buying a 1963 Ford Fairlane 500?

[NOS_racerX]

hey guys, ive got a question...
theres an old lady who is my neighbor and she is selling a 1963 Ford Fairlane 500 for $5,500, its in pretty near mint condition, automatic trans. and she says its a v8 but shes not sure...
im only 13 so i dont know if i will get it.. but me and my dad are thinking about getting it for my first car in highschool.. firrst off i would like to know if this is a good price for this car? and is there lots of aftermarket upgrades for this car? not like bodykits or anything but like engine and performance upgrades(i searched and couldnt find much...)and is this a car that i could raise the engine out of the hood like muscle cars and hot rods?
thanks in advance

[Wolf]

Can't tell you about the price, since the car could be worth $50 to $10k, depending on condition.



Yes, it would be a good first car to learn on. Very simplistic, not a lot of electrical or vacuum lines to deal with.

Tons of aftermarket stuff for old Ford V8s. Cams, intakes, headers, heads, cams, carbs. Anything you can think of.




The engines in the muscle cars aren't raised up. They are using high-rise intake manifolds and/or blowers, which stick up higher than stock.
The large shiny barrel shaped thing is a supercharger. If you'd remove that, install a normal intake manifold and carb, you'd be able to put the hood down on it.

Tunnel ram intake manifold:

[NOS_racerX]

thanks alot wolf! that was very helpful.
i just figured out yesterday that it was actually a 64 instead of 63... she said she had forgot a couple days ago and told me 63. when i went over to her house she popped the hood for me and my friend because he likes it too and the engines not very rusty just kinda dirty and dusty so i'll have to do some engine cleaning to it too probally.. as i noticed while getting a closer look i saw that both mirrors were really rusty from the salt air (i live near the beach and she left it outside for years) and she said it doesnt have air conditioning or a cd player. all it has is a tape player and a radio so im definetly have to get that fixed. it has no seatbelts just the plain old bench seats and mostly everything is original and in working condition. also there is one more problem: her son in south carolina has the key to the trunk so she has to get up with him and get the key from him...

[Rod&Custom]

I wouldn't get excited about the chrome, almost eveyone has pits. As for a CD player, that is the last thing you need to worry about. You will need to do a compresssion check on the motor. If it comes out bad, you will need to get an overhaul kit for it. You said it has been sitting outside, is this just sitting, or sitting when not driven. If it has been sitting and not driven in quite some time, then you may have some work ahead of you. You will need to change your rear-diff fluid, because it is probably origninal. You will also probably need wheel cylinders, and wheel bearings. More than likely, you will need to rebuild your carb(carbs are a lot of trouble if you don't know much about them). Tires may be dry-rotting, so check that. Also check the gas tank. If they have been sitting too long without STABIL or something then the gas draws moisture. This moisture will rust your inner gas tank and cause rust to get into your fuel lines and carb. Getting onto lines, you should check all brake and fuel lines too. Feel inside the fenders and check to see if it has been wrecked. Lay down and check floorpans to ensure that they are not full of cancer. Check that all of your lights and things work too, because if they do not, this could be signs of a failing harness. Battery might need replaced also. Before you drive it too much, check your air cleaner and change your oil. Also check your exhaust from the manifold back. Not meaning to discourage young buyers(I can relate to you, I am 15 myself) but I just want you to know what you are getting into with older cars. Good luck and hope all turns out OK.

[NOS_racerX]

no she drives it almost every other week or so and the tires are in pretty good condition and she had the battery replaced last year or so because it broke down... and when she drives it she always says it works great and nothings wrong but shes not a very big car person so im gonna check behind her too.. she said that she has never been in a wreck and its all good so i think that the fenders are ok. when she popped the hood the other day she started it up and the lights worked and the engine sounded normal and working.. well anyways thanks for the advice rod&custom

[Rod&Custom]

Good, sounds like its a nice one. I am just always skeptical because of the cars I have worked on. I am currently working on a 1949 Ford and it is a MESS!!! Wow this car is gone, but what do you expect for $1500? Sounds like you found a beaut and good luck with it.

[Snappy]

messed up on this post--see next

[Snappy]

Price sounds a little steep unless the sheet metal is in excellant shape. I bought my '63 Sports Coupe (V8, 4 spd, buckets) for $3500 and the engine had been rebuilt. It needed quite a bit of body work. Rear quarters were replaced with aftermarket (found one here in Denver and one in Canada), floor pans were rusted and replaced. The sheet metal and body work is probably the most expensive part if you want to make the car right. If this one is as good as you say, the price might be close. As for the year/model. A very easy car to work with. No frills, just basic mechanics and------a lot of FUN!!! Get it and have a BALL!
Snappy

[72' Stang 351 H/O]

500's only came with V8's. if it's got the right engine you can make a sleeper car and blow people away.

[Msvic]

For more info on your F;alne go to
Fairlane club of America website or woodys ford gt is a good one too
there are many guys there who live & breath Fairlanes
And by the way ,Fairlanes, whether the basic model, 50 or Sports Coupe came with a basic 6 cylinder unless you ordered the V-8
Also, it could be a 260 c.i or a 289 c.i
the 289 being more desirable for hopin up.
Get the serial number off the drivers side fender or on the inside of the drivers side door post
It will tell you everything about the car
If its in really, really good shape, $3,000 is a good price, but if its a one owner old ladys car, I'll buy it!!!