Some classic cars make a stunning first impression but don’t provide the performance to match their good looks. That is hardly the case with this 1967 Ford Fairlane 500XL, with its engine bay containing a factory V8 guaranteed to pin occupants in their seats. It underwent a meticulous restoration a few years ago, and no aspect of the car could be found wanting. Its only need is a new home and an owner capable of enjoying all it offers. We always appreciate input from our readers, meaning I must thank our ever-reliable Barn Finder Larry D for spotting this jaw-dropping vehicle. It will go under the hammer here at Mecum Auctions in Las Vegas, Nevada, on Saturday, November 12th. I’m not surprised the auctioneers class it as one of the stars of their upcoming sale.
There is so much to consider about this Fairlane it is challenging to know where to start. It underwent a meticulous multi-year restoration in 1998, and its overall presentation and condition suggest it hasn’t seen much active service since. The Blue paint gracing its laser-straight panels is a Special Order shade, and its depth of color and shine make me feel like I could walk into it. There are no visible marks or scratches, and the current owner’s decision to replace or restore every piece of exterior trim and chrome gives the car a factory-fresh appearance. This impression is accentuated by the styled factory chrome wheels shod with Firestone Wide Oval tires. Climbing under this Fairlane reveals spotless floors, confirming this classic is rust-free. The original tinted glass looks flawless, but the huge scoop on the fiberglass hood suggests this Ford is more than just a pretty face.
If you or I walked into a Ford dealership in 1967, we could follow the lead of most buyers by ordering our new Fairlane 500XL with the sweet little 289ci V8 that provided 200hp under our right foot. We’d drive away feeling content, although some buyers opted for the additional performance offered by the 390ci option. However, seventy-two individuals craved an exhilarating driving experience, ordering their new toy equipped with the dual-quad R-Code 427 V8. Those owners didn’t have 200hp at their disposal, but 425hp fought its way to the rear wheels via, in this case, a four-speed manual transmission. The impact was profound because while the 289 version could cover the ¼ mile in a respectable 16.6 seconds before winding its way to 110mph, the R-Code slashed the ET to 13.3 seconds before running out of breath at 121mph. There’s no point in owning a car with incredible performance potential if its brakes aren’t up to the task. Therefore, the 11″ power front discs and 10″ rear drums were the best that Ford offered during this period. The engine bay presents as superbly as the rest of the vehicle, with admirable attention to detail. We receive no specific information on how this Fairlane runs or drives, but the indications are positive. The seller provides plenty of documentation with this classic, including a deluxe Marti Report, the Owner’s Manual, the Owner’s Card, period advertising material, as well as the engine, data, and carburetor tags.
I’m sure you are as unsurprised as me to open this Fairlane’s doors to find an immaculate interior. It features Black vinyl upholstery, with matching carpet and other trim pieces. I generally hesitate to use the term “factory fresh” when describing a car of this vintage, but this one wouldn’t look out of place in a showroom. There is no evidence of wear, fading, or abuse, with the wheel and dash looking faultless. The plated and bright components show no signs of corrosion or bubbling, and there are no aftermarket additions. Although the original owner focused on performance when ordering this classic, the bucket seats, console, and AM radio provide comfort on the move.
It is said that a picture is worth a thousand words, which is undoubtedly the case with this 1967 Fairlane 500XL. To choose one highlight of this classic would be doing the car a dis-service because every aspect is superb. It would suit a meticulous buyer seeking a vehicle with stunning presentation, mind-bending performance, and loads of interior space. I believe the bidding will probably be intense and won’t stop until it reaches well into six-figure territory. As a Blue-Oval enthusiast, I am irresistibly drawn to this car, and I wish I had the funds available to join the bidding war. Your situation may be better than mine. If it is, and you decide to make a play for this classic, I’d like to wish you luck. If you seek a chauffeur free of charge once it’s in your garage, I’m available. I know it’s a sacrifice, but I’m that kind of a guy!
Oh baby, what a car! Side step the clutch and hang in! Don’t think that will ever happen again with this one , but never know.
It was meant to be hang on! Auto correct got to luv it.
Look at that trap speed 😍 ..
Good advice to hang-on Cadmanls.
My lord-that is one sweet fairlaine. Never knew you could get a 427 in one. Im aware of the gta 390. I dont stick to any one brand since back then all the big automakers offered big and wicķed muscle like this. This farlaine REALLY tips me to blue ovale side. H/S in the 70s a guy had a super nice dark blue on with the right stance and crager s/s wheels.All ways cruìsed around with this hot blond!!. No one ever saw him get on it(the car)lol.his was dark blue very clean. The featured car looks green-ad says blue. Tim had org.paint wonderer if it this is same color. I want that but dont have proper storage,sure would look sweet next tomy 71 in violet duster
“We receive no specific information on how this Fairlane runs or drives, but the indications are positive.”
It’s safe to say it runs and drives. Trailer queens have to get on the trailer somehow.
Fair call, CCFisher. I have noticed that Mecum Auctions listings don’t commit on that subject, which some potential buyers find frustrating. I try to keep my information as factual as possible, so situations like this leave me with little choice but to rely on observations. I appreciate your feedback, and I hope you continue to enjoy our articles. Thanks so much, Adam.
I believe it was this car, that Ford raised a giant middle finger to everyone else, you won’t top this, and it took a while before they did. 454 Chevelles and 440 Darts, were still a few years away. There is unquestionably no reason to have a motor like this in a car like this, except for bragging rights only. For the record, it was well known, like the hemi, the 425 hp was just the “advertised” rating, due to some regulations, the actual hp was around 500. It wasn’t cheap, hence the 72 sold. I read, this car cost a whopping $4700 new, 1/3 more than a hemi Charger, and double what a standard Fairlane cost ( $2340) The “121 mph” in the 1/4 is a bit optimistic, and I read, 13.3@ 104, which is still respectable, to say the least. Numbers many never saw, without some kind of traction mods, as this will be like skating on eggs every shift. It’s simply too much for this car. Not to mention, it doesn’t get over 10 mpg, under any circumstances, and single digit is the norm, if that’s an issue.
Typically, I see these cars sold at auction for around $100grand, your results may vary, but you’d have to be quite a Porsche nut to pay 3 times this amount for a bathtub, when you could have this,,,just saying, USA! USA! We were the KING of power, and don’t you forget it! My old man didn’t slog through the trenches of France( or the story went) to drive Subarus.
Yum! This makes me want to buy a lottery ticket….
Muscle cars weren’t really my “thing” back in they day, but a couple of NASCAR races changed my mind. The Fairlanes looked and sounded awesome, to say the least.
If Ford built just 72 of these beasts, I’m sure there are many more now. But nothing beats the Real Thing!
@RayT It won’t do anybody any good to fake one of these R Code 427s. Ford was one of the manufacturers who were smart enough to include the original engine installed in their cars in the VIN. So, without that R in the VIN, there is no way you can make a regular Fairlane into a 427 Fairlane.
It’s too bad GM didn’t include that info in their VINs until 1972. I know there are lots more hi-perf Chevrolets out there now than there were before ’72.
Love the 427 option….great Fairlane
R code 427 with that slick lip of the hood scooper was a factory drag car that ruled the day. The only ones I have seen in person were Wimbledon White,the green is stunning!
Yep. If I’m the holder of the winning $1.9 billion Powerball ticket? I’m signing up to bid on this bad boy. Good Lord, that’s a beautiful car.
I read, a winning ticket was sold in California, where they really could use it,,cough,,,as a sidebar, NOTHING proclaims Americas greed like a 2 BILLION dollar jackpot. Why not have 2,000 million dollar winners? Because a million isn’t squat these days. Terrible.
a m e n !
If only I had the funds! I can’t think of anything better than this from the time period or even later. I would take this over any other from that muscle car period. I did have a 67 Fairlane 500XL Rag top back in the day but alas it was a 289 auto which I converted to a 4 speed after the C4 went south.
OMG… that car is sexy AF…
I have a friend looking for a Fairlane. Don’t think I’ll tell him about this one, he’ll go all manic, stress his dogs out and piss his wife off…that’s what friends are for!
The 13.3 quarter mile time should come with the “traction limited” qualifier. These cars were Hellcat quick but much more visceral. I know an acquaintance who has a 66 Hemi Belvedere. The magazine testing of the era said this was a high 13 second car. With the addition of nothing but D.O.T. rear drag tires, this car records consistent 12.5 second 1/4 mile times. No engine modifications whatsoever except a good tune and over 65,000 miles on the 56 year old car. Modern cars are bad ass, but they didn’t invent it.
I own a Hellcat and a Hemi roadrunner(50years) and your really optimistic saying they are Hellcat quick. After they’ve been modified for the track are they fast. Still a really neat car from the glory days of muscle cars.
Yeehaww!!! I can smell the high octane fuel mixed with burning rubber, the deafening roar of open headers,,, a few dry chirps to clean the slicks and POW!
A genuine strip terror with license plates, I think there were a few Cyclones built with the 427 as well…30?, 20??
Well according to a gentleman in the Milwaukee area who has a 67 427 cyclone, they made 3. He says his is the only GT. I could be wrong stating that, just going by what he says. Both cars are beautiful though. Ive always had a soft spot for the 66-67 Fairlanes. This dark turquoise color looks great on here. Remember the green R code that needed resto a few months back?!? That wouldve been sweet too!
Would look even better without the hood scoop.
I really dislike featuring auction cars like this here,as the
selling prices are almost always in the Stratosphere.
That is one beautiful Fairlane, a bucket list car for sure. Fourty years ago a old hermit guy (hoarder) lived in a run down house on a side street I passed going to work everyday. He was murdered and after the the police work the property was cleaned up. A disassembled Thunderbolt was in the garage. At least it was presumed at the time as the motor/,trans/fiberglass parts were all there, but who knows. It all disappeared very quickly. I’d like to know if it was a Thunderbolt and where it went.
A customer brought me a slightly modified 390 to put into his 67 Fairlane. New clutch in front of the 4 speed and better gears in the rear. It was a beast of a car.
I’m in love. Of the two dozen plus Fairlanes I’ve owned/built since the 80’s, only one was a 67. The balance were 66s. None were a 427 beast like this. The lines are gorgeous. Other than the wood trunk extensions, this build is perfect. Looks like some custom work on the front of the hood. Never seen a support divider in the middle of the scoop. And the console top pieces have been chromed. Should be a brushed aluminum type finish. Pickin’ up some extra tickets, so should I hit the winning numbers, this baby will be driven. ~Fairlane Fanatic.
I’m in love. Of the two dozen plus Fairlanes I’ve owned/built since the 80’s, only one was a 67. The balance were 66s. None were a 427 beast like this. The lines are gorgeous. Other than the wood trunk extensions, this build is perfect. Looks like some custom work on the front of the hood. Never seen a support divider in the middle of the scoop opening. And the console top pieces have been chromed. Should be a brushed aluminum type finish. Pickin’ up some extra tickets, so should I hit the winning numbers, this baby will be driven. ~Fairlane Fanatic.
I had a 66 with 390 ci 335 horse, stolen from me over 25 years ago. Never seen it again
This ’67 Fairlane 500 XL 427 R-Code 4-speed sold at Mecum Las Vegas on November 12, 2022 for $220,000!
No surprise!