1959 Ford Galaxy Skyliner

is now released by Revell of Germany. Does anyone know the difference between the skyliner and Hardtop? In other words what I have only to glue the trunk to make a Hardtop or are there other differences?

Thanks

Walid

The proportions of the '59 Skyliner retractable HT and the standard Galaxie HT's and CV's are different. The retractable's decklid opens at the back, and is much longer than the HT or CV, the roof is shorter and a 2-piece design to facilitate folding into the luggage compartment. Merely gluing it together will not yield a correct standard Galaxie HT, nor a standard CV if the roof is displayed open (this is how the retractable looks best on display, but many modelers and owners of the 1:1 like to display it halfway open). Like modern CC style HT/CV's (except for the amazing job on the new MX-5 retractable HT), the roof folds and stores completely behind the cockpit in the luggage area and requires a long decklid to cover it. With the top up the proportions of the retractable Skyliner look a bit odd with the extra-long decklid, whereas the standard Galaxie HT proportions are quite normal with it's longer roof and shorter deck.

The Revell kit is an old-fashioned multi-piece body, it's a bit tricky but I was able to build one when I was a teenager and got it to fit and work relatively well. An older member of our club took the '59 retractable kit and combined it with an AMT '57 Ford to make a '57 retractable, and it looks/works fine.

Thank you very much for the detailed feedback. I guess I have on other choice than to use a Modelhaus body to make a HT and cut its roof to make a CV.

Thanks

Walid

An older member of our club took the '59 retractable kit and combined it with an AMT '57 Ford to make a '57 retractable, and it looks/works fine.

I've only recently asked about doing that on another modelling forum!!!! Was that the AMT kit with the opening doors? If so, sounds like a great model!

I've only recently asked about doing that on another modelling forum!!!! Was that the AMT kit with the opening doors? If so, sounds like a great model!

Yes, that's the one. The guy loves to add opening doors anyway, so the AMT '57 Ford made it even easier for him. Unfortunately he's good w/engineering details but his finishing skills aren't quite as good.

Hey you gave me inspiration for a new project. Did they (the 1959 and 1957) use the same retractable roof? What about scripts and emblems?

Thanks

Walid

Hey you gave me inspiration for a new project. Did they (the 1959 and 1957) use the same retractable roof? What about scripts and emblems?

Thanks

Walid

The retractable roof was the same for the 3 years it was made, '57-'59.

Not sure about scripts/emblems.

Unfortunatly the only shared sheet metal on those cars is the front clip. The doors and quarter panels are different on the Skyliner with a very noticable difference in the side trim break at the rear door line and the quarter panel lenghts.