Chassis no. H9KW104858

300-hp, 352-cid OHV V-8 engine, three-speed Cruise-O-Matic transmission, coil spring independent front suspension, live rear axle with semi-elliptic leaf springs, and four-wheel hydraulic drum brakes. Wheelbase: 118-inches

The Skyliner retractable hardtop was never meant to be a Ford. Rather, it was targeted for the Lincoln Continental revival scheduled for 1956. The instigator was designer Gil Spear, head of Ford’s Advanced Concepts Studio. He had built a scale model of such a device, and management quickly adopted it for the upcoming Continental Mark II. Development, however, proved arduous and the mechanism extremely complex. The lid necessary to cover a whole car top was huge, and the cantilevers to raise and lower it had to be operated by screw jacks. In all, there were 11 switches, 10 relays and seven electric motors, and the front section of the top had to be hinged to fit in what would ordinarily be luggage space. Still, it worked and created a spectacle every time it went up or down.

But it was too expensive, a cost that could never be recovered on a limited production car like the Continental. The project almost died right there. Surprisingly, it was Robert McNamara, the dour financial manager who had come on board with the Army Air Force veteran “Whiz Kids” in 1946, who pushed for the retractable to be built as a Ford. The new, longer cars planned for 1957 had enough room to store the top. As a result, when the ’57 Fords made their debut in the catalog was the Fairlane 500 Skyliner retractable convertible coupe. At $2,942 it was the most expensive Ford (though less than a Thunderbird). Building the Skyliner as a Ford meant that its development could be amortized over a large number of cars. That proved entirely true: nearly 21,000 were built in the first year.

The Skyliner was carried forward into 1958, but the novelty was wearing off. Production fell below 15,000. For 1959, it was positioned in a new Galaxie series, whose roofline the Skyliner inspired, although early models, like this one, did not carry the Galaxie name. Alas, it was the last, and rarest: just 12,915 were built.

Restored by Jerry’s Classic Cars, 1955-59 Ford specialists in Springdale, Arkansas, this Skyliner stands out with dual mirror spotlights and chrome fender skirts. Marque specialists for these particular Fords, their restorations are known to be exhaustive and thorough, producing many National award winners. It has power steering, an AM radio, windshield washers and Ford Select Aire air conditioning. Exceptionally clean and well detailed, it shows virtually no flaws. The blue-white-blue seats, which harmonize with the Wedgewood Blue over Surf Blue paint, are protected by clear plastic covers.

All Skyliners are noteworthy. This one is simply sublime. It is without question one of the finest we have ever offered at auction. Its new owner will be very fortunate.