1959 Ford Galaxie Skyliner Retractable Hardtop 352 V8 6 passenger Convertible
Frame off restored with rebuilt engine & transmission, Power windows, steering, brakes, seats & factory air conditioning!
Rare 'H' code 352 V8/300HP Power Option & fully loaded!
Original 'Torch Red over Colonial White' factory colors & interior.
Rare & collectible.
West Coast Classics are proud to present a beautifully frame off restored and great daily driving and completely rust free example of this very rare and desirable 1959 Ford 'Fairlane 500 Galaxie' Skyliner Retractable 2 Door Hardtop Convertible with the very rarely chosen factory option 'H' code 352 CID 300 HP 4 BBL Big Block FE 'Police Interceptor Thunderbird Special' V8 engine (9.6:1 compression ratio) with dual exhausts and matched to the top-of-the-line optional Cruise-O-Matic automatic transmission and fully loaded with also very factory specifications including:
'SelectAire' Air conditioning ($404),
'Cruise-O-Matic' automatic transmission ($398),
Magic air heater and defroster ($75),
Signal Seeking 'AM' radio ($83),
I-Rest Tinted Glass ($38),
Aquamatic Windshield Washers ($14),
All 4 Power Windows ($102),
Power Seat 4 Way ($64),
Magic-Circle Power Steering ($75),
Power Brakes ($43),
Full wheel covers ($17),
White sidewall tires ($33-50)
Electric Clock (S),
Automatic Interior Courtesy Lighting (S),
Vinyl & Nylon Upholstery (S),
Full floor color coordinated carpeting (S),
Stainless front, rear, & side window surround moldings (S),
Full length bodyside stainless trim (S),
and it's fully functional Hydraulic power operated retractable hardtop roof!
In 1959 the Skyliner came standard with the 292 c.i. Mercury V8 with 200HP and other options included the Big Block 332/225HP 2 BBL 8 & the rarely optioned power option of the 352/300HP 4 BBL 'Police Interceptor' V8 which was tuned to produce maximum power and torque at a low rpm with a top speed of over 112mph such as this particular example boasts along with the also rarely optioned top-of-the-line 3 speed Cruise-O-Matic automatic transmission along with the very desirable Power assisted four wheel drum brakes, power steering, power windows, power seat & air conditioning!
The most dynamic feature of the Skyliner is its retractable roof which at the press of a button under the dash opens the trunk to 80 degrees from which the roof emerges with the forward flap hanging down to then move forward and lower and lock into place. To operate the roof seven electric motors are required with the biggest in the trunk which operates two very long screw jacks that raise and lower the roof. Thirteen switches, 10 solenoids, 8 circuit breakers & over 600 feet of wiring serve the electric motors! Needless to say this roof operates exactly as it should having been thoroughly overhauled as seen in our online video.
This particular example has been frame off restored with absolutely no expense spared in it's beautiful original factory 'Torch Red with Colonial White' factory color clear coat paint with a striking and also original and all new factory correct specification OEM complimenting 'Torch Red Soft Textured Vinyl Bloster & Raven Striped Fabric with Silver Strand' interior and this is a car which was has obviously always been garaged and well maintained with no history of any rust or accidents. All the chrome and stainless steel was obviously also removed and re-chromed or refinished. The floor boards, trunk and all the typical rust-prone areas are completely solid and rust-free and the car has no signs of any accidents - obviously a garaged and cherished car since new.
The car has been completely frame off restored both mechanically and cosmetically with the car's original 'FE' 352/300HP 4 BBL 'Police Interceptor Thunderbird Special' V8 engine and transmission being professionally removed and rebuilt, along with virtually every other mechanical components. including the front & rear wheel cylinders & brakes, the master cylinder, the carburetor & the fuel pump, the upper & lower ball joints & the shocks, the suspension etc etc. The engine is extremely strong and powerful and sounds absolutely magnificent and the transmission shifts smoothly through the gears. The car also has a rebuilt power steering control kit and pump. Restoration receipts starting at over $22K for one receipt alone from 2015, along with other related restoration and service records for much more pay testament to this car extensive and complete preventive service & restoration history and boasts service records dating back to 1982, which also confirming the same ownership for all these years!
This car drives absolutely magnificently - must be driven to be fully appreciated - does not miss a beat and purrs like a kitten - drives straight as an arrow with no strange road wobbles, shakes or rattles - a truly remarkable daily driver that will give any modern day car a run for it's money! The transmission shifts smoothly through the gears and the car also has all new glass, moldings, exhausts & four virtually new white-wall tires. A recent full service was performed since we acquired the car at our mechanic to ensure the car is absolutely turn key ready for its new owners.
Ford received a fairly heavy handed facelift for 1958 with quad headlights and tailights, a larger chrome front bumper and grille, dummy hood scoop and new bodystyle trim. The Ford Fairlane 500 Sunliner Convertible cost $400 less than it's sibling, the retractable hardtop convertible - the 'Skyliner Retractable'; which was the world's first true Hardtop convertible, but nevertheless both models earned their 'Milestone car status' and today both models are highly sought after by Ford collectors internationally, especially rare unmolested and well preserved models like this one with the highly desirable Big Block 352 cid 'Police Interceptor Thunderbird Special' V8 engine with dual exhausts to say nothing of being fully loaded with virtually every available factory option! The car was heavily restyled and re-engineered again in 1959 and officially became part of that year's new 'top-of-the-line' Galaxie series, although it continued to wear the 'Fairlane 500' script. A true 'Milestone' collectible car today and always a proven 'crowd pleaser' for its technical fascination and a testament to the time that Detroit would attempt and achieve the seemingly impossible for it's day!
This is therefore a rare opportunity to own a beautifully frame off restored both cosmetically and mechanically as necessary over the years example of an otherwise very stock and factory original specification 1959 Ford Fairlane 500 Galaxie Sykliner Retractable Convertible with the big block 352 V8 engine and the more sophisticated three speed 'Cruise-O-Matic' self shift transmission with virtually every available factory option including PW, PS, PB P seat & AC! Few finer or more desirable examples available anywhere else!
