While it’s true that station wagons are still around as slightly taller SUVs, nobody will stare at a RAV 4 or an Escape the way that they will stare at a 1960s station wagon. Regardless of brand, the wagon was a ubiquitous sight on American roads for decades, but these days, if you want a wagon, you’ll have to buy it used. That’s where this clean 1965 Ford Fairlane 500 might fill the bill. It’s small enough to handle traffic easily, large enough for people and cargo hauling, and with a 289 under the hood, it’s powerful enough to keep up on modern roads. Barn Finder Curvette spotted this example here on eBay in Portland, Oregon, and while we’re getting down to the wire on the auction, its high bid of $9,400 looks reasonable to me.
While the Fairlane wagon came standard with a 200-cubic-inch six, I don’t think anyone is upset that the original 289 is under the hood of this one, and the seller says that it “purrs like a kitten.” The engine has an aftermarket intake manifold and a new four-barrel carburetor (I can’t quite make out what brand is underneath the air cleaner), in addition to a new distributor, alternator, starter, and “full electrical system.” The 289 could have originally been a 200-horsepower two-barrel or a 225-horsepower four-barrel; the VIN is listed on the eBay ad, but I think there’s a typo or three. Either way, the engine code should be a “C” or an “A. The transmission is a C4, and while “the transmission could use service,” it “engages and shifts correctly.” I take it that a fluid and filter change might be what the seller is referring to (I hope). The front brakes have been converted to discs.
The interior is in excellent condition, with tear-free seats and headliner (and new carpet). The red vinyl is an excellent complement to the white exterior.
The load floor, which is so often scuffed and dented in an old station wagon, looks ready for another 61 years of service.
I was recently watching a YouTube video showing the cars from the Ford-sponsored sitcom Hazel, which ran for five seasons in the 1960s. There are worse fantasy worlds than those featuring nothing but 1960s Ford products, and I imagine that a 1965 Fairlane 500 Wagon would be right at home in the Baxters’ driveway, always available for Hazel to make a run to the store. Her car might not have a set of racy aluminum wheels like this one, but you get the idea. The auction’s almost up, so act fast if you want something that will stand out in a sea of sport-utility vehicles.
Talk about a “square body”. What a cool old car.
SOLD for $9400! (with only 2 bids!)
Good buy what I say .
If you only got a split second look at this car, one might think it was a 1964, Chevrolet Station Wagon, as the front looks a lot like one.
sold. good looking wagon.
Sold for $9400 after only two bids. Looks to be a good deal though the transmission may or may not need more than a fluid / filter change?
I like
the Stooch added wheels – shoulda added A/C. whatta Stooch !
I would have been a player on this , but never seen it till after auction was over . Snook in under the radar…
AMC got me started on AWD with the eagle and the necessity of a station wagon for work tools had me hooked , the improvements during the flying decades could not see me driving an old jalopy like this with any pleasure , i will stick to my s.u.v.’s , with a boat load of features including independent front and rear suspension!
Why are you even here then ? The whole site is about antique cars. Nobody cares about modern suvs with all the little doo dads .
yup , buddy thats why they are selling like hotcakes
Claudio, there may be room for both the old and the modern vehicles. The old ones are certainly easier for us to work on with fewer electronics and the computer codes to decipher that the new ones have. Not everyone can afford a newer vehicle as well as an “antique” however. There are upgrades on cars like this wagon like disc brakes that many apply. Your all wheel drive Eagle is one of these collectables too of course.
yes Dave ,there is room for both but i dont feel the need to suffer and for certain old cars ,as much as i want nostalgia ,i simply dont like the ride of the old jalopies ,Protouring is more my thing but since i have gotten lazy ,i cannot afford a $100,000 car on part time work and let me add that newer cars do not break down very often but they do need minimal care,my 1989corvette is not much of an issue and the same with my 1995 trans am
Item sold on Wed, Mar 25 at 5:00 PM.
US $9,400.00
2 bids
Yessss…… No one ever seen this ” T-bone ” till auction was over . See comments above .
Beautiful car. My favourite Fords are the 1964 and 1965 Galaxie and Fairlane.