1958 Ford Fairlane

1958 Ford Fairlane Skyliner 2 Door Retractable Hardtop 352/300HP V8 6 passenger Convertible Power steering, brakes, & after market Sears air conditioning! Rare H code 352 V8/300HP Power Option & fully loaded! Rare & collectible. West Coast Classics are proud to present a great daily driving and rust free survivor example of this 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 ($398), Magic air heater and defroster ($75), Signal Seeking AM radio ($83), I-Rest Tinted Glass ($38), Aquamatic Windshield Washers ($14), Magic-Circle Power Steering ($75), Power Brakes ($43), Full wheel covers ($17), White sidewall tires ($33-50) Electric Clock (S), Automatic Interior Courtesy Lighting (S), Vinyl & Nylon Upholstery (S), Full floor color coordinated carpeting (S), Stainless front, rear, & side window surround moldings (S), Full length bodyside stainless trim (S), and its fully functional Hydraulic power operated retractable hardtop roof! 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. This particular example is an exceptionally well preserved survivor example in its original factory two-tone Gulfstream Blue over Colonial White factory color (ME1) paint with a striking and also original factory correct specification Colonial Soft Textured Vinyl & Gulfstream Royal Scot Tweed (trim code AK) interior and this is a car which was has obviously always been garaged and well maintained with no history of any rust or accidents. All the chrome and stainless steel is in very good condition and the floor boards, trunk and all the typical rust-prone areas are completely solid and rust-free and the car has no signs of any accidents. The cars 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 - does not miss a beat and purrs like a kitten - drives straight as an arrow with no strange road wobbles, shakes or rattles - a truly remarkable daily driver that will give any modern day car a run for its money! The transmission shifts smoothly through the gears and the car also has four virtually new white-wall tires. A recent service was performed since we acquired the car at our mechanic to ensure the car is ready to enjoy for its new owners. 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 its sibling, the retractable hardtop convertible - the Skyliner Retractable; which was the worlds 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 years 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 its 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.