Over fifty years ago, in mid-model year 1957, Ford introduced the first-ever large scale production hard-top convertible, the Fairlane 500 Skyliner Retractable Hardtop. The brainchild of Ford engineer Gil Spears, it was originally intended for the 1956 Lincoln Continental. The Continental's skyrocketing cost, however, prohibited the retractable hardtop's application, but the idea was picked up by the Ford division instead. In 1957, Ford beat Chevrolet in sales for the first time in decades, and by a substantial 10 percent margin. The Retractable contributed to that landmark event, not only by garnering 20,766 sales, but moreover by drawing large crowds into the Ford showrooms to witness this engineering marvel in action.
Source: remarkablecars.com
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