1957 Ford - White Pearl - John North

1957 Ford restyled by John North. The car is also known as the "White Pearl". The Ford was at one time owned by famous american singer-songwriter Gene Pitney. Today the car is woned by custom car and concept car collector Joe Bortz.

lien web: http://www.kustomrama.com/index.php?title=John_North's_1957_Ford








The White Pearl at a hot rod and custom show held at the NE Horticultural Hall in 1959. Photo from The Marty McDonough Photo Collection.


The White Pearl at the 1993 Goodguys Rhinebeck show. According to the note on the deck John had been "Rearended by a low flying Studebaker". Photo from The Marty McDonough Photo Collection.

The John Norton Ford and John Seaton's 1955 Chevrolet, both part of the Joe Bortz Collection

This Ford is my all time favorite custom, but then again, I may be a little biased.

My grandfather was friends with the original owner of this car, and actually did some of the lead work (and some other stuff that I can't recall.) I've actually got pictures of this car at the Hartford autorama from the '50s.

I actually had the pleasure of seeing this car once at a cruise night about 10-12 years ago. I tried talking to the owner at that time, but he didn't seem to want to believe me when I told him my relationship to the car, but I guess I can't blame him since I was only 15 at the time.

The shop my grandfather worked at actually pumped out more than a few magazine quality cars. The owner of this Ford's previous car was featured in (I believe) a 1957 issue of Rod and Custom, a chopped '36 Ford Four door. I have the issue at home, I just need to get my hands on a scanner.

Another one was recently unearthed. A channeled but un chopped Olds powered '32 five window that they used to show was found untouched in the next town over from us. The new owner called my grandfather to get some history on the car which my grandfather had painted back in 1959. That car was also featured in Rod and Custom, but my grandfather still has the issue since his name is in it.
http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=338269

Rod & Custom, July 1957 “4 Door Charmer” p. 60-61
Rodding & Restyling, June 1959
Car Craft, July 1959 “Battlegrounds for Glamour”
Rod Builder, November 1959
Car Craft, January 1960 “Stockers Are Not for Me”.
Hot Rod, January 1960 “Score with Scallops”
Hot Rod, August 1960 Cover Photo
Rod Builder, November 1959 “Cultured Pearl”
Custom Rodder, July 1959 “Tops in Tail Lights”
Custom Cars, December 1958 “The Big Show”
Custom Cars, November 1959 “White is the Color”
Car Speed and Style, June 1959 “Autorama Time Again”
Rod Builder Annual, November 1960
Old Cars News & Market Place, June 15, 2006 “Coast Customs Meet in the Midwest”
Automobile Magazine, September 2006 “Kustom Konvergence”




Cool Cars Square Roll Bars by Bernie Shuman, Fifties Hot Rodding in New England 2006 Hammershop
Hot Rod Deluxe Annual 2011 “1958 Auotrama Crowd Photo”
The 1957 Ford Custom today is almost entirely original as John North customized it after he bought it new. The exception to this is paint work to the rear deck. The interior is almost 100% original along with the scalloping on the paint except for the rear deck.
It should be noted that when John North purchased the car new, it had a 3-speed manual transmission and the factory installed 312 c.i., E-Code, Y-Block V8 with two four barrel carbs (285 HP race version). NOTE: John North autographed the engine compartment as "MOOSE". The Dual Quads are known as an E-Code engine. Ford Thunderbirds of the period could also be ordered with an E-Code engine and today a 1957 Ford Thunderbird with an E-Code engine can possibly sell approximately for triple what a standard engine Thunderbird will sell for.



Customized Features of this 1957 Ford Custom by John North
Fully chromed Ford engine
Scalloped nose, deck, raked.
TV in dash (period correct)
White tuck and rolled interior (original). Also original tuck and roll steering wheel cover and rear seat area removable tuck and roll cover.
Lakers
Dummy Spot Lights