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Still In The Barn: 1959 Ford Fairlane

This 1959 Ford Fairlane has been in the barn for a l-o-n-g time! How long? Well, the seller says at least 30 years, but since the license plates date from 1972, why not round that up to an even 45 just for grins and giggles! I’m guessing that the seller, new to eBay, is now selling it because it’s the easiest car to get to–look at the pictures for what other items might come up for sale in the future! In the meantime, this Ford is located in Wheeler, Wisconsin and is up for sale here on eBay, where the opening bid is $2,995 and there’s no reserve.

As you can see, at some point a minor effort was made to preserve the “edges” of this two-door hardtop with primer. It does appear complete with all trim and is pretty straight. For all we know, this could actually be the original paint. Think about it; it was last on the road when it was only 13 years old!

I wonder how it got from Nebraska to Wisconsin? There is some rust in most horizontal internal surfaces of the car, with holes in some of them. The seller has done a pretty good job of showing those, but I wish they had gone one step further and shot under the car or some closeups of the rocker panels. The only picture of them is pretty fuzzy.

Here’s one of the holes behind the driver’s seat, for example.

If you don’t recognize those as 1959 Fairlane seats, you’d be correct; the seller states they are from a Mazda. Apparently the originals have left the building, kinda like Elvis. We do know that it has a three speed manual transmission and the shifter is “on the tree.” Yes, I’d be looking for more period appropriate seating arrangements, but why not use what you have in a case like this, at least for the moment. In other words, I don’t blame the seller for putting the seats in place.

This was a surprise for me–an inline six rather than a V8. It’s a 223 cubic inch engine if it’s the original one, and with that somewhat unusual air cleaner I suspect it is. Is that enough engine for you? The seller has gotten the car running, but it has a leaky brake line or two and needs further work before it’s roadworthy. Does this sound like a good deal?

Comments

  1. Avatar wayne

    Base model custom or custom 300, I believe ,and yup that’s the original 223 mileage maker six .. wish it had been the Galaxie with the extra trim and v8 but it’s still a great solid platform for a restore. Or restore body and modern running gear for a great reliable cruiser .. owned a 59 Galaxie in h.s and I believe it was one of the smoothest riding cars I have owned . Price seems reasonable to me .

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  2. Avatar Todd Zuercher

    My dad’s first car was a ’59 Ford with the 223 ci six. He really liked the engine.

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  3. Avatar sir mike

    I learned to drive on my dad’s 59 4dr black over red,352 with a traction lock rear.With snow tyres it would go almost anywhere.Wish this one was a lot closer…worth saving in some form.

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  4. Avatar motoring mo

    Dice Clay approves.

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  5. Avatar ccrvtt

    Some very interesting Mopars and ’50’s pickups in the background. I’ll buy a beer for anyone who can identify the little gray & white station wagon on the Ford’s left flank.

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    • Avatar Jamie Staff

      Hillman?

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      • Avatar dm

        Agree. Looks like it might be a Hillman Husky.

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  6. Avatar ccrvtt

    Okay, guys. I think you’ve nailed it. I can see by the time stamps it’s before 7:00am where you are.

    Beer for breakfast, anyone?

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  7. Avatar Nova Scotian

    So sad to see all the classics, or any older car with large rust, and metal, totally eaten away. Wish the manufactures had known about rust prevention back in the day. Actually, they likly knew, just didn’t want the extra expense!! These cars will never be duplicated. Love the old body styles so much! Look at the size of the trunk on that girl!
    Very cool ride, albeit very ordinary for the day.

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    • HoA Howard A Member

      Hi Nova, oh, the automakers knew full well the effects of road salt. If fact, I heard they encouraged it.( and maybe even subsidised it) Living in Wisconsin, there were times, so much salt was on the sides of the roads, they were almost plowing salt. That’s how they sold new cars.

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  8. Avatar Wayne

    The price doesn’t seem to bad but there is another one in Wisconsin for a $1000.

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  9. Avatar Wayne

    The price doesn’t seem to high but here is another one in Wisconsin for only $1000.

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  10. Avatar Rustytech Member

    I love the 2×2 wood block to mount the seat! This is going to be a lot of work, I’m not sure what the restored value would be but I suspect it would be very easy to get underwater on it as the 2 door sedan and 6cyl. are not at the top of the desirability list. I’d do this one as a restomod.

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  11. Avatar Wayne

    Yes definitely a Hillman Husky.

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  12. Avatar ben

    ruf ruf ruf Hillman about a 61 to ruff for me and priced to high for a sed my 58 t bird I bought on here for a grand looks like a crème puff compare but that’s just my opion and u know what they say about that ben in fl

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  13. Avatar G.P. Member

    Wheeler Wi. is about 15 miles from me. I know a couple of people that live there, I can ask them if they know about the cars or go look myself. Not a very big place. My parents and Grandparents lived there.

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  14. Avatar Jamie Staff

    Auction ended with no bids, even after a drop to $2,795.

    Like 0

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