Rear-mounted spare tires are a collector car novelty rooted as much in fashion as in function. In some cases, such a setup allowed a vehicle to carry more than one spare tire. Talk about preparedness!
The Pick of the Day is a 1957 Ford Fairlane 500 listed for sale on ClassicCars.com by a private seller in Athens, Georgia. (Click the link to view the listing)
Noteworthy at the back of this Fairlane’s two-tone body is a continental kit (so-named after the 1939 Lincoln that first made it popular) with a swing-away spare tire in a hard color-matched enclosure. But closer inspection of the listing reveals that the trunk itself also contains an additional spare. Isn’t it interesting how cars over time went from full-size spares, to compact “donut” spares, and now sometimes don’t come with a spare tire at all? Times have changed.
“Frame-off restoration about 20 years ago,” the listing states. This Fairlane’s exterior offers lots of eye-candy in addition to the continental kit, including rear fender skirts and lots of brightwork.
The Fairlane first launched in 1955 as the flagship of the Ford model lineup, and it was offered in various configurations over its lifetime including hardtops, sedans, convertibles, and station wagons. Two years after its introduction, the styling received aesthetic changes, and a top-trim “500” model was added. The coupe-utility Ranchero model with a pickup-style bed debuted for the 1957 model year, and Ford was on a roll. According to Motor Trend, 1957 marked the first time since 1935 that Ford outsold Chevrolet.
Power for this two-door hardtop is sourced from a 312cid V8 that is fed by a four-barrel carburetor and known in enthusiast communities as the “Thunderbird Special.” The seller states that the motor received a fresh $4,000 rebuild. Along with that, the spark plugs, wires, fuel pump, coil, heater hose, fuel sending unit, transmission fluid, and engine oil were all replaced within the last 50 miles. Photos of some of the service receipts are included in the gallery that accompanies the listing.
A walkaround video conveys an exhaust rumble coming from the back end at idle, and the car sounds as good as it looks. “Beautiful car with the classic 50s colors,” the listing concludes.
The seller is asking $32,000 for this continental-equipped Fairlane.
To view this listing on ClassicCars.com, see Pick of the Day.
We had a 57 Fairlane without the spare tire set up. My father was a mechanic. He bought it used and was told it was a lemon so he got it really cheap. It was a horrible car to drive, continued being a citrus notwithstanding tender loving care. Did nothing well even when running ‘right”. Do not buy as a driver. Ours was blue and white without a dent, perfect paint, perfect interior and purchased with 35k. Ran like it had 235k. My father spent a ton of time on it and finally offered to give it to me and I said no way. It looked good and ought be used as a roadsie ornament.
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I had a 1957 Fairlane and I loved it. Great car to drive. The 59s were good too. Not so much the ’58s. The only problem was, it made a clunking noise when you shifted into 2nd.
This was my car in High School, I rebuilt the engine completely while my friends rebuilt the transmission. The Body was in outstanding condition but the interior had shown some use, but not abuse. I graduated in 1965 and joined the Air Force with plans of buying the car from my dad when I finished basic training, but he sold it before I could do that. I am dying to have it back now, what memories.