1957 Ford Courier Sedan Delivery

Ford introduced their car-based panel van in 1932. It was based on the two-door sedan that had blank rear quarters and a hinged door at the back. By the close of the 1930s, the profile took on the appearance of the truck-based panel delivery models. After 1947, the sedan delivery disappeared.

The new George Walter-designed Fords of 1949 did not lend itself to delivery vehicle design. The 1949-1951 steel-skelton wood-sided station wagons were also not suitable.

In 1952, the all-steel station wagons provided a suitable platform for the return of the sedan delivery. The new model, named the 'Ford Courier', was based on the Ranch Wagon. In similar fashion to the earlier sedan deliveries, they had blank panels where the Ranch Wagon's side quarter windows were located. For 1957, the Ranch Wagon's liftgate and tailgate were modified into a single large upward-opening panel. Production continued through 1960, after which the Courier was supplanted by a version based on the compact Falcon.

The popularity of the cab-forward Econoline vans of the mid-1960s signaled an end for the Ford sedan delivery vehicles, and after 1965 production ceased.

This particular example is a California-built Courier that was restored for the current owner and currently finished in Ford's Raven Black paint. It has gold anodized Custom 300 side trim with correct bias-ply whitewall tires on Kelsey-Hayes chrome wire wheels with spinner caps. There is red and black vinyl interior with heat seams from LeBaron-Bonney, the optional padded dashboard, and a Town & Country signal-seeking radio. Select Aire factory air conditioning has been fitted, along with a four-way power seat and power windows.

Power is from an overhead valve 292 cubic-inch Y-block V8 with Ford-O-Matic transmission. It has twin accessory spotlight mirrors, full bumper guards, and the 'hockey stick' rocker panel moldings.

In 1957, Ford built just 6,178 examples of the Courier.

By Daniel Vaughan | Sep 2016