Wagon Wizards, I am fairly new to this forum and have searched, but not been able to find some info I need on bumpers. I assume that the front bumper on my '65 Fairlane Wag is the same as any other body style. Is there any chance at all that this "one year" design uses the same bumper as other years? Also, I am not sure if the rear bumper is the same as other similar year Fairlane body styles, or is a wagon-only (and Ranchero, possibly?)? Or is shared with other body styles, or maybe even other year wagons? Both of mine can be straightened and chromed, if required, but it would sure be easier, quicker, and cheaper if I could find a junkyard replacement!
We recently had a thread about the interchangability of the 65 Fairlane tailgate with the 63-64 Fairlane wagon and 63 Mercury Meteor wagon tailgates, but the rear bumper was not discussed. From pictures in that thread, its clear that the rear bumper was different than the earlier Fairlane wagon rear bumpers, and since the 66 model was a complete restyle from the ground up it won't interchange either. The 66 Fairlane/Torino/Comet/Montego wagon rear bumper was probably used through 71 with no changes. That, and the fact that the 65 Comet still shared its body with the Falcon rather than the Fairlane, means your 65 is pretty unique. Heres a link to page two of the thread about the Fairlane wagon tailgates that shows the 63-65 rear bumpers and tailgates. http://www.stationwagonforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=25720&highlight=fairlane+tailgate&page=2 But, its very unlikely that Ford would have made the bumper a one year only, one body style only, piece. They knew a complete restyle was coming the following year after the same basic 65 body had already lasted since 62 (63 for the wagon). After all, they continued using the 63-64 tailgate. So in this rare occasion, it is my opinion that the 65 Fairlane Sedan rear bumper was also used on the 65 Fairlane wagon. It appears to be the same shape and the bumper bolts appear to be in the same locations. Its still a one year only piece, but one that is shared with all 65 Fairlane sedans and coupes. But I hope your rear bumper Brackets are good and straight, cause those could very well have been 65 Fairlane wagon only pieces IF the mounting points on the wagon's frame were different from the mounting points on the sedan's frame. The brackets are the heavy metal pieces that connect the bumper to the frame. If I'm wrong, I have the excuse of being a Mopar guy and knowing nothing about Fords.
Exchanged my 65 Fairlane bumpers at Tri City Plating during the Spring Carlisle show. $360 each for show chrome with a lifetime guarantee to the original owner. They will ship too. They had them in stock so it wasn't critical to have my own done, although they would have had I wanted that and for the same price. The picture of the red 65 wagon was taken at spring Carlisle as it was for sale near the grounds. They do Carlisle and Charlotte shows so shipping would probably be your option. They would know if the rear bumpers are the same - contact # 423-542-6532
front bumpers the same as car...and it seems to me that the rear is the only year that it was the same as the car too
