With a totally new look, Ford kicked up the Fairlane series a notch with the sleek design of the sixth-generation cars. I have to say that I still prefer the previous generation with stacked headlights and quaint, blocky look (perfect for quaint, blocky Bill Gannon of Dragnet). This 1968 Ford Fairlane can be found here on eBay in Springfield, Colorado, and the current bid price is $1,580, but the reserve hasn’t been met.
I don’t know what there is to not like about this car. It appears mostly solid, it’s a two-door hardtop body style, it has a small V8 engine, and it has deer alerts. Ok, that last feature was more like thinking the strangely booze-smelling bottle of Doc McGillicuddy’s Elixir you just bought will cure all of your ails. Any of you who have lived in deer country knows that those plastic things on the front bumper don’t really work. You may as well glue a GI Joe on the front bumper.
The sixth-generation Fairlane was made for the 1968 model year until the end of the following year (1969), so they’re somewhat rare to see today. The Fairlane 500 was a fancier version with a cool fastback body style, and there was a Torino model, which hung around the Fairlane family until 1971, when it became its own model in the Ford lineup. The Pebble Beige paint looks good, and the seller says the car was repainted 15-20 years ago. Hagerty is at $9,400 for a #4 fair-condition car, just as a general reference.
The color scheme isn’t super exciting here, but I can’t believe how nice this car looks for being older than 48% of Barn Finds readers (just a guess). I mean, not that they don’t also look nice. Whew, that was close. The cloth and vinyl seats look great, both front and rear, and the split-back front bench seat makes it easier to get into the back seat. The trunk looks pretty solid, as does the underside – although it’s showing some heavy surface rust under there, and there is some rust on the lower body panels as shown in the photos.
The engine is Ford’s 302-cu.in. OHV V8 with 210 horsepower and 300 lb-ft of torque, and it’s backed by a three-speed automatic. It’s said to run, drive, and shift as it should, and this would be a fun car to drive as you pick away at restoring it and reliving 1968 again. Just don’t forget to dress the part.
While I have fond memories of the cool cars in my small growing-up town (two Boss 302’s come immediately to mind), cars like this were way more common. A base trim level Fairlane, 302 automatic, whitewalls and wheel covers, AM radio and power steering, and that’s about it. And it’s even beige. Sounds like the previous owner had plans for upgrades. I might leave it as-is, even keeping the deer whistles (which for sure would be a conversation starter) and the “every car had one” steering wheel cover.
Good job Scotty.
Deer whistles don’t really work!??! C’mon, Scotty. I have proof there’s something to them! Why, I once accidentally put a set on backwards and went for a canyon ride only to see a herd of deer FOLLOWING me!!
As Bob said I’d love them on as a nod to some of the unique farkles of the day and perfect for the car.
Well preserved, it’d garner more attention now than when it was originally bought. This would be the grad present of frugal, practical parents when the car was 5-10 years old.
Nevada!!!! You totally made my day with that one!!!! Installed them backwards and had a whole herd of deer following you!!! Love it!!! Thanks for the laugh.
-Dave
Dad had an extra set of deer whistles – new in the garage on that ubiquitous peg board – you know the big one up front that most garages built in the 60’s had. Anyway – he swore they worked, as we never ever had any deer come in the garage. (Dad joke courtesy of my dad).
That’s awesome! Be advised I’ll be using that whenever I can..😁
Another reason to read Barn Finds – to learn those whistles don’t work!
Looks like a good solid car for someone to enjoy for not a lot of $$.
Scotty…… I loved reading this. And for the record. I just so happen to be drinking a glass of Doc McGillicuddy’s Elixir right now as I write this………… No……… No I’m not……. It’s a glass of bourbon lol. But anyways, I needed a good chuckle today, and you delivered. I especially liked the line about you may as well glue a GI Joe on the front bumper instead of those dear whistles. I actually worked for R&S Strauss auto many years ago, I remember those things for sale all over the place. I’m with you, I kind of lean towards the previous generation with stacked headlights, but this one is so nice, I’d be very happy to own it.
Thanks for the laughs and the great write up Scotty.
-Dave
Bought one something like this as a family car in 1972. Except it was a Torino GT, formal roof, ivory with a black vinyl roof, 390 2v, dual exhaust. I’ve had arguments with other Ford guys about that combination, but yes, they were available. It had decent power, and would get 17 MPG on the highway. Drove it for years and finally sold it with 135k miles, so I could buy a new 1981 Ford E150 van with 302 and C6 (another combination people will argue is not possible). What a slug that van was!
I’ve also had younger people tell me that all 68-68 Torino GTs were fastbacks. Not true either!
This fairlane has the rubber mat instead of carpeting. Basic transportation model. I had a great Aunt who had a red one just like this one. Nice to see bare bones every man cars that still exist.
nice
Love this Fairlane, a very nice blank slate. Wishing I was in the market for a daily driver. Looks like you could fly in and drive this one across country. It would be a great replacement for the crusty 66 Fairlane I sold off about 10 yrs ago. I’m ready to move on from stacked headlights.
Not a fan of all that beige inside or out but that’s part of the blank slate. This one needs rust stop but it looks salvageable. At the least it’s a lot better than what I let go.
This could easily become a modestly hopped up, better handling machine without that much work. Nice cam and 4 bbl set up, firm up the suspension, 15” steelies all around, factory disc brakes in the front and change the color. Could all be done over time while you drive it. A car you could keep and enjoy for awhile without thinking of flipping it.
Nice.
Wish I was in the market.
Nice.
And no ac, just how I like it.
The bid is up to $6,800, and the reserve still hasn’t been met, and there are only three hours left on the auction!
Auction update: bidding ended at $6,900, and the reserve wasn’t met. With Hagerty’s #4 fair-condition value of over $9,000, that isn’t too surprising.
42 bids