• The 1963 Fairlane was part of the Ford Motor Company's production line of mid-size cars manufactured from 1955 through 1971. Named after Henry Ford's estate, Fair Lane, in Dearborn, Mich., the Fairlane was a reasonably priced car with several engine and body style options that appealed to drivers of all ages.
  
  

Engine

• A 170-cubic-inch, 2.8-liter, six-cylinder engine was standard on most Fairlane models. In 1962, Ford introduced the lightweight 3.8-liter Windsor V-8 with an initial horsepower (hp) rating of 145; a 4.2-liter version was a later option with an advertised 164 hp. In 1963, a high-performance 289-cubic-inch, small-block V-8 was added as an option for sedans and hard-top models. The 289 featured solid lifters and produced an advertised 271 hp at 6,000 revolutions per minute (rpm). Six-cylinder models, which featured Ford's Fordomatic transmission, were matched with a new 200-cubic-inch, 116 hp engine.
  
  

Transmission

• The standard Fordomatic transmission was available with the larger six-cylinder engine and the two smaller V-8 models. The larger V-8 featured a new "Synchro-Smooth" three-speed stick shift transmission with synchronizers on all three forward gears. The version equipped with the 170-cubic-inch, six-cylinder engine had synchronizers on just the top two gears. Overdrive and a new Borg-Warner four-on-the-floor stick shift could be special ordered with any V-8. The two-speed Fordomatic and three-speed Cruise-O-Matic were available for automatic transmissions.
  
  

Design

• Originally manufactured as a full-size car, the Fairlane was redesigned as a mid-size vehicle in 1962. With an overall length of 197 inches and a wheelbase of 115.5 inches, the 1963 Fairlane bridged the gap between the shorter Falcon and the longer Galaxie. The Fairlane featured a unibody frame and a body that incorporated four "torque boxes" designed to absorb road shock and provide a smooth ride. The suspension consisted of a standard independent design in front and a Hotchkiss driveshaft in the rear.
  
  

Fairlane Models

• Nine models made the 1963 lineup. Two-and four-door sedans were available in both base Fairlane and the sportier Fairlane 500 trim. The 500 model featured two new two-door hardtops. Bucket seats, spinner wheel covers, and Buick-style front-fender "ventiports" were the major differences between the Sports Coupe and the less sporty, bench-seat 500 hardtop. Three station wagons also joined the 1963 line: a Ranch Wagon with base Fairlane trim, a Custom Ranch Wagon with the 500 styling, and a pseudo-"woody" Squire.
  
  

Major Changes

• The front end featured a new grille pattern, new bumpers and the hood lost its exaggerated overhang. The 500 two-door and Sports Coupe model offered pillarless hardtops.
  
  

Options

• Options available for the 1963 Fairlane included power steering, power brakes, whitewall tires on either 13- or 14-inch rims, a 30-amp generator, tinted glass, two-speed electric windshield wipers, seat belts, full wheel covers and a heavy-duty battery.
  
  

Price and Production Figures

• Depending on body type, trim and options, the 1963 Fairlane had a retail price range of $2,154 to $2,781. Ford produced 97,444 of the Series 30 base models and 246,443 of Series 40 500 models.