Survivor is a term commonly used by sellers to describe automobiles, and often, certain aspects of a vehicle don’t meet the definition of an all-original example. However, sometimes they get it right, or at least come close. The owner of this 1966 Ford Fairlane 500 station wagon calls this one a survivor, and it seems to have many attributes that could indeed constitute a near-survivor. Barn Finds reader Curevtte spotted this one here on eBay in Nogales, Arizona, and we’d like to thank him for taking the time to send in the tip! This family traveler is priced at $11,000, with no option available to submit a best offer.
Arizona is one of those climates that’s typically kind to automobiles, and this station wagon is no exception, with the seller describing the sheet metal as being rust-free. The exterior appears to remain straight and in overall fine condition, though there is a minor dent on the tailgate and some crumpling on the right side of the rear bumper. To be deemed a true survivor, a vehicle should also still be wearing its original paint. Although this isn’t confirmed, the finish is only described as fair, so I’m guessing most or all of the yellow on the outside could possibly be the factory coating.
One area that’s clearly stated as original is the interior, which looks about as good as could be expected for any auto that’s reached the six-decade mark, especially for a station wagon. The top of the dashboard is cracked, but that’s to be expected in the kind of heat found in Arizona, and there is a small amount of wear on the driver’s side of the front bench. However, the instrument panel appears to be in great shape, and it’s nice to see that this one is equipped with A/C. Unfortunately, it’s not blowing cold air right now, but the seller reports that all components are still present.
The entry-level engine here in ’66 was a 200 C.I. inline-six, with this one having a 289 V8 under the hood, which was the next size up. It’s said to be the factory powerplant, and paired with a three-speed automatic transmission. Obviously, the wheels are not original, but the seller has a set of factory hub caps and three steel wheels, so you’re only one rim away from restoring the exterior to a stock appearance. Is this 1966 Ford Fairlane 500 station wagon one you’d like to take out on the road this summer?
I have a soft spot for these late 60’s to late 70’s Ford station wagons, thanks to family vacation trips. My parents would put a twin mattress in the back, leave wayyy early in the morning and, by the time my brother and I woke up, we’d be in Montana, Wyoming or South Dakota. Just in time to crack open a couple of those barrel-shaped high fructose “fruit” drinks and start pleading with them to stop at a motel with a pool for the night. Good times!