Between 1954 and 1956, Ford offered a 2-door hardtop with a transparent top as part of the Crown Victoria series. In 1954 and 1956 they called it the Skyliner, but didn’t do so in 1955. Just shy of 2,000 of them were sold in ’55, perhaps because it was hard to keep the interior at a comfortable temperature on hot days. Located in Montgomery City, Missouri, this previously restored “Glass Top Vicky” is available here on eBay where the current bid of $10,000 is below the seller’s reserve.
In the 1955 model year, the Crown Victoria “Transparent Top” model (according to sales literature) left off the Skyliner name. Most people may remember that as the moniker for the retractable hardtop model of 1957 to 1959, Buyers got a blue-green tinted see-through acrylic roof section that was bordered by a chrome bar that ran down the side pillars. To help keep unwanted heat out of the passenger compartment, an adjustable sunshade curtain was available. If you had the bucks to go for then-rare air conditioning, that was the best way to eliminate heat.
A 272 cubic inch, 162 hp V8 engine was standard equipment and the VIN on this car decodes as that being what came in this Ford when new. Mercury sold a comparable car in just 1954 and 1955 called the Monterey Sun Valley and it had the same passenger comfort issues. The way the seller’s ad is written, it sounds like a dealer or marketing type was behind the wording (nothing wrong with that!). The seller has owned the car for about a year and has only taken it out for shows. The indicated mileage of 5,295 is not original.
We’re told this Crown Vic is an “original survivor,” but it looks just too darn good for nearly 70 years not to have been redone. Everything seems to work except the radio and some of the gauges, but the Ford is said to run well. It left the factory with loads of goodies, like a power front seat and power windows.
The Ford here also has the 1950s “kind of cool” Continental kit for the spare tire. The only known cosmetic flaw is a nasty scratch on the left rear quarter panel. If you’re looking for a classic set of wheels that’s not likely to be duplicated at shows week after week, does this Ford fit the bill?
Wow, all this needs is a pair of fuzzy dice and me behind the wheel.
Sweet piece of Americana! I would drive this but I don’t have space in my garage. Good luck to the new owner!
This is perfect! Time to break out the saddle shoes and go for a cruise
The owner of this car should keep a bottle of Pepto Bismol in the glove box for paint touch up.
Perfect for undercover private eye work.
Am I the only person that HATES continental kits?……on ANY car!
An exception is the continental kits, I think as factory option (?), for the 52 – 54 Fords. They look appropriate, without the extension like on this car.
Like JDC says, continental kits look like a big, full diaper. Every one looks terrible, this one worse than most.
Except on the original Lincoln Continental where they look perfect.
pink!!!??
I love the Continental Kit because it’s different and without an LS-7. What’s not to like except maybe a 3 on the tree? But I remember those dashboards of the Fords of that era, neat and simple. Dang I miss those days.
Continental kits are usually hideous, especially on a car that’s white and Pepto Bismol pink. This is no exception. Imagine trying to parallel park this car.
This is one of my favorite cars- but that’s too pink for me.
Nice, just needs triple black paint and wheel tubs.
As it’s in Montgomery City, MO, I wonder if a previous owner search would turn up Frank & Katherine Archer of Palmyra MO. Mrs. Archer had an identical car when I was a kid. I was fascinated with the glass roof.
Palmyra, MO home of the Rebel Pig BBQ. Good eats.
The heavily tinted glass roof would be alright on a nice cloudy Michigan day. Love the car save for the Conti kit. Man, that looks like socks on a rooster.