Vehicle Description
In the days before the Mustang and before the term "muscle car" had
even been coined, cars like this 1963 Ford Fairlane 500 hardtop
were the go-to choices for the guy who liked having fun behind the
wheel. Combining classic Ford looks with a snarky 289 cubic inch
V8, it's a fun, affordable way to enjoy traditional
rear-wheel-drive performance with a Blue Oval flavor.
Positioned somewhere between the Falcon and the Galaxie, the
Fairlane has just the right proportions: big enough to be
comfortable but not so big that it dampens performance. Finished in
glowing code Y Glacier Blue, it has a look that makes every
old-school racer think twice before giving it a go at the local
track. Next to the convertible, the hardtop is by far the most
desirable body style and the combination of formality and
performance is quite appealing. The finish is pretty darned nice,
particularly at this price, with a great gloss and straight
bodywork that strongly suggests this car has not been abused or
wrecked. The blue paint is a fairly decent approximation of the
original, maybe a little darker, and with all the factory
brightwork still in place it looks like it should cost thousands
more than it does. In fact, much of the chrome and trim has been
recently replaced or restored, so it shows extremely well.
The a bench seat interior was standard issue in the Fairlane, and
for guys more interested in going fast, the accommodations were of
little consideration. Therefore the original front bench remains in
place, now covered with a blue cloth and vinyl seat cover that has
sharply defined pleats and neat piping for just a little contrast.
The skinny steering wheel has an upscale look, especially with the
chrome horn ring, and all the original hardware on the doors helps
with the '60s flavor. The simple, round factory gauges are original
and are joined by a trio of white-faced auxiliary dials tucked
under the dash. The factory-issued AM radio is long gone, replaced
at some point by a Kenwood AM/FM/cassette stereo head unit that
makes driving a bit more entertaining. The carpets, door panels,
and headliner are in excellent condition, offering additional proof
that someone invested in this car all out of proportion to its
asking price. Even the trunk is nicely finished using a correct mat
set and a matching styled steel wheel for a spare.
It would be a mistake to underestimate Ford's muscular 289, because
in the relatively lightweight Fairlane, performance is impressive.
Rebuilt less than 1000 miles ago, it packs a stock intake topped by
a Holley 4-barrel carburetor, which surely adds some ponies to the
final count, and upgrades like an alternator and an aluminum
radiator make it reliable and comfortable enough to drive every
day. It's nicely dressed in Ford Blue engine enamel with finned
valve covers and a chrome air cleaner, so it has a FoMoCo hi-po
look, especially with that reproduction decal on the air cleaner. A
C4 3-speed automatic transmission and sturdy 8-inch rear end with
3.00 gears inside (at least according to the door tag) mean that
it's equally happy in traffic or on the highway. The undercarriage
is reasonably tidy for a car in this price range, with a floor
patch in the driver's side rear foot well, which isn't all that
unusual on these cars. Factory styled steel wheels look great and
are fitted with fat Michelin radials that hint at the performance
awaiting inside.
A very neat old Ford with a lot of performance for not a lot of
cash. If you're looking for fun on a budget that's not like
everyone else's fun on a budget, then this Fairlane deserves a
closer look. Call today!
