We’re no strangers to rarity claims at Barn Finds, and some are more valid than others. The seller claims that this 1960 Ford Fairlane 500 Club Sedan is a one-year-only model, and, as we will see, there is an element of truth to that. One thing that appears certain is that this is an extremely tidy survivor with no apparent needs. I must say a big thank you to Barn Finder Ted for spotting this classic listed here on Facebook Marketplace in Norwalk, Ohio. This Fairlane could be yours once you have handed the seller $15,500 or made an acceptable offer.
The Fairlane was new for 1960 as the company revamped its model range. The wheelbase grew by an inch, while the length and width also grew as Ford sought to provide more interior space and load-carrying capacity. However, a major restyle for 1961 brought new sheetmetal, a revised grille, different fins, and larger taillights. Therefore, the seller’s claim that this car is a one-year-only model could be considered loosely accurate. He has listed the car on behalf of his father-in-law, and there is little information provided about the Fairlane’s history. Therefore, it is unclear whether it is a genuine survivor, or has received some form of restoration. He describes the car as an all-white vehicle, but the Corinthian White is contrasted by the roof’s Belmont Blue. The overall presentation is impressive, with no visible paint imperfections, and panels that are as straight as an arrow. Frustratingly, they only supply images of one side, so we’re flying blind on the condition of nearly half of this classic’s body. I can’t spot any rust, and the seller confirms that this Fairlane is rock-solid. The trim and glass are in good order, and the wider wheels and Baby Moon hubcaps are a later addition.
This Fairlane’s interior seems to tell the story of a classic that has been treated respectfully. The images are limited, but I can’t spot any evidence of significant wear or distress on the Blue cloth and vinyl trim. There are visible wrinkles on the passenger-side door trim that might stretch into shape, and it is unclear whether there are developing problems on the back seat, or if it is a trick of the light. Regardless, I would throw a nice blanket over this area to protect it from UV exposure. The painted surfaces are excellent, there is no wheel wear, and although it isn’t loaded with factory options, the new owner will welcome the AM radio.
Some enthusiasts will be disappointed when they lift this Fairlane’s hood to discover the engine bay doesn’t house a V8. The first owner selected the 223ci six, although they teamed this motor with a three-speed manual transmission with overdrive to improve the car’s flexibility and open-road cruising ability. The six produces 145hp and 206 ft/lbs of torque, and, interestingly, those figures dropped significantly for the following model year. Acceleration won’t be dazzling, but pegging the needle at 70mph on the open road shouldn’t be a problem. The seller indicates that this gem has approximately 75,000 original miles on the clock without mentioning verifying evidence. However, it sits on new tires and seems to be a turnkey proposition.
This 1960 Ford Fairlane 500 Club Sedan is an extremely tidy classic that would be ideal for anyone unable to undertake a project build. The first owner’s decision to forego a V8 in favor of a six under the hood negatively impacts its potential value but is about the only aspect of this car that some might criticize. The seller’s price is at the top end of the market, and the fact that it has been on the market for twenty-two weeks suggests that they haven’t been inundated with potential buyers. Are you tempted to rectify that situation, or do you feel there is nothing as great as a V8?
No, no, no, it’s not the 6 that will deter sales, it’s the “find and grind” mystery lever on the steering column. I just can’t seem to get my point across, nobody in the near future will want to drive this. Even if by some chance, someone has a manual trans, it will be a floor shift, and a column shift won’t make a lick of sense to them. No P/S will also limit sales. Don’t think so? When was the last time you drove a full size car without?
I happen to think, the 1960 Ford was the most beautiful design. We look at this car today as being rather spartan, but there were actually quite a few options they got. These cars could be had with minimal options. Things we take for granted, like sun visors and arm rests. We have to remember, in 1960, things like V8s and automatics were still new to many, and were hefty priced options, so many left them off the ticket. They did get things like trim package, radio, heater( yep, it was an option) and it has been updated to dual system brakes, unheard of in 1960. It’s a fantastic find, reminds me of the pilot Andy Griffith Show. The 1st police car we saw was a 1960. Needs an automatic,,,
What’s wrong with 3 on the tree? Or a 6? It’s a classic…. it should have the type transmission that was common at the time. To change it out would be sacrilege! This car has all kinds of things going for it… number one being it’s stock condition! Beautiful, and the prettiest full size Ford ever (’66 comes close.)
Hi Jim, denial is always strong with that topic, the column shift. For the umptininth time, and I seem to be one of the few that make a big deal out of this, and for us nothing wrong with it. To us seasoned folks, a column shift was 2nd nature. We literally grew up watching dad fiddle with worn column shift cars. Today, there’s nothing like it, and will cause confusion for future folks that may want a retro car like this, but I all but guarantee, the stick will kill it everytime.( pun intended) What powers the car won’t matter, as most in the future won’t be able to open the hood anyway. ( see my Marlin posts) We can’t apply our driving experience to future generations, and the stick shift will certainly be the glitch in future sales.
I absolutely agree with Jim C! That’s my idea of a great car, two doors, six cylinder in-line, and a three speed column shift.
If I had the money…
Nothing is “wrong” with this car. Howard is just saying the quiet part out loud. I’m halfway between clinging to the old days and accepting what lies ahead. To each their own just like all the big displacement, multi carb, manual shift dreams in the comment section.
Let’s face it. The kind of buyer for this car, knows how to drive a stick. And, this car will not be driven in regular stop and go city traffic. The person that drives the automatic 4 door Camry, or the Civic with the fart can exhaust isn’t remotely interested in this old Ford. By the time the population gets to the point that no one can figure out a manual transmission? None of us will be around to care.
I like 3 on the tree last one I had was a 1970 maverick
Well, you are correct about the manual trans here in stop and go Philadelphia, though not such a big deal with manual steering, and I do like the 223 6 engine. Keep it the same and good for country driving. The overdrive is a plus for the Turnpike. I am used to driving my 66 F-100 here, but it has an AOD trans, not original, along with Mustang V-8 instead of the original 6. Previous owner did that.
In about 1970 I owned a similar 1960 Ford with that body style $50 – needed brushes for the starter motor, The whole point of that car was comfortable ride, economy, simplicity. It was like a giant size VW in it’s simplicity but you could sleep in the back seat and bench front seat. Shifting it was no big deal and simply part or the pleasure of driving it. I gotta say it was no Thunderbird! Speed wise not a 289 Falcon. At 19 yrs old I was a gearhead like the rest of guys back then. We changed cars with the seasons. I see these giant pickups today and wonder why the market and today’s manufacturers shun a big giant size 18 foot long econo-box with soft cloud like ride, quiet, that could probably get 30+mpg with todays motors. Ah… those halcyon days gone by!
A 180 degree turn from the God awful late ’50s designs. Nice, clean lines, good front and back designs to compliment the overall look. Nice car, even with the 6. Split the exhaust manifold and let the world wonder what’s under the hood while you get 20 mpg.
While I think the ’60 Fords are attractive, Chevy walloped them in sales that year, so Ford once again restyled their full size cars for ’61. The only thing carried over was the dash.
Appearance wise, I’ll take this over the 60 Chevy. Now the 59 Chevy…. now there was the beauty, with the teardrop taillights. To me the prettiest Chevy of the 50s.
I think these cars are undervalued. Now I know where Mazda got the tail lights for its Cosmo.
With three forward gears I think column shift is best. It’s theft proof.
Nice car. Though it’s only a 6 with three on the tree, it also has overdrive which will enable it to cruise on the freeway without winding it out. Even so, the price is too high and the demand is too low, is why it hasn’t sold.
I would hate to have to try to get a replacement rear glass for this car. It is unique and seldom seen. If I had a need or space for another vehicle, I would consider purchasing it. The 3 on the tree reminds me of my dad, right after I got my license, saying, “If you can get the Fairlane (column shift) up our driveway (a steep hill), you can start driving it.” After numerous attempts, stalls and the aroma of smoking clutch, he said, “take the other car”, which was an automatic. I didn’t learn how to drive a stick until several years later, when I needed a cheap car ($400.00 max), and the only car I could afford was a Ford Cortina with a four speed. What a great car.
Replacement rear glass will work from a 60 Edsel with the same body configuration. There, that made it more plentiful .LOL
😊
Overpriced, if you go by the insurance site’s valuation tool. Which puts a No. 3 condition example with the base V8 at $9600 and a 6-banger at 20 percent less. So try $8k tops.
Also, this model wasn’t rare when new: 91k were built. The Galaxie in this body style only saw about 32k produced. But if you want a ’60 you’re probably looking for a Starliner or Sunliner anyway.
While not the bubble top- it is a 60 galaxie – would not want to see it chopped up.
For me, one of the main charms of the car is the three-on-the-tree.
I’ve owned two cars with a three speed column shift so this Ford brings back the memories, most of them pretty good ones.
Car has been repainted, look at the firewall. Hinges painted plus all of the wires, accelerator linkage, and vacuum hoses, all painted white, so sloppy, yikes. Front seat bottom is not original. Steering wheel is worn but seems appropriate for the cars age.
The car does look good but what is the new paint hiding?
Nice catch on the repaint. Don’t know if I would have seen that without being there in person. Why would it not say that?
I recently delivered an excavator to a customer. The guy had a 51 Pontiac sedan, straight 8 3 speed on the column. He was younger than me. And he was having a ball with it, just took it to a car show. It was a clean driver quality car, old paint, but cleaned up as best as you can for an ancient lacquer job. I may be in the minority but I believe there are people out there who are younger who would have a blast driving a 3speed stick on the column.
I remember the 60 Ford well, as my family had one when I was a child. The reason it sticks in my mind so well is that my dad backed out our driveway right when our neighbor was pulling into his adjacent driveway. That Ford’s tail fin opened up the side of that brand new Buick like a can opener!
Most shops won’t even work on old cars any more with carburetors.The mechanics only know to plug in to computers to tell them what’s wrong.I found this out when my kids bought me a 66′ Mustang this summer.
I remember my Dad’s first new car was a black 1960 Fairlane. I was 10 at the time so I never got to drive it. It was a 6 with automatic. Used to pile into it with my Mom (who never drove a car in her entire life of 95 years!), brother and sister and go for Sunday drives to nearby Civil War battlefields.
Too expensive for what it is. My first car when I was 16 was a 60 Ford Galaxie with a 352 and auto. My other choice was a 61 Pontiac with a 389. My dad was wise to me wanting that, so I settled for the Ford which was rustfree from Florida with all the original papers in the glove box
A nice first car because it was huge, clean and as I soon found out would do over 100mph, never told Dad that.
Since we’re on the topic of shifters and shifting, I have had every type of shifter over the decades. For ex: Two GTX 4 spds, 1 62 Checker 3-on-the-tree w/od, 1 1960 Mercedes Benz 220b 4 spd on the column. Having the shifter on the column actually makes a lot of sense…your hand stays close to the steering wheel and can be returned there instantly after shifting! That being said, I’m glad the 440 GTX had the shifter on the floor (for super-fast shifts!), and also glad the Mercedes had a Swiss-watch like shifter on the column. It’s all good.
I really do miss those 3 on the tree cars, it just seemed right at the time, would enjoy driving one now. Remember when you tried to shift too fast and it would hang up?
The overwhelming urge with this car would be to build a 390 with tri-power.
My first car was a 60 Fairlane, 2 dr sedan, straight 6, three on the tree. Passed on to me by my Gramps when he passed. Drove that car all thru high school and first year of college in the St Louis area. Drove that car from St Louis to Dallas when family moved in 1968. Drove for another year in Texas before being drafted. Cannot tell you how much I loved that car not so much for its style and looks but it reminded me of my Gramps who I loved so much and who loved me. How I would love to have the ability to purchase and drive it every day so I could check that off my bucket list.
Best comment right here.
In Howard’s defense there are a number of people who have retired the idea of shifting a car or truck. Whether this is due to tired joints or just too much traffic the appeal has faded for a lot of people. The fact that he has the courage to say it out loud should be accepted.
As for me, I like it just as it is. The ’60 Ford is a downright handsome car. The pillared sedan is a change from the popularity of the hardtop style. I would leave it well alone. No need to change a car like this or the ’72 Malibu convertible from the other day.
Hi Nelson, I realize I’m on thin ice with some of my comments, and obviously not afraid to say them. It’s the part of the old man I can’t shake. All you proponents of column shift cars are living in the past. As a truck driver for 35 years, I can safely say, NOBODY( save for another truck driver) has shifted more gears than me. The column shift was an attempt to get the shift lever off the floor, and more room for center front passenger on a bench seat. How many cars today even have a bench seat? A floor shift is quite different than a column shift. It would be comical, yet sad thinking what someone is doing to the car, trying to negotiate the shifting. Don’t shoot the piano player, I’m only telling you what seems the most practical today, and column shift just isn’t practical. You’ll see.
You said “The column shift was an attempt to get the shift lever off the floor, and more room for center front passenger on a bench seat.” That sounds right. If cars still had the more practical bench seats the column would STILL be better … but you’re right…. not for a 6 speed! Am I wrong to remember my 1960 Ford had a 3-speed NON-synchronized 1st gear?
You’re right. It was a non-synchro first gear. The synchronized first gear came in the mid 60s. For that matter, Pontiac used fully synchronized Ford 3 speeds in their A bodies, back then, until Saginaw could come up with one.
Where is Captain My Captain? This car is just right as is. Driving a manual in stop and go traffic is not bad unless you have a heavy competition clutch. I’ve done it many many times.
A lot of comments about a car with so many problems, I have a 59 Elcamino with a Richmond 5 speed. 1965 Ford 2 door Custom with a TKO 5 speed, a 63 Buick Lesabre hardtop with a factory T10 fours, and a 1980 Ford F100 with a there speed on the column. I would not want an automatic. Manual trans is the only thing I collect. And I would love this car. The first comment er is worried about resale. Obviously I would not worry about that . Who do we buy cars like this for ? I buy it for me to enjoy , not for some turkey on down the road. If I die with a yard full of cars I do not care, after all I am dead!!!!!!!
I like these cars just the way they are. It reminds me of my grandfather. The only thing he drove, in the years I knew him, were six-cylinder, two-door, standard shift Fords: 1954; 1959; 1963 Galaxie; and his final car a 1968 Mustang. Last year, a six-cylinder, standard shift, 1960 Ford came into my shop for some work. After hours, when everyone was gone, I opened the door and slipped into the front seat. I felt his presence, and I can tell you that the tears flowed. I’m not much of a Ford fan, but ones like this have an emotional attachment.
I learned to drive a standard in a 59 GMC 3on the tree 6 cylinder..
This is a beautiful car and I’d enjoy driving it just the way it is but I can’t help but think how much fun it would be to drop a 390 and a 4spd. In it..
If you put in a more powerful motor wouldn’t you also need stronger frame and driveshaft and rear end and axles and brakes and then … a 20 second quarter mile? It is a big tuna boat made to float not gloat!
Classic cars are appreciated because of their originality. Many of us drove cars in this era when auto trannys were optional and manual were standard. Power steering? What was that, something to eat? No power brakes and absence of a radio was common.
Bravo! Magnificent find and truly rare. A show winner
Surprising to see a 60 Ford this nice. We took my grandfathers 60 Galaxy to the junkyard in 66 with no floors left under our feet. What a rust bucket, I clearly remember seeing the road thru the floor. Not sure why this one rusted out so bad in 6 yrs but didn’t give me much faith in the Ford lineup at the time.
You neglected to say what state you live in. That could easily be the reason.
North half of Indiana, however none of our other cars thru the years had any rust like this car did.
Still, that area is awful hard on all cars.