1963 Ford Fairlane 500 V8 Coupe (LHD)

Description

Named after Henry Ford's estate in Dearborn, Michigan, the Fairlane was a conventionally styled family car introduced as an intermediate model during 1962, neatly bridging the gap between the smaller Falcon and full-size Galaxie that year. Conventionally styled and instantly recognisable as a Ford, the Fairlane offered unitary construction and independent front suspension to provide safe, predictable handling. Although the base models were powered by Ford's dependable six, a new small-block V8 was developed for the more upmarket Fairlanes, with a choice of two transmissions - either a three-seed column change manual or Ford-O-Matic two-speed automatic, with three back axle ratios available. The V8 was ultimately developed into the legendary 289-cid V8 that powered a generation of high performance Fords and was rated at 145 horsepower in 221-cid guise. The Fairlane was sold in two trim level, the base version and better equipped 500 with additional chrome moldings and scallop-patterned cloth and vinyl upholstery and door trims, along with better quality carpeting. Body styles included both two and four-door sedans and mid-year a 500 Sports Coupe was announced, with bucket seats. Ford made few changes to the Fairlane for 1963 aside from expanding the model range to include both Ranch and Squire Wagons, while the Sports Coupe was joined by a true pillarless two-door Hardtop. Of equal interest to enthusiastic drivers was the option of the 289-cid V8 for the first time, available in two-barrel or four-barrel versions. Equipped with the optional (F-Code) Challenger 260 V8, the Fairlane 500 came with a Holley two-barrel 270cfm carburettor and developed 164 horsepower at 4,400 rpm. Unlike Australian-assembled Fairlane Compacts, only sold as a four-door family sedan, the American 500 Hardtop Coupe brought a touch of muscle to Ford's intermediate model.