Classic cars don’t come much more spotless than this 1965 Fairlane 500. It has just come off a restoration that has left it rust-free and looking stunning. However, the owner has decided that now is the time to part with this Ford, so he has listed it for sale here on eBay. It is located in Doylestown, Pennsylvania, and while the listing has been set to open at $9,000, there have been no bids. There is a BIN of $12,500, and you have to wonder whether one of the 37 people watching the listing might choose to hit the button. I have to say a big thank you to Barn Finder Larry D for spotting the Fairlane for us.
There aren’t many paint combinations from the 1960s that will catch your eye more readily than Rangoon Red and Wimbledon White. That is what we find gracing the panels of this classic, and it looks stunning. The paint shines just as nicely as you might expect on a car that has been recently restored, while the panels are as straight as an arrow. There is no visible rust, and the owner indicates that the floors were replaced and undercoated. The exterior trim and chrome has all been restored or replaced, and it gleams beautifully in the supplied photos. The glass looks perfect, and it appears that all of the seals and gaskets were replaced during the restoration.
You almost need sunglasses when you look around inside the Fairlane because it is both bright and beautiful. There’s not a lot to criticize here, and apart from a CD player mounted under the dash, there are no other visible aftermarket additions. The interior has been fully restored, and the buyer will not need to spend a cent here. As is the case with the exterior, the interior painted surfaces shine beautifully, while all of the chrome and trim has been restored or replaced. If the buyer is seeking complete originality, the CD player could easily be removed. Mounting it under the dash was a wise move because it has allowed the factory AM radio to remain in the dash.
There is so much to like about this Fairlane, and lifting the hood just continues that trend. Here we find a C-Code 289ci V8 that should be producing 200hp. Those ponies find their way to the rear wheels via a 3-speed automatic transmission, while the vehicle also comes equipped with power steering. This combination should be enough to propel the car through the ¼ mile in around 17.2 seconds. The owner is pretty candid here because he says that while the odometer shows 24,000 miles, he isn’t sure whether it might have rolled over. He indicates that almost every aspect of the Fairlane’s drivetrain has come in for attention during the restoration. The work list is a mile long and includes replaced seals, rebuilt suspension and brakes, along with the replacement of smaller items like bulbs and the voltage regulator. One other new item is the dual exhaust. The owner says that the little 289 sounds sweet through that system and that it runs and drives just as nicely as it sounds.
For the buyer looking for a classic Ford that is ready to be driven and enjoyed, this 1965 Fairlane 500 has to be a tempting proposition. It shows promise on paper and in the photos and would seem to need nothing. As always, I like to get a closer look at vehicles like this that have been restored because I want to be sure that the work has been completed to a high standard. If it does check out, then it could be a great entry-level proposition for someone looking to dip their toe in the classic scene. However, it might be a case of beating the “watchers” to the punch because I wouldn’t be surprised if it sells pretty quickly.
A beauty, just wondering why pass side moulding doesnt meet at front door to front fender. Seems to me that the door aligns properly but maybe this fender has been off or replaced with one from a donor car. Not a deal killer at this price and you cant kill that engine if properly maintained its bullet proof. Cruise effortlessly all day long.
Definitely an alignment issue re passenger door and fender. The gap looks too tight as well as the trim misalign.
Looks like a very nice car for not a ton of money. I’ve always liked the 1965 Fairlane, but it seems in general they have been ‘odd man out’ compared to the more popular 1964 (and earlier) and 1966 (and later) models. It would make a nice cruiser and with the eye-catching colors would stand out at Cars & Coffee.
I agree. I am the one who sent this car in to BF. I love the ’65 Fairlanes and rarely see them anymore. And this particular one just seems like a car that has always been loved and well cared for. I think the wire wheelcovers and fender skirts add to that illusion.
And I love the Rangoon Red on red. One of my last cars was a ’65 Mustang coupe I owned for 18 years and it was also that color combo. I LOVE it!
Oh how I wish I were younger and in better health. I would love to put this car in my garage.
*One question I do have though is the difference between a Fairlane hardtop such as this one and a Sport Coupe.*
The Encyclopedia of American Cars, for some reason, lists production numbers for a hardtop with bucket seats as separate. I don’t know but suspect that the Sport Coupe is the model with bucket seats.
@Larry D. The Sports Coupes featured bucket seats, console, transmission control through the console (unless a 3 speed standard which kept the shifter on the column), and some extra exterior trim.
I am one of those who is not a fan of the 65 Fairlane, and yet…
Ordinarily I don’t care for skirts on cars built after 1959-1960, either.
This car manages to rise above my indifference, the skirts actually make this car look 100% better, at least IMHO.
The only real problem I have is with the exhaust pipes.
That’s a certified beauty right there
My second car was a1965 Fairlane with a 289 engine and 4 speed transmission. Paid $400.back then(1974). Seemed like a fortune. It was a great car!
the engine color is wrong, 65 fairlanes and mustang were painted black with gold air cleaner and valve covers
@Ken Foss
You are exactly right. Ford changed their engine color to the familiar blue in 1966 but there were NO Fords before that with this shade of blue.
This indicates to me that either this Fairlane has a later-model engine in it or someone rebuilt it and chose to paint it 1966-and-later Ford Blue.
Notice this Fairlane does have the correct gold air cleaner though. Originally, the valve covers were that same color too.
I had the engine rebuilt in our ’65 Mustang but I did paint it the correct black for the block and heads and the gold for the valve covers and air cleaner. And just to prove some peoples’ ignorance, we had the car at a big show once and I had a guy tell me that my car had the wrong-colored engine. He said it should be blue! Oh boy.
That’s a great deal for all that class
Definitely an alignment issue re passenger door and fender. The gap looks too tight as well as the trim misalign.
Ditch the fender skirts and cheesy tailpipes.
Seems to me the asking price is a lot less then what the restoration details stated of this car would cost, unless the owner did all of it himself ?
@McQ
Thank you for that info. I should have thought of that myself.
My first car was a Wimbledon White 65 Fairlane 500 2 door hardtop , 289 2 bbl 2 speed ford a matic. I was 15. Threw a rod drag racing a “new” Camaro. Lord I wish I had kept it.
My first car too, was white (and rusty) 65 Fairlane 2 door. Six cylinder, three speed on the column, red interior. Paid $50.00 and drove it six months before burning up the clutch. Sold it for, you guessed it, $50.00. lol
Paid 300 for mine sold it for 250 with the blown engine. That was 1985.
Cragar SS and a (slight) California stance would make a perfect period correct little toy.
Kinda wish I had the extra cash laying around.
If you look closely at the fender, door alignment just in front of the mirror, it looks like either the door is a bit low or the fender is high. This could likely be fixed with some patience and a buddy. Just got done doing the gap adjustments on my current project. Probably my least favorite job of the whole restoration.
I am thinking though that the misalignment may be more serious than that though, because it looks to me like the door gap is too tight, almost as if the right front hit something and got pushed back and up a bit. I would want to do a close inspection of that right front end before buying.
s this car still for sale 3-30-21?