46K Mile Survivor: 1960 Ford Fairlane 500
About a week ago, we covered this rare 1960 Edsel and there were numerous comments comparing the similarities and differences to the same year Ford. So today, for your review, we have a 1960 Ford Fairlane 500, “Club Sedan” which was Ford’s version of the Edsel. I’m going to have to go with the “survivor” designation for this 46K mile Ford because that’s truly what it is. Found in New Baltimore, Michigan, this Fairlane is available, here on eBay for a current, no reserve bid of $10,000, with 46 bids tendered as of this writing.
Being a Fairlane 500, this Ford is second from the bottom rung with the Fairlane beneath it and the Galaxie and Starliner holding court at the top. The similarity in lines between the Edsel Ranger and the Fairlane 500 is unmistakable, barring, of course, the Pontiacesque Edsel’s front end and its defies-description taillight setup. It’s an example of badge engineering, more common later in the ’60s and continuing on long enough to kill off marques like Mercury, Pontiac, Plymouth, and others.
The finish of this Ford is claimed to be 95% original and it certainly looks great! It is said to have scratches, chips, and dings but they’re minor and not obvious. It has clearly been garaged and carefully used over its 60+ years of life. There’s no fade, rust, dents, etc. Even for a lower echelon model, this Fairlane was well-appointed trim-wise and it all still presents beautifully. In keeping with the originality theme, the new tires are of bias-ply construction! Want more? Here’s a walk-around video.
Power under this Fairlane’s hood (and there’s an image!) matches that of the Edsel as it’s a 185 gross HP, 292 CI V8 and it is said that it, “runs smooth, starts up easy, and accelerates nice down the road. The Automatic Transmission shifts smooth as well“. Mechanically, this Ford is original with just items like the fuel tank and tires having been replaced, a tune-up performed, and an ignition system and brake refurbishment – normal items that usually need attention after so many years.
The interior has all of the welcoming environment of a taxicab and that’s exactly how it should be. Other than a split dash pad, it’s resplendent with its dull gray industrial vibe. I like patterned upholstery and this Fairlane wears its well. The instrument panel is pretty bare-bones but again, that’s in keeping with the time and this car’s trim level. At least the original owner sprung for a radio!
Comparing this ’60 Fairlane 500 to the ’60 Edsel Ranger, it’s easy to see the similarities and the few differences that separated the two. And when you consider the Edsel’s controversial ’58 and ’59 models, along with the stigma of the Edsel name, it’s easy to see how there was little incentive to purchase one over a corresponding Ford. Unless, of course, you lived to be different and dug the Edsel’s goofy taillights, right?
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Comments
I love this! The black exterior with the grey/silver interior really does it for me. Reminds me of a police interceptor.
My dad had one but, it was a four door. Was a police special. Had the spot light on it, Three on the tree, same color. It was a cancelled order from the police dept. My dad got a great deal on it. Every body thought he was a cop.
I can’t help to reminisce – an older friend who grew up with these as cheap rides, and what he would’ve done to it today, if he was alive. He passed on in 2020 at 76.
First, off with the hubcaps. Then the rims would be painted red. Maybe a new set of wide white walls, or maybe just a set of port-a-walls.
The engine bay, as well as the whole car, would be finely detailed, parked in the garage next to the T bucket.
To finish it off, duals with glass packs.
Yes, I can see Dick doing all that to this car, and loving every minute and every mile behind the wheel. And every show and cruise in with that hood proudly raised.
RIP, Mr. Larsen – we sure do miss you.
i love it
I love this thing. But, it’s hard to understand why Ford would produce a car that only runs for one model year, especially after the Edsel debacle.
I do like the ’59s and ’61s and the ’57s.
Yearly styling changes were part of that era. They weren’t “entirely new ” cars, sheet metal mostly. I can name several cars from that time that were one year only styles on the outside.
For one reason this car was never meant to be built. But Henry said forget the planned ’60 and build this one .
ALL cars from that time were one year only styles on the outside.
except for compacts, like falcon, comet, chevy II, corvair, & possibly valiant –
i guess to keep the price down &/or because they were so cheap. lol.
T. Mann is correct. All cars built in the good old days looked different every model year. Today, nothing but boring, way overpriced computers with wheels. Thank God I grew up in the 50s. Not a Ford guy, but this would look great at a car show next to the dozens of 69 Camaros.
IMHO the ’60 Ford is the prettiest of all FoMoCo fullsizers ever regardless of body style. But if I had to choose between the Ford’s beauty and the uniqueness/ rarity of the similar Edsel from last week – that would be a tough call
This Ford’s style is predictive of the coming year’s T-bird and Lincoln, at least with the fender top trim.
Glad to see a 292 under the hood rather than a six. It likely has the 2 speed Fordomatic, judging from the year and engine size.
Kind of reminds me of Lee Marvin’s “M-Squad” series in his old Black Ford in the day. I have not seen one of these cars in many years even though 91,041 were built. Not a rare number being said but these cars are obsolete. This car shows very well and should sell with no problems.
I like this car and would love to own it. If the bids don’t go crazy, it really is a bargain. The plates are Colo. but the ad says the car is on the east cost. Would be curious about the history. I am on the west coast, bummer.
Not sure it’s on the east coast.
Looks to be in Michigan?
New Baltimore, Michigan is what the write up states.
In the mid-60s we had a 1960 Ford Country Squire, 352 two barrel and 3 speed auto trans. I wanted to dress up the back with add-on reflectors that mirrored the tail lights sitting in the bumper recess but met with resistance.
That engine was strangled by the 2 barrel, I remember going down I-95, the Thruway in Westport, foot to the floor and my high school buddy passed me in his Rambler! (beep beep, beep beep…)
As mentioned, this black 2 door does have a nice undercover look, I would consider a resto-mod with a useful power train.
I heard the 352s from that era were real chuffers. Good and reliable but very sluggish and thirsty for the displacement. They began using the 4 barrel again beginning in 1964 which gave it 30 more horsepower (250). BTW it was from 1961 to 63 they were only available with a 2 barrel.
I had a 352 in a later Galaxie with a cruisomatic. 4 door, first car, $150 and man would that car hold a bunch of teenagers! Anyway, agree, mine was a dog 2bbl version, maybe 105 mph if you had enough road. The 292 in this car would be worse IMO.
But obviously you don’t know of the 352 Hipo with 360 HP that was a 1960 option only. It gave way the following year to the 390 hipo, then 406, 427 and history was made. But the 360 HP 352 was very special, just as special as the later 427s. Look them up.
Even I a Mostly GM Lover I especially Like this one year ford had their ducks looking Good, really would feel slick driving this one around yet The Starliner Sport Model is off the scales Cool Looking and Its reminds Me of The 4 door on The Andy of Mayberry Cop Car.
Knowing Gomer Pile Could Keep her running Good.?
LOVED the story, BimmerDude! I do indeed remember that song (beep, beep). Another reason to not dismiss AMC products; they made some of the coolest sleepers, at least by today’s coolness quotient. BTW, my dad had a ’59 with the 352 four-barrel. It was a strong runner and good power train surrounded by a POS rest of the car.
Comment #1: All that shiny black, and then that red air cleaner and valve cover, can’t help but see a big black widow spider!
Comment #2: Overheard on the ’60 Ford/Edsel assembly line: “Hey Bob, what should I do with all these leftover taillights?”
Comment #3: I absolutely LOVE the design of that back window! How it melts down the middle to meet the decklid. Just don’t see cool designs like that anymore. If I didn’t already have mountains of crushing debt, I’d borrow to buy this beauty! Well worth more than the current bid, IMO.
A bizarre one-off between the nice looking late 50’s Fords, and the attractive mid-60’s cars. If you bid, better check the size of your garage first!
As we say in New England- ‘Big Cah’!
When I first saw a 1960 Edsel my family and I were in the northern U.S. probably Wisconsin. I had never seen one in Canada (Ontario) and it occured to me that someone had gone to a lot of trouble to change the tail lights, grill and side trim on a 60 Ford. When I got closer to the rear of the car I read the name on the lpanel under the trunk and realized it was an Edsel. I didn’t see another one for decades. I knew right then that the Edsel was probably going to be or had been cancelled at the time. I didn’t even see pictures of another one until maybe 20 years ago in Hemmings.
Nice car. I don’t understand everyone hating the Edsel. I thought they were good looking cars, even with the horse collar.
Your talking about ’59 Ford. Dude they were some of the hottest wheels on the road . . . .
Great bodystyle and one you don’t see as much today. IMO, it’s begging for a drivetrain update with a few tasteful mods, but leave the basic looks alone. Or enjoy as is, but please, no bonk a donk wheels or any of that crazy sh, er, stuff.
No mention of PS or PB. A big boat like this really needs the PS.
If I had the money, I would get in a bidding war to get this car. It checks all the right boxes for me, with the possible exception of the automatic transmission; I would prefer it had a three-on-the-tree.
I love these 1960 Fairlanes in any body style. When I was very young, my parents had a 1960 Fairlane Ranch Wagon with a column-shift 3-speed.
And one of my favourite pictures in the family album is a picture from across the street of our house (in which my parents still live) in 1966 with me at 3 years old standing in the driveway, and also in the driveway were the Ranch Wagon, and my uncle’s ’58 Ford Fairlane 500 sedan.
I had the police version – a 60 Ohio Turnpike Patrol car. 352 w/4bbl auto and 2.92 rear end. I find the placement of the radio antenna unusual as it was usually on the passenger side and the front fender ornaments look different from what I remember were topped with a circular doo-dad…
Actually there was a hipo 352 available in ‘60 that could be ordered for any body style. My Dad bought a ‘60 ex cop car to flip in 1970. ($100 special) Still painted white over black. The hipo 352 had a 4 bbl, special exhaust, etc. Good for 360hp, and only available with a manual trans. (3 on the tree or O.D.). This one had a bad habit of peeling all the teeth off of first gear in the BW T-85.