The Ford Barn

steve fritz · 05-05-2022, 08:41 AM

Would the 1957 ' 1958 and 1959 Ford SKYLINER retractable roof be the same item for all three years? I have a friend that asked me that question. He has a barn find roof and was thinking about selling it. Didn't know what it was from , the car itself is long gone , but this roof was up in a hay mow all covered up. Must have been hidden away for many years. Thanks!

Jeff Norwell · 05-05-2022, 10:46 AM

Not sure about 59... but 57-58 sure would seem to be.
The 57-58 sheet metal was nearly identical as in transferrable.... the 59 was a one year only model.
Of course,.... just speculating and possibly others are better informed.

5851a · 05-05-2022, 05:18 PM

The sail panel trim on early 57 didn't say Skyliner, later 57's looked like 58's with the Skyliner script and a Ford crest. 59's had Skyliner script but lacked the crest. On the front fold under roof section iirc had 2 motors powering the front hold down screws on 57 and 58 while the 59 had 1 motor. I also believe the rear deck lid is different on 59's but only at the rear to match the rear of the body. An early Mitchell interchange manual or a 59 or later parts book would help. I can't tell you about the sheet metal swap as I have never done one myself. Ford had a separate shop manual that just covered the roof for retractable.

KULTULZ · 05-05-2022, 05:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by steve fritz

Would the 1957 ' 1958 and 1959 Ford SKYLINER retractable roof be the same item for all three years? I have a friend that asked me that question. He has a barn find roof and was thinking about selling it.

Didn't know what it was from , the car itself is long gone , but this roof was up in a hay mow all covered up. Must have been hidden away for many years. Thanks!

Is it a complete assembly or just the roof panel(s)?

KULTULZ · 05-05-2022, 05:25 PM

... hmmph ...

I just experienced a revelation ... as compared to a 'power-surge' or possible gas bubble.

The 'BOX TOP' was supposedly introduced on the 58 BIRD and then celebrated on the 59 GALAXIE.

Truth of the matter is the roof line was actually introduced on the 57 RHT.

KULTULZ · 05-05-2022, 05:56 PM

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Quote:

Originally Posted by 5851a

The sail panel trim on early 57 didn't say Skyliner, later 57's looked like 58's with the Skyliner script and a Ford crest. 59's had Skyliner script but lacked the crest.

On the front fold under roof section iirc had 2 motors powering the front hold down screws on 57 and 58 while the 59 had 1 motor. I also believe the rear deck lid is different on 59's but only at the rear to match the rear of the body.

Now that is factual factoids that is nice to know.

THANX!

Gene F · 05-06-2022, 06:30 PM

I have a 57, and I am pretty sure the 59s did have a slightly different roof, as sated by the other gentlemen above. The motors and drive cables make the top worth a whole lot more.

05-05-2022, 08:41 AM	#1
steve fritz Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: onalaska , wisconsin Posts: 535	Retractable Hard Top Roof ??? Would the 1957 ' 1958 and 1959 Ford SKYLINER retractable roof be the same item for all three years? I have a friend that asked me that question. He has a barn find roof and was thinking about selling it. Didn't know what it was from , the car itself is long gone , but this roof was up in a hay mow all covered up. Must have been hidden away for many years. Thanks!

05-05-2022, 10:46 AM	#2
Jeff Norwell Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Palookaville Posts: 112	Re: Retractable Hard Top Roof ??? Not sure about 59... but 57-58 sure would seem to be. The 57-58 sheet metal was nearly identical as in transferrable.... the 59 was a one year only model. Of course,.... just speculating and possibly others are better informed. __________________ https://www.jeff-norwell.com https://www.norwell-equipped.com

05-05-2022, 05:18 PM	#3
5851a Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2014 Location: NE Iowa Posts: 1,665	Re: Retractable Hard Top Roof ??? The sail panel trim on early 57 didn't say Skyliner, later 57's looked like 58's with the Skyliner script and a Ford crest. 59's had Skyliner script but lacked the crest. On the front fold under roof section iirc had 2 motors powering the front hold down screws on 57 and 58 while the 59 had 1 motor. I also believe the rear deck lid is different on 59's but only at the rear to match the rear of the body. An early Mitchell interchange manual or a 59 or later parts book would help. I can't tell you about the sheet metal swap as I have never done one myself. Ford had a separate shop manual that just covered the roof for retractable.

05-05-2022, 05:25 PM	#5
KULTULZ Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: IN A 'GALAXIE' FAR FAR AWAY Posts: 6,485	Re: Retractable Hard Top Roof ??? ... hmmph ... I just experienced a revelation ... as compared to a 'power-surge' or possible gas bubble. The 'BOX TOP' was supposedly introduced on the 58 BIRD and then celebrated on the 59 GALAXIE. Truth of the matter is the roof line was actually introduced on the 57 RHT. __________________ ***** We should have a contest. The player has to start at the very last post of a thread & then try to guess what the OP's original question was about ...

05-06-2022, 06:30 PM	#7
Gene F Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Ohio Posts: 1,975	Re: Retractable Hard Top Roof ??? I have a 57, and I am pretty sure the 59s did have a slightly different roof, as sated by the other gentlemen above. The motors and drive cables make the top worth a whole lot more.