1961 Ford Fairlane 500 Tank Sedan (RHD)

Description

The Fairlane started out as Ford's most expensive model in 1955, replacing the Crestline as the top trim level available ahead of the base Mainline and intermediate Customline. Named after Henry Ford's estate in Michigan, the first three generations of Fairlanes, produced between 1955 and 1961, were full-sized models, before the nameplate was used on upmarket versions of the compact Falcon. The third generation was introduced in 1960, being a complete redesign of the model with only the drivetrains carried over from previous versions. Fins and excessive chrome were out, sharp edges and flat surfaces in and the new Fords were crisply styled, with a restrained elegance. A full-width grill housed four circular headlamps, with a chrome strip rising from the front bumper and running the full length of the body, culminating atop the almost flat rear fins. The Fairlane was the base level full-size Ford and sold as a sedan, business coupe while the more upmarket Fairlane 500 came as either a Town or Club Sedan. Both models were available with either six or eight cylinder engines under the bonnet, ranging from 223-cid to a through to the optional Thunderbird 430-cid V8. For 1961 Ford extensively restyled the Fairlane, returning to a more harmonious - and certainly more conventional - look, with all new sheetmetal below the beltline. The base Fairlane lacked any external chrome ornamentation, while the 500 was distinguished by a single side strip that ran from behind the front wheelarch to the tail. The flattened fins of the 1960 models gave way to small canted fins similar to those found on the 1957-1958 Fords, while the rear tail lights were now a bigger circular item. Inside the Fairlane benefited from twin sun visors, armrests on all doors and a horn button, whereas the 500 had a chrome horn ring. Only two body styles were offered, the Town and Club Sedans, with the more glamorous hardtop coupes and convertibles reserved for the Galaxie trim level. There was also a new optional engine, in the form of the 390-cid Thunderbird V8. Ford assembled and sold a very limited number of these Fairlanes in Australia between 1959 and 1962, all sourced from Canada and fitted with just one engine - the 220 horsepower 332-cid V8.