In 1968, Ford produced an impressive 371,787 examples of its Fairlane range. Of those, a mere 3,761 were the 500 Convertible derivative. That makes our feature car one of the rarest examples of the Fairlane 500 to roll off the line during that year. It has been sitting in a barn since 1980 but has survived the ordeal surprisingly well. It doesn’t run or drive, but it could be an excellent project for someone to tackle over the next few months so that they can savor some top-down touring when the warmer weather arrives. If you desire a potentially straightforward Blue-Oval project, you will find the Fairlane located in Felida, Washington, and listed for sale here on Craigslist. All you need to do is hand the seller $9,000, and you could become the new owner of a rare drop-top.

Hiding under the layer of dust is a Fairlane that wears Candy Apple Red paint. The seller believes that the car received a repaint in its original shade many years ago, and the dust makes it difficult to determine the paint’s condition. Before getting too carried away with any restoration work, I would treat the Convertible to a thorough clean. It may reveal paint that would respond positively to some work with a buffer and high-quality polish. If that’s the case, returning its presentation to an acceptable level could be a cheap process. The best news is this vehicle’s lack of rust. The exterior looks clean, while the seller says the floors look great. We do get a peek at the trunk, and there’s no evidence of penetrating rust. The White power top is pretty shredded, and a replacement will be on the cards. Reproduction tops in the correct color with a plastic rear window retail for around $450, although the same item with glass will cost its buyer about $730. A couple of trim pieces appear to be missing, but the listing text suggests that these are present. The glass looks good, and the first impressions of this Fairlane seem pretty positive.

The Fairlane is nothing if not consistent because, as with the exterior, the interior requires a thorough clean before its new owner compiles a shopping list. A new carpet set for $220 will go on the list, as will a set of seat covers at $600. The driver’s door trim is not fitted, but as with the exterior trim, the listing suggests that it is present. The remaining upholstered surfaces look like they would respond to some attention with a high-quality cleaning product. However, the greatest surprise is reserved for the dash pad. These are some of the most crack-prone produced by an American manufacturer during this era, and it isn’t unusual to see them to the point where they sport vast yawning chasms. That fate hasn’t befallen this one, although it may be slightly discolored. Once again, it may respond to a clean, although I suspect that one of the better vinyl dyes on the market could provide a better result. There are no visible aftermarket additions, with the factory AM radio still in its rightful place.

Buyers had a vast array of choices regarding which engine they would slot under the hood of their new ’68 Fairlane Convertible. The original owner ordered this car with the 302ci V8, while they also selected a three-speed automatic transmission and power steering. With 210hp on tap, the Fairlane was a respectable performer for a vehicle of this type. It could cover the ¼ mile in 17.5 seconds, and while there are plenty of modern four-cylinder family cars that would leave this classic in the shade, none of them would possess this Convertible’s charisma or style. Potential buyers should not feel that they can fly in and drive this Ford home because its V8 doesn’t currently run. It seems that it last fired a shot in anger in 1980, but it does turn freely. Given the bulletproof nature of these V8s, it may not take much effort to revive them, although it would be wise to factor a rebuild into the restoration budget. This approach may prove unnecessary, but it is better to have the money and not need it than to need the money and not have it. I’ve seen owners caught out like that in the past, and it can leave them feeling pretty disheartened.

If this 1968 Fairlane 500 Convertible is as good as the photos and listing suggest, returning it to its rightful place on our roads may not be difficult. If that’s the case, its new owner will be hitting the road in one of the rarest American Convertibles produced during that model year. Even if an in-person inspection reveals the need for a repaint, the car has solid bones that would negate the need for rust repairs. It has been sitting for more than four decades, which is not what its creators intended. They produced this classic to be driven and enjoyed on a sunny summer’s day. There is still time to achieve that goal this year. So, will you succumb to the temptation?