Production Numbers
- Thread starter Jlau
- Start date
rotorwrench
Well-known member
They were geared toward commercial use so they were limited production types as were the Ranch Wagon that it is based on. If I had to guess, the production was likely not more that around 6000 units.
Daves55Sedan
Well-known member
Looks more like a '57, due to the single, round taillights, the '57 Custom 300 series body side trim and the '57 Fairlane full wheel covers.
I guess you added the '57 body side trim and the '57 wheel covers. The Courier most likely would have had no body side trim at all in most cases and would have had the little 10 inch hub caps rather than full-wheel covers.
Turns out that the Courier model in '58 was the only wagon model that year that did not have the dual oval shaped taillights. Fomoco used the 1957 wagon body for the '58 Courier. However, the Courier would likely not have had those Chrome trim rings around the taillight lenses.
More importantly, did you know that you are not supposed to have you tailpipes sticking straight out the back on wagon models because the air movement at the back pushes exhaust fumes up toward the passenger compartment? For wagon models, the exhaust tailpipes ran behind the rear wheels and stuck out the side under the rear quarter panel.
I guess you added the '57 body side trim and the '57 wheel covers. The Courier most likely would have had no body side trim at all in most cases and would have had the little 10 inch hub caps rather than full-wheel covers.
Turns out that the Courier model in '58 was the only wagon model that year that did not have the dual oval shaped taillights. Fomoco used the 1957 wagon body for the '58 Courier. However, the Courier would likely not have had those Chrome trim rings around the taillight lenses.
More importantly, did you know that you are not supposed to have you tailpipes sticking straight out the back on wagon models because the air movement at the back pushes exhaust fumes up toward the passenger compartment? For wagon models, the exhaust tailpipes ran behind the rear wheels and stuck out the side under the rear quarter panel.
Ford blue blood
Well-known member
58 Ranchero was also a 57 "round taillight" unit.
rotorwrench
Well-known member
The military purchased a lot of Couriers. I've seen films of them being used to haul tools out to work on aircraft way out on the tarmac.
KULTULZ
Well-known member
If it is a 1958 (cannot see front clip) (or verify PATENT PLATE/FRAME STAMPING) it has been trimmed out with 1957 RANCH WAGON 'DEL RIO' body moldings and as mentioned, 1957 base full wheel covers.
It also shows a FYB in 1957 312 trim-out. A 58 would have either the 223, 292 2V or 332/352.
It is a RESTO-MOD. Very common.
It would have cost FOMOCO much to re-stamp the lift-gate for 1958 rear lamps.
Daves55Sedan
Well-known member
Fomoco did offer a 312 Thunderbird Special V8 in 1957 (which is what his engine looks like, or a 292 with the special decals), but in '58 the Special V8 was available in a 332 or 252, but they had a different valve cover decal than the 55/56/57 decal. Bottom line is, that if that is really a '58 Courier, the engine he has installed is not correct for that year Courier.
Actually, no extra cost to have the single round taillights for the Courier in '58. All they did was keep last years (1957) wagon body stamps and re-use them for the '58 Courier production. Doing so would actually reduce the production cost of the '58 Courier and Ranchero by not using the '58 wagon taillights and tailgate.
KULTULZ
Well-known member
This may be the same car advertised @ MECUM.
It states it has a 'transitional front end', whatever that is. And is a 292 engine.
https://www.mecum.com/lots/FL0118-312845/1958-ford-courier-sedan-delivery/
It states it has a 'transitional front end', whatever that is. And is a 292 engine.
https://www.mecum.com/lots/FL0118-312845/1958-ford-courier-sedan-delivery/
scicala
Well-known member
I have a hard time believing they made a '58 Courier with all '57 sheet metal (incl. front clip), and also with Fairlane or Custom 300/Del Rio trim. Not to mention the '57 valve cover decals. It could be the correct engine for '58, if it's a 292 two barrel. I believe in '58 the air cleaners were thinner and more modern looking though.
Sal
Sal
KULTULZ
Well-known member
The car shown is either a '57 or '58, depending on how the PATENT PLATE reads, if the original/correct PATENT PLATE. The 57 and 58 FORD were almost an exact duplicate of one another other than the front clip and trim items.
Now the 57/58 COURIER and RANCHERO deviate from one another very little, both being based on the 1957 RANCH WAGON platform, the reasoning being cost and specially stamped sheet metal for the one piece tailgate door opening..
There was no DEL RIO trim level available for the COURIER (as far as I know) and one would need a period correct salesman option listing reference to see how one could be assembled with accessories on special order.
It is a RESTO-MOD rather than a dedicated restoration and MECUM does point that out. I would also a$$-u-me that the VIN was verified..
Dominic Hide
Member
This post reminds me of an old story about the guy that was bragging to his buddies about how his new girlfriend was a twin. Friend says "You know they are going to wear you out, trading clothes and such. You will never know which one you're with". "You're crazy" says first guy, "I don't care how many of Brenda's outfits Phillip wears, I can always tell a dude from a chick".
The '58 has a ribbed roof.
The '58 has a ribbed roof.