Hello from new member

[Cobra Joe]

Hi from Massachusetts.
I've poked around here in the past looking for parts and info and figured it was time to officially say hello.
I have a 57 Ford Fairlane 500. She's a mild custom and I utilize this sight often; the wealth of info and parts here is amazing. It has quad headlights (which I hate) and I want to change them back to original. I searched the web with no luck so I posted an ad here and I was contacted by someone here who had some of the parts I needed. The rest I got from the 57 Fords forum to hopefully get this project done so I just wanted to say hello and thanks.

[ricklove]

Beautiful car! Welcome!

[Dobie Gillis]

Welcome to the site! That is indeed a beautiful ride. I actually think the quad headlights look pretty good. The '57s were supposed to have quads but they weren't legal in all states that year so Ford delayed their intro until the '58 model year hence the slightly strange looking (to me at least) '57 headlight treatment.

[Cobra Joe]

Thanks for the kind words guys. Dobie, I just can't get used to it, the "bug eye" look of the '57 is what I liked the most about the car. There has been a lot of interest on some of the other forums about the quad lights, so I definitely will be putting them up for sale to recoup some of my investment cost in going back to original.

[KULTULZ]

Originally Posted by Cobra Joe

... I just can't get used to it, the "bug eye" look of the '57 is what I liked the most about the car.

There has been a lot of interest on some of the other forums about the quad lights, so I definitely will be putting them up for sale to recoup some of my investment cost in going back to original.

Whoever did the custom work hung 58 fenders and lamps on it.

He did a clean job.

[5851a]

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57 Fords have a peak on top of fender, 58 has a depression or wide groove along top. Cobra Joe that's a nice looking Ford!

[Cobra Joe]

Thanks 5851a, much appreciated. It's definitely a '57 nose; I think it's one of these earlier bolt on's like this one from JC Whitney:

[KULTULZ]

... hmmph ...

Just sunk my battleship...

I wonder where he came across it?

[Cobra Joe]

Hmmmm....now you are making me wonder if the're worth something?

[KULTULZ]

Originally Posted by Cobra Joe

I have a 57 Ford Fairlane 500. She's a mild custom...

It has quad headlights (which I hate) and I want to change them back to original.

If it just a bolt-on kit as advertised (how long ago?), all you would need supposedly would be both 57 HDL assemblies and doors.

If you decide to remove the kits, please take photos and document the switch, here on this thread if possible.

Those kits may be $$$.

Hard to believe (if the kits were released in 1957) that the manufacturer would have an inkling of the upcoming 58 HDL system appearance.

[KULTULZ]

Originally Posted by KULTULZ

If it just a bolt-on kit as advertised (how long ago?), all you would need supposedly would be both 57 HDL assemblies (13008) and doors (13064).

Here is the Parts Ill-

[Motorhead6]

http://www.hotrodssheetmetal.com/

Try this site. probably everything you need. I agree, they need to get changed back. JMHO

[mercman from oz]

Welcome to Ford Barn. Your 57 Ford looks neat, however, I agree with you about the looks of the original Single Headlights. Check out this mild Custom 1957 Ford Fairlane 500 Hardtop. Subtle but neat.

[Grumpy Rick]

The pic just above with the single head lites is not stock either. The owner left off the headlight rings, and used (I think) chrome rings from a pickup to give it an 'inset' look.

My personal favorite treatment, and pretty common in my area.

[Cobra Joe]

Thanks for all the info guys. and I like that look also OZ.

I've been searching for a while and I'm starting to get my parts trickling in. Guys on the 57 forum said to stay away from the re-pop headlight panels because they just didn't fit. I found a member who had been sitting on these originals so I grabbed 'em.





I have the buckets, trim rings, adjusters, headlight doors, ets... some new, some used, coming in from other members on this forum and the 57 as well. I'm just afraid of breaking the eyebrows when I take it apart.

Kultulz, the add says " High impact Styrene shells", so the headlight panels must have been part of the kit ???; here's a close up of the replacement panel and set up:

[mercman from oz]

I know that the Headlight Rims are not stock on this car. I believe that they are off a 1956 Ford F Series truck?

[Cobra Joe]

Just got home and had a package at the door. One NEW headlight door, never been used.

[KULTULZ]

Originally Posted by Cobra Joe

Thanks for all the info guys. and I like that look also OZ.

I've been searching for a while and I'm starting to get my parts trickling in. Guys on the 57 forum said to stay away from the re-pop headlight panels because they just didn't fit. I found a member who had been sitting on these originals so I grabbed 'em.

I have the buckets, trim rings, adjusters, headlight doors, ets... some new, some used, coming in from other members on this forum and the 57 as well. I'm just afraid of breaking the eyebrows when I take it apart.

Kultulz, the add says " High impact Styrene shells", so the headlight panels must have been part of the kit ???; here's a close up of the replacement panel and set up:

EDIT-



The lamp (kit) is definitely mounted on a 57 fender extension. Below is a 58 lamp assy. Notice the 58 fender extension style immediately under the HDL DOOR-





End of Edit 1



If the HDL's are the kit shown, it says straight bolt-on. From the 2nd photo, the HDL door appears as 58 or an exact copy.

EDIT-

TEXT From Kit Ad



END of EDIT 2

The fender extensions you are showing should not be needed (and are welded to the fender front). But then again, where do the dual HDL assemblies sit without the extension removal...

Maybe take one panel (HDL door) out and see what is behind? Those extensions (NOS) are $$$.

I had some info on those kits a while back and have lost it.

[KULTULZ]

Originally Posted by mercman from oz

I know that the Headlight Rims are not stock on this car. I believe that they are off a 1956 Ford F Series truck?

Yeah, a 56 pickup HDL assemblies. It is called FRENCHING.

[frank long island]

I agree the duels look funny build it the way you like sell off the extras it is a nice looking car the red and white is classic welcome