1957 Ford Fairlane

Skyliner Convertible

V8

Automatic

D7FW267909

Clear

Gasoline

1957 FORD FAIRLANE 500 SKYLINER RETRACTABLE CONVERTIBLE -- BUT WAIT! IT LOOKS LIKE A 1958 EDSEL RETRACTABLE. I DIDN'T KNOW THEY MADE ONE! This is a custom-built Ford retractable convertible that I purchased in the summer of 2010 after selling my 1959 Cadillac, and have enjoyed it immensely ever since. Due to unforeseen circumstances with my late father's estate, however, I will need the garage space for two of his classics and therefore won't have room for this unique vehicle. A brief rundown of what I have done over the years to ensure drivability (and provide any future owner with a Turn-Key ownership experience) is as follows: New Edelbrock performance carburetor (new rebuild kit last September) Electric fuel pump (original fuel pump is still in place to operate vacuum windshield wipers) Pertronix electronic ignition with Flame Thrower Coil New custom-made Diamondback radial tires (have about three thousand miles on them) Installed power brakes (kit used a 1971-1973 Corvette booster and dual-circuit master cylinder. Car stops better than my Mercedes now) New heater and radiator hoses New heater core Radiator boiled and flushed; thermostat replaced Generator rebuilt and new voltage regulator (replaced last September) Deluxe full wheel covers with optional chrome spinners and body-color insert Complete front-end rebuild (also replaced front and rear shocks) NOS exhaust manifold and gasket on driver's side (the originals are known to crack) NOS full steel roof, December 2012 New weather stripping for roof, including rear windshield New rear leaf springs to replace original ones. Car sits at proper level now, even with roof retracted inside the trunk area New wheel cylinders New rear universal joint New neutral safety switch Several of the limit switches for the retractable roof have been rebuilt also for smoother operation New battery in May of 2013 Steering box rebuilt with new seals and gears The paint on the car is about 20 years old and appears to be enamel. It has held up well but there are some small chips that I have filled in, due to the amount of seasonal driving I have used this car for. A good "10-Footer" that still shines up nicely. The vinyl interior is original for the 1958 Edsel Pacer convertibles and has held up very well also. The chassis is remarkably clean and rust-free for a vehicle of this vintage and still has some undercoating from the factory, and except for the unpredicted afternoon cloudburst I have only driven on dry roads (car is put away in late Fall before the snowy weather starts and she doesn't come out until the roads have been washed clean from the Spring rains). Two years ago I noticed that the roof was beginning to sag whenever I would retract it into the trunk area, so I had a specialist take a look and he determined that one of the anchor points in the C pillar was rusted through. A New Old Stock full steel roof was located in Los Angeles and shipped to Rhode Island, where it was installed and painted to match the red sections of the two-toned body, so it is as strong now as it was when it left the factory over 50 years ago. Wiring and solenoids for roof operations have also been replaced as needed for trouble-free summer open-air driving! Since I've owned the car I have used premium fuel, as prescribed by the original owner's manual. The engine is a Ford 312 (Thunderbird Special) rated at 245 horsepower, but the new electronic ignition and carburetor have probably bumped it up another ten or 15 hp. She is an extremely lively performer and cruising speed is between 75 and 80 on the freeway, so no problem keeping up with traffic. The transmission is still the original Ford-O-Matic (starts off in second gear unless accelerator pedal is pushed all the way to the floor from a dead stop, which engages 1st gear or the driver can pull the gear shift all the way into Low). Car is started in Neutral as designed. Massachusetts title and registration are both clear and current. I will accept Cash, Cashier's Check or Instant Wire Transfer. Once funds are confirmed I will sign over the title and registration and send via FedEx (confirmation and tracking number will be emailed directly to you immediately). Car is also for sale locally in the Boston area. The "Buy It Now" price has been set FAR BELOW the average auction selling price for these increasingly rare retractables, but circumstances have forced me to reconsider my priorities and sacrifice my favorite car for a ridiculously low dollar amount at this time. Thanks for stopping by. g Sell your classic Ford Report this listin