The 1959 Fords were big, brash, and officially beautiful, according to a panel at the 1959 Brussels World’s Fair, which awarded the new Fords the Gold Medal for Exceptional Styling. The Fairlane was Ford’s big car and the Galaxie was the top trim level, offered in in both straight-six and V-8 versions. Of the six styles of the Galaxie V-8, the two most expensive versions were the Skyliner retractable hardtop and the convertible Sunliner. The Fairlane 500 range was accessorized with the top trim options of the Fairlane series.

“SKYLINER, the World's only hide-away-hardtop! One minute this car is a snug, all-steel hardtop with smart Victoria styling. Touch a button, the roof vanishes into the rear deck, and you're sitting pretty in an open convertible! It's the most exciting car in a generation!” This was Ford’s advertising text that sold the public on the new concept vehicle.

This Skyliner is finished in white with a black and white interior. Equipment includes Ford Select Aire air conditioning, AM radio with rear speaker, power steering, as well as chromed fender skirts, Continental kit, whitewall tires and factory wheel covers. The Sunliner is powered by a 292-cid V-8 with dual exhaust, plus an automatic transmission.

Nineteen fifty-nine was the final year for its production, and is rarest: just 12,915 were built. The retracting hardtop Ford is a true testament to an age when Detroit was thought of as nearly invincible.