You don’t see many opportunities to buy a 63-year-old car – and a convertible at that – from the original owner, but that’s what we have here. This ’59 Ford Fairlane 500 Galaxie Sunliner (that’s a mouthful) was purchased new from Thorn Ford in Catonsville, Maryland on April 17, 1959, and is searching for a second owner. The Sunliner hasn’t been started in eight years and is currently not running. Located in Halethorpe, Maryland, this uniquely equipped droptop is for sale here on eBay for a BIN price of $23,600. The seller also includes a video of this turquoise treat that can be viewed here.
The original invoice shows that this Sunliner came equipped with a Thunderbird 352 Special V8 with several options including a Magicaire Heater, Console Range Radio, Padded Dash & Visors, Clock, and Backup Lights. Two popular options you won’t see listed are Master-Guide power steering and a Cruise-O-Matic automatic transmission (this Sunliner has a 3-on-the-tree manual transmission!) If the front looks like it’s missing something, that would be the somewhat large Ford crest hood emblem. It was never replaced when the Sunliner had some front-end damage at some point. The hood was replaced and repainted and the grille and radiator were also replaced, but the hood emblem wasn’t.
Overall, the body on this garage-kept beauty looks to be in very good shape. Nothing says the 50’s like the color turquoise, and the solid-color Indian Turquoise paint with that contrasting white convertible top looks very sharp. The representative for the owner who listed the Sunliner isn’t sure if the paint is original (I’m guessing it is not) and states, “outside of some scale on the undercarriage and frame, there is no rust or rot anywhere on the car. The floors in both the trunk and passenger areas are excellent and have no holes. All the glass is in excellent condition and show no trace of ‘fogging’ or ‘bubbling,’ and accessory fender skirts are included and look great.” Based on the photos, the paint looks very presentable as does the chrome, stainless, and glass. The original hubcaps are not included.
You gotta love the colorful interiors Ford offered in 1959 and this tri-tone turquoise and white cabin looks very good. The seller claims, “the vinyl interior along with the dashboard are original to the Sunliner and look good. The upholstery shows some dirt in areas but no tears, or broken seams. The carpeting looks good, and no holes were evident.” It’s not stated when the white convertible top was replaced, but it looks good and we’re told the power components are in good working order and the original boot for the top is included.
Under that front-hinged Indian Turquoise hood lies the dormant 300-hp Thunderbird 352 Special V8, the largest power plant available on full-size ’59 Fords. No information is shared about any rebuilds and the odometer is listed as a generic 100,000. The seller says there’s eight-year-old gas in the tank and it hasn’t been started in eight years, but the engine turns over, which is good news. The restyled, squared-off ’59 Ford tried to mirror the lines of the dashing “Square Bird” Thunderbird, and the public liked it. Over 1.4 million units were sold including 45,868 Sunliner convertibles. Who’s ready to be the second owner and get this turquoise droptop Ford back on the road?
Nice 59 convertible. I really like this car, park this next to retractable Hardtop and you got a nice set. this seller also has a Pontiac convertible and Suburban in the same garage. If I could I’d buy them all.
God Bless America
John,
I tried to buy this car about 35 years ago but it was not for sale. At the time I had a matching retract, even the same color. I DID want one of each.
As I recall, this car has been repainted, but a decent job. Basically it’s one of those “what you see is what you get”, I suspect with a fuel system cleanout and a battery it’ll be running in no time.
Funny. >>45<< years ago I was driving one of these! Albeit not even close to the same condition. And my 59 Sunliner got traded in at a dealer in Maryland, where this one is selling.
Three-On-A-Tree Fordomatic manual transmission?
D’Oh! My bad. Pardon yet another senior moment…
Fordamatic was an automatic transmission, hence the name Fordamatic that was introduced in 51. I had a 51 Ford Convertible, flathead V8 with a Fordamatic. Being 17 year old I drove it hard and never had a issue with the engine or the trans.
Ford-o-matic is not a manual transmission.
It has 3 on the tree, there is no automictic trans in the car!!
He said that was the one thing different than most of the skyliners during that year.
My bad…thanks for bringing my latest senior moment to my attention.
D’Oh! Next time I’ll engage my brain. Another senior moment that has been corrected…
I purchased this car! It’s a great car that only had 45k original miles with mostly original paint as well. Runs and drives like a new car now, a true survivor!
Congratulations, Jack! Do you live in Maryland? To quote Tony Bennett (RIP) “I left my heart, in….” in Rockville sometime in the late 1970s. Last time I was there in the late 1990s my 59 Sunliner was still sitting behind Thomasson Lincoln-Mercury in the back lot. Maybe you could source some parts from it? Sounds like you don’t need much of anything on this turquoise beauty.
Congrats John! Do you live in MD? As I mentioned above, I think I saw this car about 35 years ago, but it wasn’t for sale. Would love to see it in person sometime. [I’m in Annapolis.]
I’m in love! All it needs is a necker knob and a pair of fuzzy dice.
It has had lots of attention with freshly painted valve covers, new plug wires and coil etc. So why won’t it start?
Not Ford’s greatest design but this is a nice car. Ford bounded back design wise with the sleek ’60s cars.TLC does wonders for these old guys.
On the face of it, this is a bargain. Two doors, convertible, if it weren’t on the wrong coast, I would buy it. I’m amazed it isn’t gone.
I love this car, but a broker is handling the sale. Just seems like a lot of money for a nonrunning car. There is no telling what is really wrong with it. But I can guarantee after sitting for 8 years everything will need to be rebuilt. That bill alone will be in the 10K range. However, for the right price, it is a phenomenal car.
…That hasn’t been my experience with long-dead-but-well-stored late 50s FoMoCo products at all. Take a zero off that $10000 you want to throw into ‘rebuilding everything’ just because it’s 8 years dormant, and you may be close to the actual cost of making it driveable, at least enough to drive-test and shake it down for further minor reliability needs.
This era were pretty forgiving cars and any well-experienced general mechanic get revive them pretty easily. Fuel Tanks have drain plugs so that’s easier, Ford Autolite 4bbl Carbs are real easy to repair if necessary (but possibly not since they’re such a robust design and do tolerate significant dormancy ime).
Just my educated thoughts!
there where 2 automatics offered in 1959 fordomatic and cruiseomatic the later had 2 drives drive 1 and drive 2
I live 15 minutes away if anyone wants too check it.
Bill, no I live in Ohio.