Ford’s glass-top Skyliner was introduced in 1954 as a prestige version of the Crestline Victoria Hardtop Coupe but with an acrylic transparent roof panel over the front seat. It proved quite popular, as more than 13,000 were sold and the model was carried over into 1955.

The Skyliner was now part of the top-line Fairlane series, and it was twinned with a steel-top prestige hardtop coupe, the Crown Victoria, which had a streamlined roofline and a bold chrome “tiara” in the B-pillar location. Just 1,999 were built, making the model a coveted prize today.

This 1955 Crown Victoria was built at Ford’s Richmond, California, plant and allegedly spent its early life in that state. It immigrated to Vancouver Island, British Columbia, in the 1980s and was kept in dry storage until 2004, when it was sold. Although the data plate shows that it was built as a 64A steel-roof Crown Victoria, at some point it had been fitted with a Skyliner transparent panel. After purchase, the new owners commenced a thorough body-off restoration that overlooked no detail.

The engine was uprated to 312 specifications and featured a correct crankshaft, rods, and heads of the 1957 standard. A Holley four-barrel carburetor was installed, the power steering was rebuilt, and front disc brakes were installed, along with a modern master cylinder and power booster. The electrical system was converted to 12 volts.

All brightwork was re-plated or polished, and new paint in the factory colors of Sea Sprite Green and Skyhaze Green was applied. A new Skyliner roof panel was also installed. The car’s accessory list is extensive, encompassing almost every available option. It has a Ford-O-Matic transmission, bumper over-rider bars, a Continental kit, Kelsey-Hayes chrome wire wheels with tri-spinner caps, fog lights, blue dot taillights, a Magic Aire heater, a power seat, rear fender skirts, and stainless rocker panel moldings with stone shields in the front and rear. The original AM radio is present, but it is supplanted by a modern AM/FM/CD system that is hidden in a dummy tissue dispenser.

This car is an example of one of the rarest 1955 Fords, and it is a superb find.