What Was the Most Popular Car in 1957?

In U.S. new-car sales terms, the most popular car in 1957 was Ford—specifically, Ford’s 1957 passenger-car lineup (anchored by the Fairlane and Custom series) topped the American market, narrowly outselling Chevrolet. While the 1957 Chevrolet Bel Air has since become the era’s most celebrated icon, contemporary sales data show Ford held the crown that year.

Defining “Most Popular” in 1957

“Most popular” can mean different things—best-selling in the year, most culturally revered, or most widely produced. In the context most commonly used by industry historians and record-keepers, it refers to annual U.S. new-car sales or registrations. By that measure, Ford led the 1957 market, edging Chevrolet by a slim margin. Depending on whether sources count model-year production or calendar-year registrations, Ford’s total is generally recorded as slightly higher than Chevrolet’s, with both clustered around the mid–1.5 million range. The 1957 Chevrolet, especially the Bel Air, is often cited as an icon due to its enduring collector appeal rather than its raw sales rank that year.

The 1957 U.S. Sales Race: Ford vs. Chevrolet

Industry tallies from period sources such as Ward’s and Automotive News show Ford taking the 1957 U.S. sales crown by a nose. Exact figures vary with methodology—model-year production, calendar-year sales, or registrations—but the conclusion is consistent: Ford finished first, Chevrolet second. Ford’s win reflected an all-new “longer, lower, wider” redesign, competitive pricing, a broad range (from fleet-friendly Custom models to upscale Fairlane and the retractable-hardtop Skyliner), and strong V8 offerings. Chevrolet’s lineup was also strong and deeply influential—none more so than the Bel Air—but it finished a close second for the year.

What Ford Sold in 1957

The following list outlines the key passenger-car lines that collectively made Ford the best-selling brand in the United States in 1957.

• Custom and Custom 300: Value-focused full-size Fords popular with families and fleets
• Fairlane and Fairlane 500: Upscale full-size lines that anchored retail demand
• Fairlane 500 Skyliner: Novel retractable-hardtop convertible introduced for 1957
• Thunderbird: Ford’s personal car, adding halo appeal to showrooms

Together, these lines gave Ford coverage from budget-conscious buyers to style-led shoppers, helping secure the brand’s narrow lead over Chevrolet that year.

Why Many People Still Answer “1957 Chevrolet”

The 1957 Chevrolet—especially the Bel Air—became the poster child of 1950s American motoring. Even though it wasn’t the top seller in its model year, it looms large in popular memory and the collector market. That cultural weight is why many people casually cite the ’57 Chevy when asked about 1957’s “most popular” car.

Different Ways People Use “Most Popular”

Below are common interpretations of “most popular,” which help explain why the 1957 Chevrolet is so frequently named despite Ford’s sales lead.

1. Best-selling in-period: U.S. sales/registrations for the 1957 model or calendar year (Ford led here)
2. Cultural icon status: The car most celebrated in media, design lore, and the collector scene (’57 Chevrolet dominates)
3. Production volume by model worldwide: Global counts, which can tell a different story than U.S. sales
4. Survivorship and collectability: Cars most sought-after or visible at shows decades later (’57 Chevrolet again stands out)

Understanding which definition is in play prevents talking past one another: Ford won the period sales race; Chevrolet won the cultural memory contest.

Context, Caveats, and Sources

Historical automotive data can differ based on whether analysts use model-year production, calendar-year retail sales, or registration figures. Despite small numerical discrepancies among sources, the ranking for 1957 is stable: Ford first, Chevrolet second in U.S. passenger-car sales. Notably, this was a rare mid-century year when Ford broke Chevrolet’s extended streak at the top.

References and Further Reading

The following references are useful for readers who want to see period figures and industry context.

• Automotive News Data Center (historical sales data and yearbooks)
• Ward’s Automotive Yearbook (period production/sales tables)
• Hagerty Media (historical analyses of 1950s U.S. auto market and collector perspectives)
• Hemmings (model histories and sales context for 1957 Ford and Chevrolet)

Consulting multiple sources helps reconcile minor counting differences while confirming the same overall outcome for 1957.

Summary

Measured by U.S. new-car sales in 1957, Ford was the most popular make, narrowly beating Chevrolet on the strength of its full-size lineup (Fairlane, Custom, and related variants). The 1957 Chevrolet—especially the Bel Air—remains the era’s most influential icon, explaining why it is often named in casual conversation, even though it finished second in the year’s sales race.

Who sold more cars in 1957, Ford or Chevrolet?

Ford sold 1,522,406 cars during the 1957 model year, while Chevrolet sold 1,515,177. That’s a difference of just 7,200 cars. And even today there’s some argument as to what company really sold the most cars. Chevrolet actually sold more cars during the 1957 calendar year, but they included several thousand ’56 models.

What was the most sold car in 1957?

The best-selling car in 1957 was the Ford Fairlane, which outsold its rival, the Chevrolet, for the first time in over 20 years. This achievement was due to Ford’s updated design, including a new perimeter frame, and a lineup of models such as the Fairlane 500 and the innovative Fairlane 500 Skyliner hardtop convertible.
 
Why the Ford Fairlane Sold Best

• Design and Safety: Ford embraced a more modern and sleeker design with dramatic tailfins, gleaming chrome, and a wider body that prioritized passenger safety. 
• Innovative Hardtop: The Fairlane 500 Skyliner was a unique offering with a retractable hardtop, a complex engineering feat that captivated buyers with its high-tech appeal. 
• Model Lineup: The Fairlane lineup included popular models like the 500 Victoria Club Coupe, which offered a blend of style and substance that appealed to a broad range of American consumers. 

Ford vs. Chevrolet

• A Historic Shift: Ford’s success in 1957 marked a significant turning point, regaining the number one spot in sales from Chevrolet, a position they hadn’t held since 1935. 
• Sales Figures: Ford sold approximately 1.5 million 1957 model cars, a narrow but decisive win over Chevrolet’s roughly 1.5 million. 

Key Models in the Ford Lineup

• Fairlane 500: The top-of-the-line Fairlane 500, with its distinctive gold side trim, was a strong seller. 
• Fairlane 500 Skyliner: This model was the star of the lineup, featuring the unique retractable hardtop convertible. 
• Fairlane 500 Victoria Club Coupe: The pillarless hardtop coupe was a stylish and popular choice. 

What was the best selling car in the 1950s?

The best-selling car in 1950 was the Chevrolet Fleetmaster. While the Chevrolet Bel Air is often cited as the best-selling car of the 1950s, it did not become a standalone model and gain its fame until the following years of the decade. The Fleetmaster, a mainstream sedan, was America’s best-selling car for 1947, but the company continued to produce similar models that were also highly popular leading into 1950.
 
Details about the Chevrolet Fleetmaster: 

• Brand: Chevrolet
• Model: Fleetmaster
• Year: 1950
• Significance: Despite its styling echoing the late 1930s, its popularity soared because American car buyers were eager for new vehicles after the war.

Why it’s often confused with the Bel Air:

• The Chevrolet Bel Air, a symbol of 1950s style and luxury, rose to prominence later in the decade. 
• Chevrolet was the overall top-selling brand of the 1950s. 
• While the specific Fleetmaster didn’t claim the “best-selling car of the decade,” Chevrolet’s widespread popularity and the eventual success of models like the Bel Air solidified the brand’s dominance during that era. 

What was the best car in 1957?

• 1957 Jaguar XK-SS. The XK-SS is the limited edition road going version of the D-Type.
• 1957 Aston Martin DB MkIII Drophead Coupé In 1959, Aston Martin launched the ultimate version of the DB2 known as the MkIII.
• 1957 Maserati 3500 GT Coupé
• 1957 Ford Thunderbird D/F-Code Phase I.
• 1957 Jaguar XK150 3.4 Roadster.