For Sale at Auction: 1959 Ford Galaxie in Newport, Rhode Island

Chassis No. H9EW262665

When the 1959 Ford catalog arrived at the end of 1958, it brought with it a significant restructuring of the marque's Fairlane 500 model range. Initially introduced in 1955 as Dearborn's flagship, the Fairlane was now superseded in trim level by the Galaxie, a name inspired in part by the Space Race that currently (and understandably) enthralled American automakers. Benefitting from styling wizardry that would earn Ford the Gold Medal for Exceptional Styling at the Brussels World's Fair that year, the 1959 Galaxie blended the sleek roofline of the Thunderbird with the presence of the Fairlane 500, to great effect.

The Galaxie was offered in a broad range of powertrains and configurations, crowned by Ford's only open-top offerings at the time: the highly desirable Sunliner and Skyliner convertibles. Distinguished by its innovative power folding "Hide-Away Hardtop" that retracted beneath the rear deck at the touch of a button, the Skyliner was by far the rarer and more expensive configuration. It accounted for less than three percent of Galaxie production in 1959, while carrying a $3,346 price tag when new-equivalent to more than $38,000 today.

Built on 1 July 1959, this 1959 Ford Galaxie V8 Skyliner Hard Top Convertible left Dearborn finished in its current livery of Indian Turquoise with a Colonial White top. The interior is thoughtfully paired with the exterior livery, trimmed in Radiant Turquoise Sof-Textured Vinyl and Turquoise Striped Nub Fabric with Silver Strand cushions. It is powered by the top-shelf 352 cu-in "FE" V8 rated at 300 horsepower and combined with a three-speed Cruise-O-Matic automatic transmission.

Specified in a beautiful blend of blue hues inside and out, this 1959 Ford Galaxie Skyliner carries the commanding presence befitting Ford's flagship. It is well positioned to delight both on the show lawn and cruising down the boulevard on a sunny day with its cutting-edge Hide-Away hard top stowed; offering its next custodian an exceptionally stylish way to experience the peak of comfort and optimism of 1950s American motoring.