Ford Fairlane (North American)

Ford Fairlane
1962 Ford Fairlane Town Sedan
Overview
Manufacturer	Ford
Production	1955–1970
Assembly	Edison, New Jersey, United States Claycomo, Missouri, United States Milpitas, California United States
Body and chassis
Class	Full-size (1955–1961), Mid-size (1962–1970)
Body style	two-door hardtop two-door convertible two-door sedan four-door sedan four-door hardtop two-door station wagon (1964 only) four-door station wagon
Layout	FR layout
Chronology
Successor	Ford Torino

Third generation
1960 Ford Fairlane 500 Town Sedan
Overview
Production	1959 to 1961
Body and chassis
Body style	two-door sedan four-door sedan
Related	Ford Ranch Wagon Ford Country Sedan
Dimensions
Wheelbase	119 in (3,023 mm)

Fourth generation
1962 Ford Fairlane 500 Club Sedan
Overview
Production	1962–1965
Assembly	Edison, New Jersey Lorain, Ohio Milpitas, California Canada Australia Seaview, Lower Hutt, New Zealand
Body and chassis
Body style	two-door hardtop two-door sedan four-door sedan two-door station wagon (1964 only) 4-door station wagon
Related	Mercury Meteor
Powertrain
Engine	2.8L I6 3.6 L V8 4.2 L V8 4.7 L V8
Transmission	two-speed automatic three-speed automatic three-speed manual four-speed manual
Dimensions
Wheelbase	2,934 mm (115.5 in)
Length	5,004 mm (197.0 in)

Fifth generation
1966 Ford Fairlane 500 Club Coupe
Overview
Production	1966–1967
Assembly	Edison, NJ Lorain, OH Milpitas, CA Atlanta, GA
Body and chassis
Body style	two-door coupe two-door convertible two-door sedan four-door sedan four-door station wagon
Related	Ford Ranchero Mercury Comet
Powertrain
Engine	200 cu in (3.3 L) I6 390 cu in (6.4 L) V8 289 cu in (4.7 L) V8 302 cu in (4.9 L) V8 427 cu in (7.0 L) V8
Transmission	3-speed manual, 4-speed manual, 3-speed "Cruise-O-Matic", optional overdrive
Dimensions
Wheelbase	116.0 in (2,946 mm) 113.0 in (2,870 mm) (wagon)
Length	197 in (5,004 mm)
Width	74.4 in (1,890 mm)
Curb weight	2,747–3,493 lb (1,246–1,584 kg) (six cylinder coupe - GT Coupe)

Sixth generation
1969 Ford Fairlane 500 Sportsroof
Overview
Production	1968–1969 (North America) 1969–1981 (Argentina)
Assembly	Edison, New Jersey Lorain, Ohio Milpitas, California General Pacheco, Argentina
Body and chassis
Body style	two-door coupe two-door convertible two-door sedan four-door sedan four-door station wagon
Related	Ford Torino Ford Ranchero Mercury Comet Mercury Cyclone
Powertrain
Engine	200 cu in (3.3 L) I6 289 cu in (4.7 L) V8 302 cu in (4.9 L) V8 390 cu in (6.4 L) V8 428 cu in (7.0 L) V8
Dimensions
Wheelbase	116.0 in (2,946 mm) 113.0 in (2,870 mm) (wagon)

The Ford Fairlane is an automobile model that was sold between 1955 and 1970 by Ford in North America. The name is derived from Henry Ford's estate, Fair Lane, near Dearborn, Michigan.

Over time, the name referred to a number of different cars in different classes; the Fairlane was initially a full-sized car, but became a mid-sized car from the 1962 model year. The mid-sized model spawned the Australian-built Fairlane in 1967, although in that market it was considered a large car.

For the 1955 model year the Fairlane name replaced the Crestline as Ford's premier full-sized offering. Six different body styles were offered, including the Crown Victoria Skyliner with a tinted, transparent plastic roof, the regular Crown Victoria coupe with lots of stainless steel trim, a convertible Sunliner, the Victoria hardtop coupe, and traditional sedans. All featured the trademark stainless-steel "Fairlane stripe" on the side. Power options were a 223 cu in (3.7 L) straight-6 engine and a 272 cu in (4.5 L) V8. The 292 cu in (4.8 L) Y-block was offered as an option and was called the Thunderbird V-8.

Few changes were made for 1956; a four-door Victoria hardtop and two new, more powerful V8 options, of 292 cu in (4.8 L) and 312 cu in (5.1 L), the latter available up to 225 bhp (168 kW; 228 PS), were introduced. The Lifeguard safety package was introduced. The two-door Victoria hardtop featured a new and slimmer roofline. A one-year only two-door station wagon, the 1956 Ford Parklane, featured Fairlane-level trim. It was marketed to compete against the Chevrolet Nomad.

1955 Ford Fairlane Town Sedan

1955 Ford Fairlane Sunliner

For 1957, a new style gave a longer, wider, lower, and sleeker look with low tailfins. The new proportions and modern styling were a hit with customers to the extent that the Ford outsold Chevrolet in 1957 for the first time since 1935. A new top trim level was reversed, the Fairlane 500. For the first time, the lower-level Custom line had a shorter wheelbase than the Fairlane. Engines were largely the same as the year before. The big news for 1957 was the introduction of the Fairlane 500 Skyliner power retractable hardtop, whose solid top hinged and folded down into the trunk space at the touch of a button.