Real code 65B Fairlane 500 Sport Coupe. Buckets with 4-speed manual transmission. Original 260 replaced with later 302. Upgraded with front disc brakes and 14-inch Torque Thrust wheels. An unusual piece of Ford muscle that’s a lot of fun to drive!

We see a lot of Mustangs, quite a few Galaxies, but not that many Fairlanes, but after spending some time with this handsome Heritage Burgundy Fairlane 500 Sport Coupe, we wonder why these cars aren’t more popular. It has full-sized comfort and quite a bit of space inside for the guy with a family, but it’s not a battleship like the Galaxie. It seems like a just-right solution and for the guy who wants something a little out-of-the-ordinary, it’s a fantastic choice. This car has probably been freshened as needed over the course of its life, but we don’t believe it has ever been completely blown apart for a restoration. As a result, the doors close nicely, panel gaps are quite good, and it feels tighter than many cars because it’s almost impossible to replicate that factory feel. Wimbledon White over Vintage Burgundy is a great combination, sporty yet sophisticated, and it seems like the right choice on the Fairlane. The paint and bodywork are quite good and if we had to guess, we’d say the car was probably painted in the early 2000s. It’s holding up great and there’s no evidence of cut-rate work, just glossy, straight bodywork that looks awesome. The slash of white along the flanks works rather well with the modest tail fins, and there’s a hint of a hood scoop that implies that this is a bit more than your father’s commuter. It also includes some decent chrome and stainless trim, including the cast pieces on the sail panels which remain in good original condition. If you want to stand out, this is a great way to do it.

The Sport Coupe included bucket seats, which is a fantastic upgrade from the ordinary bench that you find in most of these cars. Pleated black vinyl gives it a sporty look that’s very 1960s cool, and with a center console and a 4-speed in the middle, this car is transformed from mild to WOW! Big, round gauge pods only offer the basics, so someone has thoughtfully added a trio of auxiliary dials under the dash. The steering wheel and dash pad are excellent, without any cracking, and the rest of the interior has to have been replaced in the not-too-distant future because everything is in fantastic shape. The seats are firm and supportive and as a Fairlane, the back seat is actually usable for full-sized adults. The original AM radio is still in the dash and it powers up and makes sound, but does not tune stations. Overhead there’s a nice headliner that’s well-fitted and not sagging and the trunk includes what appears to be the original mat and perhaps even the original spare tire and jack assembly.

This is an F-code car, meaning that it was originally equipped with a 260 cubic inch V8. Somewhere along the line, the 260 was replaced by a later 302, which is an easy swap since they’re the same engine externally. The 302 is obviously dressed up a bit, with finned aluminum valve covers and a matching air cleaner, and there’s a 4-barrel carburetor underneath. Other upgrades include a big aluminum radiator up front, a 12V alternator in place of the original generator, and what looks like an electronic ignition inside the distributor. The engine itself is wearing Ford Blue enamel so it looks right at home in the Fairlane’s engine bay, and if you look around a bit, you’ll spot things like a new fuel pump, fresh electric wiper motor, and a dual reservoir master cylinder and power booster for the front disc brakes. It starts easily, idles nicely, and pulls the relatively lightweight Fairlane around with genuine enthusiasm. There’s a great exhaust note from the brand-new dual exhaust system, which is fed by long-tube headers to help bolster the 302’s torque curve a bit. The 4-speed shifts cleanly and according to the door tag, there are 3.25 gears in back, so it’s a relaxed cruiser on the highway. The front suspension has been completely rebuilt with new lower control arms and the aforementioned dis brakes, while the rear is augmented with a set of air shocks to adjust the attitude. The undercarriage isn’t shiny and detailed for show, but it is completely solid without any patches or other maladies and it’s obvious that the car lived its life someplace away from salt and snow. 14-inch Torque Thrust style wheels are a great choice, with these wearing 205/75/14 blackwall radials.

We love cars like this—you don’t see them very often, and they offer a great combination of performance, style, and value that many of the more popular models can’t offer. This is a real-deal Sport Coupe with a 4-speed, and the upgraded small block under the hood only makes it more entertaining to drive. With a great look and plenty of comfort, this Fairlane 500 is ready to cruise. Call today!

Harwood Motors always recommends and welcomes personal or professional inspections of any vehicle in our inventory prior to purchase.