Though the Fairlane nameplate had been a Ford staple since the mid-1950s, it had been applied to an intermediate-sized automobile starting in 1962. Things were winding down for the Fairlane in 1970 as the Torino had already become the car line’s primary torchbearer. These Fords were redesigned in 1970 and treated to an aerodynamic look, yet they weren’t all that popular and would be redone yet again in 1972. The seller’s ’70 500 4-door sedan looks like your typical family transporter and may only have 20,000 miles (not verified). Located with a dealer in Morgantown, Pennsylvania, this bland beauty can be yours here on eBay for $18,900.
Only three body styles carried Fairlane badging in 1970: a 4-door sedan, a 2-door hardtop, and a wagon. Total sales were still decent at 110,000 units (two-thirds were surprisingly the hardtop). Six-cylinder power was standard fare, but the original owner of this Ford opted for the 302 cubic inch V8 (2-barrel), an automatic transmission, and power steering. Just to make things fun, factory air conditioning was also checked on the order form. Detroit entered the 1970s with designs going back to a boxier look, so the swoopy Fairlane/Torino harkened back to the wild late 1950s/early 1960s.
This family sedan is finished in Medium Gold Metallic paint, which we’ll guess is original. It’s not perfect, but you have to look hard to find the issues. There is only one noticeable rust spot on the undercarriage. And the black interior looks as though it’s hardly been sat in, though the carpeting may have faded a tad. The selling dealer says this is the first one of these Fairlanes they have taken in on consignment.
No power accessories here to speak of, so you’ll have to hand crank the windows rather than push a button (Holy Stone Age, Batman!). The car is said to drive as well as it looks, so we assume this is a turnkey purchase that you could show off at Cars & Coffee next weekend. Considering that 4-door sedans are the least collectible cars overall today, this Fairlane may be a rare find in any condition.
I enjoy seeing the basic family cars of their day. This Fairlane 500’s charm is its very-“basic-ness.” When the most eye-catching features are whitewalls and wheel covers, you know it’s simple. It’s even a very non-descript color.
We had a 1970 Torino back in the day, ordered by my dad with minimal options. In hindsight I wonder why he didn’t order a Fairlane 500, as cheap and basic was his thing.
Thanks Russ.
That year was even a Falcon with little to nothing for options Bob.
I also like seeing such “basic”, plain cars. Bring one of these to a car show and I’ll spend a lot more time checking it out and talking to you than someone with just another Mustang or Corvette.
I agree with you. I recently sold a 1966 Plymouth Fury 1 (base model) four-door sedan, with no options beyond automatic, whitewalls and wheel covers. It was finished in bright red and attracted a lot of attention because of its originality and condition. Someone was always saying that Aunt Martha had one just like this back in the day. I think four-doors are a cheaper way to get into the old car hobby and, after all, when you are driving down the road and looking out over the hood, the view is the same as if you were in a more expensive two-door. Just my two-cents worth.
Not very popular?..403,000 sales across the 17 models(17!!!lol…that’s too much LOL ) Still good enough for 2nd in the intermediate field.I personally prefer the 68/9 and the 72′ over the 70/71 but still love them all.
My dad bought one exactly like this only yellow with a 351. They were teachers and we drove from St. Louis to Colorado every summer to camp. He drove that thing like he stole it across Kansas. We got stuck in Fairplay, Colorado during the first Arab oil embargo, and only one gas station in town had gas. Wow, the things you remember….
My dad ordered the station wagon version with a Cleveland 351, and since it was my sister’s birthday, she got to pick the color; Grabber Orange! Quite the grocery getter! As they say, it could pass anything in town except a gas station!
I thought that all of these were used up producing the Starsky and Hutch television series!
Starsky and Hutch Torino was a few years later model, i believe they used 1976 Torinos, for the TV show, i could be wrong, maybe 1975,s but definitely not 1970 model.
Paint is all different shades
Clean survivor here. Probably could be used for period correct in movies that need old basic cars in them.
Reminds me of the Humboldt County fleet cars they had
in the day – Gold,4 doors,but with dog dish wheel covers.
Very generic in it’s day.
Beauty in simplicity ✨️
That’s true about the Falcons too.
Knew a lady that had a 2-door version of it too. Straight 6 with a
3 on the tree 🎄. As basic as you got for the time unless you bought a Chevy Nova with a 153
cube 4-banger that was still obtainable through the first half of the 1970 model year. If I were
in the market for a classic, this is
what I’d buy. Tarted up cars are
okay, but if you want authenticity,
this is what most families bought
back then. Your basic 4-door sedan with few if any options on
them. And boy, do I really like ’em!
Great looking common car from the seventies. In Michigan it likely wouldn’t have had air and would have disappeared from the landscape by end of the decade. I love the look of the ’70 & ’71s.
I like it
plain jane right down to the rubber mat. only a v8 and a/c for options. as stated, great way to get into the hobby. i have heard of people buying 1 of these for parts to save a rare 2dr model as well even at the ask price.
Nothing says “win a people’s choice trophy at the car show” like a diaper-stripe 4 door.
All for just $18,900. As presentable as it is, it’s a hard sell even at half that price. $5k maybe?
You’ve got to hope that the consignor here didn’t spend a lot of money other than the purchase price.
The grill is worth an easy $2k by itself.
If you say so. Parting them out is probably a valid way to justify the prices of cars like this, if you know where to find fast buyers for the parts and have the means to ship them to the buyers. It’s not exactly easy to ship a fender.
Maybe it’s worth more in pieces than together. You might have to wait a while to get your money back, and once you cross that line, you’re fully committed to cannibalizing it. Then you also need storage for the carcass, and the back forty hayfield is going to ruin a lot of the value quickly with vermin nests, chewed wiring, and weathering.
That’s all a lot of work, but yeah, it can end up being profitable. Hard way to make a living.
This is another from Classic Auto Mall in PA, but, unlike the Chrysler, it has no photos except the exterior. They do say there is minor surface rust under. This one may be a nice #3 driver but is it too much money for what it is? They do say make offer.