In automotive circles, the 1950s are remembered best for the overt use of tailfins. From small to large, it seemed like every new car had them back in the day. But the decade was also known for innovation (or novelties), a case in point being the Ford Skyliner. Not to be confused with the Sunliner (a full-fledged convertible), the Skyliner was the one with the retractable hardtop. They were offered from 1957 to 1959 and then disappeared into obscurity. The seller has a beautiful example from 1959 that is an older restoration, and the top works perfectly! Located in Prospect, Kentucky, this quirky invention is available here on Facebook Marketplace for $24,500.
When Ford redesigned its cars for 1957, two new types of vehicles emerged. One was the Ranchero, a station wagon-based pickup, and the other the Skyliner, often referred to as the “Hideaway Hardtop.” As part of the Fairlane Series, the first two years and the Galaxie, the last, the car wore a full metal roof that would retract into the trunk via a complicated system of wiring, switches, and levers. More than 48,000 were produced in three years, with 13,000 in 1959 when the Fords were heavily restyled. Perhaps the engineering work was something Ford didn’t want to repeat, so the Skyliner did not return in 1960.
This ’59 Skyliner was treated to a restoration, but not recently, given the seller’s reference to it needing a bit of detailing. The overall vehicle has 76,000 miles and is powered by a 352 cubic inch V8 (2-barrel) and an automatic transmission. Some new parts have been installed recently, including the starter, radiator (aluminum?), and battery. The top is said to work great, and a video is provided of it in action. But I’d hate having to find someone to repair one of those electrical marvels.
From the images provided and the seller’s description, it shouldn’t take much to turn this Ford into a show car. But for now, it should sufficiently “wow” the crowd at Cars & Coffee. These automobiles were around just as the Space Race was kicking off, so the Skyliner must have seemed like something out of this world to those developing Baby Boomers! Thanks for the way-out tip, “Pnurs.”
These converts were a one off design and I suspect ford said they would never do it again. Glad they did it though. Repairs and experience with these tops got better with age. I’d love to have one.
Bucket list car to be sure. Here’s a photo from the summer of 1962, me and my Dad’s ’59 300 Custom.
“The overall vehicle has 76,000 miles and is powered by a 352 cubic inch V8 (2-barrel)”
Unless the intake has been changed, the 2-barrel carb would indicate the 332 V8 with 225 gross hp as the 352 was 4-barrel-only that year. The 332 was made for just two years, ’58 and ’59, and though the ’58 could be had in either 2-barrel or 4-barrel form, only the 2-barrel version was offered in ’59.
Always thought the ’59’s boxier styling made for the best-looking Skyliner. Barring serious rust, this one looks like a deal at the price.
Didn’t T-Bird and Lincoln Continental use a similar switch/relay set up on their rag tops?
I know that the Lincoln’s can be retro fitted with modern micro switches and solid state relays to make operation more reliable. Lincoln Land in Clearwater Florida either did that or contracted it out years ago.
Yes, they did, all the way to the end of drop-tops for both, ’66 and ’67, respectively.
Not that a ’59 is my favorite Ford, but this is a good looking car. Love the sky blue.
$@ C@@L! And $24K is insane. I know the boomers that really like these are going away fast, but this one is great! Usually in the 35-40K region for these units. Blue is nice. I bet you could get it for $20K! Marc.
My father bought a 1957 Skyliner, which we had for more than a decade.
The top was reliable, but was very sensitive to being on a flat surface, an also leaked from the top/windshield seam.
The Skyliner was not done in by complicated engineering, but by low sales. General Motors had an Oldsmobile competitor in development but canceled it due to declining sales of the Ford
The mechanism was originally designed for the Continental Mark II, but given that it would’ve been a very small numbers of a car that was already very limited production, the tooling was handed off to Ford.
Much of the complicated mechanism was then used for Thunderbird and Lincoln convertibles. Getting them serviced can be problem. There used to be a guy up in the Jupiter Florida area that did them, but I don’t know if he’s still working.
I would love to have it!!!!!!!! Thanks Russ for the great write up.. This car will make someone a great vehicle to enter or expand their classic car hobby at a reasonable price.
Fair asking price for a Skyliner in this working condition. These models as well as the Mercury Turnpike Cruisers are on my wish list.
Fully Tits-Tits. Buy this sucka NOW !
I love 59 Ford retractable hardtops, but this one is a bare bones model. No electric windows, no dual spotlights with rear view mirrors. No continental kit, no factory air conditioning. It’s nice for what it is but for me I want all the goodies.
God Bless America
My dad had a ’59 but it was a standard four-door
These trunks were equipped with a cargo bin, which this is missing. That’s the only nitpick, and it shouldn’t make anyone hesitate on buying this beauty. It’s a screaming deal that won’t last long!
I saw the video of Jay Leno’s 4 door Lincoln convertible. Virtually, the same holdup system as these. He also had the “worlds expert ” on the show with him. As far as hard top convertibles goes. Does not the Chevy SSR and the VW ENOS qualify?
I saw that same Leno video recently on FB. with that Lincoln convertible.There was one servo or motor on there that he had trouble finding, and it also showed more of the components and cables used and attached under the deck lid.
John Cashman is the guy that Leno used. I think John is retired now, but hopefully he passed all that expertise on to someone!