For Sale: 1969 Ford Fairlane in Lithia Springs, Georgia

Chevelles are fine and GTOs get a lot of attention, but if you bleed Ford Blue, this 1969 Ford Fairlane hardtop is the best alternative. With a strong-running 390 cubic inch V8, it's the Blue Oval's answer to the ubiquitous A-body. Better still, it's a bargain compared to its bowtie-wearing rivals and quite a bit rarer to boot!

Handsome and restrained compared to its fastback siblings, this Fairlane hardtop adds a bit of formality to the performance game. All the Ford hi-po styling tricks are in place here, including the domed hood, sport mirrors, and Magnum 500 wheels, so there's no mistaking it on the street. It was repainted a few years ago, but it still looks decent with a few touch ups here and there. The color looks a lot like code Y Indian Fire Red, and there's probably no point in trying to sneak around in this car. There's a ton of sheetmetal in those quarter panels but it's all quite straight and crisply rendered with decent panel gaps all around. The design is actually quite clean, skipping the scoops, wings, and stripes that were practically mandatory on cars like this in 1969, and the lack of a vinyl roof certainly helps it look sporty. The cool thing about cars like this is that you won't see another one at most shows and it stands out among all the Mustangs you usually find. That alone makes this Fairlane a winner in our book.

The interior got a significant makeover, starting with a set of power leather buckets seats from a late-model, along with a matching rear bench that fits so perfectly it looks like it was born there. The leather is in excellent condition, and they even salvaged the center console, so it all has a very OEM look. The instrument panel offers a quartet of round gauge pods seeming to grow out of the dash pad and the gauges inside are in good shape, with interesting silver faces that still show up pretty well behind lenses that are only a little cloudy. There are also auxiliary dials under the dash that are probably a bit more accurate. The radio is a modern AM/FM/cassette unit that slots into the original radio's position and it sounds pretty good. The door panels are simple custom pieces with Fairlane script and unlike the Mustang, this Torino is big enough to have a good-sized trunk without needing a fold-down rear seat.

OK, the real reason this Fairlane is special can be found under the hood: a 390 cubic inch V8. It was rebuilt about 5000 miles ago and features a long list of upgrades including Edelbrock aluminum heads, Performer intake manifold, and an upgraded cam. There's a big Holley 4-barrel carb on top, MSD ignition system, and finned valve covers to dress things up a bit. It starts easily and runs beautifully, with smooth torque that only vintage V8s seem to deliver and you'd better believe this one is potent. The C6 3-speed automatic transmission shifts well and the beefy 9-inch rear just shrugs it off and offers great highway cruising thanks to 2.80 gears inside. A recent Flowmaster exhaust system gives it an awesome Ford sound and even though the underside is mostly original, it remains in good condition overall. Classic Magnum 500 wheels offer a more sporting look than plain old steelies and it wears staggered 245/60/15 front and 255/60/15 rear white-letter radials.

With lots of power on tap, that gorgeous interior, and an unusual look, this is a fun, affordable Ford that delivers in all the ways that matter. Who says Chevy guys get all the breaks? Call today!