Makes › Ford › Fairlane and Torino › F-code supercharged Fairlane / Custom (1957) · Factory competition · 1957 Very Rare
Ford
F-code supercharged Fairlane / Custom (1957)
Supercharged 312 'F-code' full-size 1957 Fords built for NASCAR homologation
Contents
01Overview
At a glance
- Built
- 500 Built
- Years
- 1957
- Engine
- V8, overhead valve · 5,110 cc / 5.1 LFactory: 312 cu in · converted
- Power
- 224 kW / 304 PSFactory: 300 hp · converted
- Top speed
- Not yet verified
- Body
- Not yet verified
- Designer
- Not yet verified
- In this archive
- Not yet verified
- Surviving
- 9 (independently researched)
Sources and any conflicting figures are in the sections below.
Why it matters
The F-code was the supercharged 312 cu in Thunderbird Special V-8, the most powerful engine in the 1957 Ford range. It was best known in the Thunderbird, but could be ordered across the Ford line, including the Fairlane 500 Victoria and the retractable-hardtop Skyliner. The auction houses describe such cars as extremely scarce.
How rare is it?
Six separate kinds of rarity – never combined into one number.
Each kind of rarity is rated separately and never combined.
02Production & history
Production
Every figure says what it counts.
| What is counted | Figure | Basis | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total model productionF-code Skyliners only: only nine of an estimated 19 are believed to remain, per Mecum | 92 | Surviving examples | Independently researched |
| Total model productionsupercharged Thunderbirds and other Ford models in 1957 ('some sources state around 500'; far fewer than the 5,000 expected) | 5001 | Factory production | Factory reported |
Independent counts (e.g. engine and colour) are never combined into a calculated figure. Surviving examples are never presented as original production.
History
Ford was pursuing NASCAR success in 1957 with a supercharged 312 cu in Y-block V-8. A 300 hp production version with a Paxton centrifugal blower followed to meet homologation rules and was sold as the F-code option.
Production figures are estimates. RM Sotheby's says it is believed that fewer than 1,000 full-size Fords of all body styles received the option, and that by some accounts fewer than 20 Skyliners did. Mecum puts the Skyliner count at an estimated 19, and RM Sotheby's cites 27 Victoria hardtop coupes with the engine.
Variants
How each version differs from the standard F-code supercharged Fairlane / Custom (1957).
No variants documented yet. Have a source? Contribute it.
03Specifications
Technical specifications
Engine
| Engine family | Ford Y-block 312 with McCulloch VR57 supercharger1 Independently researched |
|---|---|
| Engine code | Not yet verified |
| Layout | V8, overhead valve3 Independently researched |
| Displacement | 5,110 cc / 5.1 LFactory: 312 cu in · converted3 Independently researched |
| Bore | 96.5 mmFactory: 3.8 in · converted4 Independently researchedBase 312 cu in V-8 figure; the supercharged option used the same 312 block (S1). |
| Stroke | 87.4 mmFactory: 3.44 in · converted4 Independently researchedBase 312 cu in V-8 figure. |
| Compression ratio | Not yet verified |
| Valvetrain | Overhead valves4 Independently researched |
| Fuel system | 4-barrel carburettor2 Independently researched |
| Induction | Paxton centrifugal supercharger3 Independently researched |
| Power | 224 kW / 304 PSFactory: 300 hp · converted3,5 Independently researchedRM Sotheby's writes "bhp" in one lot and "hp" in another. |
| Power at | Not yet verified |
| Torque | 407 NmFactory: 300 lb-ft · converted6 Independently researched |
Transmission & drivetrain
| Gearbox | 3-speed manual with overdrive (Victoria lot); automatic (Skyliner lots)3,5 Independently researchedTransmission differs between the cited cars. |
|---|---|
| Gears | Not yet verified |
| Driven wheels | Not yet verified |
Chassis, body & dimensions
| Chassis | Not yet verified |
|---|---|
| Front suspension | Coil spring independent3 Independently researched |
| Rear suspension | Live axle with semi-elliptic leaf springs3 Independently researched |
| Brakes | Four-wheel power hydraulic drums3 Independently researched |
| Steering | Not yet verified |
| Body construction | Not yet verified |
| Wheelbase | 3,000 mmFactory: 118 in · converted3 Independently researchedFrom the Victoria hardtop lot. |
| Length | Not yet verified |
| Width | Not yet verified |
| Height | Not yet verified |
| Front track | Not yet verified |
| Rear track | Not yet verified |
| Kerb weight | Not yet verified |
| Dry weight | Not yet verified |
Performance
| Maximum speed | Not yet verified |
|---|---|
| 0–100 km/h | Not yet verified |
| Fuel tank | Not yet verified |
“Not yet verified” means no source has been checked for that value yet. Nothing is estimated to fill a gap.
04Colours & options
Factory colours & interiors
Original paint and trim, with the number of cars in each where a source gives it.
Not yet documented. Have a source? Contribute it.
Factory options & codes
Codes are shown exactly as written by the manufacturer.
Not yet documented. Have a source? Contribute it.
05Individual cars
Chassis register
Every documented car, with its colours, history and where it is now. Open a row for the full record. Known chassis are not automatically authenticated originals.
Not yet documented. Have a source? Contribute it.
Competition history
Every race result of the individual cars, in date order. Click a chassis number to open its full record in the register.
Not yet documented. Have a source? Contribute it.
Auction & sale history
Documented public sales of the individual cars. Click a chassis number to open its full record in the register.
Not yet documented. Have a source? Contribute it.
See one in person
Museums where an example of this car can be seen.
No example is documented on public display yet. Have a source? Contribute it.
06Reference
Identification guide
How to tell an original from a replica or later conversion.
Being verified against factory or registry sources before it is published. Have a source? Contribute it.
Sources
Each number links to the exact facts it supports.
-
1
Car of the Week: 1957 Ford Custom with supercharger Level A Old Cars Weekly
- around 500 supercharged Thunderbirds and other Ford models may have been produced in 1957
- McCulloch Motors Corp. VR57 supercharger on Ford's existing Y-block engine
-
2
Mecum lot page Level C Mecum Auctions · 2025-05-16
- only nine believed to be remaining
- 4-barrel carburetor
-
3
RM Sotheby's lot essay Level C RM Sotheby's
- 312 cu. in. supercharged OHV V-8
- 300 bhp, 312 cu. in. supercharged OHV V-8 engine
- supercharged 300 bhp unit with a Paxton centrifugal blower
- 300 bhp, 312 cu. in. supercharged OHV V-8
- three-speed manual transmission with overdrive
- coil spring independent front suspension
- live rear axle with semi-elliptic leaf springs
- four-wheel power hydraulic drum brakes
- Wheelbase: 118"
-
4
1957 Ford cars fact sheet Level C Over-Drive Magazine
- Thunderbird Special V-8 ... Bore and stroke: 3.80 x 3.44 inches
- Bore and stroke: 3.80 x 3.44 inches
- Overhead valves. Cast iron block
-
5
RM Sotheby's lot essay Level C RM Sotheby's
- 300 hp, 312 cu. in. V-8 with Paxton supercharger
- automatic transmission
-
6
Hooniverse Obscure Muscle Car Garage: the 1957 Ford supercharged F-Series Level B Hooniverse
- torque ratings of 300 lb ft
Keep exploring
More from Ford
-
Ford · 1934
Edsel Ford 1934 Model 40 Special Speedster
1 Built
-
Ford · 1896
Quadricycle
1 Built
-
Ford · 1969
Mustang Boss 302 Trans-Am (Shelby team, 1969)
3 Built
-
Ford
Mustang GTP (1983-1985)
3 Built
More from United States
-
Eagle
HF89 (1989)
Production not yet verified
-
Dodge · 2023
Challenger Shakedown ('Last Call')
1,000 Built
-
Stout · 1932–1936
Scarab
9 Built
-
Henney
Kilowatt (1959-1961)
Production not yet verified
140 other makes from United StatesAC PropulsionAcuraAllstateAMCAmerican LaFranceAmerican MotorsAmerican UnderslungApteraArmstrongArnoltAuburnBaldwin-MotionBantamBarris KustomsBendixBerger ChevroletBill ThomasBollingerBremerBuckeyeBuffumBuickCadillacCallawayCastleCheckerChevroletChristieChryslerClenetCodaColumbiaConsulierCordCunninghamCzingerDana ChevroletDean JeffriesDeSotoDetroit ElectricAll makes →