After the arrival of most compacts in the late 1950s, a gap emerged between those smaller cars and their full-size brethren. Ford’s response was to create a mid-size automobile in 1962 that was sandwiched between the Falcon and Galaxie – the Fairlane. This ‘63 Fairlane looks to have had a refreshening started, treated to a later model small-block V8 engine and electronic ignition. The interior needs work, so the seller has defined it as a project. Located in Nampa, Idaho, this Ford is available here on craigslist for $8,500. Thanks to our own Adam Clarke for this tip!
Ford chose to brand its new intermediate as the Fairlane, a name that they had used before which was borrowed from the estate owned by Henry Ford. In its first year, Ford built 300,000 of the smaller Fairlane’s and followed that up with another 328,000 in 1963, so the market was ripe for these cars (Chevy’s answer, the Chevelle, wouldn’t arrive on the scene until 1964). 13,500 Fairlane 2-door sedans were built that year, plus another 35,000 of the gussied up Fairlane 500 in the same body style.
The body and paint on the seller’s car look decent overall, although we’re told there is a little rust in the front floor pans. All the trim is there and appears to be in good shape. The interior is where most of the attention is needed, although the dashboard looks freshly painted and the bench seat looks solid. But it will need a dash pad, rear upholstery, door panels, and carpeting, at a minimum. The car sports aftermarket/vintage air conditioning, not an inexpensive addition.
If the Ford had a V8 when it was new, a 302 cubic inch motor is there now, a powerplant that wouldn’t emerge until the late 1960s as a replacement for the 289. Work done thus far suggests that the owner had performance in mind, with a roller camshaft, 4-speed automatic transmission with overdrive, FiTech fuel injection, an aluminum radiator, and a new exhaust system. Lots of other parts gave been replaced, though not listed. We’re told the Fairlane runs well, so perhaps as a project, most of the heavy lifting is out of the way. Don’t get your heart set on the wheels shown in one of the photos. Those have been substituted with standard steel rims. The seller is open to trading for a soft-tail Harley Davidson motorcycle.
never really been a ford guy but I’ve always loved the style of these cars. My brother had a red, white bucket seat, 260 4spd back in the day. cool looking cars, imo
Same here! I don’t have anything against Ford, and the ones I’ve owned have been really good vehicles. And this is one of the Fords that I always thought was really cool. The mechanical upgrades already done are exactly the way I would want it. Should make for an awesome cruiser!
Not exactly a turn-key deal. He starts it how?
He pushes it off a cliff. It starts well, but the ending is a bit of a smash up.
Nothing wrong with the STEELIES, I like them better than the Mustang rims anyway. This has the Potential of being a Sweet Sleeper
Nice car. Would love to see what it looks like underneath. Any brake work, upgrades? Suspension?
I’m also a big fan of the steelies on this one.
So much better to deal with the streets here of Brooklyn.
I have a friend who has basically this same car but exactly like you would want this one to be. It is assume. I think this car is a terrific deal and with out too much work or money you would have a great car, and not break the bank and be flying under the value of the car. These cars are getting more attention all the time. When we go to shows together, his car gets more looks than his buddy’s (me include) with our 32 and 34 Fords
I highly doubt this car had a 289 as an original engine. All of them I saw at that time had 260 and you could tell right away looking at the color of the valve covers 260 were red and 289 were white and another then after 63 the small fords went from a 5 bolt bellhousing to a 6 bolt. Also the intakes had cid cast on them
Late production Fairlanes had a 289 option, standard 289 or the first Hi-Po 289. My first new car was a special order (vinyl top option), early build ’64 Fairlane bench seat hardtop with the Hi-Po option. It was also a 5-bolt bell housing. The switchover to the 6-bolt bell housing was after mid-year.
Thunderbolt 427