educate me 65 fairlane

O.K. looking at what i think is a 1965 Fairlane 500

What is the difference between the 64 and 65?

Is the 65 a unibody or frame (couldn't tell it had a foot of snow around it)?

Major rust spots?

Link or other to de-code VIN?

Anything else to look at /for?????

Thanks for any info!!

The 65 is a one year only body style. Hoods,fenders,grill etc are not the same as a 64. Drive train suspension most interior are the same except the dash. Watch for rust in the usual spots floors,quarters, lower fenders and rockers. I forgot where I found the decoding for the vin but I will check, maybe try google

found a decode site....decodethis.com?

still haven't found if this is a full frame car or not? i alway thought the 66-68's were uni-body cars?

Originally Posted by sixty3

found a decode site....decodethis.com?

still haven't found if this is a full frame car or not? i alway thought the 66-68's were uni-body cars?

It's just like the 62-64, a unibody. Ford introduced the unibody intermediate in 62 along with the lightwieght 90º V8 engine (221 and later 260). There a dozens of Fairlane websites with all the differences listed. Do a Google search and you'll find good ones like Woody's and the FCA.

Here is a place you can decode the vin and door plate for the 65 Fairlane

65 Fairlane Codes

Other than looks mid 64 to 65 had all the same suspension. 65 could have a floor shift console. 65 had a mechanical break light switch. rust in the floor can be fixed if it is just the floor and not structure. Cowl vent area is very hard to fix. I think 65 had a wider radaiator opening..all the stuff is close to the same mechanically.

Not familiar with the unibody at all. What and where should i be looking for trouble areas? is there a way to tell if its even worth restoring? hope to have some pictures tomarrow.

Originally Posted by sixty3

Not familiar with the unibody at all. What and where should i be looking for trouble areas? is there a way to tell if its even worth restoring? hope to have some pictures tomarrow.

All Ford unibodies tend to rust in the same places. Check the passengers side floor boards for severe rot. It it is rotted then the cowl is rotted. The cowls tend to trap leaves over time which leads to trapped moisture and then rust. Once it starts there, water leaks in and rots the floor pans. Look for rot around the big screws that hold the latch in the door. The holes will rust and sheetmetal will crack through the holes. Rocker panels will rust at the rear wheel wells. Those are the primary but you will find rust in the lower quarters, front and rear. The trunk can rot if it has leaked....which it possibly has on a car this old. But really you gotta look at the car. It may be only minor rust.

Also check torque boxes, where the "frame" kicks back in from the rockers to the front subframe. Points on frame where front strut rods attach and rear of frame where spring shackles attach. These are common enough rust areas that patches are now being sold.

Please note that with Fairlanes, drivetrain is same as Mustang/Falcon and the cars are just as much fun. Unfortuneately, finding trim and restoration parts is much harder than with those more popular cars, parts cost significantly more, and resale value is lower. Bottom line, don't plan on restoring mid-sixties Fairlanes thinking you are going to make money. This has to be a car that you enjoy and want to own. Once you decide that, welcome to the fold.

Thanks everyone! looks like this car is a "C" code car. hope to go back tomarrow to get a second look. owner said he would put car in garage so i can get a better look at. right now its sitting in a winter storm and there is a foot or more of snow around it. wasn't looking for another project, but sure would enjoy this someday.