Ford Fairlane 500 Skyliner, 1957
Ford Fairlane II
Ford Fairlane II•
•3 просмотра
Chassis No.: D7RW183122
$99,000 | Sold
- Odometer: 51,918 miles
- Engine: V-8
- Transmission: Automatic
- Exterior: Flame Red/Colonial White
- Interior: Red/White
- Body: Skyliner
- Frame-off rotisserie restoration to like-original condition completed in 2018
- Functional power-retractable convertible hardtop
- Dashboard signed by Ben Smith, who, along with the group of “Whiz Kids,” is credited as designing the first retractable hardtop convertible for Ford
- Rebuilt 312 CI Thunderbird Special V-8 engine
- Rebuilt Ford-O-Matic transmission
- Finished in the original colors of Flame Red and Colonial White with matching Red and White interior
- New wiring and rebuilt electric top motors
- Binder of restoration documentation included
After a frame-off rotisserie restoration in 2018, this 1957 Ford Skyliner emerged in like-original condition, its chrome and brightwork sparkling against its original two-tone paint combination of Flame Red and Colonial White. Ben Smith, one of the original Ford “Whiz Kids” who is credited for designing the company’s first retractable hardtop, signed the dashboard of the matching red and white interior. Equipped with a rebuilt 312 CI Thunderbird Special V-8 engine and rebuilt Ford-O-Matic transmission, the hardtop convertible also received a new wiring harness and rebuilt electrical top motors to ensure proper functionality.
Optioned with an in-dash clock and a pushbutton radio among other amenities, power steering makes the car infinitely more enjoyable to drive. Rolling on wide whitewall tires with chrome wire wheels, the body is set with a Continental kit and a dual exhaust system with styled tips. Ford introduced the Continental Division in 1956 to compete in the ultra-luxe segment, having lost some ground to the likes of the Cadillac Eldorado and, to a slightly lesser degree, the new Imperial Division at Chrysler. Continental would stun the world with the Mark II, a hand-built, two-door hardtop coupe that held an MSRP of just over $10,000.
The overlaying goal was to expand the division with two additional cars, a four-door hardtop sedan and a coupe with a retractable hardtop roof, but neither would come to fruition. Upper management had reservations with troubles a retractable hardtop might bring with it, thinking customers in that top-end market wouldn’t tolerate anything short of perfection. But, all agreed, the engineering and idea were spectacular and should be given a showcase forum. As such, the retractable roof was adapted to the all-new-for-1957 Fairlane, creating yet another halo car.
In later years, Ben Smith would bring the retractable idea to the all-new Mustang as a 10-pound, manually operated retractable hardtop, but upper management wanted it to have the option for power controls. While it could have been done, Smith protested it would add substantial weight and costs to the car, largely ruining the whole point of the Mustang. The brass nixed the idea, but Smith would later introduce an aftermarket retractable hardtop to the market for early Mustangs.
https://www.mecum.com/lots/1152227/1957-ford-fairlane-500-skyliner/
Стоимость
363 578 AED
