Q: I have a 1957 Ford 2-door retractable hardtop. The car needs lots of work, including a paint job. The body, however, is solid. The car runs fine, and it's all there. Can you give me an idea of its worth? Tad S., Sedgwick, Ohio.
A: Glad to, Tad. First, your '57 retractable is indeed a unique piece and quite valuable. Ford produced this special hardtop convertible in 1957 and 1958 in the Fairlane line and in '59 in the Fairlane and Galaxie line. The very least you should charge is $4,680 to $5,000, which is what a car like yours in restorable condition is worth. However, if you want to consider a project that could turn out to be profitable, you might want to contact a professional restoration company or good body shop, because your retractable Fairlane is worth in the neighborhood of $40,000 in pristine condition. For comparison, the '58 Fairlane drops to $33,000 in excellent condition, while the '59 leaps again to $39,000 for the Galaxie and $41,000 for the Fairlane. The reason the '58 is worth less is because they produced more. If it's all there as you say it is, I'd seriously consider looking at the prospect of fixing it up on a professional level if you can. Perhaps a good body shop will go partners with you on the project, so it may be worth a phone call. Let me know that happens, and good luck.