Vehicle Description
Upscale muscle at Ford was always spelled FAIRLANE. This 1967 Ford
Fairlane 500 brings a mid-sized package with a serious punch under
the hood in the form of a smooth-running 289. If a Mustang is a
little small for your needs, perhaps this Fairlane hardtop is more
to your liking.
Doing battle with the Chevy Chevelle has hardened this Fairlane 500
into a lean, mean street machine, and the traditional Wimbledon
White paint it wears suggests that it isn't going to live in
anyone's shadow. Of course, it's easy to swagger when you look this
good, with straight bodywork, sharply defined character lines, and
well aligned panels. The white paint is a bit subtle, which was
probably the more mature Fairlane's purpose and it has the hardware
to back up the "gentleman's express" look. It's an older paint job,
but a professional with a light touch could really make it sparkle
in a big way. The fastback roofline was a big hit on the NASCAR
circles, and the forward-canted headlights give it the illusion of
motion even when it's standing still. A black vinyl roof was
included when it was built and it's still on the car, and it's in
very good condition with no warning signs underneath that would
suggest that this car led a tough life.
The simple black interior looks awesome with a combination of
replacement and original components blending seamlessly together.
With original bench seats front and rear, it perfectly captures the
period using authentic materials and patterns, and it's every bit
as comfortable today as it was when it was new. There are also
fairly recent carpets on the floor, door panels that give the
Fairlane an upscale look with their wood inserts, and a dash pad
that hasn't been cooked by the sun. The original gauges amount to a
speedometer and fuel gauge, and they show clear lenses and bright
markings, with a handy warning stripe at about 70 MPH, which was
apparently "too fast" in Ford's opinion. A column-mounted shifter
makes this a true 6-passenger machine and those sitting in back
will never feel slighted by the accommodations. Oh, and it comes
with factory A/C that works and the original AM radio is joined by
an FM converter under the dash. With the Fairlane, you also get a
giant trunk that's correctly outfitted with a plaid mat and
bias-ply spare tire that's never been used.
As I mentioned, the C-code 289 under the hood is a terrific runner,
smooth and unobtrusive but muscular enough to get it moving without
working too hard. It's pretty original but very clean, showing Ford
Blue paint on the air cleaner and engine itself, just how it would
have been five decades ago. There are signs of use and age, of
course, but there are many more signs of careful maintenance over
the years plus a lot of service records are included. It starts
easily and idles smoothly and that 2-barrel carburetor makes good
torque and a great V8 burble from the fresh dual exhaust system.
The C4 3-speed automatic transmission shifts cleanly and there are
highway-friendly gears inside that make it a great cruiser that's
always relaxed. Tidy floors are always a relief to see on an old
car and the original wire wheel covers look great with whitewall
radials wrapped around them.
Unusual, comfortable, and very reasonably priced, this Fairlane is
a great alternative to the regular muscle you see at all the shows.
Call today!