Daniel, Cy worked at a Ford dealership in Minnesota and was a McCulloch -Paxton dealer since 1955. He was the head wrench and worked on all the supercharged 57 Fords for the Min. state police. Most of them he converted to single four cars under Ford Waranty.The superchargers he pulled off all that to be returned to Ford.

Yes the purple cars was used in that Ford spot, and Ford also hauled the car around to big shows to show it with there racing displays. The orange and white 26 car was used in a union76 commercial, that was shot at the Charlotte Motor Speedway. We had a great time doing this also my friend and fellow Y-blocker Richard Martin was there with his Tim Flock 57 Mercury. We also had the pleasure of spending time with Tim Flock,Ralph Moody and Neil Castles ,Neil drove for Ford during the Y-block days.

  JUST A MIDNIGHT CRUISE DOWN THUNDER ROAD!!! TOM DRUMMOND MIDWEST DIRECTOR 57 FORD INTERNATIONAL

Daniel, I just reread your post and had to laugh, about how famous I am! When we filmed the commercial at Charlotte, the director looked at some of the footage and every one that was in a Hardtop and crash helmet could not be seen.But I was in the open#26 car and could be so the director had to pay to put me in the actors union and they had to pay me as an extra, so not only did I get paid every day the car was used, I also got paid as a movie extra.

  JUST A MIDNIGHT CRUISE DOWN THUNDER ROAD!!! TOM DRUMMOND MIDWEST DIRECTOR 57 FORD INTERNATIONAL

Good grief! Yer a genuine Movie Star!! Remind me to get an Autograph next summer. Then I can take to Antiques roadshow and get rich. If I don't forget where I put it, or who I am!! Seriously, how about a YBM article on those cars, you never told me any of this. Maybe I didn't shut up long enough to listen!

Frank/Rebop

Bristol, In ( by Elkhart) 

Frank, There was a reprint of an old article about the#26 car in the last issue, Quess I could do an article on the #99 car.

If Carroll Shelby charged $150.00 for an autograph mine should be worth a nickel !

  JUST A MIDNIGHT CRUISE DOWN THUNDER ROAD!!! TOM DRUMMOND MIDWEST DIRECTOR 57 FORD INTERNATIONAL

Re the Convertible division. I read somewhere that NASCAR took the convertibles over originally from another short lived organization. As for the aereodynamics, it needs to be remembered that in the early 50's there was only one or two so called super speedways. The others were what are now called short tracks, with the odd road race mixed in..

Paul

P.F.There was an organization in Indy called the Society of Autosports,Fellowship and Education or (S.A,F.E.) for short. Don Oldenberg was the S.A,F.E. Convert. champ in 1955 . Bill France merged SAFE and NASCAR in 1956 creating the NASCAR ragtop Division

  JUST A MIDNIGHT CRUISE DOWN THUNDER ROAD!!! TOM DRUMMOND MIDWEST DIRECTOR 57 FORD INTERNATIONAL

Sometime in 1957 Hotrod Mag did a whole article on Jerry Unser's 57 stockcar. It has pictures of the dual shock set-up. I have the issue somewhere, but like Frank, I don't know where I left it.I would guess it was later in the year, after Jerry won Pikes Peak.
How in the world did a Ford beat those fabulous 57 scrubs?????
From the articles you see today you'd think scrub was the only car company in the late 50's.

Maybe someone with more time than I have could look up production numbers for 55-56-57. The point is, in 1957 about 85 out of every 100 people who bought a new car DIDN'T buy a scrub. That's a bit of a guess. The accurate numbers would be interesting.

http://ford-y-block.com 

20 miles east of San Diego, 20 miles north of Mexico

O.K. Guys I can use a little help, there was an article in a car mag. in 57 that shows the building of the 57 Ford that Smokey Yunik built for Curtis Turner to run at Darlington. I have part of it but have lost the rest and there is no name of the mag. on any of the pages. Has any seen this article? Thanks Tom

  JUST A MIDNIGHT CRUISE DOWN THUNDER ROAD!!! TOM DRUMMOND MIDWEST DIRECTOR 57 FORD INTERNATIONAL

John from the facts as I know them there were indeed more FOMOCOs but IMO because the "C" brand never changed there basic engine more had an opportunity to live on. I've had a few of them and when they recieved the same non-care as a Ford they were just as gummed up.

Today it's just different. As you know you can buy almost everything for a tri5C including frames and bodies. The difference I see is when I take my 56 Victoria to a cruise there are more folks with rememberance stories than for the others. Rarely has anyone said anything bad most wishing they had them back. Whether they be modified or stock when you are the only one and there are 10 of the others you get the attention even if you don't want it....Also many offers $$$$................JD

56 Vic, B'Ville 200 MPH Club Member, So Cal.

I get the same response with the '57. I really enjoy the Pure stock Drag Races, most of the audience has never seen a '57, let alone an F code. I get a lot of questions, and many are from guys wearing some kind of a GM shirt. They are astounded that any '57 is a match for GTO's and SS's that are ten years newer and 100 ci's smaller than their favorite brand whatever. The same thing applies to the R2 and R4 Studebakers that Ted Harbit or George Krem own. They've never heard of those cars, which is what makes it fun.

Frank/Rebop

Bristol, In ( by Elkhart)