Ford Fairlane Returns to Bethany After 56 Years

On Saturday, June 18th, a 1960 Ford Fairlane started a journey that would span roughly 2,000 miles — trekking across 7 states, starting in San Rafael, CA and ending in Moline, IL.
Quite a hike for a car this old, especially when considering that the driver and navigator started the incredible trip in Arizona.

Tom and Suzanne Jones of Sun City West, AZ took their 1960 Fairlane right up to San Rafael without issue, and started their journey towards what would become an unforgettable experience not only for them, but Pettijohn Auto Center as well.

The Jones’ completed the 2016 Great Race in just 8 days, and the Fairlane hummed along without any issue. The “three-on-the-tree” beauty provided them with a comfortable ride the entire way. It’s only when they were headed back to Arizona from Illinois that they decided an oil change was in order.

Tom and Suzanne took possession of the car after her father, John S. Chaney passed away. He had received it from his father, Israel Chaney (from Gilman City, MO), who purchased the 1960 Ford brand new from Bethany, MO. To pay homage to the car’s original home, the Jones’ were thoughtful enough to have the oil changed here at Pettijohn Auto Center before heading back to Arizona and complete what was undoubtedly one of the most incredible road trips of their lives.

The Jones’ were very nice, offering to let several employees drive the beautiful car. Tom drove it up on the hoist, and Clay Rinehart, one of our mechanics, had Tom show him a few things to check while being under there. The underside of the car was in great shape, a testament to Suzanne’s desire to keep such family lineage keep from rusting out in some pasture. She told us several stories about Israel Chaney, the grandpa she simply refers to as “Grampy”.

We cannot thank the Jones’ enough for their thoughtfulness of including not only Pettijohn Auto, but for also paying homage to Bethany, where the car was originally purchased. We wish them well on their journey back to Arizona with their fresh oil change, and hope to see them and “Grampy’s” 1960 Ford again someday!