Ford's 1957 styling originated in the "Mystere" show car, a space-age dreamboat typical of the decade, created by Bill Boyer of the Advanced Styling Studio in the summer of 1954. "The Mystere was a full-size car," Boyer recalls. "It had an operating canopy and a fully trimmed interior, but it was [only] a static fiberglass display model. It was done specifically for the 1955 January Detroit Auto Show. The Mystere influenced the 'swash' [bodyside] molding...of the 1957 Fairlane 500, and also the fin development on the quarter panel and taillights [of all models]. In order not to tip [our] hand, the Mystere didn't go into the 1955 Auto Show. I don't believe it was shown until 1956 or 1957, and then [only] as an idea car preceeding the 1957 Ford.. "

According to Boyer, the Mystere was created at about the same time that 1957 design development began in earnest for both the Thunderbird and the standard Ford. However, it wasn't until 1955 that management decided on two separate wheelbases for the passenger models. The original package thus became the production Custom/Custom 300, while a stretched version was decreed for a more upmarket Fairlane and the new Fairlane 500.

source: auto.howstuffworks.com

In September of 1955, Ford released photos of a futuristic body design for a car that would be propelled by a gas turbine powerplant. On display during the 1956 Chicago extravagaza, the prototype show car had no engine, although provisions were made to fit one under the rear deck. Cargo and spare tire were housed under the front hood. A large bubble of glass served as roof, windows and windshield. Hinged at the back the canopy could be opened up 70-degrees, front seats would swivel outward and passengers could easily enter and exit through half-doors. The scoop at the top of the windshield supplied fresh air into the 4-passenger cockpit. A radiotelphone was housed in a console between the two rear bucket-type seats, and the aircraft-type steering wheel was a "throw-over," meaning that the car could be driven from either front seat. Other modern features were pushbutton ignition switch, padded dash and a television set behind the front seat.

source: www.chicagoautoshow.com

The Ford Mystere is a Concept Car created by Bill Boyer of the Advanced Styling Studio in the summer of 1954. "The Mystere was a full-size car," Boyer recalls. The car was originally done specifically for the 1955 January Detroit Auto Show, but because of the styling elements it shared with Ford's 1957 product line it didn't debut at the 1955 Detroit Auto Show. The Mystere influenced the 'swash' bodyside molding of the 1957 Fairlane 500, and also the fin development on the quarter panel and taillights of all models. In September of 1955 Ford finally released photos of the Mystere. the Mystere was a futuristic body design of a car that would be propelled by a gas turbine powerplant. The car was on display during the 1956 Chicago Extravagaza, the prototype show car had no engine, although provisions were made to fit one under the rear deck. Cargo and spare tire were housed under the front hood. A large bubble of glass served as roof, windows and windshield. Hinged at the back the canopy could be opened up 70-degrees, front seats would swivel outward and passengers could easily enter and exit through half-doors. The scoop at the top of the windshield supplied fresh air into the 4-passenger cockpit. A radiotelphone was housed in a console between the two rear bucket-type seats, and the aircraft-type steering wheel was a "throw-over," meaning that the car could be driven from either front seat. Other modern features were pushbutton ignition switch, padded dash and a television set behind the front seat.

source: www.kustomrama.com