“I wish my classic car had less power.” Have you ever heard anyone say that? No, me neither. Most enthusiasts are happy with what the car’s creators provided, but a few crave more. Such is the case with this 1957 Ford Fairlane 500 Club Victoria. It presents respectably for a driver-grade classic, but it hides a secret that should unleash exceptional performance. Its original V8 has gone the way of the dodo, with the engine bay now housing a Cadillac powerplant. It runs and drives and appears to be a turnkey classic awaiting a new owner. The seller has listed it here on eBay in Brooksville, Florida. The bidding sits below the reserve at $2,650, although there is time for interested parties to make a play for this beast.
This Fairlane appears to present exceptionally well in the wider shots, although the close-up images provide a more detailed assessment of its condition. It is all you might expect from an older custom build that has been driven and enjoyed, with its Raven Black and Colonial White paint carrying a selection of chips and nicks. It remains presentable, but the new owner may have long-term visions of a cosmetic refresh. The panels are straight, and if there is any rust, it is too insignificant to show in the photos. The seller describes the body as solid, which augers well for potential buyers not wishing to face countless hours of cutting and welding. The trim is in good order and fits well, although the builder’s decision to eliminate the back bumper gives the car a slightly “unbalanced” appearance. I would probably reverse that change, although that comes under the heading of “personal preference.” The glass shows no signs of significant flaws, and the car rolls on a sparkling set of chrome reverse wheels wrapped in Michelin radial tires. They are the only clue that there could be more to this Fairlane than meets the eye.
Buyers could order a ’57 Fairlane 500 with a 223ci six that provided adequate performance, although this car’s original owner opted for the 292ci Y-Block producing 212hp and 297 ft/lbs of torque. However, that is no longer relevant because this beauty has received a heart transplant. Purists will probably gasp in shock because the new V8 isn’t from any marque within Ford’s empire. It is a 472ci powerhouse that originally called a Cadillac’s engine bay home. It has been bored 0.030″ over and is bolted to a three-speed Turbo 400 automatic transmission. This engine would blow its predecessor into the weeds because, in its original form, it churned out 375hp and 525 ft/lbs of torque. The rebuild may have unleashed a few additional ponies, placing a sub-16-second ¼-mile ET well within its grasp. Wrestling this monster won’t be a chore courtesy of the power assistance for the steering and brakes, while that V8 keeps its cool thanks to the aluminum radiator. The seller supplies no specific information on how this Ford runs or drives, but the impression given in the listing is that the news is positive and that this is a turnkey classic.
The custom touches continue inside this Fairlane, with the original front seat making way for a pair of buckets from a Thunderbird. The upholstered surfaces all feature Colonial Black vinyl that is free from significant wear and physical damage. The matching carpet fits poorly and is faded, meaning the buyer will probably spend $225 on a new carpet set. That single investment would make an enormous difference to an interior that is easily acceptable for a driver-grade classic. The dash and painted surfaces look nice, the bright trim pieces shine, and the dash houses the original radio and clock. The driver’s seat features power operation, a modern CD player is mounted below the dash, with a tach nestled beside the driver’s right knee.
This 1957 Ford Fairlane 500 Club Victoria won’t appeal to purists or enthusiasts who prefer original classics. That may help explain why it has only received five bids. There is time for the situation to change, and it will be fascinating to see whether interest grows as the auction draws to its end. Placing a value on a vehicle of this type is challenging because modified cars write their own rules. I will be interested to read your feedback on three questions. The first is what you believe the reserve could be. The second is what figure you think it will achieve when the hammer falls. More importantly, would you consider parking this Fairlane in your garage? So, over to you.
This is the perfect icon of its time when you talk about the original true American hot rod mindset. Got a car that needs more power? “Hey Kilroy where’s that wrecked Caddy you hauled in last week? Yeah! Wrench it in!” This is the flavor of the guys and girls that used what they had to make it what they want.
Very cool find, Adam. I hope whoever buys it lives around here,that they leave it like it is and show up at Hot August Nights in Virginia City and Reno.
GLWTA!
I really like this car.
Remove that front bumper, expose those teeth and it’s even more menacing. I love the Caddy drivetrain setup. A Fairlaine 500 “Cad” Victoria now! This has moonshiner written all over it!
Looks like a fun car. Wish it was closer and I had the room.
In SoCal, we called these “Fordillacs”.
And there was thunder, thunder over thunder road
Thunder was his engine, and white lightning was his load
Nice sleeper! Those big Caddy’s make gobs of torque, just what you want on the street. I gotta agree, it looks a little naked without the rear bumper, that would be the first thing to fix. I figure it will go five figures easily.
Go huntin’ 57 chebbies. Da ones who blew ya in the dust when you ran da 292!
Not when da Ford had a 312, those chebbies saw nothin but big round taillights
I love this car
I agree with the previous commenters, this is what we would have likely done to the beauty in the mid-60’s. You could have bought the Bird for $500.00 or so, and as Rack suggests, the rest for a few bucks at the local junkyard.
My Dad bought two ’53 Studebakers, one wrecked in a front-end collision, the other rear ended that made a nice drive for my sister through high school and secretarial school. As he said at the time, “Poor folks have got poor ways”, no shame in that.
I compliment the seller and congratulate the lucky buyer.
Thank goodness it’s a Cadillac engine and not your sbc or ls they cram in everything.
I’m guessing I’d be what ya’d call a “purist”. I had a ’57 Fairlane 500 2 door hardtop, never called it a “Club Victoria”, though. Had the 292 with the 2 speed Fordomatic, painted black and red, until a fender bender when i was in the Air Force and painted a Diamond Luster Black in ’61. If that’s Brooksville, Florida, I might consider it since it’s only 50 or so miles away. Not sure I want the Caddy engine, trans, those T Bird buckets or wheels. Return it to its original “glory”, put a rear bumper on it and repaint it to either all black or black and red like the one I had 60+ years ago. That is, IF it doesn’t go much higher, price wise. Lotsa work AND money for my preferences. Just dreamin’, I reckon…
Your opening question about wishing a classic car had less horsepower – actually it belies a truth no self-described enthusiast wants to acknowledge yet that doesn’t diminish the validity of the truth. And, my illustration is Ford related – ol Shelby cooked up 19 or 21 (numbers seem to vary) Full Competition 427 Cobra roadsters with somewhere around 500 horsepower. I’m a lucky man – I’ve driven three of the 19 or 21 or whatever it is/was. Well we’ve all see the guys with the ultra high horsepower Factory Five Cobra replicas bragging about their 650 – 700 – or 750 dyno verified horsepower cars yet when you talk to these guys, some of whom have had their cars 15 or more years, none have more than just a few thousand miles on them, In some cases, that works out to about a hundred miles a year. What fun is that?? Getting back to my truth about horsepower – after the privilege of driving three genuinely high horsepower and very valuable Cobras, I made the conscious decision when I went looking for my own little fake Cobra that I wanted the smallest, lowest horsepower car I could find! And in the over 20 years now that I’ve owned mine, I’ve put well over 100,000 miles on it! So, tell me, who’s had more fun, the guy who has put 2500 miles on his 650 hp car over 20 years or me with 100,000 miles in the same 20 years??
Chinga, I agree with what what you are saying, but we are probably showing or age with that attitude. I’ve had big motor four speed cars but as I’ve aged I have moved more to quiet smooth driving vehicles with a/c, p/s, p/b, and no clutch pedal. I guess some of us just take longer to grow up, but it’s been a fun ride.
I agree with you for the most part. For me I too enjoy most of today’s creature comforts we get in our vehicles. I currently have a 2017 Buick Lucerne, aka our granny car. Then it’s a 2014 Chevy Silverado K15 with nearly all the features available then. Next in chronological order is my 1965 Ford Falcon Ranchero (aka Grandpa hot rod) with a built 302, and a T5 trans, upgraded with modern suspension and disks on all 4 corners, and last but not least is my 98% original 1948 GMC 3/4 ton flat bed farm truck with a granny 4spd. I drive all of them and enjoy each and everyone of them for what they are.
This Fordalac looks like the one I put together in the 70’s-80’s. Does the seller know it’s history, like if it ever called Chicago area home? AL @ HEARTBREAKER RACE ENGINES
Where is it located?
Brooksville, Florida, about 50 miles west of Orlando
Add the rear bumper, carpeting and drive it. Enjoy the attention from folks and cruise in this decent looking ride. Maybe drop it a tad if possible. Interested to see the final number.
I had a 57 2 door hardtop back in the mid 70’s. Bought it minus engine and transmission. Put a 352 with 4 speed in it. It was a nice cruiser. About that time people started getting interested in putting those big Cadillac engines in smaller cars, it didn’t matter if it was a Ford or Chevy or even an AMC, they just wanted the torque and horsepower of the 472 or 500 Caddies. Now down in south Florida the Indians like to put them in airboats.
I really like this car but would elevate the rear end to level it out, and put chrome bumpers on it, and take it to the drag strip for time slips. As far as price my opinion is at around $20k to $25k when it’s all said and done.
God Bless America
Like the car, but at least keep the engine transplants in the same family. A Ford 390 or a Lincoln 430 MEL would have worked just as well.
HC, a Ford 390, 430, or even a 460 can not come close to the size, weight and torque of the Caddy engine. The Caddy engine is only slightly larger and slightly heavier than a 350 Chevy. And the torque is outstanding. I put a 500 Caddy in my Chevy 3500 long bed crew cab for towing my 5th wheel. Wow what an engine! The big block Chevy was not even close. And compared to the 460 Fords I have had, the Caddy is on another planet.
Just sayn’.
Another bastardized Ford. You gm guys never give up, do ya. Maybe you can convince the millennials, but don’t stuff the crap down us old timers throat
I’m an old timer too and I prefer to keep the engine with the vehicle brand, but most hotrodders don’t worry about that much. There is a lot of Fords running around with SBC engines but you seldom if ever see a GM vehicle with a Ford engine.
Wayne, I understand what you’re saying, but a warmed up, FE 390, 430 or 460 is also nothing to sneeze at either. And if these were good enough engines for Thunderbirds and Lincolns, they’d do just fine in this Ford.
Nice ford.
As much as I like fords in fords I don’t even mind the caddy motor though I’d have worked out a 4 spd if it were mine. Those old caddy motors always remind me of a long gone friend who drove mid ‘60’s caddy coupes or 240 Volvo wagons.
I’d drive this one though I’d make some personal changes.
Hovering at 4g’s on ebay. Wondering how high or low it will go?
I just hope the rusty water stain from overheating at one point was at a point before the Caddy engine went in. JS
I’m a perf. engine builder on the S. side of Chitown, and will put any engine in any car for my customers. I have a small collection of classics myself and some are Ford F- trucks. I have put them Caddy engines in quite a few fat fender Fords and love em. The cheapest horsepower out there. When you start with 500 cubic inches there is no need to try and squeeze out any more power with all kinds of modification. Low RPM lots of torque, dependable as hell and runs on pump gas through what ever Holley carb you mount on it. I don’t care what kind of purest see it, once they spot the name CADILLAC on the valve covers they quit complaining and say “Oh that’s nice!”