This 1957 Ford Fairlane 500 Skyliner Retractable is a beautifully restored, mechanical sensation. Initially introduced to the public on December 8, 1956 at the New York Auto Show, the '57 Skyliner Retractable had actually been in the works for several years. The revolutionary design that combined the looks of a hardtop with open feel of a convertible, where the hardtop completely retracted into trunk area in the rear, was actually a feature that was slated for Ford's top of the line Continental Mark II. Eventually the retractable was scrapped for the Mark II but was later integrated into Ford's Fairlane 500 instead. Utilizing 10 solenoids, 7 high-torque motors, 610 feet of wire, along with numerous relays and microswitches, the retracting hardtop is truly a miraculous feat of engineering. The unique design was a hit with critics and Ford nearly 21,000 of them, but likely did not sell enough of them to recoup the millions of dollars its spent on its research and development costs. This particular '57 Ford Skyliner comes to us from the collection of a prominent late 50s Ford collector who is said to have purchased this car from its original owner. Under the hood on this 1957 Ford Skyliner is a 312 Cubic Inch V8 Engine paired with a single 4 barrel carburetor that pushed out 245 horsepower in its day. Dual exhaust gives this classic Ford cruiser a nice throaty sound. The 312 V8 is hooked up to a Ford-O-Matic Automatic Transmission that makes this car easy to drive for just about anybody. This '57 Fairlane 500 is a well-optioned retractable as well! Power brakes provide plenty of stopping power for the strong powerplant under the hood. With power steering, getting in and out of tight spaces is made much easier. The exterior on this 1957 Retractable Convertible has been refinished in a beautiful two-tone paint scheme comprised of Willow Green and Colonial White. This '57 Ford rides on 4 wide whitewall bias-ply tires with full wheelcovers which give this car a truly classic look from every angle. Of course, the metal retractable hardtop works great! With the simple push or pull of the button, the hardtop rises and retracts into the trunk just like it did back in 1957. The interior on this 1957 Fairlane Skyliner is fantastic! The front and rear bench seats have been beautifully reupholstered in Green Vinyl with Airweave Fabric inserts. The dash, door panels, visors, and steering wheel are all in wonderful shape as well. The dash is in its stock configuration and is equipped with a 120 MPH speedometer, temperature gauge, fuel gauge, clock and AM radio. Whether you're looking for your very first classic car or you have a garage full of late 50s Fords, this 1957 Ford Fairlane 500 Skyliner Retractable would be an excellent choice. Give us a call today!