1957 Ford Fairlane

This 1957 Ford Fairlane 500 Skyliner Retractable is an absolutely stunning, well-optioned mechanical marvel that is sure to impress! Throughout its storied history, the Ford Motor Company has demonstrated a remarkable gift for reinvention - from the assembly-line Model T that democratized the automobile, to the mass-market V8 that powered a generation, to cultural touchstones like the Thunderbird and the Mustang. Yet one of Ford's most breathtaking achievements remains surprisingly underappreciated: the 1957 Fairlane 500 Skyliner Retractable Hardtop. The Fairlane itself had already proven its appeal. When it debuted in 1955, it was an instant hit - so much so that Ford left the 1956 model largely untouched. But 1957 brought a complete reinvention. The body grew longer and more slender, the rear quarters adopted a dramatic new winged silhouette, and a restyled front end gave the entire car a streamlined, aerodynamic presence that felt genuinely modern. It was Ford's boldest design statement in years. Unveiled to the public on December 8, 1956, at the New York Auto Show, the Skyliner Retractable was unlike anything the automotive world had ever seen - the first true hardtop convertible of its kind, a concept now commonplace in modern cars but utterly revolutionary for its era. The idea had actually been in development for years, originally conceived for Ford's prestigious Continental Mark II. When that plan was scrapped, Ford's engineers pivoted, integrating the retractable system into the Fairlane 500 platform instead - and the result was nothing short of extraordinary. At the heart of the Skyliner is a mechanical marvel: 10 solenoids, 7 high-torque motors, 610 feet of wiring, and a network of relays and microswitches that work in concert to lift the steel hardtop completely free of the body and stow it seamlessly into the trunk. It offered drivers the sleek, buttoned-up look of a hardtop and the open-air freedom of a convertible - achieved not by hand, but by the push of a button. Critics were captivated at the New York debut, and Ford ultimately sold 20,766 units. Even so, the investment was so vast that Ford likely never fully recouped its research and development costs - a testament to just how far ahead of its time the Skyliner truly was. Powering this '57 Skyliner is a 312 cubic inch V8 engine fed by a single 4 barrel carburetor. Exhaust exits this Ford's powerplant via a dual exhaust setup that produces a terrific sounding rumble out the tailpipes. The Ford Y-Block is backed by a Ford-O-Matic Automatic Transmission that makes this Fairlane 500 an easy car for anybody to drive and enjoy. This 1957 Ford Skyliner is oozing with fantastic and desirable options! This particular '57 Skyliner Retractable comes with one of the best options on any classic Ford - that being, power steering since it makes squeezing into a space at the local car show or drive-in feel almost effortless. Providing further aid in tricky parking situations, as well as the occasional lane change, are a pair of fender mounted chrome outside mirrors that give you much better visibility down the sides of this Fairlane. The exterior also sports several delightful trim upgrades including a rear decklid-mounted antenna as well as an optional front bumper guard. Furthermore, a rear-mounted continental kit houses a covered spare tire that is both functional (in a pinch) and adds to the overall luxurious look of this iconic Ford. Likewise, chrome wire wheels with spinner hubcaps, paired with a set of wide whitewall radial tires, give this 1957 Skyliner its incredibly upscale look and even better ride. Additionally, the rear wheels tuck neatly behind a set of color-matched removable fender skirts that further add to the upscale look of this 1957 Ford Fairlane 500. The Flame Red retractable hardtop works great, raising and lowering easily with the flick of a switch. The exterior has been refinished in a beautiful two-tone paint scheme consisting of C