(Updated 4/26/2026) “Darn it,” I muttered as we drove past today’s subject, trying to make sense of what I’d just seen. The sighting nagged at me all the way to the deli where we were to meet a friend for lunch. “I can’t tell what that is! It’s going to bug me,” I grumbled unhappily to my girlfriend. And it wasn’t until later that I would discover what I had come across. That wasn’t just any oddball shape, but a 1958 Ford Fairlane 500 Skyliner, the retractable hardtop I’d only ever seen in books—now suddenly, unmistakably real.
But as mentioned, before I could investigate, we stopped for lunch at a deli I later learned dated back to 1928. It was great, but the car stayed on my mind the whole time, bugging me until we finally left.
I retraced my steps, heading back down the road I had driven up and found myself in the tiny parking lot of a local garage. One look at the rear end was all it took; I knew I’d found something rare: a Skyliner. Finally, a chance to see one in the metal and snap some pics.
The Skyliner is fairly well known, and it’s one more 1950s model offering promises of automotive wonder. Promo materials naturally made much noise about the car’s “miraculous” and “magically” disappearing hardtop roof. More like a bunch of relays, wires and motors doing the work, and all rather complicated, which partly explains the concept’s original short 1957-1959 life. But what made it exciting then still does today.
I didn’t get to see it action, but here’s what it all would’ve looked like. A crowd pleaser.
My girlfriend mentioned how much storage space was robbed when she had the top down in her SN95 Mustang, and I wondered what that would look like if your entire roof tried to fit in your trunk, no matter how large.
However, I was surprised to find out by reading the CC Paul did on a yellow 1957 model, the trunk space was pretty decent, no matter where the top was. (With a rear deck that long, I’d be pretty disappointed otherwise!)
The interior struck me with just how bright and lively the red against white was. It seemed to be in very good shape for its age. Cars of the late 50’s always seem to have the coolest designs for the dashboard and gauge layout.
It’s amazing how much we take for granted with things like armrests and power windows on even the cheapest econobox, while this upmarket full size convertible makes do with a comparatively plain door panel, with just a door handle and window crank to break up the white pleated vinyl.
While I much prefer the Forward Look Plymouth cars of this era, seeing the front end of this Fairlane reminds me somewhat of the Thunderbird being sold at the same time –The Fords were clearly taking some styling cues that year from the halo “personal car”. I wonder if this one has a piece of the grille missing, as it doesn’t have the kind of crosshair shape in the middle… All in all, a very cool car I am happy to have found.
Related CC reading:
Curbside Classic: 1957 Ford Fairlane 500 Skyliner — Reaching For The Sky (With Video)
Those later wheel covers (66? 67?) actually look really good on this car, a nice fit that looks correct to my eye. I can’t quite make out the street signs, what part of the country is this?
I think the wheelcovers are from a ’67 Fairlane. They were one of Ford’s better efforts in that department.
One of the things that really struck me was the storage area within the compartment for the roof. It looks identical to one of those big, steel troughs used on a farm to feed animals, i.e., something Ford sourced from the local Tractor Supply store.
Yes! I had the same impression the first time I saw one at a car show. Very industrial / agricultural looking. I wonder if any people back then exceeded the height limit with various items and damaged the top / articulating mechanism.
While there’s the height thing, more likely is that Ford engineers were trying to prevent stuff rolling around underneath the stowed top and damaging the rear window glass.
I wonder how close these are to the Ranchero of the time. Imagine someone crossing the two and making a Sunliner with an open bed and tailgate.
I drove past a mid 60s Galaxie hard top the other day and the angle I saw it from suggested to me that would make a great ute, but they are rare and valuable here so nobody is likely to do that locally.
A neighbor with a 1959 Skyliner removed the decklid for small trees, gardening, etc supplies for his annual update/landscaping each year, then, back together took his Geranium/white beauty to shows.
I had several ’57, ’58, ’59 Skyliners, of 1958’s I had Skyliner’s and Sunliner’s (ragtop), my aqua and white ’58 Skyliner was sideswiped by a drunk driver one evening, on my way to the cabin at Lake Almanor, The impact forced me over the cliff edge of the rough, winding, narrow Highway 32 (no guard rails then), the steep slanted hillside had trees and boulders which took their toll on bodywork until coming to a crashing stop against a large boulder, about 300 feet down the hill. the Skyliner was totaled, but with Ford’s ‘Total Safery’ interior and seat belts, I did not have a scratch, but several aches and pains, had to climb out of the canyon, (I was 20 then) witnesses helped toward the top. Insurance replaced it with a restored ’59 Skyliner in dark blue metallic body, white roof. The ’58 had held together enough to protect, last I looked a few years back, it’s still there. These worked pretty well, though complicated. The full sized 1930’S Airflow looking Peugot preceded the Ford over 20 years, but didn’t have the volume of the Ford. Would have made a gorgeous retractable in the original plan Mark II.
They were also used on Broncos well into the ’70s, possibly to the very end of the first generation, with a knockout on the fronts to clear the locking hubs.
Actually, the ’67 Fairlane wheelcovers looked more ‘Mustangy’…those on this car are the ones used for 1966 full size Fords and also the Bronco had them as well.
Those covers were offered in 1966 as an option on Galaxie/LTD, and F-100. They were standard equipment on 1967/77 Broncos.
These are not for an LTD – the 66 LTD used a unique black center and a different emblem from the “regular” Ford wheelcover that year which had a red center.
I saw the wheel covers right away too; to me they are ’66 Galaxie/LTD but I am sure they were used on lots of Fords.
I like this Skyliner. I do see all three years of them often at Pavillions in Scottsdale, including an overly fancy (continental kit, skirts) red & white ’58. The ’58s seem to me to be rare – or at least less likely to be restored.
A “driver quality” Skyliner like this is not something I see; rather they always seem to be pristine, show cars. No surprise, but it looks as if is suffering electrical issues.
Something interesting I noticed between the feature car and the one in the ad: the red/white interior colors are exactly the opposite! The feature car’s seats are red with white inlays, while the ad’s seats are white with red inlays.
Also, the grille in the photos is missing the crossbars. I wonder if there’s a reason other than aethetics; the open grille does make it look more like a T-bird.
I have seen low-line 1958 Fords without the crossbar. I assumed that crossbar was standard on high-end models.
The crossbar was standard on all 58 Ford’s, but Ford had re-styled the ’58 for more of a Tbird ‘look’. Hot rodder’s and customizer’s started pulling the crossbar when new. I was 10 then, but preferred the crossbar rather than more Tbird look.
Never seen one in real life, but I’m sure there’s a police/detective film (1960s?) that has one of these in operation near the start. Can’t remember anything else about the film!
You may be thinking of “In the Heat of the Night” from 1967. Except it was a ’67 Lincoln convertible.
I don’t think so; that seems to be a soft top and more modern than the car I remember. Not that the Lincon isn’t impressive, it was the fact that the roof was steel that made the big impression.
What color was it?
You’re lucky to see one of these. I was a car-crazy kid when they were new, and I’ve never seen one at all. Maybe they were more common in sunny and extravagant places like California.
In Northwest Arkansas, there is a mechanic whose shop specializes in rebuilding 57-58-59 retractables. Doesn’t work on anything else. Seems to stay quite busy. A friend actually located the guy. He’s fixing up an old Lincoln. Evidently some parts interchange and he wanted me to inspect a used part. I never knew the guy existed despite moving here 25+ years ago. He shop was 3 guys – one totally dedicated to chasing parts down.
Not much of a surprise that someone specializes in repairing these. They use multiple motors to operate and are prone to mechanical malfunction. Given the rudimentary parts back then, not unusual, at all. Frankly, I would have guessed that most owners simply quit trying to lower the top once it malfunctions, although I’m going to guess that the ‘hatch’ doesn’t open manually. In fact, I wonder if there’s a reason the first photo shows it in a partial open position; is it get stuck there?
First of all, keep in mind that these cars are now 60 years old! They are being dug up out of car grave yards and found in extremely neglected condition – so many need total restorations.
When new and when maybe 10 or 20 yrs old and taken care of, these mechanical tops were rather robust. All electric, vs electric hydraulic – which made them much more reliable than their Lincoln counterparts. Not that limit switches could not get out of line, but overall the top mechanisms were very well designed. I had one from 1973 to 1983, as an example, and I used the top more than I should have by far, and never once did I have an issue – and the car was only a normal survivor and not a trailer queen. The one I have now (bouth 2 1/2 yrs ago), is also very reliable. Granted, I had to do some adjustments on the top and initially a wire had come off of one of the relays, but once I did these repairs, it has been trouble free for over 2 yrs already. I am a Mechanical Engineer, so I have the ability to diagnose and repair these tops, but once they are set up correctly and you keep them lubricated and stored properly and operate the top on occasion – you are good to go for many years. Try that with a high tech modern cars electronics!!!
I agree, Having ’57, ’58, ’59 Skyliners, with help have stood in the rear interior , rear seat out, pulling with difficulty, the dead top out of the trunk when one of the motors failed, once replaced it was trouble free (a ’59) for 12 years, other than don’t operate that top after washing or rain until dry or the limit switch, with top half way would stop, until dried out, replaced weatherstrip but still did it. I often used the top many times a day, every day. Had more trouble with my 64 through ’67 Continental convert’s. The ’58 pictured may have an inoperative final sequence for the trunk closing, or had problems unlatching, although usually reliable, they became a major pain in the ass when the top is down and the deck lid sequence for opening quits
I’ve always considered the 1957 Ford one of the most beautiful, sleek 50s designed cars ever. I don’t know what the stylists were thinking, but one year later you can replace “beautiful, sleek” with UGLY.
Maybe not as extreme, but the same could probably be said of the 1957 to 1958 Chevy.
The 58 Chevy is a totally different car from the 55-57 Chevy. So your analogy does not work. The 58 Chevy was basically an orphan because GM panicked in reaction to the 57 Mopar cars and scrambled to create the long and low 59’s. So the 58 platform was used for only that one year.
I totally agree with you. The 57 Ford was a nice looking car in some trims. Some of the lower level cars has some weird chrome trim but basically it was a very good designed. I lived the taillights and the grille. They just threw every bit of chrome trim and color on it for 58. And the taillights were horrible. 58 was a weird year. 59 cleansed uoo ok the design and made it boxier.
Eye of the beholder, I had many ’57 Fairlanes and a Meteor Richleu 500, plus ’58’s and ’59’s, to me the best, most beautiful was my 1958 Fairlane 500 Sunliner convertible, red upper/white lower and top, matching interior, 352 Interceptor, CruiseOmatic, all accessories, HD suspension, lovely rumble from low restriction exhaust, only had 18,000 miles, looked and felt new, had for many years until stolen on New Year’s eve, in a police chase, hit a large tree around 110 mph, still dream of it.
Very nice find, and congratulations on the new position. I hope they can remain open during the COVID-19 restrictions. In my part of the world, many businesses like this are being asked to close up shop.
I have only seen Skyliners in operation at show and shine car shows. Quite a sight to see all the folding and tucking that goes on simultaneously.
I hope you get some time to take photos of the cars you will get to take care of during or after your work day.
Yeah 58 Ford, we only had the low grade fordor here new they got the nickname ‘Gold flash’ after the side trim, rare now in any body style and most that I see are recent used imports RHD new cars led hard lives and rusted away quite often 2nd and 3rd layers of bog to get one past a WOF inspection wasnt unusual years ago, we did that to everything to keep old heaps on the road, did you know 3 layers of newsprint and a blat of underseal produces a visually sound chassis rail? it used to here when rust inspection was only a visual process no prodding permited and we did that on unitary British and Australian cars too.
That car needs help.
One tail light missing and one is an aftermarket one. And wrong wheel covers (better than nothing I guess). Wires and things hanging below the dashboard. And that steering wheel…so Ford was still painting them (probably Bakelite?) at that point and not making them of solid color plastic like they would be at least on Chrysler stuff at least by a few years later. Missing horn ring too. That “comparatively plain door panel” should have a chrome strip across the middle of the white area, and an arm rest below it.
The trunk lid must have stopped there when a motor or relay or something didn’t work. Like later Lincoln or Thunderbird convertibles they do depend on a cascade of electrical events to work. Kind of like this guy’s stuff:
How to Pass the Salt While Maintaining Proper Social Distance
Ford was still doing that painted bakelite steering wheel through 1964 – possibly later in the trucks.
I’ve seen at least a dozen of these ’57-’59 Skyliners at car shows and 3 or 4 rusted hulks for sale or at junkyards. In fact, a high school buddy had a rotted out one as a parts car for his ’57 Tudor hardtop. The owners reported that the top mechanism with its’ 600 feet of extra wiring and 10 or so extra relays behind the back of the rear seat was remarkably reliable. But lack of lubrication and rust can take its’ toll on any vehicle.
Along with body rust and accident damage, I can see the need for specialists to repair the various mechanisms.
The relays , by the way, looked like the common Fomoco starter relay mounted on the inner fender that Ford used for 20 years.
This has the rare dual LH mirror package, and the driver probably still can’t see anything out of either one. LoL
These are challenging cars to look at. The questionable 1958 details don’t help the naturally awkward proportions one bit.
I would question whether those door panels (or the rest of the interior) are representative of what the car originally came with. Many cars (that are not 55-57 Chevys) need to have door panels refurbished and original materials are not available. Upholsterers do the best they can with the materials they have access to, with varying results.
JP, if by “naturally awkward proportions” you mean the raised rear section required for Skyliner top stowage, I agree. Otherwise, to me, the non-retractable ’57/8 proportions were a spot-on smash hit, for the times.
But, opinions…
Yes, the deck was both too high and too long (making the roof not long enough). These things didn’t look good with the top up or down. I agree completely, either the convertible or the 2 door hardtop of any of the three years looked so much better.
The proportions of the Skyliner!
I always thought Ford shoulda made the Ranchero a six-seater, using parts in common with the Skyliner but built with a fixed welded top and drop-down tailgate. The Skyliner’s trunk/top storage area would’ve made a respectable pickup bed.
Nlpnt that’s an interesting thought. Most of the parts were in the bin too. I suppose the concept of a gentleman’s extended cab pickup was still way off in the future?
Looks like no padded dash and no “Interceptor” tagged glovebox.?
A simple fix for the Ranchero or truck looking rear view of the 1957 and 1958 Skyliner, is to raise the bumper 1 1/2″. I theorized about this for many years, and then finally did it, when I bought a 1957 Skyliner a couple of years ago. I designed and fabricated the bumper bracket risers needed and then installed them. The result is amazing! The change reduces the bulk of the rear trunk, and brings the top to trunk proportions in line with each other. The look becomes much more like the slender look of the Sunliner convertible. A change that the Factory should have attempted to implement.
My Skyliner bumper comparison picture did not take – so here it is, I hope.
Amazing difference! Surprised the Ford designers didn’t see that.
Looks much better! After the $18M they spent to develop the retractable hardtop mechanism, one would think a set of bumper brackets and a bit of trim to even out the appearance wouldn’t break them.
Wow, what an improvement!
As a former ’57 Fairlane 500 owner and long time fan, I think this fixes the biggest styling issue of these retractable top cars.
Glad to hear from an actual owner about the robustness of the top mechanism. As I stated a few posts above, the owners I talked to over the years had little problems with the top also.
What a difference!
My boss had two or three 58’s. I remember there being about twenty solenoids just like the stater solenoids mounted on the panel behind the rear seat. Must have been a nightmare to fix if you had problems.
There are 10 solenoids behind the back seat, one for each of the 5 operations for the top going down and one for each of the operations for the top going up.
Like an automatic transmission, which must be a nightmare to fix. But I would think that the Skyliner top is not as hard to understand as an automatic transmission, and everyone has automatic transmissions. Of course it is much more complicated than a cloth top convertible of the same vintage.
For a person with absolutely no mechanical knowledge, they would be a nightmare to repair, as would be replacing a headlight or changing a flat tire.
The worse case is when you get an neglected Skyliner that someone has pulled all of the wiring out of or did some shade tree mechanic work on the top. Then it may take a professional to repair it.
LeMay America’s Car Museum in Tacoma Washington has a very nice one of these on display. Lots and lots of nice cars there.
My fathers friend had a 57 Retractable. They had the mechanism designed for the 56 Mark II and they tried to retrofit it onto the 57 Ford that was in design. But they could not get the mechanisms small enough to fit the design. So they raised the deck, lengthened the fenders and just distorted the design to make it work. The 59 Ford was a heavily redesigned version of this car and the more squared off back end was probably their response to this problem. The high bin was indeed to keep things away from the rear glass and all the electronics. What really used to catch my eye is how much empty space there was between components. That bin was fairly small for a car that size. As a kid I wanted to climb in there and see if I could stand between the component. There was that much room. I could never understand why they didn’t just move everything closer together. But I am not an engineer. They cleaned up the design for the 61 Thunderbird and Lincoln.
Only an American manufacturer could successfully mass produce a reliable retractable hardtop…..Invented in 1919 on a Hudson coupe that never saw production…..It wasn’t until Ford decided to do it that it worked…..Now all the little kiddies think it’s cool to see a BMW or Lexus with a retractable top…….It all goes back to Ben Ellerbeck of Hudson and their little coupe……Well over 100 years ago.
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Always good to see these Skyliners. From what I have read in an owner’s club post, the mechanisms are remarkably reliable. Remember? The ad sang “The New Skyliner’s here from Ford…”
Thomas,
The top mechanism on mom’s 59 Skyliner was functioning well near the end due to norther US state use of salt rendering the frame weaker. The sag in the middle prevented fully automated operation. Fortunately the complex series of motors, screws, relays and wiring could be stopped at any step of operation. That allowed my brother and I, one on each side, to lift the closed door handles enough so the alignment was just right at the top of the windshield to accept the screw mechanisms to securely connect with the top up. We all decided the top had to stay up for safety.
I saw one of these close up in a parking lot when I was shopping. The trunk and rear fenders are really tall, so it looks a little ungainly in person. I do believe that there are clearly marked areas for storage and clearly marked places where you can’t put items.
”10 limit switches to manage the roof-folding and trunk-lid operation. These limit switches are part of a system that includes seven reversible electric motors, 10 power relays, and 10 solenoids” …Prefer this to a modern Body Control Module.
FWIW ;
It took a _LOT_ of seconds ! .
I had a boss who was in love with these and bought them cheaply in the early 1970’s .
His wife used to drive one to work and if she got caught at a red light and the pavement was level, she’d put the top down, that always stopped all the other traffic .
These were pretty good cars if too big and too heavy, I forget how many turns the steering wheel took but it was a _lot_ and in town I’d just let go and goose the throttle in a corner to help unwind it, the blur of the spokes scared more than a few passengers .
-Nate