable again, a License and Theft Bureau agent will simply need to verify that it is operable (for NC buyers).

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Auto blog

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Tue, May 5 2015

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2015 Ford Focus ST zooming toward Goodwood reveal [w/video]

Mon, 23 Jun 2014

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Recharge Wrap-up: Tesla considers Model III SUV and wagon, Ford tears Tesla apart

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1957 Ford Fairlane 500 Sunliner Convertible Project on 2040-cars

Ford Fairlane for Sale