It is one of those rare gems that is in original condition, albeit, with every conceivable Ford factory-approved accessory added.

As we drove the old girl down for the photo shoot she ticked over 34,000 miles (54,717 Km).

Not to put too fine a point on it this example of a 1959 Fairlane, known widely in Australia by the slightly derogatory term `Tank' Fairlane, has had a pampered life.

She's one of two classic Fords owned by Trevor Smith, the other being a 1966 Mustang. Red of course.

Trevor is somewhat of a Ford fanatic. His house is called Fair Lane, and when the Aussie flag is not flying from the flagstaff in his front garden, it's the a flag bearing the Blue Oval.

We have a cup of tea. His mug is a Ford one while mine is Holden.

As a kid he loved the lumbering 1959 Fairlane with its 332 cubic inch V8 purring away, seating for six in comfort and the style, particularly, the car's profile.

“1960 Ford Fairlane 500 with only 14,000 miles, located in Sydney's western suburbs.”

“It had been years since my last sighting of that model, but I recalled it being desirable all those years earlier,” said Trevor.

“I had never driven one. Always a passenger.”

He recalled motoring writers of the day calling the 1959 Fairlane `Vast and Fast.'

“On sighting the Ford it still looked so big and imposing,” he said. “I drove it. It felt brand new. It was like sitting in a lounge chair. I wanted it ... badly.” A $20 deposit secured the car, finished in two tone yellow and white.

That is really just the start of the car's story and Trevor's excellent adventure.

If it looked that good in stock standard trim, just imagine how it would look with every bit of factory bling available, to bring it up to American specifications.

He sourced out a US supplier and soon Australia's balance of trade was not looking so steady.

 

And, the car was simply not long enough. He added a continental kit, also known as a `sports wheel carrier', which extended the car well beyond his garage's length.

Bugger.

Oh well. Can always extend the garage. And, he did. It was either that or the Fairlane slept on the street.

Rear venetians were added, rear deck centre antenna, exhaust deflectors, bumper overriders, sunray centred hub caps, and rear wheel skirts, known in Australia as spats, were added ... after chroming of course. Topping off the `look' are radial wide white wall tyres.

Some might say for a car that's turning 50 years old this year, that the Fairlane looks like a Christmas tree.

But, somehow, it all fits together. It looks right on this car, the longest, widest Fairlane to be built.

After the Great Depression, followed by WW2, the US found celebration in the car. It was a sign of freedom. The Statue of Liberty on wheels.

A key ingredient in that freedom was being able to do what you liked with your car. Both as a car designer and an end user.

For Ford, the 1959 Fairlane was a walk on the wild side. It's an imposing car. As you drive around people literally stop and stare, their eyes following the car as if its just arrived from Mars. In an era when most cars are unremarkable, the `Tank' Fairlane stands out like a beacon.

Inside, it's all plush. You don't hit bumps, the big car simply rides over them. The V8  seems effortless as it drags around the better part of two tonnes with ease.

The radio still has Ford sticker on it. There's no rattles or squeaks. The seats are covered in plastic, like the day the car was driven home from the showroom floor.

Yes, it's a Detroit Dinosaur. And Trevor, and this car's many admirers, would have it no other way.

Happy 50^th Birthday to the 1959 Ford Fairlane.