This 1953 Ford Crestline Skyliner is a mystery machine. While the VIN confirms that this is definitely a 1953 model, all of the information I have at hand states that Ford only produced the Skyliner variant within the Crestline range for the 1954 model year. That means that either this is a one-off model produced by Ford or that somebody has converted it to Skyliner specifications post-production. It presents beautifully and is a rust-free classic ready to be enjoyed by a lucky new owner. Located in Brooklyn, New York, you will find the Crestline listed for sale here on eBay. Whether or not it is the genuine article, it has already attracted an impressive thirty-nine bids. This action has pushed the price beyond the reserve to $9,300.
This Crestline makes a stunning visual statement in Cascade Green and White. It presents extremely well for a car of this vintage, although the owner is quick to point out that it is not of show quality. The paint holds an impressive shine, with no significant flaws or defects. I’m sure that a closer inspection would show some imperfections, but they aren’t visible in the supplied photos. The panels are as straight as an arrow, but the best news with this vehicle is its lack of rust. The exterior is clean, and the supplied underside shots show floors and a frame that offer no problems. The exterior trim appears excellent, as does the glass. The narrow whitewall tires add a classy finishing touch, but the roof is the show stopper. The Skyliner option offered potential buyers some of the benefits of a traditional convertible while maintaining a conventional sedan’s weather integrity and protection. The panel isn’t glass but is tinted plexiglass. Ford designed it to filter out 60% of the sun’s rays but allow occupants to experience the light and airy feel of a regular drop-top. It did have a slight drawback because while it filtered most of the sun’s rays, it did allow the interior to get particularly warm and broil its occupants on sunny days. However, Ford offered an optional sunshade that relieved this issue in warmer climates. The plexiglass in this car appears to sport a large crack on the driver’s side, but there’s no evidence of any water leaks. Overall, the initial impression that this car creates is positive.
Lifting the hood reveals Ford’s venerable 239ci flathead V8 that should produce 110hp. The original owner also equipped the car with a Fordomatic transmission and power steering. The flathead V8 felt the pinch by 1953, which is reflected in this Crestline’s ¼-mile ET of 21.2 seconds. Relief was close at hand on this front, with Ford set to soon introduce the Y-Block to replace the long-lived flathead. The engine bay of this Crestline presents as impressively as its exterior. The painted surfaces are about as clean as you are ever likely to find in a classic of this age, and there is no evidence of oil leaks or other problems. It features an aftermarket air cleaner and a power brake booster but seems to be otherwise unmolested. Thankfully, it doesn’t flatter to deceive. The owner says that this old Ford runs and drives exceptionally well. He says the brakes feel great, and the power steering makes light work of the driving experience. It seems that it is a turnkey proposition and should be ready for any long journey that the next owner might have in mind.
If considered purely as a survivor, this Ford’s interior is acceptable. It is upholstered in a combination of Black, White, and Gray vinyl. The White upholstered surfaces have begun to discolor and mark, but they don’t appear horrendous. There are no rips or tears and few signs of wear. The painted surfaces are excellent, while the wheel shows no evidence of cracking. It isn’t highly equipped, but it does feature a factory AM radio. The control knobs are missing from the radio, but sourcing replacements shouldn’t be difficult. It appears that this Crestline also features air conditioning. There’s no doubt that this would be a welcome feature in warmer climates, especially with the sun beating mercilessly through that vast expanse of plexiglass.
So, what do you make of this 1953 Ford Crestline? Is this a genuine Skyliner, or is it a later conversion? I tend to believe that it is probably the latter, but somebody has completed the work to a high standard if this is correct. There’s little doubt that this car would attract plenty of attention wherever it goes, and it appears to have no immediate needs. Even if it isn’t the real deal, it should still offer an enjoyable classic motoring experience. Have you ever driven a genuine Skyliner? If so, was it as satisfying as a traditional drop-top?
I couldn’t find any evidence of a Skyliner for ’53 either. From the “bull bar” bumper guard in front to the “jet port” backup lights under the trunk lid, this is a Frankenstein!
The backup lights look the same as on this 53 Vicky.
https://www.mecum.com/lots/HA0415-214622/1953-ford-crestline-victoria-hardtop/
https://www.autoevolution.com/cars/ford-crestline-skyliner-1952.html#aeng_ford-crestline-skyliner-1952-35
Could it be a preproduction model?
My sister has the same car in her storage barn. The surprisingly strong plexiglass roof can support four wicker chairs, a small night stand and three chickens. The rest of the car is so covered with stuff that you cant even see the car when you open the barn door.
Shame to do that to a car….
According to https://www.autoevolution.com/ the Crestline Skyliner was in production from 1952 thru 1954.
https://www.google.com/search?q=1953+Crestline+Skyliner&oq=1953+Crestline+Skyliner
The Crestline was in production from ’52-’54 is probably what they meant as the Crestline Skyliner was ’54-only.
The ‘source’ couldn’t be more wrong. Ford only released the Skyliner in the top-shelf Crestline series for one year. For `55-`56 as we know, the Skyliner became an option for the Crown Victoria.
As for THIS car, I think this is someone’s VERY well done conversion. The chances of this being a pre-production model are slim to none. Mfrs. are known to crush them due to liability issues if sold to the public. I have to give credit on the job done. It looks good, and is a beautiful nod to the glasstops that followed only a year later.
https://www.autoevolution.com/cars/ford-crestline-skyliner-1952.html#aeng_ford-crestline-skyliner-1952-35
Not seeing the crack in the plexiglass in the Ebay pics, and seller doesn’t mention it?
The 1953 Skyliner had special trim that was full length with a stylish point dipping down ahead of the rear wheel,which makes me think this is either “dealer added” or owner added.As it has standard Crestline trim.
Good eye
the trim you are taking about was the 1954 trim there was never a 1953 skyliner only in 1954 also 1954 mercury as a sun valley in 55 and 56 glass roof was a option in crown vic
You are correct. However, you forgot to mention the 1955 and 1956 Mercury Sun Valleys. I have had the pleasure of owning a 1954 and a 1955 Mercury Sun Valley, as well as a 1955 Crown Victoria.
Are you saying there was a 53 Skyliner?
No glass tops in 1953
Air Conditioning?
Ford didn’t offer air conditioning as an option until 1956.
Ford would have built prototypes of the glass roof model to develop the plexiglass panel, the production process, and any special tooling needed. There also could have been one or more well-finished prototypes shown to executives for final approval. Those cars, having no mechanical or chassis modifications, and subjected to none of the typical torture of a prototype, could have wound up.on the B-plan lot for sale to employees. It’s not exactly likely, but it’s possible.
It’s also possible that someone had.possession of a hopeless ’54 Skyliner and a clean ’53 Crestline and decided to combine the two.
To survive in any part of New York City, you needed those big bumper overrides. And the little chrome bits in the center of the taillights? A very nice car, mechanicals that you can fix and get parts for, not a museum piece so you can drive it, and old enough to be driven in the really good tours.
I remember a 53 Mercury with the Plexiglas roof. Had the flat head V8. The good-looking mother of a kid in my Cub Scout pack drove it. Twotone green, Continental kit, wire wheel covers. I was a Cub Scout from 1953-1956, and that may be the first car and the first good looking mama I became aware of. Was at a one off? A production model? Does it matter that Plexiglas was a product of Rohm and Haas which was in my home town of Knoxville, Tennessee?
Just a nitpick, but the 239ci Ford flathead was rated at 100 HP. The 255ci Mercury flathead was rated at 110 HP.
in 1953 the v8 was 110 hp same as the 52 because in 52 they came out with the new I6 witch was a ohv with 101 hp not wanting the 6 to have more hp than v8 they made the v8 110 hp
as of 1952 the flathead v8 was 110hp because the new for 52 ohv 6 was 101hp they had to show more hp for the 8 than the 6
I love my mornings with Barn Find. You guys educate me every day. Thank you
original radio wont work with the 12volt battery unless a resister is used or tapped into the battery after 3 cells….nice car
Maybe that’s why the knobs are removed, so you can’t turn it on and smoke it.
There was no Sun Valley in 56.
When I lived in Southeast Iowa a few years ago there was one of these, yes a 1953 glass roof model sitting next to a house south of Burlington, Iowa
It was coral pink or salmon color with a white top.
It’s no longer there but YES there were some of these made.
Just saying.
Ditch the bull bar, fit new front springs
No glass tops in 1953
I wish he had posted a pic of the trim tag for this car. That could answer a lot of questions.
I really don’t believe this car is a ’53 or if it is, I don’t believe it’s a Skyliner.
I restored a 1954 Skyliner about 40 years ago, and did some research into the cars before starting the work. I can say with certainty that no 1953 models of Ford Products came out of the factory.
That said, there are many multiple 1953 versions around, and one of them I knew of back in the 1980s was still owned by the first buyer, and I was able to see the dealer invoice [typed up by the dealer, and it listed the Skyliner roof as an option. So in this case it was dealer installed.
But that involves more than cutting a hole in the roof and installing the glass panel. There is a set of interior stamped steel support pieces all the way around, that help keep the glass panel in place. Other items that are Skyliner only include the sun visors. There are also small round plastic emblems on the chrome panels on each side of the rear window that say Skyliner or Sun Valley.
If I wanted to buy this car, I would ask the seller to permit me to pull a small section of the headliner loose so I could slide a couple of fingers inside, to check if the rear support piece is in place.
I contacted the owner of this car thru ebay to request a copy of the trim tag for this so-called ’53 Skyliner.
It shows the body style to be a 60B which translates to a ’53 Ford Victoria.
The body style for a ’54 Victoria is also 60B.
However, the body style for a ’54 Skyliner is 60F.
I consulted the Classic Car Database and they did not show any ’53 Skyliner which I already knew.
So, I have to assume that someone cut the roof on this ’53 Victoria and installed the roof from a ’54 Skyliner, possibly from a wrecked car.
Correction to above, 1st paragraph, the last sentence should have had the words “. . . with a glass top” at the end.
Regarding the ’53, here is a copy of the trim tag he sent to me:
https://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/Ip0AAOSwX7lh~yT2/s-l1600.jpg
Larry D, any idea what the rest of those letters/numbers other than the 60B mean?
Here is a trim tag on another ’53 Ford that hasn’t been painted. It should show you what each section of codes means.
http://davidsclassiccars.com/images/full/1953-ford-customline-seafoam-green-original-v8-flathead-2-family-owner-cherry-9.jpg
Thanks for that Larry D, the color code is the same with your example so at least the respray is the correct color, too bad they couldn’t tape over the trim tag and a lot of other stuff most likely.
It has the bones of a lovely car but the closer I look at the eBay photos, the more apparent it is that the restoration is recent and not well done. Overspray everywhere and it looks like it’s been applied with a trowel over layer over layer of older paint and I’ll bet $ to donuts there is rust under it. The interior is atrocious and if it were a dog, it’s name would be scruffy. You would need to put 10-15k into it to get it to where I would be happy with it. Strip and dip and start again. But being a skyliner, it may be worth it. That’s my 2 cents FWIT.
It has the bones of a lovely car but the closer I look at the eBay photos, the more apparent it is that the restoration is recent and not well done. Overspray everywhere and it looks like it’s been applied with a trowel over layer over layer of older paint and I’ll bet $ to donuts there is rust under it. The interior is atrocious and if it were a dog, it’s name would be scruffy. You would need to put 10-15k into it to get it to where I would be happy with it. Strip and dip and start again. But being a skyliner, it may be worth it. That’s my 2 cents FWIW.
@Ward William
It’s not a real Skyliner.
@Gordo
I absolutely hate when they do that.
I talked with a guy one time about 4 years ago in Southern Nevada who had one like this, same color, etc., and he said his was from Canada – I don’t remember if that meant made in Canada or imported into/sold there – he said most of these were sold in the western part of the U.S. His had the aftermarket a.c. too – as I recall it was for the heat from/through the plexi sunroof.
@Bill Out of the 29 pictures there is only one of a Skyliner and it is a 54! More than a few errors in the adjoining article too.
https://www.autoevolution.com/cars/ford-crestline-skyliner-1952.html#aeng_ford-crestline-skyliner-1952-35
bill skyliners where only jn 1954 i remember when they came out and sitting in one on the showroom floor i was 9 years old in 1954 remember them well parents at the time had a 1952. ford don’t believe everything you see on the internet i was there
What do you mean? The internet is 100% accurate, 100% of the time. As long is it is on the ol’ web, it has to be true lol! Just kidding, of course!