What year did Ford make the hardtop convertible?

Ford made the hardtop convertible, known as the Ford Fairlane 500 Skyliner, for three model years from 1957 through 1959. It was the world’s first mass-produced retractable hardtop convertible, featuring a carefully choreographed system with 610 feet of wiring, 10 solenoids, and seven high-torque electric motors capable of raising or lowering the hardtop roof in just 25 seconds.
The concept for the Fairlane 500 Skyliner originated with Ford’s chief engineer, Harold T. Youngren, who envisioned a car that could be both a hardtop and a convertible, with a retractable roof that would fold neatly into the trunk. After several years of development, the Ford Fairlane 500 Skyliner made its debut at the New York Auto Show on April 28, 1956, and was a marvel of engineering and design.
The Skyliner was quite well received, selling in the tens of thousands over the course of its three-year model run, and it marked the first time the hard roof featured a folding (front) section.
The Ford Fairlane 500 Skyliner was a significant innovation in automotive history, being the first large-scale production of a hardtop convertible, and it remains a fascinating and iconic car from the late 1950s.

What was the first Ford hardtop convertible?

Ford Fairlane Skyliner
The Ford Fairlane Skyliner can claim to be America’s first production convertible to feature a retractable hardtop. Introduced as Ford’s top-of-the-range model in 1955, the Fairlane was rival to Chevrolet’s successful Bel Air and came in six different body styles with a choice of six-cylinder or V8 engines.

What cars come in a hardtop convertible?

Best Hardtop Convertibles

• 2023 Mazda MX-5 Miata RF: $35,350 | U.S. News Score: 8.4/10.
• 2023 Porsche 911 Targa: $121,300 | U.S. News Score: 8.8/10.
• 2023 Chevrolet Corvette: $60,900 | U.S. News Score: 9.1/10.
• 2023 Jeep Wrangler: $29,995 | U.S. News Score: 7.7/10.
• 2023 Ford Bronco: $29,300 | U.S. News Score: N/A.

How much is a 57 Ford Skyliner worth?

Q: What is the average sale price of a Ford Fairlane 500 Skyliner / Galaxie Skyliner? A: The average price of a Ford Fairlane 500 Skyliner / Galaxie Skyliner is $43,926.

What years did Ford make the hard top convertible?

Skyliner Retractable Hard Top Convertible. For three. years, from 1957 to 1959, Ford produced this unique. convertible with a steel top that folded into the trunk.

When did hard top convertibles come out?

The earliest known car with a hardtop folding roof was the 1935 Peugeot 402 Eclipse Decapotable. Since then, there have been many manufacturers who have had commercial success with convertibles.

How many miles per gallon did a 1959 Ford Fairlane get?

Production totaled 20,766 units in 1957, declining to 14,713 in 1958 and to 12,915 in 1959. An electric clock was standard. Fuel consumption was around 14 mpg‑US (17 L/100 km; 17 mpg‑imp) overall.

How many 1959 Ford Skyliner were made?

12,915 Skyliners
Only 12,915 Skyliners were produced in 1959, the final model year, and are now highly sought after for the unrivaled spectacle of their top mechanism in operation.

How many 1957 Ford Skyliners were made?

20,766 units
Production totaled 20,766 units in 1957, declining to 14,713 in 1958 and to 12,915 in 1959. An electric clock was standard.

How many Ford retractable hardtops were made?

48,394 retractable hardtops
In all, Ford produced 48,394 retractable hardtops. Its proper name is the Skyliner, which is often confused with the similar-sounding Sunliner name of the regular convertible model.

How much did a 1957 Ford Skyliner cost new?

Even though the base price of $2,942 made it the most expensive Ford for 1957, most Skyliners were ordered with plenty of options. The automatic was far more prevalent than the stick-shift.