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1964 Ford Fairlane

1964 was a monumental year for Ford with the introduction of its new pony car, the Mustang, albeit far from being the company's only two-door performer. Ford Motor Company president Henry Ford II instigated Ford's legendary 'Total Performance' era during the early 1960s, resulting in some success in NASCAR circles. On America's dragstrip battlegrounds, however, racers preferred the venerable old 'Flathead' V-8 dating back to 1932. With something to prove and eager to showcase their current models, especially Stock Eliminator and Super Stock arenas, Ford engineers developed a series of powerful 'FE-Series' big-block engines and a growing pipeline of heavy-duty performance parts. While the engines were potent, their performance was hindered by the bulk and weight of the full-size Galaxies and Starliners that were the company's eligible cars.

Ford's prospects on the dragstrip soon changed with the introduction of the mid-size Fairlane in 1962, recalling a model name used previously during the 1950s on the full-size model line. It was given clean and modern styling, trim proportions, and a considerable weight reduction compared to the full-size Fords. By 1964, Ford unleashed the 427-powered Fairlane Thunderbolts, factory-sanctioned racing cars that beat back the 413 Wedge and Hemi competitors from Chrysler. In the wake of General Motors' 1963 racing ban, Chevrolet and Pontiac were forced to move their racing programs underground.

By midyear 1963, Ford had introduced a trio of new performance options—the 427 big-block for the Galaxie, a V-8-powered Sprint model for the Falcon, and a new 289/271 HP High Performance for the Fairlane.

Ford Fairlane Thunderbolt
The new Mustang offered visual appeal and performance, while the Fairlane Thunderbolt 'T-Bolt' was a drag racing machine with plenty of performance. Ford worked with Andy Hotten of Dearborn Steel Tubing Company to create fifty-seven 427 cubic-inch V8-powered Fairlanes. It complied with all the newly established NHRA regulations including the minimum weight rules for stock-class drag cars, weighing 3203 pounds. Interiors were stripped of non-essential amenities and items. It had lightweight police package bucket seats, an 8,000 RPM Rotunda tachometer, and eventually, it would come with fiberglass fenders and Plexiglas windows. All insulation, sound-deadening materials, sun visors, jack and lug wrench, mirror, and armrests were removed. The suspension and many other mechanical components were improved to handle the power produced by the 427 engine, rated at 425 horsepower, though it was probably closer to 500. Two transmission options were offered, a heavy-duty Lincoln automatic with 4.58:1 gearing of a Borg-Warner T-10 transmission with a Hurst shifter and 4.44:1 gearing.

A total of 111 Ford Fairlane Thunderbolt Two-Door hardtops were created in 1964 with 89 fitted with the four-speed transmission. The first eleven cars were painted maroon and the remaining were finished in white. Gas Ronda earned the NHRA's 1964 World Championship with his T-Bolt, accomplishing the quarter-mile in a mere 11.6 seconds at 124 mph.

1964 Ford Fairlane
The Ford Fairlane came standard with an overhead valve six-cylinder engine with a 170 cubic-inch displacement, a Holley-one barrel carburetor, seven main bearings, 8.7:1 compression, and delivered 101 horsepower at 4,400 RPM. Ford eight-cylinder options included a 260, 289, 352, 390, and 427 CID options. All had overhead valves, a cast-iron block, and five main bearings. The 260 CID had a Holley two-barrel carburetor and delivered 164 horsepower at 4,400 RPM. The 289, depending on configuration, produced 195 to 271 horsepower. The 352 'Interceptor' had a Holley four-barrel carburetor and delivered 250 horsepower. The 390 'Thunderbird' engines had 300 to 425 horsepower. Transmission options included a Ford-O-Matic or Cruise-O-Matic automatic, and a four-speed manual. Additional options included power steering, wheel covers, and two-tone paint.

The 221 V8 was dropped after 1963, leaving the 260 as the base V8. The 'K-Code' 271 hp 289 V8 gained dual exhausts, while the 195 horsepower version with a two-barrel carburetor and hydraulic valve lifters was introduced. The 260 CID V8 came standard with the two-speed Ford-O-Matic, while the 289 V8s were backed by the three-speed Cruise-O-Matic transmission option.

The Fairlane received new sheet metal styling for the rear and body sides, with the rear fenders given a smoother top than the previous year, and completely devoid of tail fins. The sides were given a convex shape that slanted forward from the sides of the taillights and ended in a chrome scoop. Body styles offered with the six-cylinder engine included a two- and four-door sedan, and a Ranch Wagon. The two-door had a factory base price of $2,180, the sedan at $2,230, and the wagon at $2,520. The V8 Fairlane added approximately $100 to the base price.

Above the base Fairlane was the Fairlane 500, the top trim level of the series, and endowed with additional chrome trim and accouterments. Chrome molding could be found around the window, horn ring, fendertop ornaments, and a twin-spear side molding that traversed the entire length of the body. A Ford crest was added on the 'C' pillar and the interiors were given carpeting.

Body styles on the Fairlane 500 included a town sedan, club sedan, hardtop coupe, hardtop sport coupe, and Custom Station Wagon. Prices ranged from $2,260 to $2,600 for the six-cylinder options and approximately $100 higher for the base V8. Ford built a total of 78,094 examples of the base Fairlane and 199,522 of the Fairlane 500 in 1964.

1965 Fairlane
The 1965 Ford Fairlanes were given 14-inch wheels as standard equipment, replacing the prior 13-inch wheels. The Ford-O-Matic was dropped leaving the Cruise-O-Matic as the sole automatic option. The 260 CID V8 also did not make it past 1964, leaving the two-barrel 289 as the base V8. In regards to styling, the 1965 Fairlane received a new grille and headlight bezels, and minor changes to the chrome trim were applied, and the shape of the trunk lid changed.

The Fairlane received new styling for 1966, resulting in the sixth generation that would continue through 1967. The design and appearance were brought in-line with other full-sized Fords, which had been restyling in the 1965 model year.


by Daniel Vaughan | Dec 2020

Related Reading : Ford Fairlane History

The name Fairlane came from Henry Fords Fair Lane mansion location in Dearborn, Michigan. The Ford Fairlane was introduced in 1955 as Fords full-size model and was available in six different body styles. The vehicle could be assembled as a 2 door club sedan, a 4 door town sedan, a Victoria 2 door hardtop, a Sunliner convertible, a Crown Victoria, or a Crown Victoria with a plastic top. There....
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1964 Ford Fairlane Vehicle Profiles

Recent Vehicle Additions

Performance and Specification Comparison

Price Comparison

1964 Fairlane
$2,600-$17,800
1964 Ford Fairlane Price Range: $2,180 - $2,600

Compare: Lower | Higher | Similar

Other 1964 Ford Models
$1,985 - $2,660
$2,368 - $2,612
$2,611 - $3,485
$4,485 - $4,851

Fairlane

Specification Comparison by Year

Year
Production
Wheelbase
Engine
Prices
297,116
115.50 in.
6 cyl., 223.00 CID., 138.00hp
8 cyl., 221.00 CID., 145.00hp
8 cyl., 292.00 CID., 170.00hp
8 cyl., 352.00 CID., 220.00hp
8 cyl., 390.00 CID., 300.00hp
8 cyl., 390.00 CID., 340.00hp
8 cyl., 406.00 CID., 385.00hp
8 cyl., 406.00 CID., 405.00hp
$2,155 - $2,505
343,887
115.50 in.
6 cyl., 170.00 CID., 101.00hp
8 cyl., 221.00 CID., 145.00hp
8 cyl., 260.00 CID., 164.00hp
$2,153 - $2,885
379,012
115.50 in.
6 cyl., 170.00 CID., 101.00hp
6 cyl., 200.00 CID., 116.00hp
8 cyl., 260.00 CID., 164.00hp
8 cyl., 289.00 CID., 195.00hp
8 cyl., 289.00 CID., 225.00hp
8 cyl., 289.00 CID., 271.00hp
8 cyl., 390.00 CID., 300.00hp
8 cyl., 390.00 CID., 330.00hp
8 cyl., 427.00 CID., 410.00hp
8 cyl., 427.00 CID., 425.00hp
$2,180 - $2,600
223,952
116.00 in.
6 cyl., 200.00 CID., 120.00hp
8 cyl., 289.00 CID., 200.00hp
8 cyl., 289.00 CID., 225.00hp
8 cyl., 352.00 CID., 250.00hp
8 cyl., 289.00 CID., 271.00hp
8 cyl., 427.00 CID., 425.00hp
8 cyl., 427.00 CID., 616.00hp
8 cyl., 427.00 CID., 657.00hp
$2,180 - $2,620

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