The Demo Hood Ford Crestline Skyliner

"Jim Spanfeller" (awesomeaustinv) 07/04/2020 at 19:35 • Filed to: Quirks and Features

6

14

In 1954, Ford came out with their new Y-block V8 and they were proud of it. To show off the new engine, they came up with a clever little advertising gimmick: 107 Ford Crestline Skyliners were built with a special glass window in the hood, and one was sent to each Ford dealership so potential customers could gaze upon the magnificence of Ford’s new V8 without having to open the hood. Some of these cars also came with extra lights installed in the engine bay to help illuminate the engine for that extra “wow” factor.

These hoods were never meant to be used on road cars and were simply intended to look nice in a dealership showroom. Ford instructed its dealerships to replace the Demo Hoods with normal ones before selling the cars, but for one reason or another, a few of them didn’t. Whether it was from laziness, forgetting about it, or simply to sweeten the deal for a difficult customer, a few of those Demo Hood cars made it out of the dealership with the unique hood window retained.

Even without the glass hood, the Crestline Skyliner was a cool and relatively rare car. It featured a huge glass panel in the roof that was meant to simulate the feeling of driving a convertible without the downsides of a soft top. Unfortunately, it did result in a bit of a greenhouse effect in sunny areas that could become unpleasant if you didn’t spring for the air conditioning option, but it sure did look cool. And it goes very well with the hood window!

Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available > Jim Spanfeller 07/04/2020 at 19:44

1

The sunroof seems peculiarly adapted to roast the cars occupants alive. That, and the hood window does the same for the engine. They didn't say it was a hot new car for nothing.

Kiltedpadre > Jim Spanfeller 07/04/2020 at 19:59

1

For such a unique car that’s not a bad price in my book either. The only one on Hemmings right now is $30,000 without the  history.

Now all we need is a window in the trunk to complete the set.

Jim Spanfeller > Kiltedpadre 07/04/2020 at 20:20

1

So all potential thieves can get a good view of your luggage! Great idea ;)

Jim Spanfeller > Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available 07/04/2020 at 20:24

1

They at least tinted it so you’re not suffering from full  exposure to sunlight, but on sunny days it’d still get a bit toasty. A/C is a must in one of these. I don’t think the engine window would be quite as bad though, as the engine bay isn’t designed to trap heat and I’m sure the open bottom helps. Besides, companies like Lamborghini put glass above their engines all the time.

415s30 W123TSXWaggoIIIIIIo ( •_•))°) > Jim Spanfeller 07/04/2020 at 20:26

2

Demo cars are interesting. There is a guy around here with an IH Scout but it is a factory camper. The rear area is all fiberglass and not removable, it is all seamless with the body . They made some for dealer displays and then never sold them. I think he said they made fourteen.

Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available > Jim Spanfeller 07/04/2020 at 20:37

1

I suppose so, but it would at least increase ambient temperatures quite a bit in both compartments. It would make keeping an intact dashboard a whole lot harder. Did it have a retractable sunshade?

fintail > Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available 07/04/2020 at 20:41

1

I think there might have been aftermarket shades/covers for the roof panel , as you say, they will become an oven in the summer. Cool cars though, and if it is as nice as it looks, price on this one isn’t insane.

Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available > fintail 07/04/2020 at 20:44

1

Not overpriced for such a rare and cool car. You’d have to find the right buyer though.

fintail > Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available 07/04/2020 at 20:50

0

Unfortunately, it is a little old even for many boomers.  It’s of that era of cars that generally won’t appreciate any further.  I like some cars of that era, but for 25K I can probably find something I love more, even if it is a fair deal.

HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles > Jim Spanfeller 07/04/2020 at 21:12

1

For some reason some slipped though  

I image the reason was “Look how bouts I slipped ya a Benjamin and you keep the hood without the window in it. That’s a win win” 

HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles > Jim Spanfeller 07/04/2020 at 21:13

1

That yellow exterior, turquoise interior is a prime example of how cars have become boring as hell. 

Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available > fintail 07/04/2020 at 22:55

1

Sort of like how Model Ts have leveled off in value. This is going to slightly depreciate if anything, but it is so nice this is about where it will stay.

fintail > Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available 07/04/2020 at 23:07

1

Leveled off if lucky, some have depreciated not even accounting for inflation. Good if you like such cars, I guess. I suppose 25K might be a depreciation floo r for a really nice glasstop, and 25K will be less in 10 years than it is now, but I suspect the car won’t be worth more.

Stef Schrader > Jim Spanfeller 07/05/2020 at 22:32

1

Oh, that’s cool.