Dipping into the shallow end of the pool is this 1967 Ford Fairlane coupe, a bit of a beater but still serviceable and ready for either summer use or restoration. The price is certainly within the pocket-change realm at $6200, but—oops!—it’s not going to go for that, being currently under the reserve here on ebay. Well, you have time. The auction goes for six more days, ending on July 20th. Should you become the person who finds the magic number, you’ll collect your prize in Lexington, SC. The question is, how high is it reasonable to go?
A mid-1960s Ford Fairlane is right in just about every way imaginable. The sizing is perfect. You can cruise in comfort and still find a way to park it in your reasonably sized garage. The 289-CID engine gives it enough motive power to feel sporty, but not so much that you’re in the 8-mpg range. This model year, 1967, formed the second of a two-year generation, which began in 1966. The line would go extinct in the American market in 1970. This car has dog-dish hubcaps overtop of body-colored steelies. Very cool. It also features a grille somewhat reminiscent of the Mustang’s, and sharp body-side chrome accents. And don’t overlook that name badge “Fairlane 500” script on the body. Handsome.
Will you have some work to do? Yeah. The interior is thrashed. The package shelf is a gaping set of holes where speakers probably belong. The passenger’s floor has multiple rusty pinholes, leading one to wonder about the cowl, if there’s a leaky windshield. And there’s one very worrisome photo where rust has eaten a hole the size of your fist into—what is that, a floor panel? But better to know this now than when you get the car home, and good on the seller for showing it. Other areas needing attention include the driver’s side rear fender, which has bump damage, and all top surfaces. But wait—is this original paint? The seller describes the car as “white,” but that eggshell color very much looks like proper Wimbledon White. And there’s an original dealer badge on the rear. Oh hold on—he says that the paint was done years ago. But he also adds that it shows great patina. So do we have a car that, given the current climate in which stuff is preserved rather than restored, should be given light attention and driven? That would at least be my initial plan.
Many of the mechanical items that would need to be addressed after a car sat have been, including what you can spy above as an aluminum radiator. However, problems remain, including some smoke coming from the left exhaust and other noted needs, including some leaks. So what’s new in the old-car world? All that’s left to see is how much the reserve is. If it’s $6500, and you can do the interior for a couple of grand, you can ignore the rest until you’ve driven the car a bunch. Then spend some money, and know that you won’t be underwater.
P.S. This post is written in memory of my Aunt Helen, who lived in Lexington, perhaps miles from this car, and who passed away a couple of weeks ago.
You should probably fix the leaks inside the cabin before you spend “a couple of grand” on the interior.
I’m with you. Patch the floors and replace every seal because it’ll never be easier than it is in its current condition. Then do the interior.
Then the hot rodder would take over my “preservation” program. I’d have to stuff 347 cubic inches of Ford small block under that Hi-Po 289 air cleaner and a C6 to back it up. Just ’cause I can’t leave well enough alone.
That a solid plan man! Get that interior sealed up and get some nice hides trimmed out! Stroked out Ford would be enough to deal with on the streets!
You’d be rollin in a killa Ford.
Times surely have changed. Pocket change now is $6,200? Sorry but to me that’s not “pocket change”. Hence the reason our cars have went up 10 fold in ten years.
I don’t disagree with your general point, Matt, that $6200 doesn’t seem like pocket change. It isn’t to me, either. But it’s getting harder to find FOUR DOOR cars for under $2,000 and even tougher for under $1,500. I did pick up a ’68 Galaxie for under $1,000 last year and got it running and back on the road and sold to a dad and two sons, and I have a lead now on an ’89 Mustang for under $1,000 that seems really solid, but it is tough. Locally, I have my eye on a couple four door cars from the 60s and I’m hoping they’ll drop in price. Yet, the very next ad I looked at after those was a field find in need of a LOT of help, and the guy was asking $2,000. I cause my own headaches by watching MotorTrend though. I’m part of my own problem . . .
Lotta rust for a SC car! If “a fistful” exists over a floorboard, I can only imagine about the rest. But it IS a Fairlane after all so someone will buy it!
I see factory a/c vents inside, but where is the compressor on the engine?
My favorite Ford ever. Build that 289. Black interior. Buckets and center console. 4 speed. Fire engine red jacked up pro stock with Craeger wheels. 60’s on back and 70’s on front. Friend had one when I was 14. Fastest in class at the old Rocky Mountain raceway. In S.L.C. and the best looking car I had seen to date. Great memories.
Don’t know why my phone spelled Cragar that way. Probably should type instead of talk. Go figure
I like this car more than the dealer offered Fairlanes on Ebay. This car is at least genuine in its flaws. Better to see what your getting for a reasonable price than a highly detailed ringer with rattle can rust preventative sprayed on the entire bottom of the car for $49K
I couldn’t agree more, do the things to make it nice and it would be a great car.
Compared to the 18 grand dart, buy this for 10 K put 8 K into it and drive circles around the Dart. I like the Dart, but this could be way better!