Three Months Gone: 1963 Ford Fairlane Ranch Wagon Restomod – Sold?

June 30, 2021 Update – while this “Classifind” expired recently, given the seller’s past history we suspect may not actually be sold yet.  For now, we’re labeling this ride “Sold?” However, we will keep an eye out for an updated listing. In the interim, please reach out either by email or call Rudy directly if you’d like to be informed when we come across something similar.

May 28, 2021 Update – When we confirmed the seller deleted their post barely one week after posting for this gorgeous 1963 Ford Fairlane Ranch Wagon restomod, we assumed it sold quickly, especially for the you-can’t-replicate-it-for-this-price of $18,500. Fast forward three months and we just spotted this new listing with the same seller now asking $19,000 or best offer.

March 23, 2021 Update – we confirmed the seller of this Fairlane Restomod “Classifind” deleted their listing, so we’re now assuming it’s okay to call this one “SOLD!” 

While certain traditional collector car auction houses seem to be betting the farm on high-end and high-dollar restomods these days, we’re always pleased to come across a more realistic example that appears to be buttoned together well. Our latest example is this SN95-Mustang powered 1963 Ford Fairlane 500 Ranch Wagon originally listed in February 2021 in Dillsburg, Pennsylvania (Harrisburg) with a five hundred dollar higher asking price of $19,000 or best offer.   Comparing this price against the Hagerty Insurance Online Valuation Tool confirms this private seller has their Fairlane priced between the #3 “Good” estimate of $16,000 and the #2 “Excellent” appraisal of $20,700. Interestingly, the Collector Car Market Review indicates the current asking price falls above this guide’s #1 “Excellent” appraisal of $16,400 for a stock example.

Originally used as a trim level on Ford’s full-size models, for 1962 the company’s marketers moved the “Fairlane” name to their intermediate line-up as a way to bridge the gap between the compact Ford Falcon and the full-sized Galaxie, making it a competitor for General motors new A-body cars among others.

Like the Falcon, the Fairlane had a unibody frame, but the body incorporated an unusual feature Ford dubbed torque boxes, four boxed structures in the lower body structure designed to absorb road shock by moving slightly in the vertical plane. The suspension was a conventional short-long arm independent arrangement in front, with a traditional solid-axle supported by leaf spring in the rear.  The Fairlane was initially offered only in two-door or four-door sedan body styles.  Halfway through 1963, Ford launched station wagon versions of the Fairlane, called the Ranch Wagon and Ranch Custom Wagon.

The Cars & Stripes YouTube Channel provides a vintage commercial for the very similar 1963 Fairlane Squire wagon:

Oftentimes, pictures of a seller’s ride in their garage can tell a lot about their ability to build a custom car.  The extensive undercarriage shots of this Fairlane combined with other builds shown in the background provide an indication the seller has access to the right equipment as well as the skills to put this together properly.  There is a lot to like with this build and as long as either yours or a third-party pre-purchase inspection confirms the state of this wagon, you’ll have a blast cruising in this ride. 

Here’s the seller’s description:

“1963 Ford Fairlane 500 Ranch Wagon
Fast, fun, and reliable. She handles like a go-cart. I drove it to work regularly prior to this year. Specs are below

Engine: 97 Mustang GT fuel-injected SOHC 4.6 V8 with PI head/intake swap, emissions all removed and tuned for the PI swap. Exhaust is a Mustang offroad H pipe connected to custom dual exhaust.

Trans: T45 5 speed manual, trans new clutch and Motorsports flywheel, Steeda shifter and Hurst stick

Steering/Suspension/Brakes: Power rack and pinion steering, hydroboost assisted 4 wheel disk brakes with drilled/slotted rotors. Rear suspension converted to a custom 4 link connected to a freshly rebuilt narrowed Ford Explorer 8.8 rear with a new Eaton posi and 4:10 gears. Coil-over front struts with Airlift spring inserts in the rear for added load capacity.

Wheels/tires: 17×8 Black Bullit wheels with 245/45-17 tires all 1/2 tread or better

Body: Started life as a 90% rust free desert car. Car was repainted a few years ago, paint job still looks nice, but has developed a few small blisters on the fender bottoms and rear wheel arch behind the rear wheels. New windshield, weatherstrips, window seals, window felts and fuzzies. Floor is fully covered in Dynamat sound deadener. Passenger rear floor pan is getting thin(no holes) has been reinforced by the previous owner with some fiberglass. Chassis modified with 97 Mustang front strut towers/firewall/subframe. Has custom welded in subframe connectors for extra rigidity.

Interior: Interior upholstered in red and white marine vinyl, Mustang front seats with headrests removed and upholstered to match the original interior style. Three-point conversion seatbelts added to the front and retractable belts in the rear. Modern heat and A/C grafted into the dash from a 97 Mustang as well as the intermittent wipers and washer. Classic Instruments gauges in a custom bracket to integrate them into the original dash. Wiring harness from the Mustang also integrated into the car so none of the old wiring remains. Also uses original Mustang tilt column with a custom adapter connecting a Cobra style wheel.

$18,500 Firm Jason No calls after 9PM, No texts, No trades. If the ad is up it is still available. The best way to contact is to call and leave message, emails will be ignored.“

Show or go: What would you do with this Ford Fairlane 500 restomod?  Comment below and let us know!