1959 Ford Galaxie

1959 Ford Galaxie Skyliner In 1959, the US and USSR were the two big players in the space market.  Each tried to outdo the other by sending bigger and better things to space, like dogs and chimps.  Everyone was gearing up to be the first man on the moon, and the space race was on.  So, the Ford Galaxie utilized these sentiments and turned the eventual need for space, (not speed at the time), into a nameplate with rather patriotic fervor.  Of course, till Neil Armstrong finally happened, USSR was winning hands down in the Space Race, despite not having a Ford Galaxie.  In 1969, with Apollo 11, the US upped the game for the USSR. For consignment, a Galaxie whose claim to fame is that Skyliner was given a complicated mechanism that enabled it to fold down the front portion of its roof and retract it under the rear trunk lid.  No hydraulics were used like the regular convertibles of that time.  It had seven reversible electric motors, four jack lifts, a series of relays, ten limit switches, ten solenoids, four locking mechanisms for its roof, and two for the rear trunk lid.  The car's fuel tank was placed vertically in the back of its rear seat, giving the car added safety in the event of a rear end collision.  And it all works!  This car comes to our Hallowed Halls showing as an older restoration with a title verified 120,376 miles on the odometer and can put on a 1 car show for you, as you'll be mesmerized with the top up and down. It also has power windows and working air! Exterior The quintessential 1950's look, Torch Red and Colonial White two tone steel slab sider presents in near showroom condition on the paint checklist with just a few obligatory touch ups for this car shown in the photos.  Gaps are beautifully minded, and all is straight steel.  Not unlike Elvis with his swiveling hips, and snarling lips this car has the iconic swoop spear trim molding on either side with a snazzy ribbed metal insert and it swings with the 50's design and definitely attracts attention, (you hound dog!).  All this and chrome around the windows and lower B pillars, bumpers and badging is in very good condition.  Dual mirrors are mounted on the fenders, while stylish are difficult to get set exactly right.  The hardtop is a thrill to watch, and really was a feat of engineering which had been tried on an earlier Peugeot concept car, and a few other concept cars, but was never really put into production until Ford pulled out all the stops for this model.  We give you the retractable hardtop.  On to the back, looking much like the rest of the Ford lineup with 45 degree angled outward fins, and the round jet engine tail lights.  A shout out to the chrome turbine style, jet age, polished hubcaps which are wrapped in wide whites.  And lest I forget the rear wheel well trim that helps give the low and slow look and accentuate the large long rear quarters, (that top has to have somewhere to go!).  A round chromed rear end goddess!   Interior In full vinyl and cloth jackets, the dual benches in the passenger area are wrapped in Torch Red vinyl bolsters and Raven Black cloth inserts with smooth white vinyl surrounds.  These are like new, obviously recovered during the restoration, so they present very well.   All the essentials are restored and looking just like when this car rolled out of the showroom.  More Torch Red bathes the steel dash which is fitted with the correct instrument cluster with white bakelite trimmed knobs and pulls below and a padded red vinyl topper above.  Within a sweeping chrome band resides the heater slides, the factory AM radio which has been converted to AM/FM with AUX, obligatory clock, and down below we see an under dash AC unit.  The original steering wheel protrudes from the dash and is white and red plastic with a 2/3 circular horn ring.  Like new black carpet floods the floors, and the white headliner remains tight even though it had its fair share of ups and downs, (tongue i