In 1962, Ford created a mid-size car to sell between the compact Falcon and full-size Galaxie. And they shifted the Fairlane moniker to it for name recognition. That move prompted General Motors to follow suit in 1964 with the all-new Chevrolet Chevelle, and others from Buick, Pontiac, and Oldsmobile. The seller offers a 1964 Fairlane 500 in pretty good shape with some performance tricks to its 289 cubic inch V8. Located in Beaverton, Oregon, this FOMOCO find is available here on craigslist for $15,000 OBO. A thumbs up to “Curvette” for the tip!
The “new” Fairlane was in its third year of a design cycle in 1964, so changes were few. Perhaps most noticeable is that the small tailfins that had held on in 1963 were gone. At 277,000 units, sales were good, but Ford got beaten out by 22% by the new kid on the block, the Chevy Chevelle, at 338,000 copies. During the year, the 260 cubic inch V8 got replaced by the 289, though we don’t know if the one in the seller’s car is numbers-matching.
This Ford has had some recent work done on it, many leading to more giddyap out of the 289 engine. The motor has been rebuilt with a 2-barrel carburetor, but the powerplant has been bored over, given polished and ported heads from a 351, and fitted with some snappier lifters. Also added were a new gas tank, aluminum radiator, and some suspension pieces. Extra parts include a set of headers that you can install if you really want to get serious.
The passenger compartment was not overlooked in the process, with new upholstery and a headliner. Parts of the original “factory” air conditioning remain, but it’s in-op. The Ford has a few little dents and dings, but that doesn’t mean that a reservation is needed right away at the body shop. The mileage is unknown as the odometer quit working, and the car has continued to be used as a daily driver during warmer months. So, this could be an auto to be driven as-is or given time to beef it up some more.
Next time you see this it probably will be a Thunderbolt clone…
Unfortunately, yes, and that’s too bad. I am really coming to hate clones. They are now on such a large-scale I think it’s hurting the hobby.
Well, I agree, there are enough clones of everything, and a huge shortage of just regular cars. I’m sure many here will agree, 60s Fords were simply the best. Car of the Year, they were, although not the Fair-a-lane specific, it was part of the deal, with Fords “Total Performance” sealing the deal, I’m sure. Ford had something for everybody, from humble Falcons and Mustangs to swoopy T-Birds. It’s true, like the Cyclone post, these gave Chrysler a heck of a run. Hemi killers, and I think Bob Tasca Sr. led the charge with his ’64 427 Fairlane, and I read, was instrumental in the Thunderbolt program, Ford heartily endorsed with his “win on Sunday, sell on Monday” theme. Times sure have changed, huh?
This car? I highly doubt it will become a Thunderbolt clone, the money return/interest just isn’t there today. These people are just going to have to realize, there’s no market for a $5 figure project, and ironically, if it was restored to original, what a fantastic find. Kind of a can’t win deal, they were such nice cars.
A baby Galaxie. Hey get the AC working and cruise. Seems priced fair compared to the later model Chevelles and GTOs.
looks like a lot of funny business in repairs under that hood
not too bad
It’s a very nice car, but the engine mods are odd. Why bore it out (not “bore it over”), and install 351W heads- then put a 2bbl back on? 🤔 Weird. As for the “Thunderbolt” ruckus, there’s a long way to go from this small block, column shift, run of the mill Fairlane to where you’re talking about going. Best to find a nice 4bbl intake and carb and enjoy.
One other small point, the 260 was not replaced by the 289 in ‘64. Many 260 powered Fairlanes, Falcons, and Comets, were built in ‘64- as well as a bunch of early production Mustangs. Contrary to popular belief, the 289 actually found its way into a few ‘63 1/2 rigs. I know Falcons for a fact, and suspect that a few Comets and Fairlanes received the 289 as well.
This is a very pretty little Fairlane!
Better daily driver with the 2 barrel. Probably a 500 CFM so for a driver would run good. He has a 4 barrel, intake and headers to go with the car also.
Thunderbolts were post cars, not hardtops, because they were lighter. Can’t remember when I saw a ’64 Fairlane with a solid trunk and quarters. My preferences run toward ’66 Galaxies, but if this was my dream model, I’d be snapping this up yesterday.
What’s going on on that package shelf?
The “baby” is on the shelf. I like the photos on Craigslist which I can enlarge on the computer screen. What is it a wide-angle lens that makes the open trunk look almost like a Ranchero bed? It looks like there is some surface rust at least in the trunk that was sprayed over with close matching light blue, but still not a bad car. If all is as described, a decent price, I think.
Wow – love this one! I think the wheels and their color really help in this case. My dream is to have a Fairlane or Falcon of this era, add some modern touches and make it my daily driver.
Always preferred the mid 60’s mid size cars, especially Fords. This plain Jane 289, 3spd is right up my ally. But like the equally desirable lt blue mustang with the dark hood, also here on bf, an ‘almost affordable’. And like the mustang I wouldn’t change much of anything to make it a daily driver, except to shed the last of the ac bits. Those can sit on a shelf for the next owner, or be sold off to fund upgrades for this car as I use it.
But like I said about the mustang, ‘almost affordable’. When I can find and rebuild, to my liking, a mid 90’s s-124 mercedes wagon for a daily at under 10k and it does just about everything I need in a vehicle, from work to play, the prices of these older buggies just doesn’t work, unfortunately.
I really like this Fairlane.
Granted it did take me a year to find a basically rust free body to start with for the current s-124. But once found I was able to be put it to use almost immediately, with upgrading done along the way.
The 2nd best part of that deal, after the actual wagon as a daily, is that it is fully paid for. No monthly payments except insurance & maintenance.
I have just one question. What exactly are “snappier” lifters?
Owner here: as far as I know it was someone’s previous attempt to start a thunderbolt clone as a lot of the papers in the binder are magazine clippings of thunderbolts and parts.
As for the weird decision for a 2b stock manifold on it is beyond me, that’s why I got the f4b. It seems like someone gave up halfway through conversion even though they put in the work for everything else in the rebuild, if I read the paper right they ported and polished it as well.. go figure.. my dad and I can’t fathom it ourselves. It’s a strong runner, but its definitely begging for that 4b mix.
The only thing I can’t confirm is what cam they put in. There didn’t seem to be any info on it, and I don’t want to tear the whole thing apart right now.
I’m about to put new power steering line routed correctly so that they don’t burn on the manifold. The tank for it was moved to the sidewall to make way for the factory air conditioning. Whoever routed the lines last put them along the side and
they’ve burnt out twice there.