Prices, Specifications & 360° Interactive
Ford Fairlane 500 Skyliner - Price, Specs and 360° Interactive
Ford Fairlane 500 Skyliner - 360° Interactive
Ford Fairlane 500 Skyliner - Key Specifications
Ford Fairlane 500 Galaxie Skyliner Specifications
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Type | Full-Size Retractable Hardtop Convertible |
| Production Years | 1957-1959 |
| Engine | 5.8L (352 cu in) V8 |
| Power Output | 300 hp / 224 kW @ 4,600 rpm |
| Torque | 529 Nm @ 2,800 rpm |
| Transmission | 3-Speed Manual or 3-Speed Cruise-O-Matic Automatic |
| Drivetrain | Rear-Wheel Drive (RWD) |
| 0–100 km/h (0–62 mph) | Approximately 10–11 seconds |
| Top Speed | 185 km/h (115 mph) |
| Fuel Consumption (Combined) | 18–20 L/100 km (estimated) |
| CO₂ Emissions | N/A (Pre-emissions era) |
| Length | 5,423 mm |
| Width | 2,029 mm |
| Height | 1,422 mm |
| Wheelbase | 3,023 mm |
| Kerb Weight | 1,950 kg |
| Fuel Tank Capacity | 76 liters |
| Seating Capacity | 6 |
| Front Suspension | Independent with Coil Springs and Control Arms |
| Rear Suspension | Live Axle with Leaf Springs |
| Brakes | Drum Brakes Front and Rear |
| Wheels | 14" Steel Wheels with Chrome Hubcaps |
| Tires | 7.50 x 14 Bias-Ply Whitewalls |
| Chassis | Body-on-Frame Construction |
| Interior Features |
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| Exterior Features |
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| Driver Assistance & Safety |
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Some Interesting Facts
World’s First Retractable Hardtop Convertible
The Skyliner was the first mass-produced car to feature a fully retractable metal roof, folding automatically into the trunk with the push of a button.Produced for Just Three Years
Ford built the Skyliner from 1957 to 1959, making it a rare and short-lived innovation, with only about 48,000 units produced in total.Complex Roof Mechanism
The retractable hardtop system used seven electric motors, four lift jacks, and over 600 feet of wiring, making it one of the most complex automotive systems of its time.Part of the Fairlane 500 and Galaxie Lineup
In 1959, the Skyliner was branded as part of the Fairlane 500 Galaxie range, combining Ford’s luxury and performance offerings under one stylish body.Reduced Trunk Space
When the roof was stored in the trunk, it significantly reduced cargo space, but the visual spectacle of the roof folding was a strong selling point.Offered with V8 Power
The Skyliner came standard with a 292 cu in V8 engine, with optional upgrades to a 332 or 352 cu in Thunderbird Special V8, delivering up to 300 horsepower.Advanced Styling for the Era
It featured dramatic tail fins, two-tone paint, and lots of chrome, making it a standout example of classic 1950s American automotive design.Heavyweight Convertible
Due to the roof mechanism and structural reinforcements, the Skyliner was significantly heavier than conventional convertibles — weighing over 4,000 pounds.Popular in Parades and Car Shows
Thanks to its mechanical “wow factor,” the Skyliner has remained a favorite at classic car shows, often demonstrated with the roof folding up and down.Predecessor to Modern Hardtop Convertibles
The Skyliner’s innovative design paved the way for future power retractable hardtop vehicles, decades before similar systems became more common in modern cars.
Ford Fairlane 500 Skyliner - Price
The Ford Fairlane 500 Skyliner is the world’s first mass-produced retractable hardtop, a 1950s engineering marvel with 18 motors, 10 relays, and 600 feet of wiring just to fold the roof. Part Galaxie cruiser, part mechanical Rube Goldberg machine, it’s a rolling spectacle that out-weirds even the Chevy Bel Air Convertible.
1. Price Ranges (EUR, 2024)
(Note: Prices vary wildly based on roof functionality—non-working Skyliners are parts cars.)
Condition-Based Pricing
Project Car (Non-Running/Non-Retracting Roof): €25,000 – €45,000
*(Warning: Roof restoration alone costs €30k+.)*Driver-Quality (Roof Works, Needs Cosmetic TLC): €60,000 – €90,000
*(Ideal for: Tinkerers who enjoy 1950s electro-mechanical puzzles.)*Fully Restored (Numbers-Matching, Roof Perfect): €120,000 – €180,000
(Critical: Must have Ford "Body by Hess & Eisenhardt" plate.)Concours-Level (Award-Winning): €200,000+
*(See: 2023 Barrett-Jackson sale @ €230k for a ’59.)*
Engine Options Matter
292/312 Y-block V8: +€10k–15k (originality premium).
352 FE V8 (1958–59): +€5k (more power, less collectible).
2. Key Factors Affecting Value
✅ What Adds €50k+
Working Retractable Roof: The ONLY feature that matters. Test it 10+ times.
Factory Air Conditioning: Rarer than a polite YouTube comment.
Two-Tone Paint (e.g., Colonial White/Torch Red): +20%.
⚠️ What Kills Value
Non-Functional Roof: Turns it into a glorified Fairlane sedan.
Frame Rust: The X-member under the trunk rots, collapsing the roof mechanism.
Modern Drivetrain Swap: Purists want that 6.0L Y-block wheeze.
3. Must-Check Items
🔧 Mechanical:
Roof Cycle Test: Should take 40 seconds—listen for relays clicking like a Geiger counter.
Trunk Floor: Poke for rust—replacement requires disassembling the entire roof.
Window Motors: Six of them—each costs €1k to rebuild.
🎨 Cosmetic:
"Hideaway" roof panel gaps: Should be pencil-thin when closed.
Original "Skyliner" Script: Missing? Likely a clone.
📄 Paperwork:
Ford Production Code: "66A" = Skyliner.
Hess & Eisenhardt Build Sheet: Proves it’s not a parts-bin special.
4. Market Trends
📈 Appreciating Models
1957 (First Year): +8% annually (historical significance).
Unrestored Survivors: Now €150k+ (if roof works).
📉 Depreciating Examples
Non-Retractable "Clones": Worth Fairlane sedan money (€30k).
5. Ownership Costs
Annual Maintenance: €5k–15k (roof repairs = €500/hour labor).
Fuel Economy: 18L/100km (if you drive like a nun).
Storage: MUST be indoors; rain turns the trunk into a swimming pool.
Fun Fact: Ford’s engineers added a roof emergency hand crank, it takes 147 turns to open manually.
Alternatives (If You Fear 600 Feet of Wiring)
1957 Thunderbird: €80k–€150k (same Y-block, simpler roof).
Chevy Bel Air Convertible: €70k–€120k (roof goes down in 5 seconds).
Verdict
✔ Buy if: You love midcentury mechanical theater and have a patient mechanic on retainer.
✖ Avoid if: You think "Lucas Electric" jokes are about British cars.
For €100k, you’ll get a working Skyliner—just budget another €100k for the inevitable "while we’re in there" repairs.
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