1969 Ford Fairlane

The Ford Fairlane was sold in North America from 1955 to 1970 and the redesign for the 1968 model year brought about the sixth generation of the model. The wheelbase version continued to be the 116-inch platform but it grew in other dimensions, and various body styles, trim levels, and configurations were available. The base trim level included a sedan, a two-door hardtop coupe, and a station wagon. The Fairlane 500 Series included a sedan, FastBack coupe, Formal Top Coupe, station wagon, and a convertible.

Slight changes occurred for 1969, mostly to the trim, including the taillights, and grille. The Taillights became slightly more squared in shape and the grille received a more prominent center diving bar. Standard features included front and rear armrests, cigarette lighter, Fairlane identification, vinyl-covered rubber floor mats, a chrome horn ring, chrome windshield, chrome rain gutters, window moldings, and side window frames.

The base price for the hardtop coupe was $2,480 while the sedan sold for $2,470. The base engine was an overhead-valve six-cylinder unit displacing 200 cubic inches and delivering 115 horsepower. A Plethora of six- and eight-cylinder engines and transmissions were available.

To Homologate the Fairlane for NASCAR racing, Ford introduced the Torino Talladega Special. They were built in limited quantities (a minimum number of 500 cars in 1969 were required to be produced) and named after the Talladega Speedway, which opened the same year. They were a more aerodynamic version of the Torino / Fairlane Cobra and similar to the vehicle sold under the Mercury banner, the Cyclone Spoiler II. The Talladega was based on the Fairlane Cobra 'Sportsroof' 2-door hardtop and given a sleeker front section. Following wind tunnel testing, the Talladega was given a nose that extended the car's length by roughly six inches and given a flush-mounted grille. They had competition black hoods and the only interior offered was black vinyl and cloth with a front bench seat. It is believed that a total of 754 examples of the Talladega may have been built.

Above the base Fairlane was the Fairlane 500 Series, the intermediate trim level that contained all the features of the Fairlane plus a choice of four nylon and vinyl upholsteries, special 500 trim and moldings, and color-keyed carpeting. The Fairlane 500 insignia could be found on the side of the rear fender, and an aluminum trim panel was added between the taillights.

For produced 123,808 examples of the base Fairlane and 114,049 of the Fairlane 500.

Above the Ford Fairlane 500 was the Fairlane Torino Series which added even more trim and luxury items. They were given polished aluminum rocker panel molding, a Torino crest on the 'C' pillars, and special emblems and trim. Bodystyles included a sedan, Formal Top Coupe, and a Squire Station Wagon. A total of 47,232 examples were built.

The role of the sporty Fairlane was filled by the Fairlane Torino GT Series, of which 81,822 were built. Body styles included a Formal Top coupe, Fast back Coupe, and a Convertible. The Fairlane Torino GT Cobra, an even higher performance version, was available as a Hardtop Coupe or a FastBack coupe.

The Fairlane Torino GT was fitted with the amenities for the Fairlane 500 plus a 302 cubic-inch V8 engine rated at 220 horsepower. There were bucket seats and console, lower bodyside striping on the two-door hardtop and two-door convertibles, and special exterior trim and nameplates. They rode on styled steel wheels and had a base price of $2,820 for the Fastback Coupe. The Torino Cobra came with a 428 cubic-inch V8 rated at 335 horsepower and mated to a four-speed manual transmission and riding on F70-14 wide oval tires. There were hood-lock pins and a competition with staggered rear shocks. The entry level price for the FastBack Coupe was $3,180.

by Daniel Vaughan | May 2019