Named After Henry Ford's Estate

In 1955 Ford replaced their top full-sized car, the Crestline, with the Fairlane. It seemed an odd name until you realized that the name of Henry Ford's estate near Dearborn, MI was donned Fair Lane. There were six different trims that first year including various coupes and sedans, as well as the convertible Sunliner. Perhaps the most unique of these was the Crown Victoria Skyliner which featured a plastic, transparent top. The standard engine was a 233 cubic inch straight six. There was also a 272 cubic inch V 8 and the Y Block 292 cubic inch Thunderbird 8 offering.

A second generation Fairlane was introduced in 1957 and like a lot of the cars of that era, it was presented a lower, wider silhouette with sleeker lines and, yes, tail fins. It also saw its engines grow with big block 332 and 352 cubic inch V 8s.

The third generation came in 1960 and the fourth in 1962. Each saw significant styling changes as well as more muscle under the hood. By 1965 you could get a 4.2 liter V 8. This huge power plant no longer throwing a full sized luxury car down the road. The Fairlane had been downsized to be Ford's intermediate car. In fact they measured out at 197 inches with a 115 inch wheelbase.

For the 1966 and 1967 years, Ford introduced a fifth generation of the Fairlane. The car seen here is from this generation. Though still considered a mid-sized car, the styling was updated to look like the full size Fords. Engine options ranged from the base 200 cubic inch inline six all the way up to the fearsome R-Code 427 cubic inch V 8 that had a whopping 425 horse power. Yes, this was true Dearborn muscle.

Two more generations were rolled out in the late 1960s and for the 1970 year. For 1971 the Fairlane name, along with that of the Falcon, were dropped. All of Ford's intermediate cars took the Torino handle. The car named after Henry Ford's magnificent estate that had turned into a prized muscle car was no more.