What are all the years of the Ford Fairlane?
The Ford Fairlane was produced in model years 1955 through 1970 in the United States. This article lists all model years the name appeared, along with a brief context of its evolution.
Overview of the Fairlane name
The Ford Fairlane has a long lineage dating back to the mid-1950s. Over its history, the name was used for multiple generations and trim levels, including variants such as the Fairlane 500. The model evolved through redesigns and changes in Ford’s lineup before the name was retired in favor of other branding approaches in the early 1970s.
Note on trims and variants
Across its run, the Fairlane name appeared both as a standalone model and as a mid-range/upper-trim option within Ford’s full-size lineup. In several years, the Fairlane designation existed alongside related names like Fairlane 500, Fairlane 500 XL, or as part of broader Galaxie/LTD families.
Complete production years in the U.S.
Below is a year-by-year list of model years in which Ford offered the Fairlane name in the U.S. market. The list reflects US production and branding, which is where the Fairlane’s most widely recognized history sits.
- 1955
- 1956
- 1957
- 1958
- 1959
- 1960
- 1961
- 1962
- 1963
- 1964
- 1965
- 1966
- 1967
- 1968
- 1969
- 1970
These years capture the span during which the Fairlane name appeared in Ford’s U.S. catalogs, including variations that existed within related lines. Some model years featured the name primarily for certain body styles or trims rather than as a stand-alone complete model.
Summary
In short, the Ford Fairlane name was used in the United States from 1955 through 1970, spanning multiple generations and trims before the nameplate was retired. The period reflects Ford’s mid‑century experimentation with full-size styling and branding that ultimately gave way to newer lineup strategies in the 1970s.
What is the rarest Fairlane model?
Ultra-Rare, All-Original, 1-of-57 1966 Fairlane R-Code 427 4 Speed Spared From Racetrack Duty. You may recall that Ford's Fairlane-based Thunderbolt took drag racing's Super Stock classes by storm in 1964.
What years did they make the Ford Fairlane?
The Ford Fairlane was produced in North America from 1955 to 1970. After its discontinuation in North America, Ford Australia continued to produce its own version of the Fairlane on a long-wheelbase Falcon platform until 2007.
You can watch this video to learn about the history of Ford Fairlane and its models: 50sTony's Fords and MustangsYouTube · Dec 23, 2023
- North America: The Fairlane was initially a full-size car until 1962, when it transitioned to an intermediate-sized car until its North American production ended in 1970.
- Australia: A long-wheelbase version of the Ford Falcon, named Fairlane, was produced in Australia until 2007.
What's the difference between a Ford Galaxie and a Ford Fairlane?
The main difference is that the Galaxie was a separate model line, initially a top-trim version of the Fairlane, and later became a standalone full-size car while the Fairlane was downsized to a mid-size model. Key distinctions include the Galaxie's larger size, more premium features, and sometimes different styling like a Thunderbird-inspired roofline, particularly in 1959 when it was a trim.
| Feature | Fairlane | Galaxie |
|---|---|---|
| Initial Role | A trim level, and later the base model for full-size cars | A top-tier trim level of the Fairlane before becoming a standalone model |
| Size | Was full-size initially, then became a mid-size car starting in 1962 | Full-size throughout its run |
| Market Positioning | Initially full-size, then repositioned as a mid-size between the Falcon and Galaxie | Ford's top-of-the-line flagship model |
| Key Styling Difference (1959) | Standard "formal" roofline | Thunderbird-style C-pillar and a more luxurious finish |
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In summary:
- For 1959: The Galaxie was the top trim of the full-size Fairlane, distinguished by its more luxurious features and Thunderbird-inspired styling elements like a unique C-pillar. The Fairlane was the base full-size model.
- From 1960 onwards: The Galaxie became its own distinct model line, continuing as Ford's large, full-size car.
- From 1962 onwards: The Fairlane nameplate was moved to a new, smaller mid-size platform, positioned between the compact Falcon and the full-size Galaxie.
What year was the last Ford Fairlane made?
The last year for the Ford Fairlane in North America was 1970. The Fairlane name was retired in the U.S. at the end of the 1970 model year, with its place in the Ford lineup being taken over by the Torino series.
- Ford produced the Fairlane from 1955 to 1970.
- For the final year, the Fairlane was part of the larger Torino line and only the Fairlane 500 trim remained.
- Although production ended in 1970 in North America, the Fairlane name continued to be used in Australia until 2007.
