1959 Ford Galaxie

During the close of the 1950s, in the midst of the space race, the Ford Motor Company introduced the Galaxie as its top-of-the-line offering.

The 1959 Brussels World's Fair awarded the new Fords with the Gold Medal for Exceptional Styling, described as being 'big, brash, and officially beautiful.' The Custom was the entry-level Ford, and the Fairlane was the full-size model. The Fairlane 500 featured a higher trim level while the Galaxie was the top-of-the-line offering, available with both straight-six and V-8 engines. The Fairlane 500 range was accessorized with the top trim options of the Fairlane series, including extensive chrome, brightwork on the C-pillars, and a double runner chrome strip with a gold anodized insert as side trim underneath the Fairlane 500 scripting. The Galaxie used all of the attributes of the Fairlane 500, but with the Thunderbird styled roof. Six body styles were offered on the Galaxie V-8, with the most expensive version being the Skyliner retractable hardtop and the convertible Sunliner.

The Galaxie was part of the Fairlane 500 series at the beginning of the model year, but made into a 'Galaxie' - and gained a new script in the process - halfway through the year.

Gil Spear, head of Frod's Advanced Concepts Studio, envisions a simple retractable hardtop initially intended for the Lincoln Continental. A scale model of the device was built, and management quickly adopted it for the upcoming Continental Mark II. The mechanism ultimately proved to be too complex and the development arduous. The lid needed to cover the whole car top was large, and the cantilevers to lower and raise it had to be operated by screw jacks. It ultimately proved to be too expensive and the cost could never be recovered on a limited-production car such as the Continental.

The retractable hardtop project was nearly scrapped, but Robert McNamara championed it to be built as a Ford. The new cars for 1957 were longer than the car's they replaced and had enough room to store the top. When the 1957 Ford made their debut, the Fairlane 500 Skyliner retractable convertible coupe was part of the catalog. At $2,942, it was the most expensive Ford, sans Thunderbird, in the lineup. The Skyliner Retractable followed a carefully orchestrated choreography of solenoids, motors, and sensors to automatically raise and lower the top with one press of a button. The system used 600 feet of wiring, ten power relays, eight circuit breakers, ten limiter switches, three drive motors, and four lock motors.

The Skyliner retractable hardtop was sold alongside the less expensive alternative, the Sunliner soft-top convertible. Every option was available on the Sunliner as was on the Skyliner, except that it had a folding cloth top retaining more usable trunk space. The Skyliner was expensive but affordable, and - as described by Henry Ford - 'could be had by just about anyone earning a decent salary.' Sales of the Skyliner were initially strong, with 20,766 in 1957 followed by 14,713 in 1958. During its final year of production, just 12,915 examples were sold. Production of the Skyliner ceased at the end of the 1959 model year, as Ford was introducing a whole new design for 1960. The 1959 Skyliner demanded a $400 premium over the conventional Sunliner ragtop, making it, at $3,346, the most expensive full-size Ford.

The base six-cylinder engine had overhead valves, a Holley one-barrel carburetor, four main bearings, a 223 cubic-inch displacement, and delivered 145 horsepower at 4,000 RPM. The overhead-valve Y-Block V8 had a 292 cubic-inch displacement, five main bearings, a Holley two-barrel carburetor, and delivered 200 horsepower. The 'Thunderbird 332 Special' FE-Series V8 had a 332 cubic-inch displacement and produced 225 horsepower. The 'Thunderbird 352 Special' FE-Series OHV V8 displaced 352 cubic-inches and offered 300 horsepower. Ford's catalog also had a 430 CID V* with 350 horsepower but was available only in the Thunderbird with the Cruise-O-Matic. Transmission options included a two-speed and three-speed automatic, and a standard three-speed manual.

The 1959 Galaxie had plenty of chrome, optional two-tone paint, and equipped with Ford advertised 'Safety anchorage' for the front seats. The parking brake was now a pedal, and a padded dashboard, child-proof rear door locks, and seat belts were optional equipment. The double-door locks and deep-dished steering were standard.

The six-cylinder town sedan was priced at $2,580, the club sedan at $2,530, and the town victoria at $2,650. The six-cylinder club victoria had a factory base price of $2,580 and the sunliner convertible at $2,840. The eight-cylinder Sunliner convertible sold for $2,960 and the Skyliner at $3,350. The eight-cylinder options added approximately $120 to the price.

The town sedan was the most popular with 183,108 examples built. 121,869 were club victorias, 52,848 were club sedans, and 47,726 were town victorias. 45,868 were the sunliner convertible.

Ford's Galaxie was a model that would anchor Ford's big-car lineup for years to come.

by Dan Vaughan

V8 Skyliner Convertible
Chassis number: B9KW107468

The Ford Skyliner was an innovative full-size automobile with a retractable hardtop produced by the Ford Motor Company in the late 1950's. Based on the North American Ford Fairlane, the Skyliner had a complex mechanism that folded the front of the roof and retracted it under the rear decklid. This mechanism was prone to failure, and the large top took up vast amounts of trunk space, limiting the car's sales. Nonetheless, the retractable hardtop reappeared in the 1990's with the Mitsubishi 3000GT Spyder and Mercedes-Benz SLK.

The Skyliner, which was produced for model years 1957, 1958, and 1959, had a squared-off roofline style that was admired by the public and found its way onto most Ford two-door hardtops until 1965, including the Thunderbird, Galaxie and Fairlane. The Skyliner name was previously applied to another Fairlane derivative, the Crown Victoria Skyliner. This vehicle had a clear acrylic glass roof panel over the front row of seats. To purchase it new would have cost approximately $3,346.

This car has been restored to show quality standards and is well-optioned with power steering, power brakes, power windows, continental kit, dual exhaust and deluxe trim.

V8 Club Victoria
Chassis number: B9RS194896

Ford introduced the Galaxie in 1959 in the midst of the space race era. The Galaxie was the company's top-of-the-line offering and featured a V-8 engine, an abundance of chrome, updated trim, and Thunderbird-inspired design elements.

This example is a Club Victoria, identified by its clean, pillarless hardtop. The car was originally sold to a family in Portland, Oregon.

Currently, the car has just over 55,000 original miles on the odometer. It has been refinished in the original Colonial White and rides on a set of period-correct Goodyear tires. There are a number of factory-delivered accessories including the sunray hubcaps, bumperettes, and a rear deck antenna. Inside, there is a radio and working clock, and a General Electric 40-channel CB radio mounted beneath the dashboard.

In 2011, the car was offered for sale at the Gooding & Company auction held in Amelia Island, Florida where it was estimated to sell for $35,000 - $50,000. As bidding came to a close, the car had been sold for the sum of $22,000 including buyer's premium.

by Dan Vaughan

V8 Sunliner Convertible

The Ford Galaxie was produced from 1959 until 1974 and was a success from the beginning. With its understated elegance, the Galaxie earned the reputation of being one of the most beautiful cars to come off the Dearborn assembly lines.

Six models were offered in the Galaxie V-8 series: two-door Club Victoria, four-door Club Victoria, four-door Town Sedan, two-door Club Sedan, two-door Skyliner convertible, and a two-door Sunliner convertible. The Skyliner offered a retractable hardtop that folded into the Galaxie's trunk, while the Sunliner featured a removable hardtop.

According to the owner, this 1959 Galaxie Sunliner convertible has approximately 27,000 original miles. It is powered by a Thunderbird Special 332 cubic-inch, 300 horsepower V-8 engine, which was an option for an additional $141 over the base price of $2,957.

V8 Club Victoria
Chassis number: C9FS266208

By 1959 Ford was nearing the production of their 50 millionth vehicle. This occurred on April 29th of 1959 and was a Galaxie 500 four-door sedan. To celebrate this accomplishment, the Ford Motor Company aided in the re-creation of the first transcontinental race. The first transcontinental race was held in 1909. For the recreation, the 50 millionth Ford was sent from New York City to Seattle, completing the route and carrying the company flag along the way.

This Ford is the actual 50 millionth Ford produced. It rolled off the assembly line on April 29th of 1959. It completed the transcontinental trip and was then sent on several promotional appearances. It was later donated to the Henry Ford Museum where it remained until the late 1980s. It has traveled a mere 10,700 miles since new and still retains its original white finish, and three-tone gold, black and white interior. It is powered by the original V8 engine displacing 292 cubic-inches and producing 200 horsepower. It has an automatic gearbox, AM radio, and power steering.

In 2008 this car was brought to the Automobiles of Amelia presented by RM Auctions where it was estimated to sell for $50,000 - $70,000 and offered without reserve. The winning bid was slightly higher than the estimates, selling for $79,750.

by Dan Vaughan

V8 Skyliner Convertible

The Skyliner Retractable Top Convertible was introduced in 1957 as a companion model to Ford's conventional Sunliner convertible. The Skyliner was the first mass-produced car of its kind and was considered an engineering marvel. At the push of a button, the steel hardtop completely dropped into the trunk, and the remarkable sequence of events (driven by 600 feet of wiring, ten power relays, eight circuit breakers, ten limit switches, and three drive motors) amazed every onlooker and spectator.

When it was first introduced in 1957, it was popular and 20,766 examples were sold. The following year, sales dropped to just 14,713. Total sales for Ford in 1959 were 1,450,953, of which just 12,915 of those were the Retractable Top Skyliner Galaxie. Ford made the decision to cancel production of the Skyliner at the end of 1959.

There were several drawbacks that hindered the Skyliner, such as the high sticker price of nearly $500 more than the standard Sunliner. The Skyliner took a toll on trunk space, especially when the top was stowed.

This Skyliner is painted in Flame Red and Colonial White and was built at the San Jose plant on October 17th, 1959. It is very well-equipped with options including the 300 horsepower, 352 cubic-inch V-8 engine. There is a Town and Country signal-seeking radio, continental kit, fender skirts and dual spotlights. The car was fitted with the Safety Package, which consists of a padded dash, sun visors, and front seat belts.

by Dan Vaughan

V8 Club Sedan

The 1959 Fords are considered by many people to be the most beautifully-styled Fords ever built. While other automobile makers were producing futuristic designs, Ford exercised restraint and the result was a line-up that earned the Gold Medal for Exceptional Styling at the Brussels World Fair.

Introduced in late 1958, the Galaxie was deemed Ford's top-line model. The design came from the blend of a standard Fairlane 500 body and a Thunderbird style 'C' pillar - a combination that produced truly beautiful results.

This Galaxie hardtop was owned by only two other individuals before making its way to the current owners. It remains nearly all original, with only the paint being newer. The odometer shows only 43,000 miles.

V8 Club Victoria

The Retractable was produced for 3 years: 1957, 1958, and 1959, during that time there were 50,412 units produced. There are about 1,000 cars left.

Unique to the top, there is 610 feet of wire, 6 electric motors, 10 switches and 13 relays used. The car was equipped with the 352 cubic-inch V8 engine, CruiseMatic transmission and power steering. This car sold new for $3,368.

V8 Skyliner Convertible
Chassis number: B9KW107468

When the Skyliner technology was introduced in 1957, it was the first American production car to have a retractable hardtop. By pulling a switch under the dashboard, the conventional-appearing hardtop coupe would transform into a convertible. The hinged steel top would fold neatly and slip away under a reverse-hinged rear deck within two minutes. This was done with the help of 600 feet of wiring, 10 power relays, 8 circuit breakers, 10 limit switches, 3 drive motors, and 4 lock motors.

Production of the Skyliner lasted three years with the final year ending in 1959. 12,915 examples were sold, despite a $400 premium over the conventional Sunliner ragtop, making it, at $3,346, the most expensive full-size Ford. The Skyliner was part of the Fairlane 500 series at the beginning of the model year, but it was made into a Galaxie halfway through the year.

This particular example was privately acquired for Richard and Linda Kughn's collection several years ago. The car wears its original colors of Indian Turquoise over Colonial White and is powered by a 225 horsepower, 332 cubic-inch V8 and mated to a Ford-O-Matic transmission. It has power steering, power brakes, power windows, a dual exhaust, deluxe trim, tinted glass, and a rear-mounted Continental kit spare.

The car has been restored to show-quality standards. It has been displayed at several events including the Meadow Brook Concours d'Elegance, the Glenmoor Gathering, and the International Ford Retractable Club Showcase.

by Dan Vaughan

V8 Club Sedan

This 1959 Ford Galaxie is finished in the correct factory original color of Cameo Ivory (code E) with three tone (red/white/black) interior (code 56). Currently, it has 36,000 miles from new. The engine is a 292 cubic-inch V8 fitted with 2-barrel carburetors. It has an automatic on the column, all of the gauges work properly, and rides on a new set of white wall radial tires. There is the original trunk mat and spare tire.

by Dan Vaughan

V8 Skyliner Convertible

This 1959 Ford Fairlane Skyliner Retractable Hardtop is fitted with 650 feet of electrical cables and four motors to serve the retractable hardtop.

The vehicle is fitted with a water-cooled, overhead-valve, 4785 cc V8 engine coupled to a 3-speed automatic transmission and capable of 105 mph. It sold for $3,138 in 1958 and 14,713 were produced.

The current owners have restored 25 Skyliners.

V8 Skyliner Convertible

Ford's 1959 top-of-the-line Galaxie Skyliner Retractable Hardtop was a showcase of luxury with the 352 cubic inch V8, Ford-O-Matic transmission, power steering, power brakes, a Town and Country radio, four-way power seat, and Select Aire air conditioning.

This two-tone Geranium and Gun Metal Gray exterior is certainly the attention-getter with its equally stunning tri-tone Geranium, Gray and White interior with its Space Saver luggage bin. The 'Hide-Away Hardtop' was a technical tour de force and unavailable anywhere else. Ford produced these Retractable Hardtops only from 1957-1959, making this the last year of this model.

V8 Skyliner Convertible
Chassis number: H9EW262665

This 1959 Ford Skyliner has 46,000 miles on its odometer. It received a complete restoration around 2018 and is powered by the optional 352 cubic-inch, 300-horsepower engine paired with a Cruise-O-Matic transmission.

by Dan Vaughan