57/59 Skyliner

[Khier]

To all 57-59 Ford experts here: What is the difference between the 57 and 59 Skyliner roofs? Are they identical with all scripts and emblems? And the trunk lid? Is there any difference? The background of my question is clear I guess. I want to swap the Revell 59 Skyliner top with AMT 57 Ford Fairlane 500 to make a 57 Skyliner. Is there any critical points with this conversion work?

[quadzero]

1957

1959



I hope this helps, sorry I couldn't find a pic of the '57 with the roof up. From what I can see, the roof and chrome trim and where the hinges are located are practically identical. You may have do a bit of research thou just to be sure.

[LUKE'57]

The main problem is that the only outer sheet metal shared between the Skyliner and the regular Fairlane 500 two door is the front fendes and hood. It doesn't show in your '57 shot because it is so dark but look at how short the doors are on the '59 cars.

I think they may have been the front doors from the four door car. The rear quarter panels are much longer too to house all the roof and its retract mechanism.

Franklin or one of the other diecast companies did a '57 Skyliner so you may be able to google it to see what would be involved. If you don't need opening doors then you could glue them shut and rescribe the rear lines but there's still the matter of the quarterpanels.

[Khier]

Originally Posted by LUKE'57

The main problem is that ......The rear quarter panels are much longer too to house all the roof and its retract mechanism.

Thanks for your reply, and for pointing out this issue. However, I made a quick check using the pictures under www.1957ford.com and found both models have identical doors and rear quarter panel.

[LUKE'57]

Khier, look again. They are different. My father bought a '57 Club Sedan (Fairlane 500 two door post car) when I was 12 and I drove it for four years. If you can imagine a car crazy teenager spending every Saturday washing, waxing and shining acres of chrome on a car then you know how attached to the '57 I became. Also how well aquainted I became with every inch of it.

Here's a much better reference for what you intend to build than the little pics on 57FORD.com (BTW I've got some model race car photos on that very site so I'm familiar with it)..

http://www.hotautoweb.com/57sky.html

Check out the rear door opening line in relation to the gold side trim. On the regular convertible it went all the way to the door edge, On the retractable it stops a few inches before the opening. Also the gas filler is on the driver's side quarter panel while it was behind the rear license plate on the regular Ford.

As a former '57 owner I stand by my original statement that the only sheet metal shared between the two models was the front fenders and the hood.

[Khier]

hmm... your pictures are undoubtly more clear than mine. However, I cannot distinguish this difference in doors. However, I have no other option than trusting your information. I am not going to argue with someone who grew up with that car while I saw it in reality only once placed in front of a bar. This is sadly a big blow to what seemed to be an easy conversion (but I have several hunderds projects in mind ). So I will change the subject to (hopefully) an easier issue: what about making a Fairlane 500 town victoria (4DR HT) out of the AMT Fairlane 500 club victoria? Did they have the same roof or were they different as the GM 4DR were from the 2DR (I am talking about the HT).

[LUKE'57]

The door issue would still have to be addressed for a four door but I think the roof is the same with and addition of a trianglular shaped piece at the meeting of the roof and rear fender. It was attached to the door and had a pattern like the rule lines on notebook paper with the lines being black paint inside the grooves. There should be some photos on the '57 Ford site that will show it.