One of The Best Customs, A 1957 Fairlane Dubbed “White Pearl” Is Selling At Worldwide’s Auburn Sale

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1957 Ford Fairlane “White Pearl” Custom.

When it comes to automotive works of art, the 1957 Ford Fairlane "White Pearl" sits comfortably in its own league. This extraordinary masterpiece is the brainchild of two legends: John North, the 'George Barris of the East Coast,' and 1960s musical icon Gene Pitney.

John North, hailing from Hartford, Connecticut, earned a reputation for redefining custom car artistry since the early '50s. Unlike most of his contemporaries who relied on salvaged parts or started with wrecked cars, North did something unprecedented. With a sizeable budget, he bought a brand-new 1957 Ford Fairlane, already a collector's treasure, complete with its optional E-Code engine and dual four-barrel carburetors. And to make it even more unique, he opted for a floor-shifted three-speed manual transmission.

It was once this marvel was in North's gifted hands that its metamorphosis into the "White Pearl" began. North's vision for this project was nothing short of heavenly: a lustrous, radiant wonder adorned with 16 coats of special Lincoln metallic white paint and accented by authentic gold leaf trim.

Inside, the Fairlane was transformed into an opulent sea of white, with every surface—from the seats to the dashboard—wrapped in plush tuck-and-roll fabric. To further emphasize its bespoke nature, North designed a custom tonneau cover that made the car appear as a cozy two-seater. And for a touch of whimsy, he inscribed his nickname "Moose" on the firewall.