Everything You Need To Know Before Buying A 1957

The 1957-60 Ford F-100 remains a popular buying choice today. Let's see why these models still draws attention more than 60 years after their reign.

Five years ago, Ford celebrated 100 years of excellence in truck production that started way back with the Ford Model T and now encompasses fully electric rides. The newest F-150 Lightning is an admirable EV with a significant range and all kinds of tech niceties.

As you probably know already, the Ford F-Series has been around since 1948 and has changed significantly over the years to address the shifting customer needs. As the best-selling truck for 40 years in a row, the series stands at the top of the brand's offer and is first in line for any updates and novelties.

But, those who find themselves sentimental about the long-past days of simple and rugged work trucks may actually desire to get one of the oldest versions of the Ford F-Series. With its rounded lines and traditional cabin, the half-ton F-100 truck from the '50s is hard to beat as a classic of one significant era in the automotive industry. Therefore, acquiring it is a matter of collector's prestige.

Let's take a closer look at the 1957-60 Ford F-100 variant and see why it's a popular choice among classic car enthusiasts.

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The 1957-60 Ford F-100 sits right there at the beginning of the F-Series, which, as we mentioned, started in 1948. But the first generation, which lasted only until 1952, did not receive many changes and updates. Built upon the previous car-based pickup from 1942, the first-generation Ford F-Series was quite simple, although it had eight different weight ratings and several body styles.

The second-generation Ford F-Series got a couple of design updates, starting with increased dimensions and improved engines. However, the most significant novelty was the truck's designation, which now included three numbers. The half-ton F-1 truck became the F-100, the 3/4-ton F-2 and F-3 became the F-250, and the one-ton F-4 the F-250.

The styling of all these variants was pretty much the same throughout 1953 and 1956. But toward 1957, the truck got a significant facelift with a newly revised and more modern cabin. That is our choice of Ford vehicle from the '50s.

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The 1957-60 Ford F-100 represents the third generation of the F-Series that brought in several exciting design novelties. Rather than fitting between the front fenders, the new hood covered them for a more distinctive look. Then, the lines became sharper, the bed increased the cargo capacity and got a new steel floor and sides, and the cab evolved to be stronger than before. In 1959, this truck also got four-wheel drive.

What about the specs, you may ask? The 1957 Ford F-100 came with two engines. The first was a 223 cubic-inch straight-six engine rated at 139 horsepower and 207 lb-ft of torque. The second (and more powerful) one was the 272 cubic-inch V8, producing 171 horsepower and 260 lb-ft of torque. Three or four-speed manual and three-speed automatic transmissions were also available.

The following year, the 1958 Ford F-100 got a few more ponies and later an all-new and more potent 292 cubic-inch V8 engine. However, it's good to mention that F-100 owners had a thing for engine swaps over the years, so you may find an unexpected variation under the hood of this truck when shopping around.

In terms of styling, the 1957-60 Ford F-100 offered components we would dub spartan today. The brand actually bragged about windshield wipers, hubcaps, a rearview mirror, a sun visor, and other similar features complimenting this truck. Looking at the entire truck from today's point of view, both the exterior and the interior were uttermost simple. But if you ask us (and many classic car collectors), that makes the Ford F-100 even more appealing.

Over three years of production, the 1957-60 Ford F-100 received some minor upgrades, starting with a new grille and parking lamps among others, but it retained the same rugged no-nonsense body.

In summary, the 1957-60 Ford F-100 is a big, chunky truck that perfectly represents the '50s and is simple in that classic, desirable way. This simplicity actually makes the vehicle easy to modify and customize, which has only boosted its value. Check out these modified classic Ford F-100 units, and you'll see what we mean exactly.

If you're up for buying the 1957-60 Ford F-100, we say you can't go wrong. The only negative is the price. Because of its history, unique traditional styling, and capacity for customization, the third-generation F-100 is quite pricey today. You are likely to find it in the $30,000 to $50,000 range.

However, if you're up for a fun restoration project and want to fully customize the 1957-60 Ford F-100 to your liking, you should be able to find less well-preserved units for about $10,000-$15,000.

Sources: Ford, Hemmings, Mecum Auctions

Suzana Mijatović is a Literary Critic in love with all things automotive. You'll find her either reading Dostoevsky or under the hood, changing the transmission fluid and oil filters. She has a long experience in writing about car parts and automotive products, from brakes to seat cushions. Suzana is also a photographer.