1957 Ford Courier Sedan Delivery
Ford revived its sedan delivery concept in 1952 after a five-year hiatus, basing the new Courier on the two-door Ranch Wagon. Blank steel panels replaced the wagon’s side quarter windows, creating enclosed cargo space favored by florists and specialty retailers.
The 1957 model featured restyled front and rear sheetmetal and a one-piece rear door hinged at the roofline, giving access to a fully enclosed load area.
Most Couriers left the factory with the economical 223 cubic inch inline six, though V8 options included the 272 cubic inch and 292 cubic inch Y-block engines.
In top specification, the larger V8 produced 212 horsepower and could be paired with Ford-O-Matic automatic transmission. Buyers seeking durability and lower cost typically stayed with the six-cylinder powerplant.
The 116-inch wheelbase carried coil spring front suspension with control arms and semi-elliptical leaf springs at the rear. This full-size platform delivered a smoother ride than earlier sedan deliveries while retaining substantial cargo capacity for commercial duty.
Production totaled just 6,178 units for 1957. Hard commercial use claimed most examples within two decades, making survivors increasingly scarce today.
The Courier remained in production through 1960 before transitioning to a compact Falcon-based variant, with the traditional sedan delivery body style disappearing entirely after 1965 as cab-over Econoline vans reshaped Ford’s commercial lineup.
Source
