The Ford Fairlane Skyliner was introduced as a top-of-the-line model in the Ford Fairlane lineup for the 1957 model year. It was a luxury convertible with a unique feature: a retractable hardtop. The most notable feature of the 1957 Fairlane Skyliner was its retractable hardtop, known as the "Hide-Away Hardtop." It was the first mass-produced car to feature this innovative technology. The hardtop was power-operated and could be raised or lowered automatically at the touch of a button. This convertible-to-hardtop transformation added a touch of futuristic style to the car and made it extremely popular among buyers.
The 1957 Ford Fairlane Skyliner was well-received by the public and gained popularity due to its unique retractable hardtop feature. Ford produced a total of 20,766 Skyliners in 1957, making it a relatively rare and sought-after model today. The Skyliner's innovative design paved the way for future retractable hardtop models in the automotive industry.