If the 2005 Ford Fairlane looks familiar, that’s because it paved the way for what would ultimately become the Ford Flex. It was an attempt by Ford to redesign the minivan, turning it into a more attractive machine without sacrificing its passenger – or cargo – capacity. Currently, the Fairlane concept is preserved at the U.S. Heritage Fleet, a rare example of a concept that inspired a model that ultimately made it to production.
Documented by Late Model Restoration on YouTube, there’s obviously a lot of the 2005 Ford Fairlane concept that made it to the Flex. The shape and the design spilled over into the Flex, right down to the shape of the front grille and the headlights. It was originally built on the same platform as the Ford Fusion, harnessing a 3.0L V6 engine paired with a six-speed automatic transmission and all-wheel-drive (AWD), lending itself well to the title of family hauler.
Inside, the 2005 Ford Fairlane was outfitted with three rows of seating, supporting up to six passengers. Its large cabin and upright pillars ensured plenty of headroom, along with a low step-in height and a rear door featuring a three-way tailgate. Tall front roof pillars created a minivan-like interior with three interior “zones.” The first supported driver visibility and safety, while the second and third zones focused on passenger comfort and storage.
Though the Ford Fairlane in this form never made it to production, it did live on in the form of the Ford Flex, which was introduced for the 2007 model year and stayed part of Ford’s lineup until it was discontinued in 2019. And it worked – Ford moved more than 296,000 Flex units during the crossover’s 11-year run.
There are quite a few unique Ford vehicles included in the Heritage Fleet, including a handful of Ford Bronco concepts that also lent their designs to what ultimately made it to production.
Comment
Flex was an incredibly versatile vehicle that did a great job combining the best virtues of a minivan and a crossover. The initial year of ‘07 was a great vehicle, then Ford just ignored it. The last Flex was essentially identical to the first, it’s a miracle they sold any in the final years. A Flex with the 2.7/3.0 V6 would have boosted economy and performance. Refreshing the interior with better materials and a plusher trim level would have helped it compete with newer competitors. The exterior was pretty good out of the box but some cleaning up of trim and new wheels would have been appreciated. Ford has nothing in the minivan segment. A new Flex would allow Explorer more leeway in either an off-road orientation or performance along the lines of an X5. An opportunity squandered.