1966 Fairlane Wagon Appears To Have Driven To Junkyard Under Its Own Power - Jalopnik Comments

1966 Fairlane Wagon Appears To Have Driven To Junkyard Under Its Own Power

chunkydeath — Fri, 13 Jun 2008 15:51:57 EDT

oK SO here it is . Fact # 1 its a yard called "pick your part " the company that runs it can sell it cuz its not in california leagel too. When it hits the yard the vin is turned in and they take it off the books at the D M V . The key is to start an underground movement to save rare old cars . we stat a site and get a membership to pitch in about 50 buck per member a year to help fund the buyer of the site or buyers . The community would get a photo and vote on how much we would all pay and what would be done with the car . There would be a collection of these cars held at a members farm field wharehouses and we would all be involved in the process of finding buying and fixing them up . After that we would share the profits and put back into the site to save the cars . we could call it
CARSAVERS.COM

chunkydeath

1966 Fairlane Wagon Appears To Have Driven To Junkyard Under Its Own Power

foreversincebreakfast — Fri, 11 Apr 2008 12:50:40 EDT

"There was a fairly complete SAAB 95 at a yard near me when I used to live in MD. I wanted to buy the whole car, and the fellow at the counter said $800. I went home, got my trailer and the cash, came back, peeled off 8 franklins, and went out back with the forklift driver who was going to load it onto my trailer for me. As he's bringing the car up to my trailer, the owner comes out and say's he won't do the deal for that price. He had my cash in his hand and told the forklift driver to take the car back. I was furious. I insisted we had an agreement, and demanded my car. He told me "I'm leaving your money on the counter, and if you don't leave I'll call the police."

As a vintage SAAB enthusiast (I own a pair of 96es) it breaks my heart to hear that story. Let me share my own sad, Saab-related junkyard tale...

Almost 10 years ago I had a '76 99 EMS as my daily driver, I frequented Holland Used Auto Parts in Billerica, Massachusetts as they always had a pretty good selection of classic 900s (of which many parts will interchage with a 99 of that vintage). Anyway, I went there one day and saw something that made me so pissed... RUSTFREE (this is New England, after all) 57k mile black 99 EMS sandwiched between two 900s, the one on top of it caving in its roof. I was able to grab the quick ratio steering rack from it, as if that's any consolation.

The problem is that most of the public is pretty ignorant about old cars and doesn't give a crap about the. The SAAB 99 (and Ford wagon) probably ended up in the junkyard because they had been sitting around for a while and someone too dumb to realize that they might be of VALUE to an enthusiast chose to discard them. A sad symptom of our disposable society.

I agree that it is bullshit that some yards won't sell whole cars, especially when it's something so unusual (like a SAAB 95) that most people probably won't even buy parts from it. I can't imagine they'd get more money for scrap than selling it to an enthusiast for a reasonable price. Of course, these guys often think something unusual must be worth a ton of dough.

foreversincebreakfast

1966 Fairlane Wagon Appears To Have Driven To Junkyard Under Its Own Power

Galaxie500 — Fri, 11 Apr 2008 02:27:35 EDT

The loss of parts is what is sad. Even 20 years ago there were plenty of yards in Northern Ca with cars, they have vanished, been zoned out of business or are late model only. Funny, CA is the car capitol of the world, yet politicians hate cars with a passion. If it isn't moving or off the street, they will come after it. Sad to see it get crushed but that's how it is here.

Galaxie500

1966 Fairlane Wagon Appears To Have Driven To Junkyard Under Its Own Power

nitroracer — Thu, 10 Apr 2008 23:24:09 EDT

I have a 68' Fairlane sedan I am getting ready to put back on the road. Sure a four door is nothing special to a collector but for an old car dork it works great for low cash. Same platform, looks, parts, etc - less investment & more drive time. My 357 windsor is almost ready to replace the 289 and then its ready to drive. :)

nitroracer

1966 Fairlane Wagon Appears To Have Driven To Junkyard Under Its Own Power

MadHungarian — Thu, 10 Apr 2008 22:53:33 EDT

When I lived in Philly, I used to go to a pick-n-pull yard that often got complete cars with the keys in the ignition -- on at least 2 occasions the battery was still there and had enough juice to start the engine. One such car was a '69 Caddy convertible -- but rusty beyond hope, unlike that wagon which has sheet metal any Rust Belter would die for.

I love the ingenious vent window locking device :-)

MadHungarian

1966 Fairlane Wagon Appears To Have Driven To Junkyard Under Its Own Power

thatguy01 — Thu, 10 Apr 2008 22:09:13 EDT

LoM, the 66/67 US Fairlane and Falcon used the same wagon shell (and Ranchero truck shell). Just swap the front fenders.

Your Aussie Fairlane 4-dr appears to use the same cabin structure as the 4-dr Falcon. The US Fairlane 4-dr (and 2-dr convertible and hardtop coupe) had a longer cabin. But the Fairlane and Falcon 2-dr "post" sedans used a shorter cabin than any of the other cars.

thatguy01

1966 Fairlane Wagon Appears To Have Driven To Junkyard Under Its Own Power

LandofMinos, Don't you fucking look at me! — Thu, 10 Apr 2008 19:42:53 EDT

WOW! I had no idea they made wagon versions of these. Aussies had the sedan only.
[www.woodyg.com]

LandofMinos, Don't you fucking look at me!

1966 Fairlane Wagon Appears To Have Driven To Junkyard Under Its Own Power

Mad_Science — Thu, 10 Apr 2008 18:17:11 EDT

@harumph: The hilarious thing is I could put together a pretty solid business plan for it, but there are three large unknowns:
--Land Cost
--Liability
--Environmental restrictions (typically oil leaking into the ground is frowned upon)

I think this is better accomplished by operating a "farm" where you just so happen to store your personal vehicles.

Most of the private waterski lakes I skied on were actually "fish farms" that just so happened to allow skiing, as the liability for an actual ski lake was prohibitively expensive.

Mad_Science

1966 Fairlane Wagon Appears To Have Driven To Junkyard Under Its Own Power

harumph — Thu, 10 Apr 2008 17:42:45 EDT

@Mad_Science: i wanna see you go to a bank to try and get a loan for such a venture. that'd be funny to watch.

harumph

1966 Fairlane Wagon Appears To Have Driven To Junkyard Under Its Own Power

nosirrahg — Thu, 10 Apr 2008 17:31:44 EDT

It's like when Edward G. Robinson walks into the facility in "Soylent Green" and comes out in little green cubes.

nosirrahg

1966 Fairlane Wagon Appears To Have Driven To Junkyard Under Its Own Power

Fly I-80 — Thu, 10 Apr 2008 17:24:39 EDT

@Mad_Science: You should visit Reno.

Fly I-80

1966 Fairlane Wagon Appears To Have Driven To Junkyard Under Its Own Power

Mad_Science — Thu, 10 Apr 2008 17:06:27 EDT

I'm not kidding that one of the few "careers" I'd leave my current profession for would be to operate a combo:
car museum/dealer/junkyard/drag strip/bar/drive-in theatre...

...with vintage travel trailers so people could stay overnight.

Anyone got a square mile or so they want to lend me?

Mad_Science

1966 Fairlane Wagon Appears To Have Driven To Junkyard Under Its Own Power

harumph — Thu, 10 Apr 2008 15:56:29 EDT

We need to establish a collective junkyard to weed out the savers from the ones deserving the crusher. the number of great cars lost to bureaucratic junkyard notions is a national travesty.

harumph

1966 Fairlane Wagon Appears To Have Driven To Junkyard Under Its Own Power

graverobber- My Yugo Nova! — Thu, 10 Apr 2008 15:45:04 EDT

@charles_barrett: Who would you rather be sore in the morning from all that digging; you or the dead guy?

graverobber- My Yugo Nova!

1966 Fairlane Wagon Appears To Have Driven To Junkyard Under Its Own Power

thatguy01 — Thu, 10 Apr 2008 15:43:47 EDT

And here's a thought for the soul who probably lost this car.

Stolen? Condemned yard art? Parents? Spouse? Peer pressure? A rock finally too heavy to push up the hill? Whichever, it looks like someone cared about this car and tried their best.

I hope this person keeps trying, and finds a little slice of heaven on wheels.

thatguy01

1966 Fairlane Wagon Appears To Have Driven To Junkyard Under Its Own Power

thatguy01 — Thu, 10 Apr 2008 15:39:13 EDT

Clearly, your problem is that you were dealing with the counterman, Well Adjusted and Socially Adept Bob.

Once Crazy Ray inserted himself into the process, you were toast.

thatguy01

1966 Fairlane Wagon Appears To Have Driven To Junkyard Under Its Own Power

Maymar is convinced M.C. Escher engineered his car — Thu, 10 Apr 2008 15:38:04 EDT

Given how rust seems to be allergic to heat, I envy you California types.

Maymar is convinced M.C. Escher engineered his car

1966 Fairlane Wagon Appears To Have Driven To Junkyard Under Its Own Power

Tomsk the red-nosed reindeer — Thu, 10 Apr 2008 15:35:40 EDT

If you buy the body and all its bits and a buddy buys the chassis and all its bits, would that fly? If not, file for some kind of injunction in court or something, cuz letting this thing get crushed would be a much, much bigger travesty than even the 1962/1989 Vette mashup a few posts up.

Tomsk the red-nosed reindeer

1966 Fairlane Wagon Appears To Have Driven To Junkyard Under Its Own Power

mechimike — Thu, 10 Apr 2008 15:34:46 EDT

"A straight Fairlane V8 wagon, rat rodded with krylon, red wheels, and blanket upholstery. It's been done, but so has a cheeseburger, for good reason"

Amen.

There was a fairly complete SAAB 95 at a yard near me when I used to live in MD. I wanted to buy the whole car, and the fellow at the counter said $800. I went home, got my trailer and the cash, came back, peeled off 8 franklins, and went out back with the forklift driver who was going to load it onto my trailer for me. As he's bringing the car up to my trailer, the owner comes out and say's he won't do the deal for that price. He had my cash in his hand and told the forklift driver to take the car back. I was furious. I insisted we had an agreement, and demanded my car. He told me "I'm leaving your money on the counter, and if you don't leave I'll call the police."

I'm sure the driver took the SAAB back there and unceremoniously dumped it. As for the yard, it was CRAZY RAY'S in Jessup MD. There are a few CRAZY RAY'S around MD, and I swore never to go back to any of them. I would like to think people would have more honor than that, even at a junkyard. Especially at a junkyard, and ESPECIALLY when dealing with a rare, antique automobile.

mechimike

1966 Fairlane Wagon Appears To Have Driven To Junkyard Under Its Own Power

TRAMS_AM — Thu, 10 Apr 2008 15:32:16 EDT

@Novaload: No shitter's ever gonna come between me and my Christine!

TRAMS_AM

1966 Fairlane Wagon Appears To Have Driven To Junkyard Under Its Own Power

TurboBrick — Thu, 10 Apr 2008 15:32:01 EDT

@charles_barrett: My father drove an old beater van to a junkyard to sell it, and they offered him a ridiculous sum equal to 10 dollars. He refused and tried to drive away. The engine blew up about 500 feet away, so he walked back and collected the 10 bucks.

TurboBrick

1966 Fairlane Wagon Appears To Have Driven To Junkyard Under Its Own Power

TRAMS_AM — Thu, 10 Apr 2008 15:30:28 EDT

@Murilee Martin: Bribe the car out of the junkyard! Anything! '66 Fairlane WAGON!!! Put a 460 in it! Rake it! Restore it or just look at it in the backyard with the kids!

It is your moral obligation to free this car.

TRAMS_AM

1966 Fairlane Wagon Appears To Have Driven To Junkyard Under Its Own Power

NovaloadMissesPolar — Thu, 10 Apr 2008 15:30:23 EDT

OK, settle down. Yes, my heart fell when I saw this love-among-the-ruins beauty, but it might actually be evil. We don't know what kind of desperate soul fought a valiant--oops, wrong make--battle to wrestle this thing into the graveyard and put an end to its reign of terror.

NovaloadMissesPolar

1966 Fairlane Wagon Appears To Have Driven To Junkyard Under Its Own Power

thatguy01 — Thu, 10 Apr 2008 15:25:49 EDT

@Isetta: Yeah, I think this is a 66 with a 67 grille.

thatguy01

1966 Fairlane Wagon Appears To Have Driven To Junkyard Under Its Own Power

thatguy01 — Thu, 10 Apr 2008 15:24:26 EDT

@altdude: Stylewise, I always thought Ford hit a home run with this car and the 66/67 Comet. Terrific shape, great detailing, except that the 67 grilles are coarse (this wagon has a 67 grille, but I think all the other trim is 66).

thatguy01

1966 Fairlane Wagon Appears To Have Driven To Junkyard Under Its Own Power

Isetta — Thu, 10 Apr 2008 15:20:42 EDT

Someone correct me if I'm wrong, but I think this car has a '67 grill although the tail lamps are '66. All '67 Fords had that goofy steering wheel safety hub. It's missing here. The Chevy hood ornament probably doubles this vehicle's value. Still this old gal is in too good a shape to be in the yard.

Isetta

1966 Fairlane Wagon Appears To Have Driven To Junkyard Under Its Own Power

Charles_Barrett - Now with Variable-Valve Timing — Thu, 10 Apr 2008 15:20:30 EDT

Driven to a junkyard under its own power...? Isn't that akin to forcing your victim to dig his own grave, then popping him in the back of the head so he topples forward into it? Too gruesome to contemplate...

Charles_Barrett - Now with Variable-Valve Timing

1966 Fairlane Wagon Appears To Have Driven To Junkyard Under Its Own Power

econobiker — Thu, 10 Apr 2008 15:10:19 EDT

@Murilee Martin: yeah that is the sad part about these types of yards, no respect for the restorable cars parts only.

econobiker

1966 Fairlane Wagon Appears To Have Driven To Junkyard Under Its Own Power

waynecramp — Thu, 10 Apr 2008 15:08:21 EDT

Note to self: must hang out at wrecker yards more often.

Seriously, though, now that the engine has been taken, couldn't you just go back and buy the entire car over 3 or 4 trips?

Damn shame this car ended up where it's at.

waynecramp

1966 Fairlane Wagon Appears To Have Driven To Junkyard Under Its Own Power

Murilee Martin — Thu, 10 Apr 2008 15:06:53 EDT

@Peabody S. Preston, Esq., Bruce, El Caminion: Well, you probably could... but it would be $50,000 or so, since every light bulb, trim piece, hose clamp, etc. would be charged separately. The whole engine, air cleaner to oil pan with all accessories, sells for $200 (or $100 on Half Price Day).

Murilee Martin

1966 Fairlane Wagon Appears To Have Driven To Junkyard Under Its Own Power

altdude — Thu, 10 Apr 2008 15:06:04 EDT

That's a shame... now that's a Ford I'd drive. The dashboard looks almost modern, in a minimalist, almost Volvo-esque way. Nice exterior colour too. Too bad it won't exist for much longer...

altdude

1966 Fairlane Wagon Appears To Have Driven To Junkyard Under Its Own Power

thatguy01 — Thu, 10 Apr 2008 15:05:08 EDT

It's official:

Anyone who bitches about not having a cool hoopty to drive on the weekend is just not looking hard enough.

A straight Fairlane V8 wagon, rat rodded with krylon, red wheels, and blanket upholstery. It's been done, but so has a cheeseburger, for good reason.

That is all.

thatguy01

1966 Fairlane Wagon Appears To Have Driven To Junkyard Under Its Own Power

Hot_Carl — Thu, 10 Apr 2008 15:04:37 EDT

Travesty. I love that color too.

Hot_Carl

1966 Fairlane Wagon Appears To Have Driven To Junkyard Under Its Own Power

Mazda Eric has his own radio show — Thu, 10 Apr 2008 14:57:27 EDT

hickory dickory dock....OOOHHH!!

Mazda Eric has his own radio show

1966 Fairlane Wagon Appears To Have Driven To Junkyard Under Its Own Power

Mazda Eric has his own radio show — Thu, 10 Apr 2008 14:57:11 EDT

Mazda Eric has his own radio show

1966 Fairlane Wagon Appears To Have Driven To Junkyard Under Its Own Power

LTDScott changed his name! — Thu, 10 Apr 2008 14:49:07 EDT

Gah, why is the formatting of my posts so weird? <- paragraph break here, does it work?

LTDScott changed his name!

1966 Fairlane Wagon Appears To Have Driven To Junkyard Under Its Own Power

KingRoyale — Thu, 10 Apr 2008 14:48:10 EDT

Dear God!!!! Why oh why does that have to be far away from danged CT -- I could use a handful of the parts on my '67 Ranch and then finish the '66 for dual wag00ning.

I could cry. Oh wait, just did.

KingRoyale

1966 Fairlane Wagon Appears To Have Driven To Junkyard Under Its Own Power

LTDScott changed his name! — Thu, 10 Apr 2008 14:47:03 EDT

@Murilee Martin: Indeed. Not that I could have done anything with them, but I really would have loved to buy the suicide door Lincoln or the early 70s Toyota Crown wagon I found at Pick Your Part. @Peabody S. Preston, Esq., Bruce, El Caminion: Kinda like a Johnny Cash song played backwards?

LTDScott changed his name!

1966 Fairlane Wagon Appears To Have Driven To Junkyard Under Its Own Power

FЯeeMan is slowly cЯawling out of the new commenting system — Thu, 10 Apr 2008 14:42:48 EDT

I'm not even a huge fan of 60s iron, but this looks too good to pass up.

Quick! Someone have your wife/S.O. follow you over there - she can buy a spark plug wire, you can get the rest as 'parts'.

FЯeeMan is slowly cЯawling out of the new commenting system

1966 Fairlane Wagon Appears To Have Driven To Junkyard Under Its Own Power

dculberson — Thu, 10 Apr 2008 14:42:36 EDT

This is in better condition than most Ohio cars this vintage. Absolutely depressing. If anything this cool went to $150-min-bid auctions locally, I'd be awash in even more vintage iron.

dculberson

1966 Fairlane Wagon Appears To Have Driven To Junkyard Under Its Own Power

om Bronx de Mowgli — Thu, 10 Apr 2008 14:40:39 EDT

@Murilee Martin: so you couldn't buy each piece sans disassembly? :D

om Bronx de Mowgli

1966 Fairlane Wagon Appears To Have Driven To Junkyard Under Its Own Power

Mad_Science — Thu, 10 Apr 2008 14:34:40 EDT

Holy shit dude. My don't you just post the video of someone shooting a dog?

They really don't sell whole cars there?

How long ago was did you take these pictures? Because I'd seriously consider picking this up.

Like, seriously...what yard is this at? I've got friends and family in the bay area...

Mad_Science

1966 Fairlane Wagon Appears To Have Driven To Junkyard Under Its Own Power

Murilee Martin — Thu, 10 Apr 2008 14:34:03 EDT

@harumph: This is a high-turnover wrecking yard, owned by a big chain that is itself a subsidiary of a steel company. Cars hit the yard, stay for a month or two, then what's left goes to The Crusher. Very corporate, all prices standardized, no flexibility or negotiation. Sort of the Wal-Mart of junkyards. They won't sell you a whole car off the yard.

Murilee Martin

1966 Fairlane Wagon Appears To Have Driven To Junkyard Under Its Own Power

AustinMiniMan — Thu, 10 Apr 2008 14:30:16 EDT

You know, this got me thinking. I've seen a couple interviews or whatever with the guys who run the cranes that drop the cars into the crusher. I think they had one on Dirty Jobs. Then I realized... I simply couldn't do it.

Honestly, if I was offered a full-benefits six figure income, I still couldn't. I wouldn't have it in me, and I'd hate myself.

There was an article I read recently, it was either in Practical Classics or Classic and Sports Car, about the Chrysler Turbine. One man in it recounted when they crushed them all... "The forklift went through the windows whether they were open or not. Then they dowsed gasoline into the interior and lit it, to make sure all the organic material was disposed of. Then they lifting the cars, one by one, into the crusher, where they were reduced to about 6" tall." They had some photos, too. Reading it literally made me cry. My sister found it really upsetting to. My dad has one of the original dealer-promotional models of the Turbine. If I'm not mistaken, they only gave one to each dealer, so they're probably pretty rare. Anyway...

I'd love to have this as a daily driver... tons of space, decent power, not bad on gas, and it'll last forever. Wonder how many miles she had on her?

AustinMiniMan

1966 Fairlane Wagon Appears To Have Driven To Junkyard Under Its Own Power

harumph — Thu, 10 Apr 2008 14:28:25 EDT

@LTDScott, Porcubimmer pilot: when i lived in virginia, the place i went to would sell the whole thing. don't know what other states do though.

murilee, why must you traffic in such constant sorrow?

harumph

1966 Fairlane Wagon Appears To Have Driven To Junkyard Under Its Own Power

baldy_pm uses Rock-Paper-Scissors-Lizard-Spock — Thu, 10 Apr 2008 14:27:51 EDT

@Murilee Martin: If somebody has the engine, now someone else has to go get the rest, you know for "parts", technically they are not getting the whole car then...

baldy_pm uses Rock-Paper-Scissors-Lizard-Spock

1966 Fairlane Wagon Appears To Have Driven To Junkyard Under Its Own Power

graverobber- My Yugo Nova! — Thu, 10 Apr 2008 14:24:52 EDT

No sign of multiple parking infractions or Denver Boot scars? I've seen a number of decent-looking cars in the yards with DO NOT MOVE CAR UNDER PENALTY OF LAW... stickers on the windscreen.
That's a tired-but nice looking Fairlane. I especially like the seat cover, I used to sell them when I worked at OLES.

graverobber- My Yugo Nova!

1966 Fairlane Wagon Appears To Have Driven To Junkyard Under Its Own Power

UDMan — Thu, 10 Apr 2008 14:23:31 EDT

@ujointclothing: Screw the SHO, what's the story on the Mark III on the other side of this Fairlane?

UDMan

1966 Fairlane Wagon Appears To Have Driven To Junkyard Under Its Own Power

Murilee Martin — Thu, 10 Apr 2008 14:23:16 EDT

@Peabody S. Preston, Esq., Bruce, El Caminion: It looked like it was ready to drive right out of there, but they won't sell you a whole car at that yard. I think my friend got the engine.

Murilee Martin

1966 Fairlane Wagon Appears To Have Driven To Junkyard Under Its Own Power

Cadavillac — Thu, 10 Apr 2008 14:20:06 EDT

That's a first gen SHO next to it, right?

Cadavillac

1966 Fairlane Wagon Appears To Have Driven To Junkyard Under Its Own Power

om Bronx de Mowgli — Thu, 10 Apr 2008 14:16:47 EDT

thought the pictures worked differently now...

om Bronx de Mowgli

1966 Fairlane Wagon Appears To Have Driven To Junkyard Under Its Own Power

om Bronx de Mowgli — Thu, 10 Apr 2008 14:15:43 EDT

I desire it!!!!!!! Did it looked salvageable?

Oh shit, so your buddy parted it?? WAAAAAAHHHHHH

om Bronx de Mowgli

1966 Fairlane Wagon Appears To Have Driven To Junkyard Under Its Own Power

LTDScott changed his name! — Thu, 10 Apr 2008 14:13:59 EDT

@TRAMS_AM: Normally once a car hits the yard, you can't purchase the whole thing. Damn shame.

LTDScott changed his name!

1966 Fairlane Wagon Appears To Have Driven To Junkyard Under Its Own Power

deckard97 — Thu, 10 Apr 2008 14:13:21 EDT

Hey! That's a 289 under the hood. Somebody do something!!! At least save the motor...

deckard97

1966 Fairlane Wagon Appears To Have Driven To Junkyard Under Its Own Power

ujointclothing — Thu, 10 Apr 2008 14:11:31 EDT

what about that SHO next to it?

ujointclothing

1966 Fairlane Wagon Appears To Have Driven To Junkyard Under Its Own Power

Mike the Dog — Thu, 10 Apr 2008 14:11:27 EDT

Good thing this is so far from Michigan. I need another station wagon project like I need another hole in my head. Not that that would stop me from buying it given the opportunity...

Mike the Dog

1966 Fairlane Wagon Appears To Have Driven To Junkyard Under Its Own Power

lowmiles — Thu, 10 Apr 2008 14:10:55 EDT

Blasphemous! That car is far too beautiful for the Crusher.

lowmiles

1966 Fairlane Wagon Appears To Have Driven To Junkyard Under Its Own Power

harumph — Thu, 10 Apr 2008 14:09:36 EDT

jesus, have him buy the whole thing, that car looks to be in pretty good shape overall..

harumph

1966 Fairlane Wagon Appears To Have Driven To Junkyard Under Its Own Power

TRAMS_AM — Thu, 10 Apr 2008 14:06:03 EDT

You absolutely must ensure this car goes to a good home.

TRAMS_AM