Last updated on May 8, 2024
Today’s car is a 1959 Ford Fairlane 500 Galaxie Skyliner retractable hardtop owned by Steve English. I photographed this car at the Net Cruze Cars and Coffee event held at the Zimmerman Automobile Driving Museum located in El Segundo, CA. The car is finished in a two-tone combination of Raven Black and Canton Red with a matching interior. It is powered by a 300 hp, 352 cu in, Thunderbird V8 engine, with a single Holley 4bbl carburetor, mated 3-speed Cruise-O-Matic transmission with 2.69 rear axle. Slowing this beauty down are 11″ drum brakes in all 4-corners. The front suspension is independent with upper and lower A-arms, coil springs and the rear suspension is a live axle, semi-elliptic leaf springs with viscous-controlled shock absorbers.
The Galaxie Skyliner was introduced in 1957 and for years was the only retractable hardtop. Its takes 60 seconds to transform this car from an all steel hardtop to a sun loving convertible! Retractable hardtops were only built from 1957 to 1959 with a total of 48,394 built. The total sales for Ford in 1959 was 1,450,953, of which just 12,915 of those were Skyliner’s. The MSRP began at $3,346.00, making it the most expensive full-size Ford in 1959. The published top speed of 119 MPH with a 0-60 mph time of 9.4 Seconds.
You can tell that Steve has pride of ownership by the smile on his face and his enthusiasm when he is talking about his car. What a great rare car take to FOMOCO car shows, Cars and Coffee events or just a cruising to the next car show with your friends. Thanks for riding a long. Frank
