The 1965 Fairlane was new in its appearance as well as its design. It had a wider, more immense big car look which contributed to its new features including increased luggage capacity, new sound insulation package, and much more to offer the ultimate in comfort and convenience.
When you change your appearance, why not change your mechanics. The new 120 hp Fairlane Six replaced the former 170-CID Six became the new standard Fairlane engine with a seven-main-bearing crankshaft and automatic choke. Among the optional V8 engines, the 289-CID Challenger replaced the 260 cu. in V8 from the previous year and features a higher compression ratio of 9.3 to 1 while the Challenger High Performance comes complete with a chrome dress up kit and 4-speed manual transmission. When it comes to transmissions, the Cruise-O-Matic replaced the Fordomatic as Fairlane's optional automatic transmission offering better gas mileage to the thrifty driver.
1965 Ford Fairlane Specifications
Model Number
Body/Style Number
Body Type & Seating
Factory Price
Shipping Weight
Total Production
Fairlane Six-Cyl Series
T
54A
4 Dr Sedan
$2,223
2,858 lbs
25,376*
T
62A
2 Dr Sedan
$2,183
2,806 lbs
13,685*
T
71D
4 Dr Station Wagon
$2,512
3,183 lbs
13,911*
Fairlane V-8 Series
N/A
54A
4 Dr Sedan
$2,329
3,055 lbs
25,376*
N/A
62A
2 Dr Sedan
$2,288
2,998 lbs
13,685*
N/A
71D
4 Dr Station Wagon
$2,618
3,375 lbs
13,911*
Fairlane 500 Six-Cyl Series
T
54B
4 Dr Sedan
$2,303
2,863 lbs
77,836**
T
62B
2 Dr Sedan
$2,263
2,806 lbs
16,092**
T
65A
2 Dr Hardtop
$2,327
2,877 lbs
41,405**
T
65B
2 Dr Sport Coupe
$2,484
2,888 lbs
15,141**
T
71B
4 Dr Station Wagon
$2,592
3,220 lbs
20,506**
Fairlane 500 V8 Series
N/A
54B
4 Dr Sedan
$2,829
3,975 lbs
77,836**
N/A
62B
2 Dr Sedan
$2,933
3,985 lbs
16,092**
N/A
65A
2 Dr Hardtop
$3,018
3,990 lbs
41,405**
N/A
65B
2 Dr Sport Coupe
$3,088
4,000 lbs
15,141**
N/A
71B
4 Dr Station Wagon
$3,088
4,000 lbs
20,506**
Notes:
* Total Series production for ALL Fairlane's was 52,974 units both 6-cylinder and V8. Ford does not have individual breakdowns per body style.
**
Total Series production for ALL Fairlane 500's was 170,980 units both 6-cylinder and V8. Ford does not have individual breakdowns per body style.
Chassis Data
Model Number
Wheelbase
Overall Length
Front Tread
Rear Tread
Tire Size
Fairlane
116 in
198.4 in
57 in
56 in
6.94 x 14
Fairlane Station Wagon
116 in
203.2 in
57 in
56 in
7.35 x 14
Vin Number Decoding - 1960 - 1969 Ford (All Models)
Location: stamped on top upper flange
of left front fender apron. Located on top of dash visible through windshield.
On lock face of left front door.
First Symbol - Year
0 = 1960
1 = 1961
2 = 1962
3 = 1963
4 = 1964
5 = 1965
6 = 1966
7 = 1967
8 = 1968
9 = 1969
Second Symbol - Assembly Plant
A = Atlanta
L = Michigan Truck
B = Oakville
N = Norfolk
C = Ontario
P = Twin Cities
D = Dallas
R = San Jose
E = Mahwah
S = Pilot Plant
F = Dearborn
T = Metuchen
G = Chicago
U = Louisville
H = Lorain
W = Wayne
J = Los Angeles
Y = Wixom
K = Kansas City
Z = St. Louis
Third & Fourth Symbol - Body Series
01 = Mustang 2 Dr Hardtop
51 = Ford 4 Dr Sedan (Custom)
02 = Mustang 2 Dr Fastback
52 = Ford 2 Dr Sedan (Custom 500)
03 = Mustang 2 Dr Convertible
53 = Ford 4 Dr Sedan (Custom 500)
10 = Falcon 2 Dr Sedan
54 = Ford 4 Dr Sedan (Galaxie 500)
11 = Falcon 4 Dr Sedan
55 = Ford 2 Dr Fastback (Galaxie 500)
12 = Falcon Station Wagon
56 = Ford 4 Dr Hardtop (Galaxie 500)
20 = Falcon 2 Dr Sedan (Futura)
57 = Ford Convertible (Galaxie 500)
21 = Falcon 4 Dr Sedan (Futura)
58 = Ford 2 Dr Hardtop (Galaxie 500)
22 = Falcon 2 Dr Sedan (Bucket Seats)
60 = Ford 2 Dr Fastback (XL)
23 = Falcon Station Wagon (Futura)
61 = Ford Convertible (XL)
30 = Fairlane 2 Dr Hardtop
62 = Ford 2 Dr Hardtop (LTD)
31 = Fairlane 4 Dr Sedan
63 = Ford 2 Dr Fastback Coupe
32 = Fairlane Station Wagon
64 = Ford 4 Dr Sedan (LTD)
33 = Fairlane 2 Dr Hardtop (500)
65 = Ford 2 Dr Hardtop Coupe
34 = Fairlane 4 Dr Sedan (500)
66 = Ford 4 Dr Hardtop (LTD)
35 = Fairlane 2 Dr Fastback (500)
70 = Ford Station Wagon (Ranch Wagon - 6P)
36 = Fairlane Convertible (500)
71 = Ford Station Wagon (Custom 500 Ranch Wagon - 6P)
37 = Fairlane Station Wagon (500)
72 = Ford Station Wagon (Custom 500 Ranch Wagon - 10P)
38 = Fairlane Station Wagon (Squire)
73 = Ford Station Wagon (Country Squire - 6P)
40 = Fairlane 2 Dr Fastback (500 XL)
74 = Ford Station Wagon (Country Sedan - 10P)
41 = Fairlane Convertible (500 XL)
75 = Ford Station Wagon (Country Squire -6P)
42 = Fairlane 2 Dr Fastback (500 GT)
76 = Ford Station Wagon (Country Squire -10P)
43 = Fairlane Convertible (500 GT)
76 = Fairlane Convertible
47 = Fairlane Ranchero
83 = Thunderbird 2 Dr Hardtop
48 = Fairlane Ranchero (500)
84 = Thunderbird 2 Dr Hardtop (Landau)
49 = Fairlane Ranchero (GT)
87 = Thunderbird 4 Dr Hardtop (Landau)
Fifth Symbol - Engine
A = 8-289
Q = 8-427
B = 6-240
R = 8-427
C = 8-289
S = 8-390
E = 6-240
T = 6-200
F = 8-260
U = 6-170
J = 8-302
V = 6-240
K = 8-289
W = 8-427
L = 8-221
X = 8-352
M = 8-390
Y = 8-390
N = 8-429
Z = 8-390
P = 8-428
Last Six Symbols - Production Sequence
Starting at 100001
Code
Transmission Type
1
3-Speed Manual
5
4-Speed Manual (std. ratio) 2.78 1st.
6
4-Speed Manual (opt. ratio) 2.32 1st.
T
Cruise-O-Matic (FMX-L)
U
C6 Automatic (aluminum 1 piece case)
W
C4 Automatic (aluminum 2 piece case)
X
Cruise-O-Matic (C.I. case)
Y
Cruise-O-Matic(C.I. case)
Z
C6 Automatic Special (aluminum 1 piece case)
Engine Data
Engines
Displacement
Horsepower
Torque
Transmission
Carburetor
Fairlane Six
6-200
120
190
3-speed Manual, Cruise-O-Matic
1-V
Challenger
8-289
200
282
3-speed manual, Overdrive, Cruise-O-Matic
2-V
Challenger Special
8-289
225
305
3-speed manual, 4-speed manual, Cruise-O-Matic
2 BC
Challenger High Performance
8-289
271
312
4-speed manual, Cruise-O-Matic
4 BC
Transmission Codes
Transmission
Location
3-Speed Manual
Not Available
4-Speed Manual
Not Available
Overdrive
Not Available
Cruise-O-Matic (C.I. case)
Not Available
Cruise-O-Matic (aluminum case)
Not Available
Code
Transmission Type
1
3-Speed Manual
2
Overdrive
4
Cruise-O-Matic (C.I. case)
5
4-Speed Manual
6
Cruise-O-Matic (aluminum case)
1965 Ford Axle Codes
Codes - Non-Locking
Codes - Locking
Ratio
1
A
3.00
2
B
2.83
2
B
3.10
3
C
3.20
4
D
3.25
5
E
3.50
6
F
2.80
7
G
3.80
8
H
3.89
9
I
4.00 (Falcon)
9
I
4.11
Paint Codes - Exterior Colors
Color Name / Code
Color Image
Color Name / Code
Color Image
A - Raven Black
Lucite® Code - 88
Duco® Code - 44
Dulux® Code - 93-005
NOTE: The first letter of a two-letter paint code identifies the body
color. The second letter identifies the roof color. (For example,
the combination YM on a Ford would indicate the body finished in
Silver Blue and the roof area in Wimbledon White.) Paint code for
all models are shown on the plate on the rear face of the left front
door.
Dark Blue (Thunderbird only)
Lucite® Code - 9152LH (semi-gloss)
Light Ivy Gold
Lucite® Code - 9133LH (semi-gloss)
Red
Lucite® Code - 9091LM (semi-gloss)
Medium Ivy Gold (Thunderbird only)
Lucite® Code - 9141LH (semi-gloss)
Dark Red (Thunderbird only)
Lucite® Code - 9146LM (semi-gloss)
Medium Ivy Gold
Lucite® Code - 9136LH (semi-gloss)
Burgundy
Lucite® Code - 9041LH (semi-gloss)
Dark Ivy Gold (Thunderbird only)
Lucite® Code - 9132LH (semi-gloss)
Black
Lucite® Code - 88 (semi-gloss)
NOTE: To
obtain a gloss comparable to the original interior finish add approximately
1 oz DuPont #4528 flattening compound to a pint of unreduced color.
Note: Information, Specifications, Resources & Photos found in the Research Library should only be used as general guidelines. OldRide LLC makes no warranty as to the authenticity and accuracy of the information contained hereon.
