The Ford Fairlane Skyliner can claim to be America’s first production convertible to feature a retractable hardtop.

Introduced as Ford’s top-of-the-range model in 1955, the Fairlane was rival to Chevrolet’s successful Bel Air and came in six different body styles with a choice of six-cylinder or V8 engines.

The range was re-styled for 1957, gaining new, lower bodies adorned with the latest styling fad – tail fins - and the Fairlane 500 introduced as the ultimate trim level.

’57 was also notable as the year of the Skyliner’s introduction.

Considerably more expensive than the conventional Sunliner convertible, the Skyliner featured a hardtop that, at the touch of a button, automatically retracted back into the boot.

For its last, 1959, year of production the Skyliner was both re-engineered and re-styled, becoming part of the new range-topping Galaxie line-up, though continuing to be badged as a Fairlane 500.

This rare and historic example of Detroit’s engineering exuberance is fini...