1960 Ford Fairlane

TOWN SEDAN Sedan

8 - Cyl.

Automatic

OR42X117676

Gasoline

Offered for your consideration is a unique example of the 1960 Ford Fairlane 500 Town Sedan. Everyone knows the 1960 full size Ford was a single year body style. The interesting fact was that the width of the model was in excess of the legal limit to drive on a federal highway. Ford Motor Company was able to secure a waiver from the Federal Goverment for the 1960 model on the condition that the 1961 and future year models would comply. I've always had a passion for the bold styling introduced in 1960. The extremely wide hood, the really neat way the tail fins extend into the passenger compatrment through the rear glass and the package shelf all the way to the back of the rear seat and the field of vision from inside the car is outstanding. There were five power train/ engine options for the 1960 Ford line of full size cars. There was the standard 223CID inline six, a 292CID V8, and three offerings of the 352CID V8 which were 260HP, 300HP, and 360HP respectfully. Having survived it's life in the dry climate of western states the car came to me in much more solid condition than I would expect to find near my home in East Tennessee. I purchased the Ford three years ago from the second owner and had it shipped from Colorado. The seller provided service records and explained she purchased the car from an uncle who had the car since new. When I first saw the Ford it wore only a thin coat of the original paint it left the factory with. Today the paint covers even less than before but you can still see how straight, solid, and honest the old car actually is. Nothing is hidden or covered up. The lower rear edge of the driver's front fender has a golf ball sized hole from rust. The lower portion of the right rear quarter has a smaller place behind the wheel well. The doglegs and rockers and floors are sound. I repaired the battery tray as there was deteriation to the battery box and the area under it. Well, the service history and records have grown since I took ownership of the sedan, but the result is an outstanding, reliable, dependable, comfortable, powerful, and quiet, point and go vehicle. It turns heads where ever you go and will take you home from where ever you are. Let me explain how we arrived. The previous owner agreed to sell the car because it was in a repair shop with a fist full of bent pushrods and the mechanic was unable to determine the actual cause of the failure. She had already invested a couple of thousand dollars in previous repairs as shown on receipts and had she had an estimate, she may have had it repaired then. Having accessed the problem in my mind before the car was delivered or even seen, the timing chain seemed a probable suspect and if so, bent valves were a possible result. After performing a cylinder leakage test and determining there was no valve damage while also considering the age and mileage of the vehicle, I decided to replace the chain and timing gears as a set. When the teardown revealed no damage to existing timing components I intended to keep the car so I installed the new parts along with a new set of lifters and pushrods. The car ran fine and was driven for a couple of weeks and then stored at a friend's for more than a year. When I picked it up to resume planned maintiance and upgrades, I didn't even have to boost it off. Ran great on the way home. The interior was a bit shabby and I began by removing the seats and sending them out to a trim shop to be recovered. The original floor covering was a green moulded rubber mat in poor condition. It was removed and a reproduction moulded carpet set ordered. With the seats and floor covering out the floor looked very encouraging and was addressed with a heavy stiff wire brush on a 1/2" side grinder and primed with a rust preventative paint before installing the Thermal Foil Insulator for both temp and sound. The seats came back nicely done in period correct fabric and the moulded carpet was a good fit. Things were looking good until I tried to start the engine after it sat for a couple of weeks. There was a pop as it turned over. It tried to run but there were not enough cylinders firing to keep it going. Removal of valve covers exposed five bent intake pushrods. To make a long story short the orginal problem causing the chain of failures was the heat riser valve on the exaust being stuck in the closed position. The restriction directed all exaust flow from the four cylinders on the right bank to pass through the intake manifold and out the left side exaust manifold. This passage is small and unable to flow enough spent gases to expell the exaust. After combustion some of these gases were forced back past the intake valves and carbon buildup between the intake valve stems and their guides. A top overhaul to correct exaust flow and to service and clean valves eliminated the problem. During the course of the engine repair other upgrades were also completed. A new old stock replacement four barrel carburator was found and installed. Extensive detailing was completed under the hood. New chrome air filter and valve covers add eye appeal and the original ones are included with sale. The ignition system was upgraded to electronic to reduce maintiance and increase relibility. The brakes were upgraded to include a booster and a tandum master cylinder to increase safety with front and rear systems independent of each other. New fuel and water pumps were installed along with all coolant hoses and the drive belt. The radiator and surge tank were sent out and reconditioned. I found a NOS two speed electric wiper motor and was able to find the correct right and left mufflers. There are no exaust leaks. The crankcase downdraft tube was replaced in favor a closed ventilation system. How long since you've seen a chrome generator cover. Check it out. The fuel tank was removed and sent out to be cleaned and resealed and of course all filters are new. The 14" wheels were discarded in favor of 15's. In order to run modern tires, width was added to the wheels. The fronts are 7X15 with 225-70-15 and the rears are 8X15 with 235-70-15. They are true and run tubeless. The wheels were sandblasted and painted body color and the tires are new. The hubcaps are NOS 1956 because the white in them accents the white top. Trim rings are after market stainless steel with chrome plating. The bumpers and chrome are in good condition. All lights work and the drive is fine. Bid to win then fly in and drive home. Miles of smiles are left for you. Ask questions by email or phone. 423-667-4849 Thanks for looking at my auction. Bill