Ford pushed the styling and engineering envelope even further with the first mass-produced retractable hardtop, the Fairlane 500 Skyliner. With the push of a single button, the Skyliner’s hardtop literally unscrewed itself from the windshield frame and then folded neatly and tucked under a long, flat decklid that lifted on its own to make way for the top. In less than a minute, the Skyliner driver could literally transform his coupe into a true convertible. Ford offered the unique retractable hardtop option for only three years, from 1957 to 1959.

This example from 1957 shows 9,834 miles though the title shows exempt. According to the data plate, it is finished in Colonial White with a white power hardtop and has two-tone blue upholstery and carpets with white highlights throughout the interior. Powering the car is the “new and impressive” 312-cid V-8 engine matched to a Ford-O-Matic automatic transmission with independent front suspension with coil springs, live rear axle with semi-elliptic leaf springs and four-wheel hydraulic drum brakes. The car is equipped with whitewall tires, rear-mounted “Continental kit” spare, driver’s side spotlight, luggage, AM radio, electric clock and Kelsey-Hayes wire wheels.

Included with the car is the important documentation, which supports three owners and the actual 9,834 miles. Per the data tag, this Fairlane was built in Dearborn, Michigan and is just as Ford advertising of this period claimed, “Literally two glamour cars in one…each a masterpiece of craftsmanship and distinction!”