Recent content by yblock57

Hard to beat an all black '57 custom! All business! Have any engine shots?

Here’s the mainline/customline wheel… just happens to be in a Fairlane…

Another vote in favor of not patronizing Thunderbirds Southwest (AKA Lance Herrington). Been waiting for someone else to make this shroud for Dad's '57 for a long time just so he wouldn't get another dime from us. Herrington is more interested in selling cars (nash metropolitans) and ripping...

This is the same setup in Dad's '57 Fairlane. The valve fastens directly to the core and has a 'cricket' vacuum valve that controls water flow. It's a really simple setup and works just fine in his car. I've replaced the core and valve and both are available new. I don't believe the cricket...

Appreciate the link. Interesting read. Helps explain Dad's '57 'bird a little better too. :cool:

Patrick — One of the fellas in the local 'bird club has a '57 that's had some front end damage. The hood has a couple of washers between the hinge to hood to shim it up flush with the nose panel/fender. As long as you don't know it, you can't see it. Hopefully yours aligns ok. Good luck!

That Y looks good. Ready for paint? Trans could use a little scrappin' :D

Remember reading an article about that. Good point, unfortunately. The Henry Ford website shows this; The following books from the Car & Parts Magazine Matching Numbers Series can help you decode VIN numbers: Catalog of American Car ID Numbers 1950-1959 Wonder if it has anything additional...

Appreciate the follow-up, and all the leg work. Thanks for clarifying. Do you think Dearborn still has any records from that era on this stuff? I know the factory invoices are available for mid-55-57 ‘birds, but have never heard of any passenger car or truck records from that era being available.

10-4. Appreciate all the help [emoji1303]

Thanks for the clarification on the paint scheme code. It’s a driver — repainted in 1996. Someone put seat covers with incorrect pattern but door panels carpet & headliner are original. Engine doesn’t appear to have ever been out of the car. No way to know for sure, unless opened up. Still...

Thanks, Kultulz! It’s his favorite of the collection. Fairly low optioned for a 500, but has the 312, Fordomatic, radio (t&c), rear speaker, heater, windshield washers & backup lights. He added the town & country and day/night mirror back when you could still buy that stuff for a reasonable...

Sure thing;

Thanks, Rotor. Agreed that that production code is a can of worms. Too bad it can't tell what sales district it was shipped... Other than having the original invoice, it's likely impossible to ever know for sure. Dad thinks they went to liquid-cooled FOM's in June '56. Probably debatable as...

Since we're on the subject of data plate decoding, I had Dad send me the one off his '56 crown. Here's what I've dug up. That pesky production code is the only part that seems to be questionable (like the early '57 posted prior). Any comments/corrections welcome. One noteworthy thing here is...