YES---Ford for '57! It's low, wide, handsome, and a completely new car from the ground up---and in this case not very far up!  Fairlanes and Customs are both less than 57 inches high, or just about eye level for a tiny five-foot girl!  The three basic models---Fairlane, Custom, and Station Wagons---are long, too---up to nine inches longer than the '56 Ford.

One of the newest features of the '57 Ford is the fact that for the first time in its 53-year history, the Ford Motor Company will be producing 20 models (21 with the Ranchero later) in three different basic sizes, each with its own body and chassis.  The largest, the Fairlane and Fairlane "500" (luxury job), are built on a 118-inch wheelbase, are nine inches longer and four inches lower than last year's models.  Station Wagons are built on 116-inch wheelbase, are 3.5 inches lower, and almost six inches longer.  Customs and Custom "300s" have a 116-inch wheelbase, are over three inches longer and nearly 3.5 inches lower than the '56s.

Low overall height, along with proper road clearance and satisfactory interior proportions, is hard to accomplish.  Ford surmounted this problem by redesigning  the frame to accommodate the passenger section within the side rails.  In effect, the rails become side bumpers that protect the passengers.   Heavier stock here, along with tubular crossmembers, makes the new frame 27 per cent more rigid and saves two inches in height.

A tapered driveshaft and redesigned hypoid rear axle and 14-inch wheels (15 inches in '56) reduce the height another two inches for a total of four inches from ground to top.  All of this lowering is without any sacrifice to the interior proportions.

Other new features that become apparent are the deep-dish safety wheel (standard equipment) that is smaller and considerably lower; a repositioned front seat to take advantage of the new angle: and, a new panel with instruments that are easily read, even in bright sunlight.  We are especially pleased with the excellent upholstering detail and hope this is carried out in their production models.