1950s automobiles were sometimes known for their gimmicks. Perhaps the most famous was the 1957-59 Ford Skyliner with a retractable roof marketed as the Hide-Away Hardtop. It used a complicated series of wires and gadgets to make the top go up and down. The seller has a pair of these interesting Fords from 1959 that may be in rough shape. They can be found in the desert in Logandale, Nevada, and are available here on Facebook Marketplace. The seller is unclear if he wants $1,995 for each one or as a pair. Thanks for the tipperoo, “numskal.”
Ford sold more than 48,000 of these machines in their three-year cycle. But that may not have been enough volume to warrant keeping it in the mix with the 1960 redesign. Rumor has it that these cars were difficult to work on, given the mechanics of the disappearing top. When in the up position, the push of a button or switch folded the front section of the roof and then stowed the whole thing under the rear decklid. That left little room for groceries or luggage, which usually got relegated to the back seat. These two cars are part of 12,915 built in 1959 (wonder how many are left?).
For the first two years, the Skyliner was a Fairlane 500 (along with the make’s true convertible, the Sunliner). When the Galaxie 500 debuted in 1959 as the top Ford model, the Skyliner took on that badging. The seller is tight-lipped as to what you’re getting here, only saying their condition is either fair or poor.
We don’t get to see what the interiors look like or what V8s (if any) come along for the ride. These can be expensive vehicles to restore, so maybe they would work best as donors or parts cars. The photos don’t show rusted-out hulks as hibernating in the desert hasn’t ruined them (we hope).
Wow. WTF? Here you have a couple of ostensibly restorable Skyliners (and some other Fords), but the description is just two words: “Poor condition”. Details?
I am sure this hoe-dad is being inundated on the Facebooks with a zillion inquiries every minute, which he deserves. If you ever post a car for sale on the Facebooks , you will understand what a flustercluck it is.
And besides the wires and gadgets that power the tops are doodads and thing a mabobs. But they could make for great parts cars for some complete yet very rusty examples.
That Yellow/White works well on these.
If you’re going to buy these for parts, it would be good to know how many parts there are. I have a feeling these are missing an awful lot of pieces someone might need, including good glass and parts for the top. I’d have to pay a visit to see these, before I’d consider buying one or both.
Well of course. I cannot imagine anyone even putting down a deposit without seeing these first. Or having a trusted friend look at them. Otherwise, the price seems O.K. for someone with the patience to tackle them. I had one for a year or so but couldn’t find t he time to get the top mech working, though all parts were there.
With a retractable roofs interesting cars with “some” potential. But how much potential and at what cost. I clicked on Facebook ad, with no details or more pics showing details will the cost be worth it??? How stupid is the seller with such a vague ad????
Throw in the ‘Bird, and it’s a deal for $2000.
You saw the ‘Bird too?
And a Squarebird at that! Love those. Unsure about these. Jeeze put some effort into the description!
Is that a Lincoln Continental convertible next to the yellow/white one?
Yeah these tops were a mother to work on.Helped a neighbor who owned one of these, seemed like he was always working on the top.
Did anybody else see the 4dr. Lincoln convertible sitting behind the yellow and white car, lots of interesting vehicles in that lot.
I would rather have the Thunderbird.
We used to call them Thunderchickens
And the Thunderbird Supercoupes were called Superchickens!