I wish there weren’t a sad story to go along with this car, but the truth is that the widow of the gentleman that rescued it from an Alabama barn after thirty years of storage is going to sell it after his untimely death. She’s hoping the purchaser will be someone “who will restore, drive it and enter it in car shows.” It’s listed here on eBay with a buy it now price of $5,000 and is currently located in Pasadena, Maryland.
This picture must have been taken shortly after the car was pulled from the barn–the seller says that was the building in the background. The car has since been cleaned up and some parts have been purchased, although they are not included in the auction. It looks like you have first right of parts purchase, though, if you buy the car.
With only 58,899 miles on the car, you’d be correct in assuming it has a lot of life left in it–which makes me want to know why it was taken off the road and stored in the first place! The seller states it starts right up but still needs lots of attention. It definitely looks better when cleaned up, and the sleek fastback lines of the 1968-69 Fairlane, which was also the basis for the Torino and Torino Cobra, are some of my favorites of the era. I know that huge C-pillar can’t do much for sightlines when you change lanes, but it’s better to look good, right?
Something about this picture tells me that larger tires are needed! The couple had already purchased a better hood, trunk lid and new interior components that you’ll have the chance to purchase if you buy the car. The seller is very clear that they want the same amount that was paid originally for the parts and that they are not included in the auction.
Based on the shiny appearance, it looks like the distributor cap and wires were replaced as part of getting the car running. It’s nice to see only minimal rust under here, and that air conditioning compressor is a welcome sight for those of us down south. I believe this is a small block Ford V8, which should be a 302 cubic inch version if it’s the original engine.
I’m guessing the interior is pretty bad considering the new parts purchased and the absence of any pictures inside save this one. Would you like to be the driver that flips this odometer to 59,900 miles?
Lol those wee tires. But not a bad deal. I’d pay her for all of it. Having to look at it had to be breaking her heart. Probably been harrassed by flippers wanting it for nothing. She’ll get the 5k no prob
Sellers that do not include parts in the sale price annoy me. Then in this case the seller wants the exact amount that was paid for the parts. Am I the only one that does not always get everything that they want?
Right? For full retail, I’ll buy my own parts, and the warranties that come with them.
Good luck finding a hood and trunk lid for this car. Warranty on a headliner? LOL!
Absolutely a warranty on a headliner, as well as the rest of it. Say you pay full freight for them, used. Yes I know they’re not used yet, but they’re secondhand, so used. Then you discover pieces rotted/torn/corroded/wrong part/whatever. Who are you going to return them to? You’re going to sell them, at a loss or just trash them. So no. For full retail, I’ll buy my own, and keep the receipts.
I am with you on thi# too. Turns me off the interest on the car when I read that. Sounds like the supposed “widow” is trying to make a buck instead of just coming out even.
Just charge more for the car and throw in the parts.
That’s what I say. Throw The Parts In. Even if you have to raise the price.
Greedy sellers..stealing cars from old people
So if by chance the owner had overpaid for the parts,they are just handing over their financial down fall. Sweeting the deal by throwing it all into the same package,and raise the total selling price. That way the new buyer won’t feel like he was bent over the barrel. Because if the car sells,but parts are too much money. Now your stuck with them. It’s all or nothing. For what they are asking with those terms,I’m OUT……
Had a 69 Torino GT. OK car but a bear to parallel park. 302 automatic in my case, nothing to write home about for those that want to go fast. Fine for going for a drive.
I just don’t get people selling parts separately. ESPECIALLY at retail prices. Heck of alot easier to sell the whole lot. Besides, it’s about getting them and keeping these old cars on the road. Not about the money
thats a nice looking car. who knows, she might have got a screaming deal on the extra parts. if, just dont buy em.
Among the many cars that passed from a seller to my brother and me, to be repaired / refurbished, and moved on to other buyers was a 1969 428 CobraJet Torino.
The factory sprayed it that ubiquitous Lime Gold of the period (same as our 1967 GT500), with a black vinyl interior. In most respects, it looked otherwise pretty much the same as this subject car (except ours had the little ram air scoop on the hood).
Notes about the driving experience: this car needs the horsepower. A 390 is absolutely minimum motivation for something the size of this tuna boat. If you expect any sort of handling, the new owner will have to do SUBSTANTIAL aftermarket suspension mods, in order to obtain even moderately responsive direction changes.
That is, if you can manage to stay behind the wheel.
One of the reasons I like Corvettes so much (one of the MANY reasons), is that, once ensconced, the driver becomes a more-or-less integral part of a very capable corner carver. Lateral movement is all but impossible, driving position is optimal, controls are logically laid out, plenteous, and fall easily to hand.
Consider this car to be pretty much the opposite.
Even the bucket seats are vastly unsupportive, and feel more like your living room couch than the locus of a spirited driving experience. Controls and gauges are clean and well-laid-out, what few there are. Sometimes the reach can be kind of long, but that is because of the cavernous interior volume.
I believe you could put a full 88-key grand piano keyboard across the dash, without modification.
These whales (pilot whales, maybe, but whales nonetheless), were clearly designed with the high banks of Talledega and OMS in mind, NOT the twistys at Laguna Seca.
It was definitely designed for that, and for daily commutes, with all the kids in tow.
It is a worthwhile project, and the price is probably about right, but you will have to warm that 302 up… a lot.
What a bunch of whiners and complainers. If you don’t like the deal then go negotiate it with her. She sounds like a reasonable enough gal and you haven’t even seen what she has.
You guys are weak
It’s amazing how much of it sticks out beyond the rear wheels. Between that and the mail slot view through that raked back window I’m sure it was a challenge everytime you went to parallel park this beastie. Love it though!
My Sister had a 67 500 fastback. I seem to remember that it was a one year only tho as in 68 the platform was taken over by the Torino. 289/C4 auto and bench seat. Black/Black. Really nice car. To bad I wrecked it going to homecoming….
Or for potentially under $10K, one might consider looking at something like this ’68.
https://www.halltruckandauto.com/1968_Ford_Fairlane%20500_Redmond_OR_11671496.veh
The price was listed as $9,995 as a year-end discount until recently, so I think negotiating the $11.7K down is very possible.
I think $5K is asking a bit much for the ’69, but if someone prefers a bit of a project,….
I’d drive it home, if it weren’t 2000 miles….I’m out
I agree with oil slick. If someone wanted this particular model, it could be a sweet deal. Maybe the parts are nos. who knows? Does that me me a sucker?
Gotta lose the weenie wheels! Hahaha! Man, this could be a sweet ride and you don’t see these all that much anymore compared to the other makes.
This particular car was no goat killer, obviously just a nice passenger car with the doggy 302, and that’s how most of these were anyways. With a 428 cobra jet this would have been a very quick car, I think the 351 was available in ’69, the 390 was still around too. Only one worthy of real performance was the 428. Personally, I like the coupe better than the fast back of these year Torino’s.
On the size of the tires…my guess is they are “factory” correct. Original tire under this car would have been an F78 14 if I remember. Pretty small to the eye for this size of car. As for the spares. If you don’t buy them when you buy the car, they suddenly become an albatross to the seller – maybe even get at less than 1/2 price with a reminder to the seller that now they have no use and no market…
…and its gone…