Ford Fairlane 500 Skyliner, 1957
Ford Fairlane II
Ford Fairlane II•
•45 views
Chassis No.: D7KW167640
Auction: Monterey 2023
Auction date: August 19, 2023
Lot No.: F33
$70,000 | High bid
- Odometer: 17 miles
- Engine: V-8
- Transmission: Automatic
- Exterior: Flame Red/Colonial White
- Interior: Red/White
- Thunderbird Special 312 CI V-8 engine
- 3-speed automatic transmission
- Flame Red and Colonial White paint
- Two-tone White and Red interior with split-folding bench seat
- Power-retractable hardtop
- Continental kit
- Power steering
- Power windows
- Plastic seat covers
Finished in Flame Red and Colonial White with a matching two-tone red and white interior, this 1957 Ford Fairlane 500 Skyliner is packed with optional extras like the Thunderbird Special 312 CI V-8 engine and 3-speed automatic transmission, dual exhaust, power steering, power windows, tinted glass, a padded dash, dual sideview mirrors, the in-dash clock and a pushbutton radio. It’s accessorized with a Continental kit and rear fender skirts, and the wire wheels and wide whitewall tires absolutely round out the entire package. As a full, six-passenger convertible, the entire hardtop rises off the windshield header and rear fender tops and folds itself into the trunk in just moments.
Known as the Hideaway Hardtop by Ford marketeers, it soon became known as the retractable top by enthusiasts and collectors and was the first time a full convertible hardtop had been mass produced by a car company. Ford sold nearly 50,000 Hideaway Hardtops between 1957 and 1959, when the line was discontinued. Interestingly, the concept began at Continental, which was marketing the ultra-exclusive Mark II two-door hardtop coupe in 1956 and ’57. While the company was losing money, plans were to recoup the losses with an expanded lineup, including a four-door hardtop with unique and retrospective rear-hinged back doors and a retractable hardtop coupe.
Ford management was concerned, especially about placing a very new, relatively untested retractable hardtop coupe on their most expensive line of cars, as people who bought $10,000 cars in 1956 and 1957 expected zero deficiencies. Thus, the idea was moved over to Ford, where it was applied to the Fairlane. Continental and Ford did such a nice job developing the retractable hardtop that very few issues were reported with the system.
https://www.mecum.com/lots/1094797/1957-ford-fairlane-500-skyliner/
Cost
257,075 AED
