Introduced in 1957 after years of research, by 1959 the Skyliner was still the world’s only retractable hardtop. This was used as an example by Ford of the years-ahead engineering the customer would find in every Ford. The Skyliner lasted three years in production, with its final year being 1959, when it sold 12,915 units despite a $400 premium over the conventional Sunliner ragtop, making it, at $3,346, the most expensive full-size Ford. Part of the Fairlane 500 series at the beginning of the model year, it was made a Galaxie—a simple matter of new script—halfway through the year, and it helped Ford to all but tie rival Chevrolet for number one in industry sales. The new-for-1959 styling, an award winner at French style shows, and a beautiful build quality didn’t hurt matters.

The Ford for sale here is restored and featured in red and black with stainless fender skirts, dual spotlights, front and rear bumper guards, whitewall tires with sun ray wheel covers. The interior is finished in red with black and white accents, power windows, top, four-way seats, and a Town and Country radio. The powerplant is a 352-cid V-8 engine with dual exhaust backed by an automatic transmission, power steering, brakes and SelectAire air conditioning. The chassis comes equipped with independent front suspension, four-wheel drum brakes and live axle rear suspension with semi-elliptical leaf springs.

1959 Fords are widely considered the most beautiful Fords of all time. The Fords clean, swept-back lines were so beloved that the 1959s won a special Gold Medal for Exceptional Styling at that year’s World Fair in Brussels. There is no question that the retractable hardtop Skyliners are the ultimate expression of the entire line.