The Henry Ford series of post-war motoring was an era of American cars which saw the results of great technological advances and the introduction of some great practical features never seen before. Part of this new era was the Ford Fairlane, made between 1955 and 1970. During that period, it appeared in a variety of body styles including two-door and four-door saloons, hardtops, station wagons and convertibles. Innovative yet simple features were offered too, like automatic windows, longer wheelbases and more powerful engines.   A basic level trim version also proved popular for fleet use by taxi fleets and the Police.

Oxford’s Ford Fairlane 500 is based on the 3rd generation of the car manufactured and restyled between 1960 and 1961 and represents the four-door town sedan version of that period - the flagship of the full-size model range. The car featured a body-on-frame chassis with a 119 in wheelbase, 3.7L engine and either two or three speed transmission. Physically, the Fords of the early 1960s era came with a sleeker look than their 1950s extravagant appearance. The twin headlights sat in a scalloped square front grille.  Round taillights were replaced by half moon shaped lights for 1960 only. The tailfins were smaller, windscreen wipers were extended to a wider scope and Ford introduced the centre rear fuel door lid.

Oxford launched the Ford Fairlane as a hard top two-tone saloon geared to the private motorist. For its second outing, it appears in a complete different role, as used by the Massachusetts State Police as a Radar Car. To meet the need, it has added components – a roof beacon, roof radar speed check with dial and two large additional lights on the rear of the car. Decorated in a rich dark blue with contrasting pigeon blue front door panels and roof, there is no mistaking what it’s all about, with further detail including printed Police graphics on the front and back of the car and the Massachusetts State Police badge on the front doors. The interior is completely black whilst the exterior trim is applied in contrasting chrome.

With a 3.7L engine, those traffic cops must have had a really fun drive!  Not a lot would have got away from them!