The 1950s produced several automobiles that had their share of gimmicks. And perhaps the king of gadgetry was probably the 1957-59 Ford Skyliner, a Fairlane 500 with a retractable hardtop. They weren’t terribly practical because when you had the top retracted into the trunk, there was practically no room left for groceries. This first-year edition looks quite nice and has probably been restored although the seller doesn’t say either way. Located in Danielson, Connecticut, this open-air beauty is available here on craigslist for $37,000. A tip from Healeydays, it may be the nicest one like it we’ve seen in a while on Barn Finds.
Ford’s Skyliner was not the first automobile to feature a retractable non-canvas top. It had been done in 1938 by Peugeot with the 402 Eclipse Decapotable. But the Skyliner was the first to reach five-digit mass-production numbers, and the first coupé convertible to have a roof using two pieces. The Skyliner was the only true hardtop convertible, and it was a modest success at nearly 50,000 copies over three model years (sold as a Galaxie 500 in 1959).
The Skyliner’s top operated via a complex mechanism that folded the front of the roof and then retracted it under the rear decklid. The Skyliner’s top used at least six reversible electric motors, four lift jacks, a series of relays, ten limit switches, ten solenoids, and four locking mechanisms for the roof and two locking mechanisms for the trunk lid. Depending on who you talk to, it was either an ingenious idea or a total pain in the butt.
For 1957, three V8 engine choices were available in the Skyliner, with displacements of 272, 292, and 312 cubic inches. We don’t know which one is in the seller’s car (but the Thunderbird lettering means it’s likely the 312) or whether it’s original or a replacement, though the seller says it runs well. The brakes, exhaust, and battery are new, but the tires are due to be replaced. The odometer reading is 26,000 miles, but that could be 126,000 if this car has been restored. Everything is said to work properly (except the radio), which would include the top. That would have to be an electrician’s nightmare to rebuild after 65 years, which makes the asking price is little easier to swallow.
BF: “…the Thunderbird lettering means it’s likely the 312)….”
The Thunderbird lettering indicates a 292, not a 312. The 312 would say “Thunderbird Special” on the valve covers. No Thunderbird lettering for the 272 as it was not a Thunderbird engine.
BF: “The Skyliner was … (sold as a Galaxie 500 in 1959).”
No Galaxie 500 until 1962. The ’59 Galaxie had Fairlane 500 rear deck badging but was a Galaxie, not a “Galaxie 500.”
There was no Galaxie at the beginning of the 59 model year. When the Galaxie closed cars (with the Tbird styled roof) were introduced part-way through the model year, the Sunliner (convert) and Skyliner (retractable) simply swapped their “Fairlane 500” quarter panel scripts for Galaxie ones. These two models already had the Galaxie-style interiors which were entirely different to the Fairlane 500 which HAD been ‘topdog’ until the introduction of the Galaxie. If a Sunliner or Skyliner has F-500 quarter panel scripts, it simply means that it’s an early model. Galaxie scripts indicate a later production vehicle. The Fairlane 500 ID continued on the trunk, however, probably because the “0” in the 500 was also the trunk lock cover. The Galaxies had a F-500 dash emblem w/a Galaxie one beneath. For all intents and purposes, the Fairlane 500 ‘died’ when the Galaxie replaced it.
It’s nice to not see a continental kit for once.
Unscrupulous sellers swapped valve covers. Only way to know for sure is to measure crank diameter.
Lovely! I would take this to a car club origami class – just to show them how things unfold . . .
One of my favorites…have had three over the years. Looks nice, but if there was ever a rolling Pandora’s box, this would have to be a strong contender. One loose wire or nut and the bill to find and fix it could exceed the value of the car. If you haven’t rebuilt a car, or have a brother with a body and repair shop, you better have very deep pockets …. y’all have been warned!
Can’t tell you many times, “back in the day,” I saw these along side the road with the top in the position in the first photo: half up/half down. The top mechanism is complicated (to be kind) and trouble-prone.
Dad was a Ford mechanic and they hated these when they came into the shop. So many analog micro switches and adjustments to be made for them to work correctly and seal properly. Getting the top adjusted called for two men working together. Plus, the proportions are just a bit off, since they had to make the trunk area larger and higher than the other ’57’s.
I’ve passed on a couple of these Skyliners over the years and I’m still looking for a nice Sunliner Convertible. Either Surf Blue or Flame Red and Colonial White “TuTone”.
You might note that the Peugeot Eclipse was the brainchild of legendary designer Georges Paulin, a Jewish dentist whose advocation was automobile design. Peugeot bought the rights of the design and engineering from Paulin. Paulin died a hero’s death in the French Resistance in 1942 after being betrayed by Vichy stooges the previous year.
I’m loving the 1938 Peugeot 402 Eclipse Decapotable. Must admit, I didn’t even know about these. What a sensational Art Deco masterpiece. All of the 402 variations were gorgeous, actually. Thanks for teaching me something new!
The 312 had a supercharged option, making 300 HP, more than the fuelie Corvette … Skyliners and Thunderbirds had the same option …
Each time a Ford Retractable hardtop is featured on Barn Finds, we end up with multiple people claiming it’s incredibly difficult to repair. And each time I provide the counterpoint to those claims, so here it goes again!
First, I was one of the last Ford Mechanics to attend the Retract/Tbird/Lincoln convertible top repair course. I still have all the course materials & the original top repair manual.
These top systems were designed so that where ever the top or deck lid stops working, is the location of the problem. Sometimes it is the relay for that action [ relays for the retract rarely fail], but most of the time it’s contact corrosion at a limit switch, or the switch is in need of adjustment. It’s rare for one of the electric motors failing without plenty of notice in advance, as they begin to slow down their operating speed.
Most of the difficult repairs are to correct former “repairs” committed by so-called mechanics who don’t have access to the repair manual, or haven’t a clue how to service electrical systems.
When adjusted and lubricated to factory specs, and the switch contacts are cleaned up, these are actually very reliable. I ran a restoration shop for 35 years, specializing in all 3 of these types of cars [Retract, T-bird & Lincoln] and have never had one single situation when a customer’s car stopped working in the “display position”.
That said, we have had more than a few customers bring in their car, usually the 1961-67 T-bird/Lincoln convertibles, where another shop screwed up the operation of the top, or they had the switches incorrectly adjusted, and even one car where the former shop had bypassed one or more switches.
I have always insisted that every owner of one of these cars keep the repair manual in the car at all times, preferably NOT in the trunk! The most important tool needed to adjust the system is a simple continuity tester.
I have a 57 and a 59, both tops work fine, but there may come a day . . . . Which is best repair manual? Seem to be several available on eBay.