For Sale: 1957 Ford Fairlane 500 in Morgantown, Pennsylvania

1957 Ford Fairlane 500 Skyliner

"The vanishing hardtop design used on the Skyliner - the brainchild of Ford designer Gil Spear - was intended to be a technical showpiece for the company's top of the line Continental Mark II, (released in 1955), but with escalating costs on the Continental project, Ford pulled the plug and instead gifted the technology to the 1957 Skyliner, the first mass produced US 'folder'. While the mechanical transformation is relatively straightforward, the opportunity for things to go wrong must have caused Ford engineers many sleepless nights as reliability testing of the roof went beyond 7000 cycles before the design was signed off." Tradeuniquecars.com

For consignment, a 1957 Ford Fairlane 500 Skyliner with a title verified 67,241 actual miles. Owned by our consignor since 1992, this well maintained retractable hardtop car "runs and drives fabulous" according to him and the car comes to you with a long list of extra parts.

Exterior
In a style that hasn't existed in the mainstream for many decades, it's the two tone configuration of Flame Red and Colonial White, epic as a period design on a body with every bit of the 50's flair. That's best expressed with the bold trim, here as a gold spear underscored by a polished piece that bounces up at the door seam and continues rearward to cap the fenders and fin. The hardtop is artfully trimmed as well with an especially tactful C-pillar band and a hockey stick covers the rocker panel, its blade trailing from the wheel opening. The extended Continental kit in back holds are wheel cover that matches the car and a wide shelf that's backed by a substantial bumper. Spotlights top the front fender which go on to provide brows over the single headlights and busy, chrome fascia. The paint, body and trim are very nice with minor imperfections noted as general inclusions in the paint, chipped paint, and some cratering.

Interior
Let's start in the rear stow area which is not only lined with plaid vinyl, but presents showroom clean, complete with the luggage tub cover. The dynamic door panels combine stitched red vinyl, sweeping aluminum trim, white vinyl, red paint, and dark red lower panels, each presenting in excellent condition. Patterned red cloth fills the center of the seats, framed in white vinyl and both the split bench and rear seat wear it well. A horn ring covers 2/3 of the red steering wheel ahead of the dash that, like the exterior, alternates red and white and chrome bits, all in sensational condition. The Ford branded A/C unit under the dash is especially shiny and falls directly below the AM radio which is accompanied by an FM converter. Dark red carpet covers the floor and the white, perforated headliner is in nice shape.

Drivetrain
The engine bay does not veer from consistent conditions and houses a 292ci V8 with 212 horsepower and a 2-barrel carburetor. The convertible is set into motion via a Ford-O-Matic 2-speed automatic transmission that routes power to the Ford 9" rear with 3.89 gears. Power brakes, power steering, and air conditioning are on board.

Undercarriage
Generally clean, driver quality underneath where the dual exhaust runs through glasspack style mufflers, finding an exit out back where they are dressed with ornamental chrome deflectors. Power drum brakes are on all four wheels and suspension is composed of coil springs in front and leaf springs in back.

Drive-Ability
Taking a seat in this ornate and vivid design makes you wonder if people in the 50's knew how special it was. The V8 comes to life and rolls this cruiser onto the test loop in fine fashion. A roomy and comfortable interior enjoys the perks of power steering so maneuvering this big Ford is no problem. Functionally speaking, everything works including the top with only the wipers earning a red check mark. While Classic Auto Mall represents that these functions were working at the time of our test drive, we cannot guarantee these functions will be working at the time of your purchase.

This stunner is an award winning Skyliner earning 30 trophies at local shows with many of them being First Place, Best of Class, or even Best of Show! We can certainly see why and if you've already perused the photos, you do too. Well, now you can own this most classic of classics!

C7EW263385

C-292ci 2bbl V8 206hp
7-1957
E-Mahwah, NJ Assy Plant
W-Fairlane 500 Hide-Away Hardtop
263385-Sequential Unit Number

WARRANTY PLATE

BODY 51A-Fairlane 500 Retractable
COLOR F-Starmist Blue
TRIM BC2-Blue Airweave Vinyl
DATE 17F-June 17th
TRANS 1-3 Speed Manual
AXLE 4-Ford 9" 3.89 Conventional

Classic Auto Mall is home to more than 1,000 classic and collectible vehicles for sale via consignment in a climate controlled 336,000-square foot showroom (that's more than 8 acres!). The largest single location consignment dealer of classic and collectible vehicles in the country is located in Morgantown, Pennsylvania, just 1-hour west of Philadelphia off Exit 298 of the I-76 Pennsylvania Turnpike. For more information visit www.classicautomall.com or call us at (888) 227-0914. Contact us anytime for more information or to come see the vehicle in person. There is no guarantee of mileage. A $299 Dealer Administrative fee is not included in the advertised price. All prices are before state, city and county tax, tag, title and license fees. Out of state buyers are responsible for all state, county, city taxes and fees, as well as title/registration fees in the state that the vehicle will be registered. Classic Auto Mall is not responsible for errors and omissions. Please verify listings with dealer. Vehicles may require VIN verification and/or safety and emissions inspections to transfer ownership and register the vehicle in the declared state of residence. Please check with your local DMV office to ensure compliance with your state's titling and registration process.

With so many great cars, you know we have a lot to talk about, and we do that each week on the Classic Auto Mall Podcast with host Stewart Howden. Stewart discusses new inventory as well as trends in consignments and car prices, while interviewing celebrities and automotive professionals about amazing cars and their history. Tune in each week to the Classic Auto Mall Podcast wherever you enjoy listening. You can also watch on YouTube!