1958 Ford Fairlane 500 Interceptor Special
Fifties cars always prove popular but few draw a crowd quite like the Skyliner Retractable. Part of the top-of-the-line Fairlane 500 series, these cars were a sign you had arrived, literally.
This was the year that saw the Skyliner Retractable in its second year of a rather short three year run. While it was a technological marvel, and wonderful showcase model for Ford, its run was rather short-lived and the final Skyliner Retractable was seen the following year.
At the rear you’ll see that it was much bigger than the other 1958 Fords so it could accommodate the roof and associated mechanisms. It obviously used different sheet metal to the other models in the line-up, costing Ford a small fortune that was never fully recouped.
This 1958 Ford Fairlane 500 Interceptor Special has an upgraded 390 V8 motor with a C-6 automatic transmission and was lowered 2 inches to add to the cool factor. Beautiful deep mirror finish black paint with excellent chrome and stainless makes this a classic that you just have to see to appreciate. With power brakes, disc in front, power steering, dual exhaust, and spoke wheels, there is nothing left to do but get in and drive.
New complimentary black and white interior, air conditioning, original dash, and AM radio finish this Ford off inside and out just right.
As well, the car rides on a set of new, wide whitewall tires mounted on powder-coated steel wheels with chrome wire wheel covers. The inviting interior features new red and white upholstery, and displays a beautifully restored dash and steering wheel. Amenities include power steering, a heater and a pushbutton-operated AM radio, along with a recently installed, 134R-compliant air conditioning system for comfortable cruising under all conditions.
In 1957, Ford beat Chevrolet in sales for the first time in decades, by a substantial 10 percent margin at that. While only 20,766 Fairlane 500 Retractables were sold, compared with total Ford production numbering 1,655,068 vehicles, they certainly contributed to Ford’s success by pushing the engineering and stylistic envelope further than competing marques. Most importantly, throughout its three-year production cycle, the Skyliner consistently drew large crowds into Ford showrooms, which came to witness this space age engineering marvel in action.
