Vehicle Description
Wow, when was the last time you saw one of these? 1963 Ford
Fairlane 500s aren't exactly common these days, especially not in a
cool color combination like this. Add a sweet-running 260, a
4-speed, 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 upgrade to take it to the next level.
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 charcoal gray helps keep it under the radar, and with the paint
being only a few years old, it still looks quite good. There are a
few signs of use, so it isn't a trailer queen by any means, but
that dark paint gives this a very serious look indeed. Admit it: if
this car rolled up next to you at a light, you'd think twice about
punching it when the light turned green, wouldn't you? 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 light interiors are a great choice no matter
what you're driving. The bench seat setup in this car has a
luxurious yet sporty look that matches the car's personality and
remains bright and airy. The seat cover, door panels, headliner,
and carpets are all in great condition and you can tell at a glance
that this one was built to cruise. No radio, auxiliary gauges in
the dash, and a matching center armrest with cup holders all make
it ready to hit the next cruise night. Actually, aside from a
heater and defroster, this car 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 260 cubic inch V8 lives under the hood, and gives the Fairlane
the moves of a much younger machine. Rebuilt in 2004 and bored .40
over, it offers low-end torque to get out of the hole quickly and
the 260's penchant for high-RPM excursions comes via an Edelbrock
aluminum intake and 4-barrel carb, Comp Cams camshaft, Pertronix
ignition, as well as a set of Hooker long-tube headers that were
ceramic coated for long life. It's actually quite nice under the
hood, with satin black inner fenders, finned aluminum valve covers,
and nice details like the original generator, Ford script hoses,
and even a solvent bag hanging by the shock tower make it look
correct. The transmission is a 4-speed manual, which is how this
car came from the factory. A recent dual exhaust system with
Flowmaster mufflers sounds fantastic at, say 5000 RPM, and the
vintage Torque Thrust wheels wear 205/65/15 radials that add the
perfect performance look.
This is a two-time National Fairlane Show placer and it comes with
a ton of build receipts and photos so you can buy it with
confidence. A little unusual and a lot of fun. Call today!
