Vehicle Description
1959 Ford Skyliner - Mechanical Masterpiece!
It's one of the most mesmerizing scenes to be found at any car
show-the rising and lowering of a Ford retractable hardtop in
motion. According to Ben Smith, the retractable's creator, "The
choreography of deck lid, top and shelf panel all moving at the
same time was a dance of beauty."
The all-steel hardtop's movement seems like magic, but thanks to
the help of some carefully engineered componentry that included
three drive motors, 610 feet of wiring, 10 solenoids and many other
relays, circuit breakers and locking motors, it works like a charm.
For its time, the folding hardtop was an astonishing feat, and
still remains so today, some 67 years after it was first
introduced.
In all, Ford produced 48,394 retractable hardtops. Its proper name
is the Skyliner, which is often confused with the similar-sounding
Sunliner name of the regular convertible model. The Skyliner was
offered for just three years, and in 1957, its premier year, a
total of 20,766 were produced, followed by 14,713 examples in the
1958 model year. When sales dwindled to just 12,915 Skyliners for
1959, Ford ceased its production as it was too expensive to
manufacture such a complex and labor-intensive retractable hardtop
in such limited numbers.
For those three years back in the 1950s, Ford's retractable hardtop
was the biggest sensation on the road, and no doubt contributed to
Ford being America's best-selling brand for 1957. When first
introduced in 1956 for the 1957 model year, the retractable models
stunned the public, making them a hit everywhere they went,
especially when the hardtop was in motion.
Beyond its matchless removable roof, the 1959 Ford was a very
attractive automobile, whose design was based on the 1957 Ford, but
with four headlamps instead of two. In fact, so stylish were the
1959 Fords that at the Brussels World's Fair, the entire Ford model
lineup was awarded the Gold Medal of the Comite Francais des
L'elegance of Paris for its outstanding style and fine design. It
was considered "the world's most beautifully proportioned car." In
European car circles, it was a very prestigious honor. In fact,
during the ceremony, one French fashion authority had this to say
about the 1959 Fords: "Ford has achieved in this new car such a
classic harmony of design, an expression of 'pure' automobile, that
it will go beautifully in any scene of your life. It is a car for
motoring pleasure-and it looks most beautiful of all when it is in
motion!"
While the 1959 Ford styling looks similar to the '58 model's, there
are subtle differences that make the '59 a standout design. The
hood is squared off and no longer fitted with a hood scoop, and the
aluminum grille insert is strikingly beautiful with its "floating
star" design. The side trim has been reduced in size and placed
towards the top, where it flows better into the rear quarter panel.
And with the unique shape of the front wheelwell opening, combined
with the tasteful stainless steel rear wheel spats and fluted
paneling, it's no wonder the 1959 Fords received such accolades. It
truly is an American beauty. With a base price of $3,063, after the
Thunderbird, the Skyliner retractable was the most expensive model
in Ford's lineup for 1959. Its folding top mechanism was a complex
affair, thus it involved a good amount of labor in order to set the
top's numerous adjustments just right so it would raise, lower and
fold smoothly, and without jamming.
Options: Thunderbird 352 V-8 ($48.10), Cruise-O-Matic ($230.80),
Curb Guard molding ($14.20), power brakes ($43.20), power steering
($75.30), power windows ($102.10), four-way power seat ($63.80),
padded dash and visors ($19.20), Selectaire A/C ($403.80), Signal
Seek radio ($82.80), electric windshield wipers ($7.10), fender
shields ($24.95), Wheel Cover Dress-Up Kit ($9.95), Sun Ray wheel
covers ($16.60), Sport Spare Wheel Carrier ($119.95), visored
Spotlight Mirrors ($59.90), inside non-glare rear view mirror
($4.50), parking brake signal light ($5.95), bumper guards ($25),
exhaust deflectors ($9.90), Flying Elipse hood ornament ($5.95)
This Stunning example was the lucky recipient of a frame off
restoration and is fully loaded from the factory! produced on June
First 1959 in Mahwah New Jersey and restored in factory correct two
tone "Torch Red" and "Colonial White" with Interior Trim Code 56,
Torch Red Vinyl, Raven Fabric Stripe and Silver Strand. The paint
is fantastic with a deep shine and mirror like reflection. The body
panels fit & finish is spectacular and all of the chrome and trim
glistens in the sun. The engine compartment is incredible and shows
extremely well. The undercarriage on this vehicle is one of the
nicest I have seen and L@@KS amazing! This Skyliner is optioned
with factory Air Conditioning, power steering, power seat, power
windows, Continental kit, Fender Skirts, Town and Country radio,
Dual spot light mirrors, tissue dispenser, Flying elipse hood
ornament, electric wipers, three speed Cruise-O-Matic transmission
and powered by the 332ci Thunderbird Special Engine! The Skyliner
runs and drives fantastic and goes straight down the road with
authority. Everything on the vehicle works except including the
factory clock and radio. The only thing that is not functioning is
the power seat. This is a very expensive vehicle to restore and
offered at a fraction of what it would cost to commission a
restoration of this quality. Call 314-346-6039 with questions or to
purchase. 314-346-6039