Withdrawn Wood: 1957 Ford Custom 300 Country Sedan – Sold?

October 25, 2022, Update – While this “Classifind” expired recently, given the seller’s history, we suspect may not actually be sold yet.  For now, we’re labeling this ride “Sold?” However, we will keep an eye out for an updated listing. In the interim, please reach out either by email or call Rudy directly if you’d like to be informed when we come across something similar.

September 26, 2022 Update – After a three-month hiatus, the seller just relisted their 1957 Ford Country Sedan. Besides incorrectly calling it a Country Squire, the seller used the same pictures and description and their $24,000 asking price.

July 26, 2022, Update – We just confirmed the listing for this “Classifind” expired, so with no replacement found, we’re assuming this ride is “Sold?” unless we come across a fresh listing.

In 1957, Ford completely revamped its full-size lineup with an all-new chassis supporting a larger body featuring longer flanks and distinct tailfins. Ford also increased the number of trim levels available, with the middle of the line now being the Custom 300. The station wagon version of this top trim level was the Country Sedan, which did not feature the faux wood paneling of the top-trim, Fairlane 500-based Country Squire

This green and cream 1957 Ford Country Sedan, originally listed in June 2022 in Miami, Florida, appears to be a mildly modified example. Besides the obvious five-spoke, American Racing rims, other modifications appear mainly under the hood where a 347 cubic inch (a stroker version of Ford’s 302 cubic inch small block) V8 mated to a Ford C6 automatic provides this Country Squire’s motivation. The cloth interior pays homage to the car’s original two-tone theme. Unfortunately, the seller incorrectly labeled their ad’s title as “Country Squire.”

Currently offered for $24,000, Classic.com, the analytics and search engine for the collector car market, confirms the ask is well below the five-year rolling average of this guide’s summary for fourth-generation Ford Country Sedans produced between 1957 and 1959.  By clicking on the green dots in the graph below, you can navigate to each comparable car sold as a way to help you evaluate the price of the truck featured here:

As a second data point, the  Collector Car Market Review Online Tool reveals the seller’s ask falls between this guide’s #3 “Good” estimate of $18,000 and its #2 “Very Good” appraisal of $26,000.

In 1957, the Ford model line underwent its first complete redesign for the first time since 1952. In line with other American manufacturers, a central part of the redesign was lower body height, requiring an all-new chassis to accommodate a lower floor.

Coinciding with the use of a lower-body and interior floor, the fourth generation was wider than its predecessor, increasing from eight passenger-seating to nine for the first time.  For the fourth-generation Country Squire, Ford returned to extensive annual model revisions, with only the roofline and doors shared between all three model years. For 1957 27,690 were manufactured with a listed retail price of $2,556.

The 1957 Ford chassis was a split-wheelbase platform; the 118-inch wheelbase was exclusive to the Fairlane, with Ford (and Edsel) station wagons sharing a 116-inch wheelbase with the Ford Custom.  To allow for a lower floor, the frame layout changed from a truck-style ladder frame to a perimeter frame. A configuration used until the 2011 discontinuation of the Ford Crown Victoria, the perimeter frame allowed the floorpan to sit between the frame rails (instead of above them). To further reduce vehicle height, the rear leaf springs were moved outboard of the frame rails and the wheels were decreased in diameter from 15 to 14 inches.

For 1957, the Country Squire carried over all three engines from the 1956 model year, with revised power outputs.  A 144 horsepower, 223 cubic-inch Mileage Maker inline-6 was the standard engine. The 292 cubic-inch Y-Block V8 returned, producing 212 horsepower when topped with a two-barrel carburetor. Three versions of the 312 cubic-inch V8 were offered: 245 horsepower (four-barrel), 270 horsepower (dual four-barrel), and 300 horsepower (dual four-barrel, supercharger). 1957 was the final model year for Y-Block V8s as Ford replaced them with its new FE series for 1958.

In a major shift, for 1957, Ford station wagons no longer shared a body with a Mercury counterpart; instead, the body was developed for the Edsel line of station wagons, with the Country Squire becoming the counterpart of the Edsel Bermuda (distinguished by its combination of woodgrain sides and two-tone paint). While based on the shorter wheelbase of the Ford Custom, the Country Squire still shared trim with the Fairlane. Along with Ford sedans, the Country Squire adopted several design elements of the 1957 Ford Thunderbird, including its wraparound windshield (restyled with a forward-slanted A-pillar), short tailfins, and large round taillamps.

To further expand load capacity, engineers redesigned the folding mechanism of the middle seat, allowing for a completely flat load floor when stowed (the rear seat still had to be removed). To improve loading, engineers widened the top half of the liftgate by extending it into the car’s D-pillars.

The US Auto Industry YouTube Channel features this 1957 Ford Station Wagon video:

We’re a bit surprised this 1957 Ford Country Sedan station wagon for sale does not feature an air conditioning upgrade, especially considering the car currently resides in Miami.  That would likely be the first upgrade we would look at completing over the winter. Otherwise, based on the pictures provided, the only blemish we note is what appears to be paint blistering on the leading edge of the hood. That’s a clue potential buyers need to inspect this car’s body very carefully.

Here’s the seller’s description:

Show or go: What would you do with this restored 1957 Ford Country Squire?  Please comment below and let us know!