1958 Ford Fairlane Skyliner Retractable

[fernblatt]

There was a '55 Fairlane Sunliner w/ "Thunderbird" V8 that was parked next to us at lunch today. Pristine, looked like it could just rolled off the showroom floor. Shame I didn't have a REAL camera with me, only my cellfone. Man, that was one beautiful car.

[emptynester7985]

That's a shame, that it went overseas. I suppose that there were so few made, That for the 5 or 6 K that it stickered out at, one could buy a new Continental.

[SUPERFLYZ06]

Thanks for the interest. I sold this beauty a few years ago (with a lot of regret) and it was original with the exception of 1 repaint in the mid 70's. We had all the original documentation from the original owner, who special ordered it for his wife. It is rare to find one this original, un-restored and in good running condition. It is now in Sweden enjoying a pampered life.

[jcr3rd]

They just sold one like this at Mecum Auto Auctions on TV for $40,000.00

[GhostRiderVincenzo]

I was original with the exception of a repaint in 1974. The valve covers had never been off the motor when I bought it . 74K were the miles. The Retractable is now in Sweden. Our family has owned numerous "old school" rides, but the Retractable has to be the coolest (thus far).

[SeeleyBooth1990]

Very cool. Is it in original condition?

[GhostRiderVincenzo]

The trunk space is limited due to the spare tire enclosure. There is some space on either side of it, but limited to small back pack or gym size bags. When the top is in the trunk, the front portion folds under itself further reducing available space. This beauty is now in Sweden and has, I'm sure a wonderful home and caring owner.

[Fraire18]

Sweet ride!!!

[RPOLT4CE]

I was unaware that Peugeot produced a retractable. Ford was the only domestic manufacturer that mass produced(in small numbers)a retractable. Chrysler also made a retractable called the Airflow, but it was a show car/prototype and not a production car as far as I know from my research. Not sure of the exact price difference between the convertible and the retractable.

[artistmac]

Nice detail shots. I never knew the front of the roof folded in as it went into the trunk. When they were new, how much more did Skyliners cost than standard Ford convertibles?

[luxaurum]

About $800 more--a whopping price increase in those days which represented about 25% higher list price ...like today's retractables you lost trunk space and in this case access to contents (note the box in the center which was where contents had to be confined) when the top was down...security was not an issue in those days and with six motors and 200 feet of wiring reliability was poor...which was why few of them were sold relative to std convertibles and hardtops...

[GhostRiderVincenzo]

I don"t recall the exact sales price from the original invoice we had, but I think it was around $5000.00 or so. They were more expensive than the rag tops and many were ordered in advance. This particular Skyliner had almost all the available options. I think there were only 2 items not ordered. It has power windows, seat, steering, factory a/c, advanced p/s, am radio, Interceptor 300HP-352, cruise-o-matic transmission, 3.00 axle.

[ilililhy]

you got a love a 1958 ford

[macmamas408]

@---->-----

[GHOSTRIDERZ06]

We miss this beauty and think about her alot. Best wishes for you and hope you enjoy topless driving as much as we did. Is it the only Retractable in Sweden or are there others as lucky to own one ?

[flatred53]

Hey GHOSTRIDERZ06!!

Im the lucky guy who bought the car!

I am very pleased with the car, just got it when the winter begun here in Sweden-. Just put on new white walls and a new exhaust system. I have fixed some more minor problems and waiting for the spring now. Hope to get some nice miles on it here in the short Swedish summer.

Lars

[sealerdave]

Hey dude I have a 57 in perfect condition how much did you pay for yours I am getting too old mine is totally restored see the white one on youtube 1957 ford skliner by jteg I may sell it..Completely restored with less than 400 miles on the new restoration.

[redtelephone66]

Beautiful car, nice video, well documented!!!

[GHOSTRIDERZ06]

We enjoyed this beauty for almost 3 years. It was original except for 1 repaint in the mid 70's. I mean original down to the factory dual exhaust system ! Truely sad to have let it go, but it has a great home in Sweden now.

[tackorgybe]

What a beauty! Recently VW was bragging about their new EOS with Rigid Top convertible, claiming it was their invention! Ford invented it more than 50 years ago

[Tammy0828]

hahahahahahha hahah

ZI do!! msg me on M.S.N. nfo in profile. vO

[mickeymoose76]

i cant believe all that wasted space in the extra long trunk, just for the roof!!! talk about a design compromise!!

[GHOSTRIDERZ06]

tpvalley, when the top is up and latched down there some room in the trunk well area. The spare sits inside a square metal framework with room on either side of the spare. Not alot of room, but enough for some gym bags, small tool box and couple of grocery bags. When the top is down there is little room for anything more than a couple of gym bags stuffed inside the spare tire area. The hydro lift cylinders are a little larger than a coke can and 3 feet long. Cool engineering for a 1958 model.

[GHOSTRIDERZ06]

I appreciate the interest and welcome any comments on the Retractable. Hoping to have the new exhaust and wide white walls by mid december and then add a 2nd video to this one with some crusing in it. Yesterday, a couple in a new Lexus retractable followed me 5 miles and took some video footage, that was cool.

[tpvalley]

so u have no boot/trunk space when roof is down?

[BobbieandSteveDooley]

Truly amazing!

[GHOSTRIDERZ06]

Thanks for taking the time to post a comment. I am still debating on which mufflers to use on the new exhaust.IMPCO turbos or MAC flowpath mufflers. They both sound cool, but the MACs are louder. We just love this old school ride.

[walrustusks]

The retractable roof is amazing, considering it is almost 50 years old. Fine automobile. Keep it like it is! Gotta love the front of these cars. Got that Thunderbird look to it.

[GHOSTRIDERZ06]

The only changes from stock will be a modern exhaust system, upgraded ignition(but still points)and a reuseable air filter element. The motor still runs great and the valve covers have never been off(they stopped leaking after I tightened them down. It even has the original carburetor, also never been off the intake. Its totally original except the tires, current exhaust(in need of replacement)and tune up stuff.

[pepino68]

great weekend family car man.pease take care of it and keep it stock.

[GHOSTRIDERZ06]

Thanks for the comment. We have been to busy to even drive the "Liner", as its called by some friends. Its long over due for a spin around the block.

[GenericGene]

A fine example of this classic -

[GHOSTRIDERZ06]

Just to add a little more clarification to the " who built a retracable ". A GM stylist named Francis H. Scott built a retractable Corvette in 1958. That project/idea car started from a wrecked 1958 model. The idea never caught on for a production model in spite of the fact that GM could have gone that route. So, that makes the Ford Skyliner the first production retractable.

[NSX2C]

jwilson713, you are correct about the "thunderbolt" that Chrysler built. I should have clarified my comment to state a "production model retractable" which the Chrysler thundebolt was not. This Chrysler retractable was a concept car of which only 5 were made as far as records show. Each one had its own unique color and no 2 were the same.

[jwilson713]

Not true. Chrysler built the first retractable in 1940 called the Thunderbolt.

[LOGIMMO]

Not true again : PEUGEOT made in 1936 the "402 ECLIPSE"

[GHOSTRIDERZ06]

HighwayCinema, we appreciate the interest. Our schedules are hectic, so the little time we get to cruise around is really alot of fun. People never cease to be amazed at this 50 year old classic which is original except the tires and some very minor mechanical repairs and the thought of restoring it is difficult. Other than needing a new exhaust and some "wide whitewalls" I just keep it maintained. Thanks again for the interest.

[HighwayCinema]

Really great to see a cool car with this function demonstrated. Thanks for the video! triple w dot ArtCarWorld dot org

[GHOSTRIDERZ06]

Hey, dod4luce thanks for the comment. I drove around this Sunday and 4 people took pictures and one guy Video taped me driving down the Interstate. I am ordering some wide white walls for it in a week or two.

[dod4luce]

why the hell dont the UK make nice roaring V8 motors like you yanks!!! awesome car!

[GHOSTRIDERZ06]

Chrysler never made a Retractable.

[Otacrunk]

Eww a Ford! Buy a Chrysler, much more worth the money.

[GhostRiderVincenzo]

Thanks for comment and the interest. We have been so busy lately that I haven't had time to replace the exhaust system. Once I do that and the wide white walls I'll start on the other stuff I need to do. My old neighbor restored a 59 Buick, a Century I think,in 1971. It was stunning. Of the 2 dozen or so cars he restored that one was in the top 5 without a doubt. It was a twilight green and white with wide white walls.

[pescadoygamba]

Hey.great video.many thanks for taking the time to do it.Makes me miss my 59 Buick.

[ww954]

My dad had one of these back in 1858. I was 16 and when he let me take it out, I was THE MAN. Only thing bad about the car was the fact the little electric motors that were used in gettn the top up and down would constantly burn out. I think there was 8 or 10 of them.

[GhostRiderVincenzo]

We just love this car. It always gets alot of attention from onlookers everywhere we go. My neighbor used to restore alot of 50's classics while I was growing up. All thru the 60's and 70's. Olds, Buicks, Packards, Pontiacs and of course Ford Retractables. One in particular was a 1958 two-tone red and white with white interior. It had a FE 390 with a 3-Deuce intake and smithy mufflers. It was really loud and totally cool.