1957 Ford Custom John North original historic custom

Famous John North Historic Custom
1957 Ford
More Trophys & Awards then any other custom of the 1950s.

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1957 Ford Custom by John North

Direct from a collection that collects only the most authentic, documented and historic collector cars…comes this 1957 Ford Custom by John North (1935-2013) of Rockville, CT.

In 1957, John North purchased a new 1957 Ford and with only 12 miles on it, proceeded to immediately customize it and named it the “White Pearl”.

This car has probably received more trophies over the years then 99% of all other historic custom cars.

The first showing was at the 1958 Hartford (CT) AutoRama and John took home the trophy. Later, the car was shown several times during the late 1950s and early 1960s while winning over 50 awards.

John North with many of his trophies featured in The Spotlight, December 1959 (see photo above).

John North later sold the “White Pearl” to his neighbor Gene Pitney (1941-2006) singer/songwriter. Gene Pitney would take the car when he performed to his concerts until somebody shot out the windshield, maybe because they thought he put on a terrible show. After that Gene Pitney never took it to shows.

It should be further noted that this car has probably appeared in more custom car magazines starting in 1957 until currently then just about any other significant custom cars.

Magazines Featuring “The White Pearl”

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

The founder of the collection that the car is currently in, drove this car as recently as the middle of April 2017 and said that the car just runs fantastic (see video of the car driving). The car is tight as a drum, doors close with the sound of a vault door. The engine, transmission and brakes work like they should and the glass packs gives the car a sound that is unforgettable. The E-Code engine with the 2x4 carburetors gives close to neck snapping acceleration.

The private seller suggests that you take a good look at the high level of customizing on this car and the wonderful and tasteful visual that this car presents. You can see why it frequently stole the show and received so many awards because of its great beauty and stance. (Some credit must go to the Ford Motor Company as the basic design of any 1957 Ford hardtop is certainly the favorite among Ford enthusiasts and collectors).

We do suggest that you check out the photos, and the video of the car running and driving. This is a car that will be thought of as a Rembrandt for the custom car genre for future years to come. Yes, there are plenty of custom cars out there but very few are historical, well documented and as beautifully executed in design as the John North “White Pearl”. To top it off, the fact that this car is almost entirely original in terms of paint, chrome, interior as John North customized it in 1957 is just the frosting on the cake.

Let us not forget that the engine and transmission are original to this car. There is only one John North 1957 Ford 2-door hardtop and certainly this car would be welcomed at any serious car show or museum. To our amazement this car has an endless life cycle, there is a car show in the Hartford CT area this year 2017 and 99% of its members have never seen this 1957 John North Ford Custom, but this year they have made the 1957 John North Ford Custom the centerpiece and logo for the show and most of the t-shirts that they are selling will have the 1957 John North Ford Custom imprinted the shirt.

We realize that this has been a very lengthy description and thank you for your patience in reading all this information.

This car has survived in its original form for sixty years and now deserves to have another caretaker that will continue to preserve the rarest of automotive history.

We don’t mind messages through eBay with comments regarding the beauty of the car but if you are a serious bidder hoping to purchase this car we suggest that you call at 847-668-2004 cell 10:00 a.m to 10:00 p.m. CST rather than email or text messages.

Note – the back seat Tonneau cover was on last week when we took the photos for eBay. Here are photos of the backseat tuck and roll interior.

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VEHICLE IS OFFERED FOR SALE BY APRIVATE SELLER

All information and photos have been provided by the private seller of this vehicle.

PAYMENT

Seller requires winning bidder to contact 847-668-2004 within 24 hours of auction end to acknowledge purchase and make arrangements for pickup or shipping.

A 10% non-refundable deposit is required within 24-hours of close of auction.

Full payment is required within five business days of end of auction.

SHIPPING

Transportation costs are the responsibility of the winning bidder.

We are happy to contact an insured, enclosed carrier to provide a shipping quote but ultimately the shipping is the buyer’s choice and responsibility.

If you provide your zip code we can calculate mileage for you.

Vehicle must me picked up within 14 days of payment, unless other arrangements have been made.

TERMS OF SALE

Please ask all questions prior to bidding.

If you are not located in the USA contact us before bidding.

If you have less then 20 feed back contact us before bidding.

If you have negative feedback contact us before bidding.

If you have more then one retracted bid in the past six months contact us before bidder.

Please base your bid on the pictures and description provided by the private seller.

All vehicles are sold “as is” and as shown on Ebay with no warranties expressed or implied by selle.

DO NOT CONSIDER A WINNING BID AS A RIGHT OF FIRST REFUSAL TO DECIDE IF YOU WANT TO BUY THE VEHICLE.

CONTACT US at 847-668-2004

Call us anytime from 10:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. CST