Excellent Chrome/Like New Interior/Factory Air/292ci V8/3-Speed Auto

1957 Ford Fairlane 500 Skyliner

To the Los Angeles elite, Ford Fairlane (Andrew "Dice" Clay) is known as "Mr. Rock 'n' Roll Detective." This loudmouthed ladies' man serves an exclusive rock star clientele, who depend on his keen eye and smug discretion. So, when a heavy-metal musician dies mid-concert, Fairlane is on the case before the lights come up. But things turn shocking when radio personality Johnny Crunch (Gilbert Gottfried) hires Fairlane to find a missing groupie mere hours before he is electrocuted live on air.

For consignment a Fairlane whose claim to fame is that Skyliner was given a complicated mechanism that enabled it to fold down the front portion of its roof and retract it under the rear trunk lid. No hydraulics were used in regular convertibles of that time. It had seven reversible electric motors, four jack lifts, a series of relays, ten limit switches, ten solenoids, four locking mechanisms for its roof, and two for the rear trunk lid. The car's fuel tank was placed vertically in back of its rear seat, giving the car added safety in the event of a rear-end collision. And it all works! This frame on restoration with a new interior can put on a 1 car show for you, as you'll be mesmerized with the top up and down.

Exterior
The quintessential Flame Red and Colonial White two tone steel slab sider presents in good condition on the paint checklist with just a few obligatory for this age car faults shown in the photos. Gaps are beautifully minded, and all is straight steel. Not unlike Elvis with his swiveling hips, and snarling lips this car has the iconic swoop spear trim molding on either side with a snazzy textured gold metal insert and it swings with the 50's design and definitely attracts attention (you hound dog!). All this and chrome around the windows and lower B pillars, bumpers and badging is in very good condition. Dual searchlights are on (what exactly was everyone looking for at night??...now we just sit and watch TV). The hardtop is a thrill to watch, and really was a feat of engineering which had been tried on an earlier Peugeot concept car, and a few other concept cars, but was never really put into production until this Fairlane. We give you the retractable hardtop. On to the back, looking much like the rest of the Ford lineup with 45 degree angled outward fins, and the round jet engine taillights. A shout out to the chrome turbine style, jet age, polished hubcaps courtesy Thunderbird, which are wrapped in wide whites. And lest I forget the Continental rear bumper complete with a covered spare tire. A round chromed rear end goddess! Fender skirts give the low and slow look and accentuate the large long rear quarters (that top has to have somewhere to go!).

Interior
In full vinyl jackets the dual benches in the passenger area are wrapped with Red Airweave vinyl with smooth white bolsters. These are like new, recently covered during the restoration so they present very well. All the essentials are restored and looking just like when this car rolled out of the showroom. Ford dealership installed air conditioning hangs from below the dash and blows slightly cold. In case of too cold a Kleenex dispenser is under here too on the passenger's side...Achoo! A town and country radio is in complete with an FM converter, and this car has the padded dash option. The original steering wheel protrudes from the dash and is red plastic with a 2/3 circular horn ring. Red carpet in good condition floods the floors, and the white headliner remains tight even though it had its fair share of ups and downs (tongue in cheek).

Drivetrain
A wonderfully restored Thunderbird valve covered 292ci V8 engine sits within a restored engine bay and appears clean. It is topped by a 2-barrel carburetor and correct matte silver air cleaner cover. A 3-speed Ford-O-Matic automatic transmission and Ford 9" rear with 3.89 gears complete the drivetrain. We can see the electrical system has been converted to an alternator and the A/C unit appears like new.

Undercarriage
Lots of nice straight rust-free steel on the X frame. Plenty of rustproofing abounds underneath and the rockers are rust free. Independent coil springs upfront and leaf springs on the rear offer up a smooth ride, and drum brakes all around are noted. We also note that the floor pans have had patch work done and the body hangers have been replaced at some time in the past.

Drive-Ability
A little choke and a few preliminary pumps of the gas and she immediately came to life. Once warmed up, idled smoothly, had decent acceleration, and of course a smooth ride. Overall a nice car with a well-functioning hardtop, and excellent mechanicals.

In the late 1950's Ford was getting tromped by the Tri-Fives over at Chevy. So they used what they knew best, that bringing innovative attracts attention. A very nice example which was given the once with its frame on and well maintained by the same owner since then. This car has a new battery so you can play with that top all day and it has a remote. Grab a lawn chair, and a bottle or two of wine, the remote and go find a show! This world truly revolves around the Sky-Liner...

VIN DECODE
C7EW263385
C-292ci V8 2bbl 206hp
7-1957
E-Mahwah, NJ Assy Plant
W-Fairlane 500 Retractable Hardtop
263385-Sequential Unit Number

WARRANTY TAG
BODY 51A-Fairlane 500 Retractable Hardtop
COLOR F-Starmist Blue
TRIM BC2-Blue Airweave Vinyl
DATE 17F-June 17th Build
TRANS 1-3 Speed Manual
AXLE 4-Ford 9" 3.89 Gears Conventional

Classic Auto Mall is a 336,000-square foot classic and special interest automobile showroom, featuring over 600 vehicles for sale with showroom space for up to 1,000 vehicles. Also, a 400 vehicle barn find collection is on display.
This vehicle is located in our showroom in Morgantown, Pennsylvania, conveniently located just 1-hour west of Philadelphia on the I-76 Pennsylvania Turnpike. The website is www.classicautomall.com and our phone number is (888) 227-0914. Please contact us anytime for more information or to come see the vehicle in person.