1958 Ford Fairlane
Skyliner 2 Door Retractable Hardtop 352/300HP V8 6 passenger Convertible
Power
steering, brakes
Rare
'H' code 352 V8/300HP Power Option (4 BBL Carburetor)
Rare
& collectible.
Very
rare and desirable 1958 Ford 'Fairlane 500' 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:
'Cruise-O-Matic'
automatic transmission (rebuilt 2022)
Magic
air heater and defroster
Signal
Seeking 'AM/FM' radio
I-Rest
Tinted Glass
Gearhead Power Steering
Factory Front Disc - Power
Brakes
New Dual Exhaust with chrome tips
Full
wheel covers
Coker Wide Wall Tires (Wheel Alignment 2022)
Electric
Clock
Automatic
Interior Courtesy Lighting
Vinyl
& Nylon Upholstery
Full
floor color coordinated carpeting
Fully
functional Hydraulic power operated retractable hardtop roof with manual
over ride & new deck lid locks
In 1958 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.
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.
The car's original 'FE'
352/300HP 4 BBL 'Police Interceptor Thunderbird Special' V8 engine is extremely
strong and powerful and sounds absolutely magnificent and the transmission
shifts smoothly through the gears. This car drives very well - must be
driven to be fully appreciated - drives straight as an arrow with no strange
road wobbles, shakes or rattles - a truly remarkable daily driver. The
transmission shifts smoothly through the gears and the car also has four
virtually new white-wall tires.
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 beautiful surviving example of a very stock and factory
correct 1958 Ford Fairlane 500 Skyliner 2 Door Hardtop Retractable Convertible
with the big block 352 V8 engine and the more sophisticated three speed 'Cruise-O-Matic'
self shift transmission.
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