Attractive mostly original car with recent repaint. Fully operational top. Beautiful interior. G-code 332 cubic inch V8 with automatic and power steering. Includes lots of spare parts. A great-driving Retractable!
The Retractable is an icon of 50s tech and style, and they always look best wearing flashy two-tone paint combinations like this cars Colonial White over Torch Red. Its crisp, clean, and bright, and you have to admit, youre not buying a Retractable because its subtle. Its a mostly original car thats holding up well and thanks to a recent repaint, this Ford remains a one-car parade. Experts will note that this one was originally Raven Black, but theres just no trace of the black paint anywhere, suggesting it was a thorough job when the time came to change colors. Theres an appropriate shine to the paint, not too modern and perfect but just right for a car that youre going to drive. Panel fit is good, including the deck lid, which snugs itself down properly, and the doors which dont sag a bit. There are a few minor issues, but none of them should stop you from enjoying the car. As a product of the 50s, theres a lot of chrome and stainless trim, including Fords distinctive side spear with the gold anodized insert. All of it remains in good to excellent condition, including the massive grille up front and unique stainless quarter trim with gold anodized inserts.
It sports correct red and white vinyl upholstery that matches the bodywork and adds to the Retractables upscale image. Most importantly, the top has been recently serviced, and all seven motors, four lift jacks, a series of relays, ten limit switches, ten solenoids, four locking mechanisms for the roof and two locking mechanisms for the trunk lid, and a total of 610 feet of wiring are all in excellent health. Touch the rocker switch under the dash to release the header then pull the knob and the whole beautiful mechanical system springs into action and makes the top disappear in about 30 seconds. The only place you might need to compromise is in the trunk, where theres a lot of space with the top up but only a small cooler-sized box for luggage if you intend to travel with the top down.
Travel is easy with Fords all-new-for-1958 G-code 332 cubic inch V8. Rated at 265 horsepower with a 4-barrel carburetor, its a good match for the Skyliners mass, which isnt insignificant. Nevertheless, the strong-running FE motor never seems to work very hard and makes great V8 sounds as it goes about its business. It starts easily and after a few seconds settles into an easy idle that you can hear but not feel. Its also finished in Ford Blue engine enamel with a chrome air cleaner and "Thunderbird" valve covers. Power steering is a nice addition on a 4200-pound convertible and most of the fittings and hardware are correct Ford pieces. Most Skyliners used Fords 3-speed Cruise-O-Matic automatic transmission, and thats what youll find in this one as well. Its really the right choice, and with 2.69 gears out back, it remains an effortless highway cruiser. Fords X-frame is incredibly robust for the big convertible and its in great shape with no signs of accident damage in its past. There are floor patches in the lower rear trunk, which is where water tends to collect in these cars and you wont find many that havent been patched in this area. It doesnt present any issues today and the important areas are quite solid, including the rocker areas and floors. A newer dual exhaust system with just the right rumble to it gives the Skyliner just a bit of an attitude. Also note that the brakes have been serviced, the power steering doesnt make any unpleasant noises, and it sits on right-sized G78-14 wide whitewalls that are ideal for a 1950s cruiser.
"Iconic" doesnt even begin to describe Fords wondrous Retractable, and this one certainly attracts attention everywhere it goes. Would todays hardtop convertibles have been possible without it? It lasted only three years, yet made a huge impact on the industry and remains a favorite among collectors decades later. And if youre going to own such a machine, doesnt it make sense to own one thats ready to drive and enjoy so it can wow crowds everywhere you go? Call today!
Harwood Motors recommends and welcomes personal or professional inspections of any vehicle in our inventory prior to purchase.
