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Mercury Meteor

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The Mercury Meteor is an automobile that was produced by Mercury from the 1961 to 1963 model years. Adopting its nameplate from the namesake Ford of Canada brand , the Meteor was introduced as the base-trim full-size Mercury sedan, while the compact Mercury Comet shared a naming convention associated with the ongoing Space Race of the early 1960s. Slotted below the Mercury Monterey, the Meteor was the Mercury counterpart of the Ford Fairlane .

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78-647: For 1962, as part of a revision of the Mercury range, the nameplate was adopted by the first intermediate-size Mercury sedan (with the Meteor again serving as a counterpart of the Fairlane). Following the 1963 model year, Mercury withdrew the model range. While the Meteor would become one of the shortest-lived Mercury nameplates, its role within the division would be revived for 1966 as the Mercury Comet grew into

156-406: A 145hp 221 cubic-inch V8 and a 164hp 260 cubic-inch V8. A three-speed manual transmission was standard, with an overdrive manual transmission offered as an option; a "Merc-O-Matic" 3-speed automatic was offered as an option. For 1963, a four-speed manual transmission became an option. Ford Motor Company of Canada Ford Motor Company of Canada, Limited ( French : Ford du Canada Limitée )

234-415: A 195 horsepower (145 kW) version of the 289 with a two-barrel carburetor and hydraulic lifters was introduced. The two-speed Fordomatic continued as the automatic transmission choice for the 260 in 1964, while 289 V8s got the three-speed Cruise-O-Matic transmission option. All 1965 models featured 14-inch (360 mm) wheels as standard, in place of the earlier 13-inch (330 mm) wheels, and Fordomatic

312-428: A 390 cubic-inch V8 producing either 300hp or 330hp. A three-speed manual was offered as standard equipment, with overdrive as an option; 3-speed "Merc-O-Matic" and "Multi-Drive" automatic transmissions were available as options. For 1962, Lincoln-Mercury again consolidated the full-size Mercury line, adopting the Meteor nameplate to a newly-created intermediate-size car (the forerunner of mid-size cars of today), bridging

390-458: A better business case for Mercury, the division again was developed as a longer-wheelbase version of the Ford bodyshell and chassis, largely differentiated by trim elements. As part of the cancellation of Edsel, the Mercury line saw further revision. To recoup the engineering and development costs of the 1961 Edsel product line, the vehicles entered production as part of the Mercury line. Intended as

468-500: A high-riser manifold, ram-air through the openings left by deleting the inboard headlights, equal-length headers, trunk-mounted battery, several fiberglass parts (hood, door skins, fenders, and front bumper), acrylic glass windows, and other lightweight options, including deleted rear-door window winders, carpeting, radio, sealant, sun visors, armrests, jack, lug wrench, heater, soundproofing, and passenger-side windshield wiper. The cars wore Fairlane 500 trim, and were only offered with

546-584: A hit with customers to the extent that the Ford outsold Chevrolet in 1957 for the first time since 1935. A new top trim level, the Fairlane 500 was added to the Fairlane model line and the Country Squire continued to be the luxury station wagon while the Country Sedan was now added to the Fairlane model line, while engine choices were largely the same as the year before. The big news for 1957 was

624-415: A small floor console. The trim level supplemented the Fairlane and Fairlane 500 trim levels (the 500 model had more decorative trim, such as a wider chrome stripe down the side and three bullets on the rear quarter panels). The Challenger 289 CID engine was introduced in mid-1963, with solid lifters and other performance pieces helping the engine produce an advertised 271 hp (202 kW); however, it

702-458: A small number of Fairlane two door hard tops prepared for drag racing during the 1963 season. These cars were running the 289 and were set up at Dearborn Steel Tubing that built the special cars for Ford special vehicle operations . These soon evolved into the "Thunderbolts" for 1964. The racing Thunderbolt was a two-door post car, heavily modified to incorporate Ford's new 427 CID (7.0 L) V8 race engine with two four-barrel carburetors on

780-409: A standard 428 CID V8 rated at 335 bhp (250 kW), while options included bucket seats, hood scoop, clock, tachometer, power disc brakes, and 4.30:1 rear axle gearing. "Regular" Fairlanes and Rancheros continued, all with bucket-seat options. Ford's intermediates grew again in 1970, now with a 117 in (2,972 mm) wheelbase. At the start of the model year, only the Fairlane 500 remained as

858-467: A tri-color Ford crest on the hood, base Fairlanes had "FORD" in chrome block letters across their hoods. For 1961, all models got the block letters on their hoods. The big-block 390 CID V8 was available in 1961 as the top-horsepower option, as the "horsepower wars" in Detroit continued. The Fairlane name was moved to Ford's new intermediate, introduced for the 1962 model year, to bridge the gap between

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936-532: A unique product. Alongside the creation of the Edsel , the plan affected Mercury by giving the brand a distinct chassis and body for 1957 (model differentiation not seen since 1940). Historically, Mercury was typically considered a "lower-medium-priced" car brand (competing against Pontiac and Dodge). Under the Breech plan, Mercury was to move upmarket (competing against Buick, Oldsmobile, Chrysler, and DeSoto), with

1014-584: The Crown Victoria Skyliner with a tinted, transparent plastic roof, the regular Crown Victoria coupe with much stainless steel trim, a convertible Sunliner, the Victoria hardtop coupe, and traditional sedans. All featured the trademark stainless-steel "Fairlane stripe" on the side. Power options were a 223 cu in (3.7 L) straight-6 engine and a 272 cu in (4.5 L) V8 . The 292 cu in (4.8 L) Y-block

1092-675: The Ford Torino nameplate across its entire intermediate range, dropping the Fairlane (and Falcon) nameplates in North America. In South America, the sixth generation Fairlane was marketed through 1981; Ford Australia used the nameplate on its own version of the Fairlane (a long-wheelbase Ford Falcon ) through the 2007 model year. For the 1955 model year the Fairlane name replaced the Crestline as Ford's premier full-sized offering. Six different body styles were offered, including

1170-492: The "dirty dozen" polluters in Ontario : "Ford broke lots of rules with the 13.8 million litres of waste it pumped into Lake Ontario every day until a few months ago, when it began a two-stage cleaning process. "The company used to flush out an average of 392 kilograms (875 pounds) of solids with that waste water every day. It also poured out chemicals that sucked oxygen out of the lake . Ford also had on-and-off problems with

1248-481: The 390 CID V8 in two- and four-barrel versions. The 390 four-barrel was supplanted mid-year as the top performance engine by the 428 cu in (7.0 L) Cobra Jet, developing 335 bhp (250 kW). There was also a 428 cu in (7.0 L) Super Cobra Jet. For 1969, the Fairlane 500 , Ranchero, and Torino GT/GTA were also offered with the new 351W CID with a two-barrel producing 250 HP and only in

1326-699: The Crown Victoria and 500 nameplates, both later becoming stand-alone full-size model lines (the latter, as the Ford Five Hundred ). Following the introduction of the Ford Galaxie , the Fairlane 500 (and Fairlane) became Ford's base models, equivalent to the Chevrolet Bel Air and Biscayne respectively, until 1962, when it was repackaged as an intermediate-segment car (today, mid-size ) from 1962 to 1970. For 1971, Ford expanded

1404-565: The Edsel adopting the lower-medium-price role previously served by Mercury. While Breech’s plan could have succeeded in the early 1950s, by the end of the decade, the medium-price car market was severely affected by the 1958 recession; sales of the Edsel brand fell far under sales projections. Although more established than Edsel, the Mercury brand still saw significant sales declines (with 1957 sales higher than 1958 and 1959 combined). In response, Ford President Robert S. McNamara had recommended

1482-478: The Fairlane became a long wheelbase longer body version of the revised Falcon platform with the mid size wagon bodies common to both model lines. The appearance was changed to match the full-sized Ford Galaxie , which had been restyled in the 1965 model year, and adopted vertically stacked dual headlights. The XL, GT, and GTA packages were introduced, as well as a convertible to join the existing range of sedans, hardtops, and station wagons. The "K-code" 289 CID engine

1560-513: The Fairlane was based on the American LTD II . At the 2005 Auto Show circuit , Ford revealed a new concept car with the Fairlane nameplate. The "people-mover" Fairlane crossover utility vehicle concept featured three-row seating for six passengers, and previewed the chromed three-bar horizontal grill design, which also appeared on the 2006 Ford Fusion sedan and 2007 Ford Edge crossover utility vehicle." A production version of

1638-543: The Falcon front end styling to the Fairlane front end design. The 289 CID small-block was the base V8, with a 200 CID six standard, with the 390 CID optional (with either two- or four-barrel carburetor, at 275 and 320 bhp (240 kW), respectively). The 427s were still available, either with a single four-barrel carburetor or dual quad carbs, developing 410 (W-code) and 425 bhp (R-code), 427s were available on XL models, but very few were built. Adapted across

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1716-472: The Falcon, the Fairlane had a unibody frame, but the body incorporated an unusual feature Ford dubbed torque boxes, four boxed structures in the lower body structure designed to absorb road shock by moving slightly in the vertical plane. Suspension was a conventional short-long arm independent arrangement in front, with Hotchkiss drive in the rear. The Fairlane was initially offered only in two-door or four-door sedan body styles. The Fairlane's standard engine

1794-621: The LTD "Elite" option was introduced as the most luxurious made in Argentina. By the end of production in 1981, almost 30,000 Fairlanes had been made. Ford manufactured the Torino in Venezuela marketed as the Fairlane and Fairlane 500. These cars were identical to the U.S. Torino through 1976 and both base Fairlane and upscale Fairlane 500 used the 1973–1974 Torino base model grille. For 1977–1978

1872-537: The Mercury Country Cruiser, with simulated woodgrain exterior trim. The hardtop was offered as a Meteor Custom and Meteor S-33; the latter was no longer offered as a two-door sedan. Sales of the mid-sized Mercury Meteor were less than expected and the model was discontinued at the end of the 1963 model year. The standard engine for the 1962–1963 Meteor was a 170 cubic-inch inline-six, producing 101hp. Two V8 engines were offered as options, including

1950-551: The Meteor brand was phased into the Mercury line in Canada, with the stand-alone Mercury Meteor discontinued after 1976. From 1977 to 1981, the Meteor name lived on in Canada as the base-trim version of the Marquis (as a counterpart to the final-generation Ford Custom 500). In the mid-1950s, Ford executives were convinced by Ernest Breech that in order to compete with General Motors the automaker had to meet each sales segment with

2028-698: The Meteor offered a hardtop roofline as both a two-door and four-door while the Fairlane and Fairlane 500 didn't. Optional and "convenience features" continued to grow from past years, and items that were extra cost included air conditioning, passenger compartment heater, electric clock, interior courtesy light group, exterior backup lights, windshield defroster, padded instrument panel, power assist brakes, four-way adjustable power front seat, power steering, pre-selected pushbutton AM radio, tinted glass, two-speed windshield wipers, windshield washer, and two-tone exterior paint choices. Some vehicles were pre-ordered with optional equipment by dealerships and then sold new, listing

2106-644: The Parent Company Ford in the United States did in 2003. That year also saw the compulsory acquisition by Ford Motor Company of the last of the shares held by minority shareholders, which had been originally proposed in 1995. However, the last litigation in the matter, dealing with an oppression remedy claim by the Ontario Municipal Employees Retirement System with respect to its shareholdings,

2184-473: The Sports Coupe got its own standard "spinner" wheel covers and extra exterior brightwork. Large "Sports Coupe" scripts graced the "C" pillars. The Fairlane Squire wagon was dropped, but the standard station wagon was continued. The 221 V8 was dropped after 1963, leaving the six as the base engine and the 260 as the base V8. The "K-code" 271-horsepower 289 V8 continued into 1964, gaining dual exhausts, while

2262-592: The Super Stock title (with Gas Ronda taking the honors ), and won the Manufacturer's Cup. The car as delivered was slightly too light to meet NHRA's 3200-lb (1451-kg) minimum weight unless it was raced with a full tank of gasoline, which would bring it to 3203 lb (1453 kg). NHRA rules at the time required a metal front bumper, so the cars began to be supplied with an aluminum bumper and previous purchasers were supplied with one. Thunderbolt production

2340-477: The Torino GT/GTA the 351W four-barrel with 290 HP could be ordered. The Ranchero coupe utility body style was available in standard, 500, and GT versions. The Cobra was introduced in 1969 as a competitor for Plymouth's Road Runner. Basic models featured the 302 CID V8 and three-speed manual transmission as standard. Options included the 390 CID and two 428 cu in (7.0 L) V8s. The Cobras had

2418-463: The United States and other countries around the world. The Ford Motor Company of Canada is a wholly owned subsidiary of Ford Motor Company , although it once had its own distinct group of shareholders. At its formation, Ford Motor Company was not a shareholder of Ford Canada, but its twelve founding shareholders directly held 51% of Ford Canada's shares, and Henry Ford himself owned 13% of

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2496-454: The amounts of phosphorus (the chemical largely responsible for nearly killing Lake Erie decades ago) and phenols it discharged. "The first stage of cleaning up this mess was a $ 6.8-million, upgraded version of the treatment system it already had on its site. The second stage sends waste water through Halton Region 's sewers, so that no water is flowing directly into the lake." Ford of Canada celebrated its Centennial in 2004, shortly after

2574-498: The base or the 500 trim. Base hardtop sales more than doubled, to 44,683 units. The base engine was the 200 cu in (3.3 L) I6, with several optional V8s. Early production 1968 base V8 Fairlanes were equipped with the two-barrel 289 cu in (4.7 L), while later units came with the 302 cu in (4.9 L). The GTs were part of the Torino range, with the 302 CID V8 standard, with optional engines being

2652-530: The base trim model in what was now effectively the Torino series. The straight six-cylinder was the economy power, while largest engine was now a 429 cu in (7.0 L) with four-barrel carburetor and 360 bhp (270 kW). Different heads were optional and gave the Cobra 370 bhp (280 kW) and higher compression. Other options included the Cobra Jet Ram Air 429, though Ford quoted

2730-416: The cars they replaced. A fastback Sportsroof model was introduced in the Fairlane 500 series, as well as a more luxurious Torino model at the top of the intermediate range, contributing 172,083 of the Fairlane's 371,787 units sold that year. In a cost-saving decision, the station wagons carried over the 1966-67 bodies from the cowl back. The Ranch Wagon model name was deleted; Fairlane wagons had either

2808-713: The compact Ford Falcon and the full-sized Galaxie , making it a competitor for GM's A-body "senior compacts" , the Plymouth Belvedere , and the AMC Rambler . With an overall length of 197 in (5004 mm) and a wheelbase of 115.5 in (2934 mm), it was 16 in (406 mm) longer than the Falcon and 12.3 in (312 mm) shorter than the Galaxie. Wheel track varied from 53.5 in (1355 mm) to 56 in (1422 mm) depending on model and specification. Like

2886-544: The company was able to produce 117 automobiles. The company's first export sales were to Calcutta , India . Ford is still an important manufacturing enterprise in Windsor. With the growth in car sales after World War II , together with the acquisition of majority control by Ford Motor Company, Ford of Canada decided to move its head office and build a new assembly plant in Oakville, Ontario . The new Oakville assembly plant

2964-424: The deluxe models and rectangular taillight lenses, a return to the 1962-1963 trunk lid, along with less chrome on the body and a small standup hood ornament. Australian and New Zealand models had longer cut-outs in the rear bumper to accommodate their license plates. Australian models had the "reverse light" tail light which was used for an amber rear turn signal. As the muscle car market took shape, Ford built

3042-430: The door glass and rear side glass, while the higher trim level Fairlanes were pillarless two-door hardtops, similar to the convertibles. A redesign was introduced for the 1968 model year, and continued the similarity to the Ford Galaxie series. The wheelbase remained at 116 in (2,946 mm), but it grew in other dimensions. They were about four inches (102 mm) longer and 200 lb (91 kg) heavier than

3120-506: The elimination of Lincoln, Mercury, and Edsel, leaving Ford as its namesake brand. In a compromise, although Edsel was withdrawn early during the 1960 model year, Mercury and Lincoln were given a reprieve. For 1961, Lincoln was consolidated to a single Lincoln Continental line, with Mercury returning to its previous market position (vacated by Edsel), returning solely to the Monterey sedan and Commuter/Colony Park station wagon. To build

3198-476: The engine/transmission combination for NHRA and IHRA Super Stock racing, they were white and had fiberglass hoods with a forward-facing hood scoop which ended at the edge of the hood. The Fairlane Squire wagon was reintroduced for 1966. Minor trim changes were introduced for 1967 as the Fairlane was mildly facelifted. For the 1967 model year the Ranchero pickup based on the same platform switched from using

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3276-478: The entire range of Ford models for 1967, Fairlanes included a number of federal government-mandated safety features, including a new energy-absorbing steering column with a large padded steering wheel hub, soft interior trim, four-way hazard flashers, a dual-chamber braking system, and shoulder belt anchors. The convertible had a tempered safety glass rear window. Two different two-door coupe models were offered. The lower-end Fairlane Club Coupe had pillars separating

3354-606: The failure of Edsel and the remarketing of the Mercury brand (see below), who adopted the name for its base full-size car line derived from the Ford Fairlane. For 1964, the Mercury Meteor was dropped, with Ford Canada reviving the brand. Introduced as a Mercury-bodied car with a Ford dashboard, from 1965 onward, the Meteor line shared its body with the Ford Galaxie, adding Mercury exterior trim. After 1968,

3432-550: The generating station in October 2010 and both Ford and TransCanada withdrew their planned appeals to the Ontario Municipal Board the following January. The plant was one of two involved in the Ontario power plant scandal , which contributed to the resignation of Premier Dalton McGuinty and Energy Minister Chris Bentley . In 2021, Bev Goodman became president/CEO of Ford Motor Company of Canada, replacing

3510-473: The intermediate segment (later becoming the Montego). The Meteor name first came into use through Ford of Canada on a regional line of cars it introduced in 1949. To give Canadian Lincoln-Mercury dealerships a car line slotted below the Mercury (to compete against Pontiac), the Meteor was a Ford body with its own grille, taillamps, and marginal upgrades to exterior and interior trim. The brand followed

3588-507: The introduction of the Fairlane 500 Skyliner power retractable hardtop , whose solid top hinged and folded down into the trunk space at the touch of a button, while the Ford Ranchero 2-door coupe utility was also introduced. Another facelift for 1958 had fashionable quad headlights, a grille that matched the 1958 Thunderbird , and other styling changes. New big-block FE V8s of 332 and 352 CID (5.4 L and 5.8 L) replaced

3666-551: The latter available up to 225 bhp (168 kW; 228 PS), were introduced. The Lifeguard safety package was introduced. The two-door Victoria hardtop featured a new and slimmer roofline. A one-year only two-door station wagon, the 1956 Ford Parklane , featured Fairlane-level trim. It was marketed to compete against the Chevrolet Nomad . For 1957, a new style gave a longer, wider, lower, and sleeker look with low tailfins . The new proportions and modern styling were

3744-497: The legendary Dean Stoneley who has been appointed as general manager, North America truck, Ford Motor Company, a newly created position. Previous CEO's include Mark Buzzell who replaced Diane Craig effective January 1, 2017. Before Craig, Mondragon had served as president and CEO since September 1, 2008, when he replaced Barry Engle who resigned to join New Holland America as its CEO. William H. Osborne had held

3822-482: The new company. The company had gained all Ford patent rights and selling privileges to all parts of the British Empire, except Great Britain and Ireland . It eventually established and managed the following subsidiaries: The Model C, the first car to be produced in Canada, rolled out of the factory in late September 1904. The company could produce two cars at a time and in its first full year of production,

3900-533: The optional equipment on the window sticker or could be specially requested by the customer. The Meteor 600 two-door sedan was more popular than the four-door sedan and was listed at US$ 2,533 ($ 25,826 in 2023 dollars ) and sold 18,117, while the Meteor 800 two-door sedan was also the most popular at US$ 2,711 ($ 27,641 in 2023 dollars ) with 35,005 manufactured. The Meteor was offered as the 600 series and 800 series in four body styles, including two door and four-door pillared sedans and two-door and four-door hardtops with

3978-527: The position since 2005 and was replaced by Engle in February 2008. Ford Canada has produced the following models over the years: Ford Fairlane (Americas)#Fourth generation (1962–1965) The Ford Fairlane is an automobile model that was sold between the 1955 and 1970 model years by Ford in North America. Taking its name from the Dearborn, Michigan estate of Henry Ford , the Fairlane nameplate

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4056-443: The previous largest V8s, and a better three-speed automatic transmission was also available with a steering column transmission gear selector lever. A new top-level full-sized model was introduced at mid-year 1959, the Ford Galaxie . The 1959 Galaxie displayed both "Fairlane 500" and "Galaxie" badging. Full-sized Fairlane and Fairlane 500 models were restyled for 1960 and again for the 1961 model year. The Galaxie series continued as

4134-422: The problem and introduced two pillarless hardtop coupes for 1963, in Fairlane 500 and Sports Coupe trim. For 1963 and later Sports Coupe models, the center console, which had come from the Falcon parts bin for 1962, was changed to be similar to that of the Galaxie. Sports Coupe models got a floor-mounted shift lever for the center console when Cruise-O-Matic or 4-speed manual transmissions were specified; however when

4212-459: The redesigned 1961 full-size Edsel, the Mercury Meteor was joined by the Comet (not branded as a Mercury Comet until 1962), which served as a divisional counterpart of the compact Ford Falcon. For 1961, Mercury shifted from its own body and chassis to a variant of the 1960 Ford bodyshell, downsizing from a 126 inch wheelbase to 120 inches. Originally developed as the 1961 Edsel Ranger, the Meteor

4290-515: The same power output, and the Drag Pack rated at 375 bhp (280 kW). However, the 1970s were slower than the 1969s, and race teams were forced to run the older models. The Falcon name was transferred from Ford's now discontinued, in the US, compact to a basic, even lower-trim version of the intermediate platform as a "1970½" model on January 1, 1970. This series included a two-door sedan which

4368-539: The same wheelbase and exterior dimensions. The lower-priced Meteor 600 was offered only as a sedan and was distinguished by two oblong taillamps. The Meteor 800 was offered in all four body styles and was given additional chrome trim; the rear fascia used six round taillamps (shared with the Monterey). While the Meteor was not offered as a station wagon, the Mercury Commuter was trimmed as its equivalent, with

4446-479: The similar 1946 introduction of the Monarch , a Mercury-based car sold by Ford (to compete against Oldsmobile). Ford of Canada introduced both marques as its dealership network contrasted with that of the United States; smaller communities in Canada were located close to either a Ford or a Lincoln-Mercury dealer, but not necessarily both. After 1961, the Meteor brand was discontinued by Ford Canada, coinciding with

4524-596: The size gap between the Mercury Monterey and the Mercury Comet. Again a divisional counterpart of the Ford Fairlane , the Meteor used a 115.5 inch wheelbase. For 1962, the Meteor was offered as a two-door and four-door sedan. To downplay the appearance of tailfins, the rear fascia was styled with "jet-pod" taillights. Alongside the standard Meteor and higher-trim Meteor Custom, the Meteor S-33

4602-413: The top-of-the-line full-sized Ford. Fairlane 500s demoted to mid-level in the lineup and were equivalent to the Chevrolet Bel Air . Fairlanes were primarily sold as base level trim models for fleet use (taxi, police). Two bodystyles were available, a 2-door pillared sedan (Club Sedan and Business Sedan) and a 4-door pillared sedan (Town Sedan). While the 1960 de luxe Galaxie and Fairlane 500 series sported

4680-689: The two-door sedan body. This special model, of which 111 to 127 total were made (sources disagree), delivered 657 hp (490 kW) at 7,500 rpm and was known as the Thunderbolt . Racing in NHRA Super Stock (which required only fifty cars be available to the public ), on 7-inch (180 mm)-wide tires, the Thunderbolt was based on the midlevel Fairlane 500 two-door pillared sedan, and in 1964 set elapsed time and top speed records at 11.6 seconds and 124 mph (200 km/h). took

4758-674: The two-speed Fordomatic was ordered, the shift lever was installed on the steering column (and the console was the same without the shifter). Front-end styling for the 1963 models mimicked the big Galaxie models, but the rear end retained the small tailfins and "pieplate" tail lamp styling cues. The Squire wagon (a fake woodie ) was available for 1963 only, including one model with front bucket seats. The "Swing-Away" steering wheel became an option in 1964. The 1964 and 1965, Fairlane ranges consisted of similar body styles: base Fairlane and Fairlane 500 two-door coupes and four-door sedans , and Fairlane 500 and Sports Coupe two-door hardtops. As in 1963,

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4836-486: The wood-trim Colony Park serving as the counterpart of the Monterey. In a first for a full-size Mercury, the Meteor was not fitted with a V8 engine as standard equipment. Instead, a 223 cubic-inch inline-six was fitted, producing 135hp. Four V8 engines were offered as options, including a 175hp 292 cubic-inch V8 (the standard engine for the Monterey/Colony Park), a 220hp 352 cubic-inch "Marauder" V8, and

4914-428: Was a trim package for two-door sedans, featuring premium exterior trim and interior amenities including bucket seats and a center console (serving as the Mercury counterpart of the Fairlane 500 Sports Coupe). For 1963, alongside minor trim revisions, the Meteor received the addition of a four-door station wagon and a two-door hardtop coupe. The station wagon was offered in both trims; Meteor Custom wagons were branded as

4992-528: Was built in Argentina from 1969 to 1973 and the 1969 body style from 1973 to 1981 under the Fairlane name with three equipment packages: Standard, 500 and LTD. The car was similar to the American model except the engines. The two options were a 221 CID 6-cylinder with 132 hp (98 kW), and the old 292 phase I (1969–1971) CID "Y-block" V8 which had been last used in the 1964 F-Series truck; it

5070-752: Was dropped this year. The GT featured a 390 CID FE V8 as standard, while the GTA also included the newly introduced the SportShift Cruise-o-Matic automatic transmission. The GT/GTA 390 CID engine developed 335 bhp (250 kW) with higher compression, and had a four-barrel carburetor. Mid year, Ford produced 57 special Fairlane 500 two-door hardtops with "R-code" 427 cu in (7.0 L) V8 engine rated at 425 bhp (431 PS; 317 kW) at 6000 rpm and 480 lb⋅ft (651 N⋅m) at 3700 rpm of torque , equipped with Ford's "Top-Loader" four-speed manual transmission. Built to qualify

5148-806: Was ended due to NHRA rule changes for Super Stock competition, requiring 500 vehicles be built to be entered in that class. Ford had been losing $ 1500 to $ 2000 on each Thunderbolt sold at the sticker price of $ 3900. The first 11 Thunderbolts were painted maroon (known as Vintage Burgundy in Ford literature), the rest white; 99 had manual transmissions. Many are still raced. About 50 similar Mercury Cyclones were also produced by Ford in 1964, destined to be modified to represent Ford in A/FX competition, which they dominated, as well. These vehicles varied greatly in wheel track due to customer options for varying suspension and wheel/tire combinations. Front tracks from 54 to 56 in and rear tracks from 53.5 to 55.5 in were common. For 1966

5226-499: Was equipped with single exhaust like the less powerful engines. This engine was coded "K" in the vehicle identification number . Exterior identification was by fender-mounted "V" badges that read "289 High Performance". That same year, station wagons arrived, called the Ranch Wagon and Ranch Custom Wagon. All 1962 Fairlanes had "B" posts despite the popularity of the pillarless hardtop and convertible styles in that era. Ford saw

5304-501: Was finally phased out, leaving the Cruise-O-Matic as the only automatic available for the Fairlane. The 260 was also dropped after 1964, leaving the two-barrel 289 as the base V8. Styling-wise, in 1964, a new grille and headlight bezels were introduced, the tail fins were dropped, some chrome decorating on the side was changed, and the shape of the trunk lid changed. Styling features for 1965 included body-color headlight bezels for

5382-789: Was founded on August 17, 1904, for the purpose of manufacturing and selling Ford automobiles in Canada . It was originally known as the Walkerville Wagon Works and was located in Walkerville , Ontario (now part of Windsor , Ontario). The founder, Gordon Morton McGregor , convinced a group of investors to invest in Henry Ford 's new automobile, which was being produced across the river in Detroit , Michigan. The firm manufactures and sells automobiles in Canada, and also in

5460-498: Was improved with a new admission very similar to that of the small block 289, 302 pistons maximum compression with lomo brand Buxton were used, raising the compression at 8 to 1, allowing the engine erogue 185 HP at 4500 rpm, another improvement were leaks with individual manifold runners, eliminating the original American system of a manifold connected to another in series, used in trucks, in cars they were always individual. Distributors are different in coupling, calling FASE II . In 1978,

5538-472: Was not available in the higher trim lines. For 1971, the Falcon and Fairlane 500 names were dropped, as all of the intermediate models took the Torino name. The Falcon and Fairlane names continued to be used in Australia through to the 21st century. The Fairlane name continued to be used in Venezuela through 1978 on corresponding Ford Torino and LTD II models. The four-door sedan of the 1968 body style

5616-479: Was offered as an option and was called the Thunderbird V-8. The Fairlane 4-door Town Sedan was the most popular sedan Ford sold that year, having manufactured 254,437 with a listed retail price of US$ 1,960 ($ 22,293 in 2023 dollars ). Few changes were made for 1956; a four-door Victoria hardtop and two new, more powerful V8 options, of 292 cu in (4.8 L) and 312 cu in (5.1 L),

5694-589: Was only resolved by the Ontario Court of Appeal in January 2006. In 2010, Ford was embroiled in a controversy surrounding a plan to construct a massive gas-fired power plant to be operated by TransCanada on a disused 13.5-acre (55,000 m ) portion of its Oakville assembly plant. Local residents and politicians pleaded with Ford not to continue with the plan, as residents believed it would negatively impact their health and safety. The province cancelled

5772-594: Was opened in 1953. In order to meet ever increasing demand, the Company opened another assembly plant in Talbotville, Ontario , in 1967. Historically Ford was one of the most powerful companies in Canada, and in the 1970s, Ford was the "largest" company in Canada. By 1989, during a peak in the environmental movement , the Ford Motor Company of Canada (particularly its Oakville plant) was listed among

5850-525: Was rated at 185 hp (138 kW), in 1971 the Ford Motor Company Argentina decided to make an improvement on the 292, was started by the covers mainly the problem of spark plugs was solved by giving an inclination towards the front of the engine that allowed an easier extraction in the car, changed the opening order and exhaust cam, valves larger intake (of the 292 heavy duty American) were placed, fuel lines making them more direct

5928-430: Was slotted below the Monterey within the Mercury line; the higher-priced Montclair and Park Lane nameplates were retired. The Meteor was now the corporate counterpart to the demoted Ford Fairlane when the all-new Ford Galaxie took the top billing in the Ford product line. The Fairlane, which was also offered as the Fairlane 500 as a higher content alternative, was very similar in price to the Meteor but sold much better while

6006-402: Was the 170 CID (2.8 L) six , but as an option, it introduced Ford's new, lightweight small-block Windsor V8 , initially with a displacement of 221 CID (3.6 L) and 145 hp (108 kW); a 260 CID (4.2 L) "Challenger" version with an advertised 164 hp (122 kW) was added at mid-year. The Sports Coupe option débuted mid-year and featured bucket seats and

6084-405: Was used for seven different generations of vehicles. Through its production, the model line would be marketed in a wide variety of body styles, including two-door and four-door sedans, two-door and four-door hardtops, station wagons, and both traditional and retractable-hardtop convertibles. Initially introduced as the flagship of the full-size Ford range, the Fairlane marked the introduction of

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