Quirk Database1950sUnited StatesNormal-looking, weird inside
Ford Fairlane 500 Skyliner
The Ford Fairlane 500 Skyliner is a retractable-hardtop convertible made by Ford in the United States for the 1957 to 1959 model years. Its weirdest quirk: The steel roof folds its front section and tucks itself under the rear deck lid, using seven electric motors, ten limit switches, ten solenoids and 610 feet of wiring.
Decades before folding hardtops were normal, Ford mass-produced one and sold close to 50,000. It was expensive, thought to be unreliable, and it ate the trunk.
Weird features:Roofs
Quick facts
- Maker: Ford
- Years: 1957–1959
- Country of origin: United States
- Body type: Retractable-hardtop convertible
- Engine: V8s only; 292 cu in standard on the 1959 Galaxie
- Weirdest quirk: The steel roof folds its front section and tucks itself under the rear deck lid, using seven electric motors, ten limit switches, ten solenoids and 610 feet of wiring.
- Sold prices logged: 2 (latest: $23,500 at Bring a Trailer, Sep 10, 2026)
Sold prices
| Date | Venue | Car | Price | Mileage | Link |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bring a Trailer | 1959 Ford Fairlane 500 Skyliner (390-powered)Retrofitted 390 V8 | $23,500 | 47k mi on rolled odometer | Result for 1959 Ford Fairlane 500 Skyliner (390-powered) at Bring a Trailer ↗ | |
| Bring a Trailer | 1957 Ford Fairlane 500 SkylinerRefurbished 2016–2024, per the listing | $71,500 | 147 mi on reset odometer | Result for 1957 Ford Fairlane 500 Skyliner at Bring a Trailer ↗ |
Prices as published by each auction site, in the currency the car sold in. "TMU" means total mileage unknown.
Fact-check pit lane
Specs, dates and production figures on this page were checked against:
- Wikipedia: Ford Fairlane 500 Skyliner
- Sold prices: each auction result linked in the table above