Ford applied the Skyliner name to their hardtop coupe of 1954 to 1956 that featured a fixed transparent roof that is reported as being suggested by either Gordon Buehrig or Ford interior designer Dave Ash. The inspiration is thought to have come from the “Vista Dome” railroad observation cars of the era. It was a fixed panel instead of the modern movable concept and was also seen on the Mercury Sun Valley. This principal was applied again as an option for the 1955 and 1956 Ford Crown Victoria and was also called a Skyliner in 1956.

Even in 1957, the idea of a convertible with a retractable hardtop metal roof was not a new idea due to the obvious pitfalls of early convertibles in matters of weather guard, additional cabin noise, plus the accessibility offered to thieves and vandals. In 1948, Ford stylist Gilbert Spear developed a concept that resulted in a 3/8ths-scale model which drew the attention of William Clay Ford. Ford was the brother of company president Henry Ford II and at the time, head of Ford’s new Special Products Division. Bill Ford was in the process of developing the car that would become the Lincoln Continental Mark II and he thought that this would be a fine addition to this already exclusive car. After full-size mock-ups, the complex system was set aside after excessive cost issues for the standard Continental hardtop.

Ford was reluctant to write off their $2.2 million development for the retractable roof and began a plan to adapt it to a vehicle in the 1957 product line. This proved a challenge as the 1957 Ford line was designed without this feature in mind. The styling team made it work by stretching the standard Fairlane convertible by approximately three-inches, raised the rear deck to allow stowage area for the top and the fuel tank was relocated behind the rear seat and the spare tire went under the trunk floor.

The power-operated mechanism in motion is a thing of beauty and when the Fairlane 500 Skyliner was premiered at the December 1956 New York Auto Show it was roundly applauded as being a showstopper. Along with this legendary hardtop design; this particular Skyliner is one of the rare F-Code cars that designate the cars equipped with the Thunderbird 312-cid, 300-hp V-8 fitted with a Paxton-McCulloch supercharger. Ford's supercharger program was a stopgap measure to respond to Chevrolet's refined small-block V-8 on the nation’s racetracks, which in 1957 had grown to 283-cid and 283-hp with fuel injection. Ford had dominated the V-8 market since 1932, so when Chevrolet started to win races in 1955 and 1956 with their new V8, initially a 265, Ford instituted a game plan to regain superiority. To be considered for the track; they had to be homologated with 50 built for production, and it is reported that Ford responded by building 211 supercharged units that would end up in Thunderbirds, two-door sedans and in a few rare cases, the Skyliner.

This is one of those rare (one of 13) F-Code supercharged Skyliners produced in 1957 and is also reported as being the only 1957 example that was also equipped with power front windows. The Skyliner is meticulously presented in all manners from its 1995 restoration and has a varying show pedigree with many firsts and Best of Class, Best of Show honors that confirms its status. The car is shown to have been built on June 7, 1957 and is seen with a Raven Black (code A) body, Flame Red top (code V) and a Flame Red, Colonial White two-tone interior (code AU). As if the engine isn’t enough in the pizazz department; this Ford Skyliner also has the aforementioned power windows, Town & Country radio, electric wipers with washer, tinted glass, Continental kit, power steering and brakes.

Ford touted the 1957 Skyliner as “The miracle car of this generation,,,,,two cars in one!” We may have to look at this car as three cars in one; hardtop, convertible and land-based rocketship!

Among its listed awards are the following:

AACA Class / Car #27b / 14841 AACA 1st Junior #27b0681

October 7, 1995: AACA National 1st Hershey, Pennsylvania

April 13, 1996: AACA Senior

1996: AACA Special National Award “The most Outstanding Postwar 1st Junior Award

July 11, 1998: AACA Grand National 1st Junior

March 9, 2002 AACA National Senior – Sarasota, Florida

July 18, 2003: IFRC Nationals – Showcase Gold (993 points of 1,000)

November 2, 2003: Hilton Head Concours d’Elegance – Best of Class

September 18, 2009: AACA Grand National 1st Junior – Topeka, Kansas

September 17, 2011: Skyliners of America National Convention – Best of Show

June 15, 2012: AACA Grand National Senior – Shelbyville, Indiana