Vehicle Description
Attractive mostly original car with recent repaint. Fully
operational top. Beautiful interior. G-code 332 cubic inch V8 with
automatic and power steering. Includes lots of spare parts. A
great-driving Retractable!The Retractable is an icon of '50s tech
and style, and they always look best wearing flashy two-tone paint
combinations like this car's Colonial White over Torch Red. It's
crisp, clean, and bright, and you have to admit, you're not buying
a Retractable because it's subtle. It's a mostly original car
that's holding up well and thanks to a recent repaint, this Ford
remains a one-car parade. Experts will note that this one was
originally Raven Black, but there's just no trace of the black
paint anywhere, suggesting it was a thorough job when the time came
to change colors. There's an appropriate shine to the paint, not
too modern and perfect but just right for a car that you're going
to drive. Panel fit is good, including the deck lid, which snugs
itself down properly, and the doors which don't sag a bit. There
are a few minor issues, but none of them should stop you from
enjoying the car. As a product of the '50s, there's a lot of chrome
and stainless trim, including Ford's distinctive side spear with
the gold anodized insert. All of it remains in good to excellent
condition, including the massive grille up front and unique
stainless quarter trim with gold anodized inserts.It sports correct
red and white vinyl upholstery that matches the bodywork and adds
to the Retractable's upscale image. Most importantly, the top has
been recently serviced, and all seven motors, four lift jacks, a
series of relays, ten limit switches, ten solenoids, four locking
mechanisms for the roof and two locking mechanisms for the trunk
lid,and a total of 610feet of wiring are all in excellent health.
Touch the rocker switch under the dash to release the header then
pull the knob and the whole beautiful mechanical system springs
into action and makes the top disappear in about 30 seconds. The
only place you might need to compromise is in the trunk, where
there's a lot of space with the top up but only a small
cooler-sized box for luggage if you intend to travel with the top
down.Travel is easy with Ford's all-new-for-1958 G-code 332 cubic
inch V8. Rated at 265 horsepower with a 4-barrel carburetor, it's a
good match for the Skyliner's mass, which isn't insignificant.
Nevertheless, the strong-running FE motor never seems to work very
hard and makes great V8 sounds as it goes about its business. It
starts easily and after a few seconds settles into an easy idle
that you can hear but not feel. It's also finished in Ford Blue
engine enamel with a chrome air cleaner and 'Thunderbird' valve
covers. Power steering is a nice addition on a 4200-pound
convertible and most of the fittings and hardware are correct Ford
pieces. Most Skyliners used Ford's 3-speed Cruise-O-Matic automatic
transmission, and that's what you'll find in this one as well. It's
really the right choice, and with 2.69 gears out back, it remains
an effortless highway cruiser. Ford's X-frame is incredibly robust
for the big convertible and it's in great shape with no signs of
accident damage in its past. There are floor patches in the lower
rear trunk, which is where water tends to collect in these cars and
you won't find many that haven't been patched in this area. It
doesn't present any issues today and the important areas are quite
solid, including the rocker areas and floors. A newer dual exhaust
system with just the right rumble to it gives the Skyliner just a
bit of an attitude. Also note that the brakes have been serviced,
the power steering doesn't make any unpleasant noises, and it sits
on right-sized G78-14 wide whitewalls that are ideal for a 1950s
cruiser.'Iconic' doesn't even begin to describe Ford's wondrous
Retractable, and this one certainly attracts attention everywhere
it goes. Would today's hardtop convertibles have been possible
without it? It lasted only three years, yet made a huge impact on
the industry and remains a favorite among collectors decades later.
And if you're going to own such a machine, doesn't it make sense to
own one that's ready to drive and enjoy so it can wow crowds
everywhere you go? Call today!Harwood Motors recommends and
welcomes personal or professional inspections of any vehicle in our
inventory prior to purchase.
