For those who’d declare the old car hobby dead to all those born without trust funds, I present a counter-argument in the form of this 1963 Ford Fairlane 500 two-door hardtop coupe, for sale on Hemmings.com. Priced reasonably, the former California native comes with the 260-cu.in Challenger V-8, rated in its prime at 164 horsepower when equipped with the Holley two-barrel carburetor. No, it won’t be feared at the local drag strip, and in its current state, probably won’t be taking any Best in Show ribbons, either. It is, however, a blank canvas for the next owner to paint as he or she sees fit. Don’t like the matte black finish? Practice your skills with an airbrush. Want more horsepower? It’s just a few mouse clicks and a Saturday afternoon of wrenching away. In the interim, the Fairlane should give its next owner an interesting and affordable weekend cruiser, at a price that won’t break the bank. From the seller’s description:
Perfect summer cruiser! This 1963 Fairlane 500 Hardtop Coupe spent the majority of its life in sunny California, and was brought to the East Coast in 2006. It is fitted with a 260 cubic inch V8 and C4 automatic transmission and drives very nicely. It starts with no difficulty and idles smooth. The motor runs cool and sounds great. I recently changed the spark plugs, wires, rotor, and points. I also replaced all valve stem seals, so there is no smoke on startup. Other improvements include a new battery, master cylinder, and chrome valve covers. Floors and frame are in great condition.
The exterior is currently painted black with a satin finish, while the interior is red with black vinyl seats. The exterior is in very good condition, but does have a few imperfections. It is dificult to see in photos, but the windshield is cracked and will require replacement. The interior is also nice, but not perfect. All guages are functional.
Overall, this Fairlane is a great car to cruise in this summer, and can certainly be enjoyed as you improve. It would also be a perfect candidate for a Thunderbolt clone, as it already has “Crites” performance fiberglass bumpers installed- a huge weight reduction!
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