The Ford Crestline was the automaker’s flagship vehicle during the early 1950s. However, its reign as the top-of-the-line passenger car lasted a mere three model years. Sometimes, though, that’s all you need to solidify one’s place in history. This is especially true when talking about a last-year version with a few special tweaks that make it rarer than a 25th Anniversary Lamborghini Countach, albeit probably slower.
A Crestline Skyliner (chassis number U4FF107364) has made its way to Bring A Trailer. The Skyliner was a one-and-done trim that debuted in 1954, the last model year for the Crestline. To clarify, this is probably not the Skyliner you’re thinking of, as Ford recycled this name. As Hagerty reports, the later Skyliners (Galaxie or Fairlane) carried the distinction of being the first mass-produced car with a fully retractable steel roof. That’s not what this is.
Instead, this vehicle was also outfitted with a large tinted acrylic panel over the front passenger area (kind of an early precursor to the moon roof). This car also has a giant, almost comically large visor over the front windshield that makes the car look like it’s about to do some old-timey bookkeeping. As Ford said in a brochure at the time:
“This beautiful top creates an atmosphere of openness that will add much to driving enjoyment. The blue-green-tinted roof section admits a soft, diffused light, yet filters out 60% of sun’s heat rays and 72% of glare.”
Any Crestline Skyliner is rare, but there’s an even rarer version.
If a see-through panel over the passenger compartment wasn’t enough, there’s a secondary see-through panel over the engine, making this a “demo hood” model, which is exceptionally rare.Â
According to a 2017 BaT article, 107 Skyliner vehicles were factory-built with the acrylic hood insert. Meant to be dealership show-offs to highlight the Crestline’s new overhead valve V8, which replaced the previous flathead version. These were not intended for the public, of course, but the demo cars ended up in customer driveways and garages just the same.
Interestingly, U4FF107364 is no stranger to the auction circuit. Featuring a Sandstone White and Cadet Blue color scheme, Hagerty records show the vehicle was sold through Kruse Auctions out of Auburn, Indiana, in 2002 for $22,525. RM Sotheby’s took over subsequent auctions in 2008 and 2018, where the vehicle sold for $30,250 and $30,800, respectively.Â
The current seller purchased the vehicle in 2024 and imported it from Canada to the U.S. The vehicle carries an Ohio title but is being sold out of Champlain, New York. Despite all the cross-continent movement, the Skyliner is in rather pristine condition. The auction listing makes no note of rust or other damage. The odometer reads 13,412. The 2018 RM Sotheby’s listing noted 13,405 miles. It appears this Skyliner demo is finally living its life as intended: on display.
As of this writing, and with just a day left on the auction timer, the highest bid for this 1-of-107 Ford classic is currently less than $10,000. A reserve is not mentioned.
Top graphic image: Bring a Trailer
As the former Vice President of the Ford Retractable Hardtop Club of Oregon I am compelled by the former dignity of my former office to note that the Fairlane and the Fairlane 500 are distinct models, as illustrated below with 1957 as an example:
https://i2.wp.com/www.curbsideclassic.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/1957-Ford-Ad-02.jpg
The ’57 through early ’59 retractables are Fairlane 500s, not Fairlanes. The later ’59 retractables are Galaxies.
Chevrolet also did this on the first few years of Corvair sales for showrooms
This was also on 1949 and 1950 Oldsmobiles with the then new OHV modern V8 engine – most of them were used as dealer demonstrators.
I wonder what kind of acrylic they used for the hood window, or if it’s been replaced.I’d expect it to start discolouring or cracking over time, especially right above a hot engine.
Plus you’d have to keep the engine bay as clean as the outside of the car.
My Lotus has the engine on display through a glass window. I clean the engine bay every second time I wash the car.
It’s a pain in the arse, and it’s not even a pretty engine (GM Z20LET).
First time I’ve ever seen this. As for the roof, filtering out 60% of the sun’s heat is a sad, sick joke. Cold climates only.
Can confirm. My dad had a 1955 Crown Victoria with the transparent roof. In the summer, even in Ohio, it was a sauna. There was a zip-in liner that was all but useless.
I have seen one of these with the hole in the hood many years ago. Mercury also offered a version called the Sun Valley, though I don’t think they did any of them with the hole in the hood. The father of a friend in college had one of the Sun Valleys.
I saw one of these a week ago at the classic car auction at the GAA here in Greensboro! A beautiful green one (U4GF118570). It sold for $27k. I think it’s only the second one I’ve seen in person – first one was at a cruise-in in the early ’90s back home in Rhode Island.
Wow! Between 11:53a (mountain time) and 12:31p, the bids went from $8500 to a sale price of $25000, mostly from two late bidders down the stretch. Nutzo!
Typical BaT auction pattern, most serious bidders wait until the last hour.
Added this to my BaT watch list, always like to see the comments and what the market thinks of unique vehicles.
On BaT, if a vehicle has no reserve there will be a badge stating this under the headline of the listing title, next to the region badge.
Fascinating.
I’m really enjoying your weekend articles!