Estate Sale: "And in the garage is my grandmother's car... from 1957"
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- čas přidán 20. 01. 2023
- Watch us uncover this one-owner car, stored for decades. Then, see it refurbished and driven.
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There is a 1956 Chevy 2 door hard top 265 V/8 3 on the tree with an honest 80,000 miles that a little old lady still drives once a week to the local Albertsons grocery store. I have put a note on it several times and last year she needed some masonry repair that I did the job on. When I arrived to do the bid there sat the 56 and I was able to finally talk with her. It's not for sale and I know now she has my phone number and she knows I did a good job on the repair of her brick home. Hopefully one day I will get the phone call.
Sounds good, and if you do get the call, maybe you will let us do a good video on this great American story. My email is jerryheasley@gmail.com
@@thewriter2549 Sounds good. Thanks for all of the great videos. You always get this Chevy guy thinking about buying a Mustang..LOL
@@lucky-rowe2623 Now that sounds like a good story/video - Chevy guy buys a Ford.
This story is another masterpiece. Thank you Jerry for telling it.
@@rogerd9150 Thanks Roger, I started the video in March of 2021, and waited 22 months for the car to be completed.
Reminds me of when Dad’s mother passed in 1993. In her barn was a 1963 Chevy Impala with a little over 5000 miles. She didn’t drive and my grandfather passed soon after buying it. It had been under a tarp. In great shape except for rotten tires. My Dad cleaned it up and drove it for years. He was so proud of it. My Dad loved cars. Great mechanic. I will always have that memory of him.
Really cool. What happened to car?
My great aunt had a 1950 Chevy. dark green with the infamous power glide. When she steered the car around the corner without power steering she stutter stepped her arms with one arm never crossing over the top of the other. Twenty seven thousand miles in maybe 1980 when my greedy uncle sold it to someone. He got all the personal property of the estate. Said it was his right that the eldest relative got it all. Of course his lawyer wrote the will.
@@ohiofarmer5918,
That sucks. It would have been nice for the Chevy to stay in the family somehow!
@@ohiofarmer5918 That's common my mother's was looted before and after too.
Beautiful story❤
The car itself is impressive, but even more impressive is the thoroughly decent people involved right along the whole story. Well done to all concerned.
Thanks for such a positive comment, I think we all had a positive experience with this and am glad to read your comment.
that's Texas
They are vultures... Again picking the bones of the dead !!!
Decent??? Wtf is wrong with u?
In the fall of 1957 I was seven years old, living in Florence, Alabama. My parents and I had just left a movie theater showing Loving You, an Elvis movie. A crowd had gathered outside to watch a new Skyliner drop it's top into the trunk and applauded afterward. Seems like just yesterday.
Wow, amazing great American story!
I can remember the first time I saw the Skyliner's top fold back into the trunk. We all thought it was the coolest thing ever! When I was a kid, though, I loved my grandparents' 1940 Olds, which was stored in the back garage. It looked like something out of a gangster movie. It seemed enormous! My mom, though, said that as a teenager she was embarrassed to be seen in it and would ask her mom or dad to drop her off a block away from school! Haha! Typical teenager.
I miss the house more than the car. I love them both, but the memories of the time spent in the house, the different smells, the family gatherings melt my heart. Thanks for sharing!
Yeah, it got to me, too. I could have done a whole video in there.
I was just back at the house earlier this month. We are fixing it up to sell (new flooring, paint, updated electrical and plumbing). No one in my family is interested in moving to Odessa.
@Jerry Heasley
I thought the sofa and matching chair were cool enough to make the video well worth watching (really simple but stunning furniture pieces) let alone the Skyliner, and all the fine folks highlighted herein! Thank you.
Peace.
You mention the smells in the home bringing back memories.. that is such a profound and powerful sense that we connect to our entire life. I can be triggered to a trip back in time by some particular smells in my grandparents home 60+ years ago, and it's instant and unexpected. If one could just preserve and encapsulate that for posterity.. 🤔. Especially if they were pleasant memories! 😬🤗🙏. Great story and thanks for such care in preparing it for the viewers👍👍🙏
I remember when Ford trucks came out with made in Texas by Texans on dash. This car is really beautiful
I liked how they gave more than the lady expected. Well done everyone and kudos to the ladies grandparents for looking after it and keeping it alive
The Sewell family was so friendly, Meacham and his dad, Collin.
$25,000 still seems light for such an original retractable.
@@-oiiio-3993 Estate prices are about the weakest you'll ever find.
@@fraidykat Been there.
@@-oiiio-3993 Yes that car is Ford Tough and Ford Quality. The Thunderbird 312 was awesome and refreshing. Isn't it a novel idea it was BUILT in *America* by American workers with American parts for Americans?
That folding hardtop was a massive surprise seeing it towards to the end. Wow. Well done to the Sewell family too. Seems like a solid and passionate family business
That was what made the Skyline special. To think they make a big deal out of the same thing today, when it existed more than sixty years ago.
Well maybe, but they’re still car salesmen, just like their cousins in DFW.
I have never seen a folding hardtop before, didn't know they existed, and I am 70.
I remember when that model was first available and then I saw one on the college campus. I thought, "Impressive!" and then my impression was, "Wow, not much luggage space." I few years later I went to meet another musician for a gig and we were deciding whose car to use. Well, he just took my string bass and laid it flat inside the trunk of his Pontiac. THAT was good trunk space.
This is an amazing story. And that they gave over the asking price‼️ Bravo Sewell family 👏 👍
Goods were built to last much longer than those built today. This house has a treasure trove of working antiques.
My mom took some items from the house. Sean and I selected a few items too. We'd have taken many more items if we had room in our own home. We'd have taken the car if we had a garage!
That's not really true,a car back in the 60s with 100.000mi.was considered pretty much ready for a rebuild or the junk yard.
@@jackbraden134 True, but the old cars are very rebuildable, not like our modern computer controlled rolling a piles of plastic. Modern cars can go 200,000 and more miles, but would be extremely expensive to rebuild.
My first car was a 1958 Fairlane 500 2 door with the 352 Interceptor Special.Factory 4 barrel carb,duel exhaust,and about 300 horsepower.Was a fun car.
Rarely do I start watching something half-interested (I'm from the UK, not familiar with the car model etc.) and then feel glued to watching it to the end, but this was so inspiring. I also love Sewell's business ethos that shows a real passion for their products, their past and a wonderful sense of community. Well done to you all.
I’m from the UK too. Jerrys videos are amazing and you should check out all the old ones if you haven’t seen them already, there are some crackers 👍🏼
Nobody puts together a better car-find video than “legendary Jerry”
Me too - just a limp clicked in - and then I watched all 16 minutes. That's really rare for me.
UK here also. This model sells for double here what the dealer guy paid! Seems the son Ronald was perfectly happy living in a time capsule too!
@@Bulletguy07,
It's worth easily in the $50,000's US$ here also. This one will go much higher though, even sold in this condition. In fact, most buyers prefer this exact condition! It's insanely original for it's make and age. A true survivor!
I can't fault the dealer, as the seller started so low, but I can't give them any accolades either except for a job well done in the car market! Lol!
Yes!! Ford History!! Gramps was Henry's 1st Apprentice in '01. In '61, his Grandson also a Henry dropped off a Ford Country Squire to Gramps, & I gave demo of '41 Ford 9N tractor that he had never seen worked. '76 buddy stopped into World Headquarters to introduce me to Mr. Ford. On glance he gave a quick hug & said, "If it isn't Erwin Schmidt from Howell!!" He had remembered me from '61, took us to his office, & showed us his desktop photo of he, his Grandfather the original Henry, plus my Dad & Grandfather from 3-5-25 in front of their newest model, The Ford TriMotor!! Four of them had taken tour of Detroit Area to celebrate Gramps' Birthday. My buddy Howard was impressed!! He never did that kind of thing to me again!!! Nice video and brought back memories for me! Thanks!!
What a great story!
Man, what a time capsule. That car is priceless, the whole house is so special. I don't know why, but I got a few tears in my eyes. A simpler time, beautiful.
Keep us informed on the car, it's a fabulous story. Thanks for posting.
A classic , is a statement of those years ! but if we change upholstery, convertible top, rebuild the hole car is not original , is restored ! Then what people pays for it is what they like as restored not original ,were the engine has never been open,or changed , but in original state ! What the market pays it depends on the buyer , but original even worn is original , if it needs fuel pump, or radiator repair , ok accessories to the main component to prove running conditions ! Maybe im the old guard , because today people has a 1957 CHEVY and puts high performance wheels, engine, exhaust , excellent 10 coat paint job and fetch high bids !
60k
If they only knew what an international bidding war for it.
I know what you mean, just looking at the great shape of the car and the house and the contents, you feel like you know the people who lived there.
You guys better study before you go spending!
A friend of mine bought a 57 Fairlane convertible here in the UK back in 71, and asked me to collect it for him. I was 18 at the time, and had to drive it back 120 miles across London in the rush hour. Never driven in London, or a LHD before. 3 up the tree, and those huge tail lights. Just indicate and those turn signals just made the London cabbies move out of the way. Just like parting the Red Sea. It had been converted from a straight 6 to a V8, and sprayed metallic orange. Drove it a few times with the top down. What a babe magnet.
Nice to see that Sunliner refreshed and given the care it deserves. A real car, not like today's plastic milk floats.
Beautiful to see the old girl go back home! I hope they let her sit in the showroom again!
25,000 is a steal for that Skyliner though. She got took to the cleaners on that one. No kiddin..
Original not rusted, it's one of the only original survivors like that, and there's a lot of interest in them, from then until right now.
@@joegy9944,
Yep, pretty-much. The market realizes quite a bit for Skyliners! A very good restoration is 40 to 50 thousand easily. That one's way better than any good restoration because it's got honest and very sight wear and tear. It just needs the correct tires, a good scrubbing, some wear items replaced, etc. looks like to me. You could put that through any big-name auction and realize a hell of a premium, because it's a survivor and in really good shape. Originality is close to everything when you get to the top end prices. This one's gonna fetch the top end, where the price get pretty high.
I love all the vintage retractable hardtop convertibles.
Beautiful automobile, great story, and-as others have commented-the dealership owner saying “give them $25,000” is an act that restores one’s faith in humanity if that faith was wavering. Thank you!
Peace.
that car is easily worth more than $25000 in todays market.
Had 2 Fords across the street in 1980 like that and the TINY BMW in garage in the corner..HaHa
That car is worth well over $100,000... they stole it at 25K...disgusting
I recently settled with my aunts and uncle on my great grandpas 1957 Chevy 2 dr 150 sedan that he bought brand new. The cheapest 57 you could buy. No clock, no radio, straight 6 blue flame with 3 on the tree. 31,000 original miles a true survivor. I saved it in 1997 from a massive flood and been storing it inside since 2001. It’s nice to finally be the sole owner. It really needs to get back on the road. I should document the process on YT. I really enjoy these videos of restructuring this olds classics!!
I was waiting to hear how much it sold for.
This has Beef a Plesare to watch I was born in 1963 my Uncle owned one just like this I’m so Happy this 1957 went home was The lot That no was sold There is so much Historic Meaning to This Story I have Enjoyed was about the Car and Where It n has gone GOD BLESS YOU ALL
I like the attitude of those people. They value their history. I wish more people did these days.
I love the idea this car is going to be well taken care of and most importantly not modded out kept original, these cars are a time capsules, great story
So are we not gonna talk about the light going off, the horn blowing. This car definitely has a spirit.
it didn't want to leave the house
The horn honking was NOT from the FORD. It was a security beep/honk from another car nearby. There were A LOT of people gathering to trailer the car. It was from somebody else's car that was rendering assistance. They locked the doors to their personal car and were walking up to the garage. Class dismissed.
@243wayne1 , I bet you where the kid in kindergarten telling everyone Santa 🎅 isn't real .O Well, here's your cookie!
@@gypsypearl38 Don't be such a simpleton. Use your thought process to think things through.
@243wayne1 , I thought class was dismissed. Sorry teach, I'll do better next time. Now run along.
I love family owned dealerships. The roots grow deep. The family sold cars to families year after year. My first dealership was a 5th generation Cadillac Pontiac store. They started selling horse carriage sales. The owner Louie Speroels in Cumberland Maryland. He taught me all about sales. The guy I took his desk had been there 40 year. I was the youngest salesman ever. I got a new Pontiac GT EVERY 4000 MILES. WOW WHAT A BENEFIT. I MADE 65,000 BUCKS IN 1985 THAT WAS A BUNCH OF MONEY BACK THEN. RIP LOUIE I LOVE YOU FOR ALWAYS. NEAL
It is so refreshing to see such a kind appreciative attitude and genuine expression of love and appreciation from someone toward a mentor in 2023.
Sewell are top quality, could not go to a better place. Their customer service is legendary
Theyre only orginal once. I was surprised they replaced the interior until i realised the paint wasnt original so it wasnt a big deal. Having that original sales slip with the fathers name on it does give it a link to your family. I would park it in the showroom as an advertisng feature.
I love the house just as much as the car
Let me know if you want to move to Odessa. We are cleaning up the house (keeping as much original as possible) right now and will be putting it up for sale this spring.
I got the chills when the light went out, and again when the horn beeped. Someone is letting them know they are there 👀 watching. That was so cool
People have said the horn came from the street, but Sean's reflex action was to turn his head inside the garage. I was filming and that was my reaction, too.
@@thewriter2549 that was one amazing catch on film. The light could have been anything, but I found it odd. The horn there was no explanation for.
Last year, my son bought a dump truck from the 70s. It is running, with a few issues. One was the break lights on one side didn't work. He was working on it, got new wires and such. Had to stop to go out of town to work. One night the dogs went nuts, so I go out to look. I heard a car door shut in my drive way. So stepped out to walk around and look. Halfway walking past the dump truck I noticed a red glow. At first I'm thinking a fire, then walk around to notice, the right tail light was on. I'm at the back, when it hit my brain, someone is inside that truck, pushing the break down. So I slowly back up. Ease over to the side, seeing no one inside, I jerk the door open. It is empty, but the break peddle is halfway down. So I raise it up, with my hand. It took some force to raise it. Light goes out, and I walk around to see who was here. Driveway was empty too.
Call my son, he said the light have no wires so how was it working. I was smart and took a few pics to show my son. It happened I have proof.
I believe it was a distraction, we had an attempted break-in a while back. We believe it was someone we knew. So if I had of walked around that night and saw someone in my driveway after midnight, that would have been hard to explain away. I believe I was being protected that night. Keeping me busy for 2 minutes while they could get away. The truck has never done that since, and we could never get the break to stay down on its own.
That will stay with me forever and I'm sure the horn blowing will stick with you the same way. Never to be explained.
@@harrybalz525 I listened again just now to that part of the video. The man talking turns to look inside the garage. Sounded like it was coming from Within, not out on the street. Car with no horn blows and a truck with no break light wires, lites up. Just makes you scratch your head, and wonder.
😅😅@@thewriter2549
@@thewriter254916:03 16:03 😅😊
You can feel to patina of the house and car oozing through the screen . Beautiful.
54 year old in Australia .
Love love love the house and contents and of course the car .
My home is full of mid century stuff .
Just classic and so classy .
❤️❤️
Just watched till the end and HOLY SMOKE !!! The car is sooooooooooooo beautiful .
My 15 year old daughter loves old cars , I can see her wanting one when she starts to drive 😊😊
Retractable hardtop! Worth well over 50k. My uncle has restored several; was offered over a 100 grand for one of them.
Neutralize that rust on the rocker panel with some Ospho and don't touch anything else. Car Dealerships are a different breed of business. Not really relished by many folks. This Dealer broke the mold for me. I was elated to hear Mr. Sewell step up to the plate, not just for him but the Dealership as a whole. Any company that's been in the same business for that many years must be doing something right. And it shows!! Good on you Mr. Sewell!!
I still remember the day my dad came home in a brand new black on red 1956 Crown Vic 292 with three on the tree. It was the car I eventually learned to drive with, but by that time it had a T-bird 312 and three in the floor. He traded it for a 1964 Fastback red on red 390 with four in the floor. I would mow the grass, hoe the garden, and do a week's laundry just to get to drive that Fastback to town and back.
The SEWELL's have one of the best managed dealer group at all their locations. I have a special bond to them: although I am not a relative, their Grandfather, Dr.Julian Sewell delivered me into this World at Sewell-Long Hospital in Belton TX!!
A wash ,interior clean ,fluid changes ,polish , brake check ,is all this car needs !
I didn't go into the refurbishing, but the restorer told me the car was totally worn out and needed everything. It was 22 months later that we showed the refurbished car.
@@thewriter2549 Yes...nearly 90,000 miles on that car...that car would have been nearing the end of it's life, during that era.
Nope...that would be true, perhaps, if the car was just 20 years old, but a car over 60 years old, is much like a person in their 60s...systems are worn out! lol
I like that the young man seems humble and respects the legacy his family has built. I hope he can keep the dealership thriving for decades and pass it along to his children.
That car would fetch more than a new 2023 fully equipped Navigator at at auction without restoration.
Everybody low balls because they know how much they get when it is polished and all nicks and wear spots get cleaned up.
Barret Jackson is where it will end up.
Great 👍 story of the car!!!
Fantastic that’s its going back to the dealership !!!
Everyone will be abl
Oldest Ford Dealer in the Country.... Ford Dealerships are a rarity now in some states, city's. My dad bought a 1969 Ford F250 from dealership here in Oakland called Broadway Ford, now an Audi Dealership. The town I grew up in Alameda had a dealership, Morris Landy Ford was there for 50 years, Hayward Ford long gone now also.
That car cleaned up and running well is worth double what the dealer paid.
it cost more than double to get it running well
@@thewriter2549that I very much doubt .
My uncle bob sold new fords for years, early 50's to 76 he said after the first-year model (57) those cars sold the word got out on how the electric motors on the top kept breaking down and sales slowed down 58, and by 59 they couldn't hardly give those cars away. Now there worth their weight in gold. James's Deans cousin (yes that James Dean) Marcus Winslow has A red and white one you couldn't touch for less than $65,000. - to $75,000. - You can see it every year at the James dean run in Fairmount In. This car was worth every bit of $30 to $35 K when it rolled out of the garage needing cleaned up, you got bamboozled lady.... Oh and it is at A new car dealership where everything on the lot is for sale, that car DOES NOT HAVE A HOME YET.. BUT IT WILL WHEN THE PRICE IS RIGHT.......
My father had 2 56 Fords. One blue and white and 1 green and white. He 😊👍Had to 57 Ford wagons. One blue and white one black and White. 1 a 292, and 1 a 312. There were a lot of fun. 👍😊
6 years ago.... where has the time gone? Thanks for the follow up on such a special car.
This is one of the coolest car stories I've heard in a while. Almost brought tears to my eyes, probably because our family recently had an estate sale which was emotionally pretty painful for me.
I know the feeling. My sister and older brother took everything to a Consignment store. They got ripped off ! 😮😅
Great story and the dealer got a very good deal and the family seemed happy with the outcome. Glad to see this old girl revived.
That car would look perfect all cleaned up but kept original, and put on the showroom floor as a centrepiece.
My grandpa still has his 1957 fairlane 500 that he bought brand new while he worked at a ford dealer back in the day all black with three on the tree. It's his pride and joy people have tried to buy the car for years none have succeeded. Still looks like new with original interior. He's 88 now and hasn't been able to drive for a few years so in the summer I shine her up put him in the car and drive him around. It's a lot of work just to drive around the neighborhood but his smile the whole time makes it worth it
This sounds like a possible good story/video for this channel. If you are interested, please send me an email to jerryheasley@gmail.com
That’s cool they brought it back to life
Yea, just like Christine the Plymouth! With this one's history and bad Karma...who knows?
I love old cars so much more character ❤
My dad had a brand new 57 ford convertible. Pretty much the same colors. Ordered it from the local rural ford dealer. Wentworth auto sales in guys mills pa. V8, 292 , I believe and a 3 on the tree. He loved that car . Had to give it up when he got layed off from the steel mill in Titusville. Back then it happened a lot. But raising a family came first. Not like today. Losing that car broke his heart,but it started another trend, he got a used pick up a dodge I believe, and he owned a truck up till the day he died in 2009. I carry on the Ford tradition in honor of my dad. I own 4 of them at the moment a newer f150, a 77 f100. A ford 500, and a mustang convertible. Miss you dad.
What a beauty. One of my neighbors had one brand new. I dug the top folding into the trunk. All of us kids that loved cars started hanging around his house to talk to him about his car. Next door was an Avanti and a couple over was another classic. 3 beauties on one block was a treat.
My mother had a 57 Ford 2 door with the Thunderbird engine. She very proud of that car. It was not a Skyliner but just a coupe. We would tear up the highway going to East Texas to visit my grand parents. Her next car was a 61 Galaxie 500.
Beautiful story and when I lived in San Angelo I bought a car from a Sowell Dallas dealership. They treated me great and went above and beyond for me. If I ever can get back to Texas they will be my dealer. Thank you for sharing the story.
Cool car .... I was 3 years old when that car was manufactured🚗🚗👍🏻✌🏻
I REMEMBER THE 1957 HARD TOP CONVERTABLE AT THE 1956 DETROIT AUTO SHOW , I STILL LOVE THAT CAR, I HAD A YELLOW AND BLACK FIFTY SEVEN YELLOW AND BLACK FAIRLANE 500. DROVE ON NAVY BASE 1961
MEMORIES ARE MADE OF THIS. THANKS
Wow, the '56 Detroit Auto Show! And 1961, what a great year, Roger Maris hit 61 home runs, so many great memories!
It's good to hear tales of generosity and kindness such as this one.
Glad to see young family member involved in classics. I always loved 57 fords.
Yeah, sure looks like he stepped into it. I hope the old man puts this kid to work & teaches him the real way of the world.
He's still in training, learning the rob and stick methods on how to beat you out of your money on a new or used car! From the looks of him he may not be shifty enough, so they'll let him dabble with the old cars.
I am 79 years old and my sister 81 years old. In 1960 when my sister graduated from HS she went to her 1960 Prom with her boyfriend Andy. They were double dating with my sister's best friend Judy. Judy's boyfriend had just bought a used 1957 Ford retractable hardtop like this car. They arrived at our house to get my sister and Andy, Judy's boyfriend showed the whole neighborhood how the top lifted up and tucked away. The top was halfway open and stuck. Wouldn't go either way. They all went to the Prom in Andy's old Chevy. Life goes fast enjoy it while you can.
The top mechanism was very complicated and prone to malfunctions.
I've heard that was common for the tops to fail, having so many switches and levers. So, it's fun to hear real stories like this. Thanks. The early 1960s were interesting times.
Skyliner! Only made em 3yrs. 57 first year.
What a great looking car. . We have nothing like it in the UK. Its lovely to see that a dealership wanted to purchase the car. I would put it in the showroom. Not for sale, but to attract customers.
The hard top requires eight electric motors, operating in prefect sequence. They failed frequently, often while the top was in operation. It would completely immobilize the car. They sold few of them and it lasted only two model years. Which makes it rare and more valuable than ever.
This top required extensive work to operate.
Exactly! I think it was worth $40K myself.
Three model years- '57,' 58 and '59.
We didn't want to try the mechanism for just that reason! Although the last time I visited my grandmother (before moving abroad in 1990; she passed away a few weeks after I returned in 1993), she did put the top down for a drive around town. It was fabulous!
I had one of these in SoCal in 1966 drove it for 6 months. The top worked sort of, 8+ miles to the gallon and a quart of oil every 100 miles. Felt lucky to get $175 when I sold it. Should have kept it, Oh well who knew.
Made me LolSweet I was born in Midland tx 1952. Great story
The Skyliner was an amazing car. And the Sewell Ford who sold it . A amazing garage find. Thank you for sharing this amazing story!
It was an amazing "aha!" moment when I found the original purchase invoice from Sewell Ford in a file cabinet in the house!
Yes it was a iconic automobile. But I'm quite sure the dealership had ulterior motives when going after that purchase. Hence the higher price paid. They're not the heroes here. The original owners certainly were.
@@anthonyangeli256 Agree totally 💯
@@djrosenberry We found all sorts of treasures...there's still a few left. If anyone wants a few model T parts or know what to do with 15 Magnetos let me know....😄
@@anthonyangeli256 Thanks for that, but I think we all got a great experience out of it! After all value is simply subjective...I applaud that they want to keep it running and to take care of their own history too.
Jerry, your videos never disappoint! Touching story about the 57’, and hopefully they’ll put it in their showroom on occasion as a tribute to the original owner and to document their own legacy!
Showroom and homecoming parades!
My first car was a 57 Ford 4 door 500 hard top black, served me well thro university.
Being in Texas I'm surprised that Dennis or Richard didn't try to buy this lol
Another great feel good story Jerry. Congratulation to the Sewell Family for making this happen Fantastic to get a part of the family history back and pure class on the purchase price Bought many cars from them. had no idea they had been around since 1911. True Pillar of West Texas for a very long time
Texans need to let go of their obsessive thoughts about the greatness of Texas!...You are just another one of our 50 states making up the USA...every state has businesses that are pillars of their communities.
The car couldn't have gone to a better home...a huge dealership like Sewell has the resources to treat this car right, and it's good for the business. A win win as they say
A 1957 Fairline 500 was my first car!
Great story. Props to the dealer for giving her more money, than she was asking.
I was stoked that it went for what it did, but mostly that it went back to someone that is really going to drive it and take care of it. If Dena and I had a place to store it we would have kept it, for sure, but thanks to Jerry we'll always have the memory. I still want to drive it around now that it is renovavated (that was part of the spoken deal, although I don't really expect it from the Sewell's, it is their car now fair and square, and we thank them for taking care of it!)
Funny enough, I am finally back in the house to renovate it and sell it. Maybe I'll make a video of the restoration too...I'm sure it won't be as popular at this special car was.
Just want to say thanks to all the positive comments, it was a really special car for Dena and held lots of memories...and always will.
Hemming classic car magazine did an amazing story on these cars several years back, telling the entire story of the development. The electric motors by themselves was an interesting story. At the time, no one made compact motors with the power they needed. It was suggested that they used hydraulic cylinders to power the top using a centrally located pump. But one executive was adamant that it had to be an electric power top because if a hose broke a sprayer people with hydraulic oil......not a good thing.
My dad has a 67 GTO he had restored. That’s where my love of classic cars began. My boyfriend loves when we’re out on the road and I see a classic. I can identify most of them. He says it’s sexy when women know their cars.
Great family God bless America
What a great story, and of course the car! Great to see that it is well taken care of.
My grandmother took great care of it, in theory on my uncle's behalf. I think she loved its style.
My Grandma's sister-in-law had a basic '57 Ford 4 door sedan. The daughters husband and son were very excited about the car and took it from Minnesota to Louisiana. It's still in the family.
Great video! The young fella still has a few things to learn - like the difference between a LandCruiser and a 4Runner...
A rolling time capsule! AWESOME.
That’s a beautiful car and a wonderful story.
very nice show.
Now everyone can enjoy looking at it. Automotive History to be admired for future generations.
Just more proof that not all car dealerships try to rip people off. My hat is off to you.
🤣they have been robbing since 1935 according to the video!
That’s so cool!! They sure cleaned her up really well
I'm not a Ford guy but that Skyliner is beautiful car. Drive it and enjoy
Meacham, you have a wonderfull spirit. It is obvious you are very pround of your heritage and have a great father and family connection to your heritaqe, work hard and enjoy your family and life. Great taste. regards Terry
Amazing story and video. Thanks Jerry
Beautiful, just beautiful...
Thank you very much!
brings back memories. I had a 1957 Skyliner retractable with a continental kit. It had power everything - power seats, power windows ... I had been owned by one the VPs of Ford that my dad knew.
I think we paid about $1,500 for it (in 1964). Last time I checked that configuration is going for around $200,000
I had a 1948 Packard. Really loved to drive it.
What a great story! Surprised though that it had a 312 CID, but it makes sense. It's so good to hear the son refer with respect 'Sir' to the older gentlemen. Something that is hardly taught any more. It was required by both parents growing up, Mom from Alabama and Dad from Misissippi. Good luck to all.
It does.. I got a used 1956 Crown Victoria wagon from my dad who got it from a job he did (my dad and I used to do tile and linoleum) and that was a 312 Thunderbird engine.
Every 57 Ford I have seen had a 312 engine, before that a 292 engine
I drove a four door 1957 Ford to the University of Illinois where I was a student. It was blue and white and had a 292 engine. The only problem I ever had was a leaky valve cover gasket. 🤠
Fantastic! That is a rare vintage car right there and it cleaned up beautifully. Nice to see it go to exactly the kind of people it should who know how to take care of it. The motors that lift the roof off are huge! A neighbor had one of these when I was a kid and we marveled at the way the roof fitted in the trunk, thought it was the coolest thing ever! Bravo and thanks for this great story!
Beautiful storey and family.....I had a 1958 Chev convertible before going into the marines. Good times....
This is too cute for words and a setup..
Trust in the Lord and your friendly car dealer.
I loved how you kept the story going to the end. Most "garage finds" like this would have ended when the car was loaded on the trailer and hauled away. But y'all wasn't finished yet. Very nice. What a great ending. And thanks to Paul Harvey, now we know the rest of the story.
Appreciate the credit Ben, yeah I waited 22 months to show what happened to the car. It just needed so much work to get going - rebuild the engine and top, brakes, fuel system, new upholstery and more.
Love the car, love the story ! For those of us that are car enthusiasts, we can appreciate different makes and models, old and new. Thanks for sharing !
I grew up just down the road from Odessa in Fort Davis, I’ve had family members buy there cars from dealership, great people, cheers on the find!
now there's a result. well done young fella getting yer old man interested in the classics. hat off to you.
Very cool video.
The history is great.
Love the furnishings and appliances in the Grandmother's house. Amazing! Looks like the set of a 1950's TV show.
That's a great story and they certainly did that beautiful car justice.
That's very nice Ford.
And that's for my bow tie lover the same year
surprised a dealership seems to take great pride in their history. the boy seems very respectful.
My Dad's first "new car" when he got out of the Army was a '57 Fairlane 500 convertible..woo'd my Mom and headed to the Poconos on their honeymoon in that Fairlane. He traded it in 1964 for an Impala Super Sport and always said he regretted it!