For Sale: 1965 Ford Fairlane in Lithia Springs, Georgia

Wow, when was the last time you saw one of these? 1965 Ford Fairlanes aren't exactly common these days, especially not in bright with a matching red interior. Add a fresh 302 crate motor, and you have a great runner that's bound to generate more than its fair share of double-takes on the street and an easy car to underestimate when the chips are down.

I liken the early '60s Fairlanes to the industrial-strength Mopars of the same period: lots of power without a lot of excess baggage. The lines are clean but very subdued, the roofline is formal but stylish, and there's only enough trim to make a statement. Painting it Wimbledon White helps prevent unwanted attention, although with the teardrop hood scoop from a Thunderbolt your chances of sneaking around are diminished. However, the paint obviously doesn't hide anything so you won't find major surprises underneath, and the look is still pretty intimidating. Seriously, if this car rolled up next to you at a light, you'd think twice about punching it when the light turned green; who knows what kind of evil lurks under that long hood? Fortunately, there's enough chrome to lighten the mood a bit, and all of it remains in great shape, particularly the angular side trim that matches the forward-canted angle of the roof. And I think Chrysler owes Ford an apology, because that concave rear window looks awfully familiar, don't you think?

Personally, I think bench seat interiors are a great choice no matter what you're driving. Comfortable and traditional, the bench seat setup in this car has a luxurious yet sporty look that matches the car's personality. The seat covers, door panels, headliner, and carpets are all in very good condition, probably too nice to be original but certainly correct enough. The instrument panel is original and all the gauges are working, and someone has added a tach op top where it should be. The original AM radio is still in place and still works like it should but aside from that, this Fairlane is pretty light on options, so you know it was ordered and built to do just one thing out on the mean streets. The back seat is big enough for three friends (or "ballast" as we used to call them) and with a giant trunk, road trips or excursions to the track don't mean you have to leave essentials behind.

A snarling 302 cubic inch Jasper crate engine lives under the hood, and gives the Fairlane the moves of a much younger machine. Great low-end torque means it gets out of the hole quickly and the 302's penchant for high-RPM excursions comes via an aluminum Edelbrock intake and Holley 4-barrel carb. Ford Blue paint on the block looks the way Ford did it back in the day, with just enough aluminum and chrome to make it look important. The transmission is a familiar C4 3-speed automatic and a 9-inch rear with reasonable gears inside means this is an easy cruiser. A recent dual exhaust system with Flowmaster mufflers sounds fantastic at, say 5000 RPM, and front disc brakes are a welcome upgrade. Plain-Jane steelies with dog dish hubcaps are the only way to fly and it sits on skinny 165/80/15 radials up front and fat 255/60/15 drag radials out back.

An unusual, fast, fun cruiser that will have a lot of folks scratching their heads after having their doors blown off. If that sounds like fun, call us today!