[BLKwRD14]

Here we go. I’ve been waiting a long time for this. I’ve wanted to restore a late sixties Ford since getting out of the Navy in 1992. Always assumed it would be a Mustang but something about this car drew me in. It belonged to a good friend of mine who I would pick up at his house every day for work when I was still working in the field. Every day, there it was, sitting in his driveway just rotting away. I started telling him he should sell it to me. This went on for years until one day he said “OK, I’ll sell it to you for what I paid for it. $5k”. To me it was a no brainer.

A little about it. It’s a two door hardtop which means no B pillar. When all four windows are down it’s totally open. It’s a C code which is a 289, 2 barrel with a C4 three speed automatic transmission. This tranny is actually an unusual one. It’s what’s known as a “Green Dot”. There are two positions for drive. “White for snow, green for go” In the white dot position the tranny will start in second gear, in the green dot position first.

I bought it in 2010 and had it apart down to the unibody sometime in 2012. Except the suspension so I could move it around. I am friends with a mechanic at one of the local Ford dealership’s. He told me his transmission guy was an older fella who would be happy to rebuild mine. So that was the first thing that happened. The C4 has been sitting, wrapped up on a table in my garage since 2013 ready to go.

Plan for it. Right now I just want to get the body right. There is some rust holes in a few of the floor pans and trunk. Also in the corner of the the engine bay where the battery sits. There’s also some terrible patch jobs that have been done. I’m going to have the shop fix all of that, put a good paint job on it and restore the suspension. Once that’s done I plan to have it brought back to my garage where my brothers, my son and myself will finish it.

3/9/23 delivered to the restoration shop.

Also delivered doors, fenders and all new metal.

 

[BLKwRD14]

Here’s a video of a Mustang in the color my Fairlane was originally and will be again soon.

 

[Shelbyfan73]

Jon,

It looks like a great project. I currently have too many of those. I have my 1989 GT convertible and my A code 1966 fastback that I tore down almost 11 years ago ( Holy cow, I didn't realize it had been that long until just now!). I also have more things I want to do to my other cars. Not to mention stuff I want to do to my house. Too many projects so none of them have really gotten off the ground yet.

I love that color on the Mustang. I'm sure it will look great on your Fairlane. The original color of mine below is Silver Frost Metallic. I'm torn between painting it back stock or using 1966 Sapphire Blue Metallic. I LOVE that color. Glad Shelby borrowed it from the T-bird line to use on the 1966 Shelby.

Here's a picture of my classic just before the teardown.

 

[BLKwRD14]

Jon,

It looks like a great project. I currently have too many of those. I have my 1989 GT convertible and my A code 1966 fastback that I tore down almost 11 years ago ( Holy cow, I didn't realize it had been that long until just now!). I also have more things I want to do to my other cars. Not to mention stuff I want to do to my house. Too many projects so none of them have really gotten off the ground yet.

I love that color on the Mustang. I'm sure it will look great on your Fairlane. The original color of mine below is Silver Frost Metallic. I'm torn between painting it back stock or using 1966 Sapphire Blue Metallic. I LOVE that color. Glad Shelby borrowed it from the T-bird line to use on the 1966 Shelby.

Here's a picture of my classic just before the teardown.
View attachment 267203

I hear ya Raymond regarding the other projects. Between getting the stuff done to our house we wanted to, taking care of ten acres and raising our son, the Fairlane has always taken a backseat. Until now.

Funny. I got a call from the shop yesterday. She asked me where the VIN tag is. I had to explain to her Ford didn’t start using VIN tags until January 1969. Let her know there’s a door tag on the driver’s side door and a stamp in the engine bay on the driver’s side on the top. Guess she found what she was looking for since I didn’t hear back.

 

[cyoung9799]

Here’s a video of a Mustang in the color my Fairlane was originally and will be again soon.

That color is gonna look awesome. Can't wait to see it.

 

[Shelbyfan73]

I hear ya Raymond regarding the other projects. Between getting the stuff done to our house we wanted to, taking care of ten acres and raising our son, the Fairlane has always taken a backseat. Until now.

Funny. I got a call from the shop yesterday. She asked me where the VIN tag is. I had to explain to her Ford didn’t start using VIN tags until January 1969. Let her know there’s a door tag on the driver’s side door and a stamp in the engine bay on the driver’s side on the top. Guess she found what she was looking for since I didn’t hear back.

Kids these days don't know how to work on the classics.

 

[BLKwRD14]

Kids these days don't know how to work on the classics.

Mine will.

 

[AZ21GT500]

I’m so glad you started this thread! Can’t wait for updates since Joe is holding us in suspense on the GT build 🤣

 

[QSK50]

Here’s a video of a Mustang in the color my Fairlane was originally and will be again soon.

I’m a fan of blue and this shade is one of my favorite with 1968 Midnight Blue a close second. Looking forward to your build photos. Thanks for sharing

 

[BLKwRD14]

I’m so glad you started this thread! Can’t wait for updates since Joe is holding us in suspense on the GT build 🤣

Might be a little while Chris. When I delivered the loose parts that day there were three guys working with what looked like around thirty vehicles there in various stages. The guy I spoke with said I just missed a ‘69 GT500 they had just finished and left that Monday.

 

[AZ21GT500]

Might be a little while Chris. When I delivered the loose parts that day there were three guys working with what looked like around thirty vehicles there in various stages. The guy I spoke with said I just missed a ‘69 GT500 they had just finished and left that Monday.

All good still exciting!

 

[Zoo]

I’m a fan of blue and this shade is one of my favorite with 1968 Midnight Blue a close second. Looking forward to your build photos. Thanks for sharing

Here is a Mustang in 1968 Midnight Blue.

 

[Zoo]

Here is a Mustang in 1968 Midnight Blue. View attachment 267234

Here is a better photo of a Fastback 2+2 in all sunlight to show the Midnight Blue Metallic color to advantage.

 

[Stryker]

Looks like a great project, love the color. You will have some great memories putting it together

 

[BLKwRD14]

Forgot I had this gem. The shop needed a pic of the title and this was in the safe with it. It contains some great info. Records of the first owners services and dates, the first owners contact info and where the car was purchased new. Marshall Ford in Brookville, OH.

 

[KodiakMustang]

Thanks for starting this Jon! On top of us living the restoration with you, I think you will like how this will have you organizing the progression of the project so you can look back at the journey when you are rocking on your front porch when you are 80.

 

[nickf2005]

I, honestly, would not have the patience you guys have to go through a restoration of a car. My brain has been hammered and forged into quickness, efficiency, and productivity... all of which go out the window when bringing something of old back to new. I commend you for going through the process.

I was in the dealer just yesterday for an oil change, and there was a 1967 Mustang (showroom houses some of the owner's personal collection) in a blue that may be what you're going with. I LOVED the color. Screams classic cruiser in my opinion.

Maybe you can bring the new kid on the block to the Ford Enthusiast Nationals in 2028?

 

[BLKwRD14]

Thanks for starting this Jon! On top of us living the restoration with you, I think you will like how this will have you organizing the progression of the project so you can look back at the journey when you are rocking on your front porch when you are 80.

No problem Mike. It’s nice people are interested. It is a very small piece of Ford history not a lot of people know about or remember. Because of the introduction and popularity of the Mustang there were only around 200k Fairlane’s made in 1965. 41k of those being the two door hardtop and 15k Sports Coupe’s. I wish it was a Sports Coupe with the front bucket seats and console but those are quite rare these days.

 

[BLKwRD14]

I, honestly, would not have the patience you guys have to go through a restoration of a car. My brain has been hammered and forged into quickness, efficiency, and productivity... all of which go out the window when bringing something of old back to new. I commend you for going through the process.

I was in the dealer just yesterday for an oil change, and there was a 1967 Mustang (showroom houses some of the owner's personal collection) in a blue that may be what you're going with. I LOVED the color. Screams classic cruiser in my opinion.

Maybe you can bring the new kid on the block to the Ford Enthusiast Nationals in 2028?

Thanks Nick. Getting the title out last night, I was wrong about when I bought it. It was actually 2006. I’ve been collecting parts for it since then. I already had all the new metal for it and delivered those pieces with the doors and fenders. I am going to start sending the chrome to get repaired/restored now so hopefully it’s all ready by the time I get the car back.

I’m happy with the color. Should look nice with all the “new” chrome. There was a Mustang in the color at Shelbyfest last year. Bev had to pull me away. I looked at it for a long time. I hope this car makes it there one day!

 

[BLKwRD14]

Stopped at the shop today and picked up a list of parts they want for the car and was told as soon as I deliver those they will get started. I told ‘em I’d have ‘em there Tuesday! One of the guys told me they’ve had several people ask “what IS that?”. Also checked out a Superbird they’re working on that was originally owned by Richard Petty. His name was hand written on the build sheet. The guy showed it to me. White with a black vinyl top and black interior. I could easily spend hours in that shop!