Since the start of the 21st century, vehicle manufacturers have become increasingly excited about their ability to create Convertibles with a folding metal roof. They have often trumpeted the technological advances required to produce this feature, and the result is almost universally impressive. However, it is also nothing new. Ford beat them to the punch by over forty years with the Fairlane 500 Galaxie Skyliner. This 1959 model presents superbly and has been cherished and refreshed by an owner who has tried to achieve perfection during the three decades they have been its custodian. All good things must end, with the Skyliner set to find a new home. The seller has listed it here on eBay in Terre Haute, Indiana. Bidding sits at $33,599, and there may be some way to go before it meets the reserve.
Okay, one point probably requires clarifying before we delve too deeply into this classic. Ford introduced the Skyliner in 1957, but it wasn’t the first manufacturer to produce a production model with a retractable metal roof. Peugeot brought the feature to market as part of its 401 and 601 ranges that hit showrooms in 1934. This 1959 Skyliner has belonged to the same person for over thirty years, and it seems they searched long and hard to locate precisely the car to fulfill their strict criteria. They found this beauty: an unmolested vehicle with no history of rust or other problems. It presents superbly in a combination of Geranium and Colonial White, with the retractable top finished in a darker shade. The paint probably isn’t perfect, but the depth of shine guarantees it will turn heads wherever it goes and supports the seller’s assessment that it rates 9/10. They describe the exterior chrome and stainless as pristine, and it is impossible to argue with that statement. Adding to the Skyliner’s visual impact is the Continental kit, which is about more than mere good looks. It serves a practical purpose because the top occupies a large amount of trunk space when retracted. Therefore, the Continental kit removes the spare from the trunk, improving cargo space. The exterior also features some interesting options, including twin spotlights mounted on the front fenders. Rounding out the package are steel wheels featuring spotless hubcaps and wrapped in whitewalls.
This Skyliner doesn’t just make a positive impression with its exterior; its interior is equally impressive. The seats feature a Tri-Tone combination of Red, White, and Black cloth and vinyl, with the remaining upholstered surfaces covered in Black and Red vinyl. There is no evidence of wear or abuse, and the Black carpet is spotless. The interior beauty is accentuated by sparkling bright trim and flawless painted surfaces. However, there is more to this aspect of the Ford than good looks because it is loaded with desirable factory options. The new owner receives factory air conditioning, power windows, a power front seat, a pushbutton radio, and a clock. No aftermarket additions or changes will detract from the originality and spotless presentation.
The original owner didn’t pull any punches when ordering this Skyliner. They teamed the range-topping 352ci V8 with a three-speed automatic transmission, adding power assistance for the steering and brakes for an effortless driving experience. That V8 produces 300hp and 380 ft/lbs of torque, endowing the 4,340 lb Skyliner with excellent performance. It should comfortably cruise on the open road at 70mph, but a 17.6-second ¼-mile ET is there for the taking if someone were to point the car down the strip. Personally, I’d pass on that activity, as it would place unnecessary stress on this classic. I would be content to know it could deliver if called upon to do so. The engine bay presentation is as impressive as the rest of the vehicle and doesn’t flatter to deceive. The seller confirms the Ford runs and drives perfectly, making the option of flying in and driving home a tempting idea.
I grew up in a household dominated by Blue Oval classics. I inherited my passion for classic cars and the Ford brand from my father, and I know that he would have found this 1959 Fairlane 500 Galaxie Skyliner almost irresistible. He liked high-performance models, but I can picture him behind the wheel of this Ford, the top down, cruising sedately on the open road. That opportunity awaits someone, and with summer just around the corner, there can be fewer ways to occupy a lazy Saturday than in the way I described. It sounds enticing, but are those thoughts enough for you to throw caution to the wind and submit a bid?
The roof is the same color as the lower body. Bad lighting is making the bodysides appear lighter.
This is a beautiful car, but there is no way I could keep the continental kit on it! I know it could store the spare,but the cost is it ruins the looks of the car.
Dad had an all white 57, I never liked the 59’s, until now.
Good luck when the roof quits working!
The museum where I worked was donated a ’58 with a nonfunctional top. With a couple days of tinkering I had it working fine. Primary issue was a bad limit switch which I took home and rebuilt.
The best of the best. The cars a great color, twin spots, power windows, steering, and brakes. Then there’s factory ac and the town and country radio. Checks all the right boxes for me.
That’s a really clean car.
Not my thing; I always think that these look like they’re sagging in the middle because of the paint and bodywork where the tailfin starts.
I’m glad that you mentioned Peugeot (or I would’ve); I saw one at Retromobile one year. I have a photo – from film, so that dates it…!
Not one of Ford’s better ideas.
The winning recipe, IMHO, was the idea of a removable hard top – that you put in your garage – while you had a canvas top in the boot behind the seat, for the unexpected summer rain.
As the Corvette had.
This was a daring concept that was impossibly complex in execution, especially allowing for the crude electronics and hydraulics of the time.
They didn’t use hydraulics, nor electronics for that matter. Just electric motors, screw jacks, solenoids and switches.
’55-’57 Thunderbird had that.
“Therefore, the Continental kit removes the spare from the trunk, improving cargo space.”
Incorrect. The spare resides in a recessed area beneath the cargo storage box in the trunk and doesn’t take up usable cargo space. What you do gain with the Connie kit is a lot of unneeded weight behind the rear axle in what is already a tail heavy car with the top down. The Connie kit needs to go. Otherwise a cool car that’s well optioned.
I’m impressed. Great 20-footer. This is a loaded car with desirable options in an attractive color combination. Of the 1957-59 Fords, I’m least attracted to the ’59 because it looks a little busier but I would be more than happy to admire this in my garage. Normally I’m not a fan of Continental Kits but in this case it’s justified because the tire is more easily accessible. These have been bargains in the collectible marketplace (compared to most GM products of that era) but I wouldn’t be surprised to see this one exceed $50K.
Not a fan of the Connie kit, either. Exceptions would be the ‘56 T-Bird, the Nash Metropolitan….there are probably others (I’m having a senior moment)….A family in my hometown in Southern California had ‘58 retractable (my brother and I would pretend it was Perry Mason). It was black which made it quite striking.
My best friend in high school had one these ’59 Skyliners. Blue and white. It was parked in front of a salvage yard with the top half way down, (or up), when we saw it. We both wanted it, but I didn’t care for the ’59s as much as I liked the ’57s and I was a Chevy man. He was in a rush to get the money and beet me to the sale, but I was only going to get it if he didn’t. When the top gave him problems he would pull the back seat and run a jumper wire to one of the row of solenoids to operate the top. One of the more memorable drag races was his Skyliner with the 352 ci, 4 bl, 3 speed automatic and another freinds ’59 4 dr Fairlane, 292, 2 bl, automatic. It was “Well, we are starting to move.” Just not the launches I was used to. Yes, once they started to roll the convertable pulled away nicely. To keep the 8 track tape player from getting stolen he hid it in the glove compartment. I had an 8 track recording of a 50’s radio broadcast he was blasting in front of school one day. When we were asked where that came from the response was, “It’s an old car, it only picks up old radio stations.” Thanks for the trip down memory lane.
I never liked the 1958 Ford — the lovely 1957 tragically made ugly on all sides — heavy laden nose — weird tail-lamps — side-trim that did not match the car. But I loved the 1959 Ford the minute it hit the show-room — especially the Galaxie, and in this colour-combination. The model I did NOT care for, was the retractible: awkward top-lines, and that continental kit. This example has every option I would desire in a ’59 Ford Galaxie, and no-one can fault the condition! When these first came out, I would have wanted the convertible — but at my age, any drop-top would be ridiculous! But the hard-top sedan, in these same colours, in this condition, with these same accessories (not the spotlights, necessarily) would make me long to own and drive it!
Wow, what a beauty. She’s obviously been loved and cared for by the owner. I agree with others about not caring much for the Continental kit. Kinda like gilding a lily. A sure turnkey, classic. Good find
The spare tire was kept in the square cargo box beneath the rear deckl lid I used to yank that mounted tire out of that square box. Very awkward and uncomfortable. My back would let me know that after changing a spare tire. That also meant you had to Put the flat tire back in the cargo box to take it to get plugged or replaced. I like the continental kit because of that reason.
Tennis Tim: that’s exactly why so many who ordered the Skyliner, ordered it with the Continental kit!). Of course, grrowing up when I did, “Skyliner” was a huge instrumental hit record by Charlie Barnet — in 1945, if memory serves. I still have the Decca 78.
I have a 1959 retractable same color with 390 Tbird. I need a trunk tray motor and a couple of limit stitches for the front top locks.
Electric, electronic. There’s a grey area there.
A light lights up, it’s electric. Screw jacks and solenoids, controlled by sequential switches…you’re getting into the territory of electronics.
Bottom line is, it didn’t succeed in the market. Reason was, of course, too many compromises – not the least of which was, complexity and compromises in storage space.
Back in the day (1959) it was all electrical, screw jacks and limit switches what nightmares. Than the transistor radios kicked in. Then the digital world exploded. Diode made everything simpler. Micro everything, micro voltages bam here we go. Makes everything complicated to those that have to see the gears turning. You can only Repair micro switches so many times.
I need and outlet for microswithes.
Owner of a 1959 Skyliner
In the retractible Skyliners the top was controlled with electrical wiring that was wired to several servos and relay switches and related screws and was 676 ft long, so it was surely electrical and mechanical in its operation. Ford offered technical courses to train dealerships to service the retractible top cars.
Another problem with it’s success was, it could not be made to look graceful and proportional with the top up — not to mention the inevitable leaks and mis-alignments, over time
Well, I am that lucky person who now has this beauty parked in my garage. It is every bit as nice as the photos show. I had a 1959 Skyliner for my first car at the age of 15 so, repairing any glitches with the top is no problem for me. Yes, it is all electric and mechanics that operate these retractable hardtops. I am now 75 years old and plan to enjoy the memories that have been brought back by owning this Skyliner.
Congratulations Jerry! I am quite sure you are going to enjoy that beauty for a long time to come. Have you picked it up yet? Taken that first drive?