Million mile 352 Interceptor

[Jeff Lee]

Last day of vacation in San Diego today. Had lunch at some old restaurant on the bay. Spotted a 1957 Fairlane 500 2-door hardtop in the parking lot as we arrived. All original black car. Original paint, real straight body, all chrome was there although scuffed and dented here and there. Great resto project.
As we left the restaurant a little old man walked out at the same time and walked up to the Fairlane. Couldn't pass this up so I asked if he was the original owner. He said he was, bought it September 1957. He was a CHP officer (22 years eventually).
He went on to show me all the unique chrome pieces. It had 1957 Mercury hubcaps because California didn't allow the spinner Ford caps. So I asked if it had a 312 or what? No, it was a 352 Interceptor model! Had a neat little V8 Interceptor medallion on the glove box.
He had 1,000,000 on the original engine in 1999 when he had the engine replaced. Ford sent a few engineers out to take a look at it.
I did ask if he had kids or grandkids with dibbs on it. He said no (right then my heart skipped a beat), but half the CHP force had their eye on it. I kew I wouldn't get anywhere with that, shook his hand and thanked him for his service and for taking such good care of that old Ford.
(Glad he didn't trade it in on the cash for clunkers...)
1 million plus miles...amazing!