There are many reasons why a restoration project can stall, but one of the saddest is when advancing years make it physically impossible for an owner to complete their work. That is the case with this 1957 Ford Fairlane 500 Skyliner, but the new owner only has a few small tasks to complete on this high-end build. The work will consume more time than money, although it doesn’t appear to need much of either. The seller has listed it on behalf of the owner here on eBay in Goffstown, New Hampshire. The bidding has raced past the reserve and sits at $20,100.
Vehicle manufacturers in the early 2000s, especially those in Europe and Japan, attempted to dazzle customers with a succession of models produced with folding metal convertible tops. They talked about the modern innovation and how it offered better weather protection and security than a traditional soft-top. The trouble was that this innovation was hardly new, with Ford beating them to the punch by half a century when it released the Fairlane 500 Skyliner. The seller indicates the current elderly owner undertook a detailed restoration of this Skyliner, and no aspect of the vehicle escaped his attention. He ensured the panels were as straight as an arrow before applying the Starmist Blue and Colonial White paint. Its presentation is difficult to fault, with no visible paint flaws or panel defects. The car is rust-free, with the seller supplying this shot of the rear floors. If it is typical of how things look below the surface, the buyer will not need to break out the welder and grinder. Part of the process included restoring every piece of chrome and trim. The bumpers sparkle wonderfully, with the remaining trim equally impressive. The glass is spotless, and the wheels wear their original hubcaps and wide whitewall tires. The biggest question many potential buyers will have is whether the complex Skyliner top operates as it should. The intricate mix of motors, lifts, switches, and relays could be complicated to repair if things went wrong, but this YouTube video confirms it operates as it should.
Powering this Skyliner is a 312ci Y-Block V8 which sends 245hp through a three-speed automatic transmission to the rear wheels. The original owner elected to order the car with power steering to make light work of the driving experience. Although this classic predates muscle cars by several years, its ability to cover the ¼-mile in 17.4 seconds was not shabby. The current owner treated the Y-Block to a rebuild as part of the restoration, and although it is roadworthy and drives well, it is currently unregistered. However, that is all that is required before this Skyliner returns to its rightful place on our roads.
The interior shots supplied by the seller are lacking, but he is willing to provide additional photos to genuinely interested parties. As a compromise, he does supply this YouTube video which allows a brief glimpse of the interior. It also allows us to hear the engine running, and it sounds pretty crisp. The owner retrimmed the interior in Blue and White vinyl, matching the exterior paint combination. It looks flawless, with no wear or physical damage. The new carpet has some marks, but I believe they will disappear with a deep cleaning. He added a new dash pad, but he has left cutting the hole for the speaker grille to the new owner. The hole in the dash will eventually be occupied by the supplied Town & Country radio, although the seller suggests testing the unit first. As with the rest of the car, this Skyliner’s interior only requires minor detail work to present at its best.
Ford produced the Fairlane 500 Skyliner for three years, with 1957 proving the most successful. Of the 785,886 Fairlanes sold that year, 20,766 buyers selected a Skyliner. The following year, sales dropped by 25%, decreasing by a further 14% in 1959. Today, spotless examples commonly sell for around $30,000. Considering the condition of this car and what is required to complete the build, the current bid level looks highly competitive. It has only attracted two bids, suggesting it may not climb much higher. With that thought in mind, would you consider making a play for this classic?
Beautiful. says the mill is rebuilt- This one has the overhead oiler system, which we used to install in case the mill was tired and couldnt get enough oil to the rockers. Why would you have these on a rebuild?? Looks like the top mechanism is working also. Worth every bit of the 20 large, provided its clean underneath. Good luck
Cheers
GPC
GPC,
You are correct as to the additional oil lines. We did a restoration on a ’57 Ford Wagon for a client years ago, and it had the same oiling system in place. After rebuilding the engine, the owner said to leave it in place, so we did. It’s possible the same thing happened here.
Missing the luggage box from the trunk and those fender skirts gotta go. That looks like it’s a Ford o magic transmission, not the cruise o magic. Still 20 k is about right for this specimen.
Ford o matic
Cruise o matic
The Cruis o matic came out in 58. The Fordomatic was still a 3 speed despite the quadrant. It started in 2nd gear unless you manually shifted to low or floored it from a standstill.
I usually clean my engine and assorted attachments during rebuild…..
One of my favorite cars, muchly preferred over the ’57 Chevy … available with 2-4bbl or supercharged 312 … maybe one day …
Please call me to discuss, I would trade you a nice 1966 thunderbird soft top conv.
Dark green, needs paint super straight body rust free and could use a ne white top.
Call me if interested 407 463 1117.
I would have thought that as meticulous as the owner was with the exterior restoration and refinish that he would have given the same attention to the engine and bay prior to reinstalling after rebuild. It’s a lot harder to do a professional job with the engine in the car.
Nice.
I wouldn’t mind having my 1957 Ford Fairlane 500 2 door hardtop back ( it probably hit the junkyard 50 years ago or more), but I’m not sure about the Skyliner. The $20,000 isn’t scary, since I saw one go for over $100,000 last year either on a Barrett or Mekum auction. All the switches, relays and other mechanicals for the roof would be enough to discourage me. Sure is a pretty car, though.
Jack,
I went to the Ford Service School on the 1957 — 1967 Ford and Lincoln convertible top systems, and hosted a seminar on service & repairing the top systems, at the Ford Retractable Club’s national meet in the early 1980s.
Any decent mechanic with the ability to follow the repair manual won’t have trouble fixing the ‘retract’ top mechanisms. Wherever they stop, is where the fault lies. On the ’57 – ’59 cars, the problem is usually due to a relay or switch with corroded contacts, or the switch needs adjustment. Switches can be repaired and the contacts cleaned. Relays are interchangeable with the Ford starter motor relay. Keep the switches aligned and dry, the 4 screw jacks lubricated, and the system is just as reliable as the hydraulic top systems, without the fluid leaks!
Sorry Adam but the 1935 Peugeot 402 beat you guys to the punch by about 22 years with the retractable hard top.
Solosolo UK,
You are correct, I first saw a Peugeot 402 Eclipse Decapotable When I was at the big Essen, Germany car show. I had been told it worked by hand, with springs to assist, but at the show I learned it actually had 2 large electric motors, one to lift the decklid, and the other to lift the top assembly. However unlike the Ford Retract, the top and decklid on the Peugeot had to be manually locked in place.
I’ve owned a 403 familial with folding jump seats, and a 404 sedan, but the one I still want is a 402 of any style.
This is a beautiful example of a car I would own if I was not married. Being married, the decision requires two yesses and unfortunately I would only get one. But that top is magical.
Ha From another Bill remark on a different car. I would be claiming #8 if I bought this one. Nice post.
Here are the top 10 reasons people sell an uncompleted car like this Eldo, in no specific order:
1. Owner passed away.
2. Owner had medical issues that preclude working on the car.
3. Reduced financial situation [invested in Tesla for example].
4. Lost interest in car.
5. Loss of storage/work space.
6. Too many projects.
7. Bought another vehicle.
8. Wife says “Me or the car.”
9. Not financially worth finishing [not likely on this example!]
10. Other [fill in the blank] ________________
@Bob C. I had a 1947 Cadillac sedan that I’m fairly sure also had a four speed auto box. If I pulled away from stop in the normal manner it would just pick up speed but if I floored it the car would lunge forward for about 3 seconds before changing into what I would call “normal mode.” Am I correct in assuming that it was a four speed?
Solosolo,
Cadillacs came with the original GM Hydra-matic 4 speed gearbox starting in 1941, thru [I think 1964], except for a brief time in 1953 when the Hydra-matic plant burned to the ground, so quite a few 1953 Cadillacs came equipped with the Buick Dynaflow.
The Hydra-matic was basically two 2-speed planetary units that changed from the low part to the high part [2-3 shift] The Hydra-matic started in low gear, low section, with the first shift typically around 5mph.
I’ve owned many cars & a few trucks equipped with Hydra-matic; Olds, Caddy, Pontiac, Kaiser, Lincoln, and US military trucks. Rolls-Royce licensed the unit and were built under license for Rolls-Royce, Bentley, and the Vanden Plas Princess 4 liter limousines, thru 1968. The builder was Hersey, in France. Hydra-matics are in my opinion, the most reliable early automatic gearbox.
All the old guys who repaired them gave me some important advice that I will pass on to B F members; The harder the 2-3 shift, the better for the unit. Hydra-matics that have more gentle 2-3 shifts, tend to burn out clutch packs.
Dad had one in 57 . A eyucaliptis tree fell on it on the way home from the dairy. A beauty. I was fortunate because he was the Ford designated painter for Ford NHRA racing teams. His dealership was Russ Davis Ford and Gas Rhonda was the driver. He also came up with the paint schemes for Caroll Shelby’s cobras . Mr. Shelby would ride me to get tacos when I was a little boy when he would come in to talk to dad. In his red pin stripped Cobra. I was in the car and almost died from the tree. It was the exact same paint scheme as this car. You would think bad memories? Nope I would love it at the price! Priced the same as a Kia soul! YOU BET! OH BY THE WAY? All three Dad ,Caroll and Gas were WW2 Navy men. A common bond for sure!