[Verne_Frantz]

The F.I. was definitely available in full size passenger cars in '57, '58 & '59. I even have an old ad for the '59 version. It was offered in 2 horsepower ratings. The 250hp version could be had with the Powerglide, 3-spd or 4-spd. I think the other rating was 280hp and could only be had with either of the manual transmissions. There are 2 different model numbers on the air plenum tag which are unique to the passenger car F.I. The air filter duct work is also unique to the passenger car compartment.
No one has surfaced yet with bonafide production numbers, so the rumor mill has worked overtime spreading speculative numbers from 17 to 200, so who knows? I've seen (and documented) 4 of them, but believe they were all "made" cars........ except for one rusty Belair I found in a junk yard which was missing everything, but had the holes in the front fenders for those rare emblems. The last set of NOS F.I. scripts and flags I heard of sold for $3500. The script is not the same as for the Vette.
Just as with any rare and valuable car, it's the right paperwork trail that makes all the difference. A restored red and white F.I. 4-spd Belair (with original gray interior) recently sold for $45., and I know for a fact that car was a "creation". It had no paperwork trail what-so-ever, other than the bills from the shop in CA that made the car.
Verne.