Photos from the Cohort by L. Seddon.
This is a follow-up to a post published last November on this station wagon. Unlike the previous occasion, where the old Fairlane wagon coyly peeked from under its cover, this time we can see it fully. Besides the new images, the uploader also provided some additional information on the vehicle. So besides its looks, we get to uncover a bit more about its past.
The wagon is a Canadian-assembled unit, in RHD spec for the British market. It was imported to the UK in early 1964 and according to its current owner, it was originally used as a hearse.
Not a model I usually associate with hearses, but I shouldn’t say much. I currently live in a nation where old Toyota pickups perform such duties (I should take a photo of that at some point), so this Fairlane is trés chic for that duty when seen that way.
The current owner purchased the Fairlane in ’82, customized it and took it drag racing to the York raceway. After some time in storage, the car has recently come out back into the open.
If the telling is true, it’s quite a switch of careers. But such is the fate of cars, and I’ve seen more fantastic outcomes. Still, a fun change of activities; from solemn host to wild performer. Will the future bring more surprises?
Further reading:
Car Show Classic: 1963 Ford Fairlane Sport Coupe K-Code
Curbside Classic: 1963 Ford Fairlane Sedan – XL – Size Falcon; XS – Size Galaxie
Is that a teakettle tied to the rear of the car?
Indeed. That’s what I noticed as well.
The featured Custom Ranch proves there is life after leaving a funeral home.
Here’s another.
I would love to have that, I have always enjoyed Ford Station Wagons. RHD? Imagine the looks driving it in the USA? Did it have the 390 cid engine and manual transmission?
The 390 was never available in these; Falcon six or “Windsor V8” (221, 260, and the K-Code hi-po 289 in the second half of 1963). Given the lack of a “260” V8 badge, this likely came originally with the six or 221 V8. Given that it was drag raced, I rather assume a hotter version of the small block V8 was swapped in, but who knows for sure. But an FE is quite unlikely as it didn’t fit without body modifications.
The B suffix numberplate gives a 1964 UK registration date, while the age of the vehicle is given as one month short of 60, though road tax ran out in October 1987. The engine size is given as 4949cc.
Is that attachment some kind of mobile spotlight?
Aha; that answers the previous commenter’s question: it has a 302 V8 that was swapped in to replace the weak-chested 221 V8 (or six).
Nice! Looks like it’s saveable although at this point the tea kettle hanging off the back is a more suitable restoration project for me. Not enough time!
Another nice rarity spotted .
The ‘teakettle’ is a hand held spot light like cop cars used to have in the 1970’s .
-Nate
“I currently live in a nation where old Toyota pickups perform such duties (I should take a photo of that at some point)”
Yes, please take a bunch of pictures. CC is at its best when uncovering local vehicles you can’t see any place else.
Here’s Rob Zombies Dragula (see Phil’s earlier post) released in 98 and very popular in the US and Canada.
https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&opi=89978449&url=https://m.youtube.com/watch%3Fv%3DSOctyXxCm-4&ved=2ahUKEwjc-_mFltSDAxXwpIkEHfPHDKEQo7QBegQIChAF&usg=AOvVaw0heMqJ3VvZd2WacI0Tl66y
We had a ’63 Fairlane 500/260 that was given to us when a Baltimore relative died, a reasonably competent if unexciting car.
Rich these automotive glimpses that also reveal a little of life in ES are fascinating. While somewhat off topic, one wonders, understanding that it must be very challenging to live there given the apparent turmoil we occasionally hear about in our cloistered media, what it’s like, given the relatively benign alternative of being in, say the US or PR. Not something CNN would be likely to reveal.
Is this for sale
if so where and how much
Cremation remains