What models did Ford make in 1957?
The core Ford models for 1957 were the Mainline, Custom, and Fairlane series, with the top-tier Fairlane 500 leading the lineup. The year’s primary models were Mainline, Custom, Custom 300, Fairlane, and Fairlane 500.
This article details which models Ford produced in 1957, how the lineup was structured, and the body styles available to buyers during a pivotal year in mid-century automotive design.
Three-series lineup
What the trims signified
Ford organized its 1957 passenger cars into three main series. Each series offered a range of trims to fit different budgets and preferences, from economy-focused models to more upscale configurations.
Short overview of the core models within those lines helps explain the brand’s market positioning for that year.
- Mainline
- Custom
- Custom 300
- Fairlane
- Fairlane 500
In summary, these five entries formed the backbone of Ford’s 1957 lineup, with additional body-style variations within each line.
Body styles and wagon options
Variations within each line
Beyond the model names, Ford offered a range of body configurations across the three series. Buyers could choose from several sedan and hardtop formats, as well as wagon variants, all designed to fit different needs and tastes.
- 2-door sedans
- 4-door sedans
- 2-door hardtops
- 4-door hardtops
- Wagons (including Ranch Wagon variants)
These body styles illustrate how Ford translated the three-series lineup into a broad catalog of cars for the 1957 model year.
Summary
Ford’s 1957 program centered on three main series—Mainline, Custom, and Fairlane—each offered in multiple trims (Mainline, Custom, Custom 300, Fairlane, Fairlane 500) and a variety of body styles ranging from sedans to hardtops and wagons. This combination reflected the era’s demand for affordable, stylish American cars and set the template for Ford’s mid-century approach to model differentiation.
