The Fairlane, named after Henry Ford’s estate in Michigan, was Ford’s primary car in the late 1950s. By the beginning of the 1960s, it played second-fiddle to the new Galaxie series, and in 1962 Ford moved the name to a new “mid-size” platform. The new intermediates were designed to bridge a gap that was created when the Falcon compact debuted two years earlier. This 1963 Fairlane 500 looks like an uncompleted project, with a new interior and rebuilt engine, but a tired exterior. Located in Tigard, Oregon, this semi-survivor is available here on craigslist for a reasonable $4,995.
Smaller in proportion than its full-size brothers, the “new” Fairlanes looked like shrunken versions of the Galaxies. The family look was intact and the Fairlane could do the same job as the Galaxie but was easier to drive and park. While an inline-6 was standard for those wanting fuel economy, a pair of V8s was offered, the 221 and 260 cubic inch V8s with the latter appearing in the middle of the 1962 season. The smaller car was a hit and Ford cranked out more than 343,000 Fairlanes and Fairlane 500s in 1963. The biggest seller was the 500 4-door sedan like you see here at 104,000 copies.
This Ford has a 260 V8 and a 2-speed automatic transmission. The latter was rebuilt sometime before the current odometer reading of 22,000 miles (likely 122,000). We’re told this equipment is “factory” so that implies numbers matching. It’s said to be a stronger runner, but not necessarily a stopper. The brakes will need work and the suspension is tired and will also require some attention. But the exhaust is new along with the gas tank and fuel pump (it must have been sitting a long time).
If a restoration is underway, it began with the interior which is said to have been professionally redone and looks both sharp and correct. The seller acknowledges that some exterior work is needed but refrains from using the word “rust.” But the two-tone paint has the requisite amount of patina which suggests that the finish is original. Would you take care of the mechanical shortcomings and drive it as-is or complete the restoration with fresh paint?
A bread-and-butter car for its day, but still quite attractive. They were everywhere in my small midwestern town. For folks who perhaps couldn’t spring for the more expensive Galaxie 500, but wanted something more than the basic Falcon. The Fairlane 500 trim offered enough niceties (bodyside molding, vinyl upholstery, other interior upgrades) that it ended up being an attractive model.
Reasonable asking price. If it was mine I would quickly tire of the worn-out paint and would want it repainted, to match the nicely re-done interior. I’d even keep the painted roof to maintain the inside-and-outside two-tone theme.
Im with Bob on this one. Beautiful interior but really needs a paint job. The original blue and white roof would look terrific redone. Id rather have a two tone than a vinyl roof for rust purposes. This would make a great car to drive and enjoy whenever. Drive it to work on a nice day too instead of just weekends.
These had a 289 option, my 63 was a 2 door sport coupe. The 289 was paired with a 3 speed manual with overdrive for extra fun. Mine had buckets and a nice center console.
I was given a car just like this when I was 15 or so back in the mid 70’s. I was with my oldest brother driving around looking for junk cars. We were in Rosendale and saw a fairlane sitting beside a house with a big tree limb laying on the trunk. We stopped and talked to the guy in the house and he said we could have it if we wanted to pull it out from under the tree limb. The kicker was the tree limb was full of bees, honey bees were buzzing everywhere around that car. Gary said nope, he didn’t want it that bad but not I, I was fearless to a fault at that age. I took the chains to the car moving slowly and got it hooked up and out of park without getting stung. After we got it home I put a battery in it, hotwired the coil and it started. It didn’t have any brakes as the master cylinder was empty so Gary poured water into it and I pumped the brakes up and they worked so I used that car to drive around the farm hauling hay and other stuff. Remember the water in the master cylinder? Not having any money for brake fluid I got a bottle of rubbing alcohol and used that for a replacement for the water for brakes. I ended up pulling the V8 out putting it into a Maverick when I was 16, now that car was a total piece of crap. It’s a miracle I survived my teenage years
The 260 is a plus over the 145 horsepower 221. That’s six cylinder territory, especially with the 2 speed Fordomatic. I always liked the styling of the 1962 to 64 Fairlanes.
Nice Fairlane. I like that it’s a 4dr. I’d repaint as well but not 2 tone, never quite worked for me.
One could easily slide a warmed over 351w between the shock towers, and a 4 or 5 speed while at it. With swapped in discs up front and hd suspension all around I’d use this as a daily driver. Which is what it was built for originally. Another add would be 3pt seat belts.
All the swapping could be done with factory parts as well if I’m not mistaken. This would make a relatively easy project.
351 windsor wont fit you would need to cut back the shock towers
Tim,
I don’t see any issue with fitting a 351w but I can’t say I know for sure. I would think it’s a drop in without a need for any metal modifications.
I did the same upgrade with a 66 fairlane back in the 80’s.