Anytime a vintage automobile comes across our desks here at Barn Finds with the words ALL ORIGINAL appearing in caps entirely, it usually gets my adrenaline flowing enough to drop everything and check it out immediately. The issue is that the word “all” is absolute, unlike “some” or “part,” and it’s often misused in ads as an instant attention-getter, much like the “survivor” moniker. I think it’s certainly fair to say that this 1966 Ford Fairlane 500 Club Coupe seems mostly original, and in any event, this one’s a bona fide beauty! The seller also reports it’s covered fewer than 35k miles during the past six decades, so there’s plenty to get excited about here. Reader T.J. spotted this one here on Craigslist in Chicago, Illinois, and we’d like to thank him for another great tip here! $29,500 isn’t exactly a low asking price, but with its mileage and excellent condition, this one just might fetch close to that amount.
Obviously, the wheels aren’t original here, although these aftermarket units work well with this body style and look great wearing those Goodyear redline radial tires. I’d probably leave them on, but that’s a very easy swap, should the next owner wish to go back with some Ford rollers from this era. What won’t be original again is the paint, as the owner mentions that the exterior has received one respray in the original color, Sautene Gold. Cars get repainted all the time, and that’s not a bad thing, but purists generally don’t consider a car to remain all-original once the finish has been redone. However, the quality of the redo here appears wonderful, with the sheet metal looking straight and solid all the way around, and it doesn’t look like this Fairlane 500 needs any attention whatsoever on the exterior.
Also stated as original here is the interior, and it appears to remain in amazing shape and largely stock. It’s in the sort of condition I’d hope to find in any vehicle listed with such low mileage, and if those seat threads are factory, I don’t have any trouble comprehending that the 34,715 number on the odometer is probably actual. Equally impressive are the components we can see from below, with the visible areas of the platform and rails seeming about as strong as they were when the car was new.
The 289 V8 is also listed as the numbers-matching V8, with numerous new parts noted, such as hoses, fan belt, and a thermostat. There’s also been some fuel system work, including a new fuel pump and a fresh gas tank below, along with a new radiator. However, the jack and spare tire in the trunk are among the items that are specified as still original. I’m thinking this 1966 Ford Fairlane 500 Club Coupe stacks up to the best of them, and it probably won’t take long to find an eager buyer here. What are your thoughts on this one?
Very nice I would drive it proudly
Dual master cylinder on a ’66? Pretty car, but the more you look the more “unoriginal ” it is.
It’s a beautiful car I like the color, but I wouldn’t pay almost $30,000 for it maybe if it was a GT with a 390 and a 4spd. But not as is.
why does a low mile car like this need a ghetto steering wheel cover? nice car. strong money thought. i would go with the dog caps and black tires for mor of a dragnet look even though that was a 67 4dr.
Looks like typical Autozone type steering wheel cover. Dunno about this car or the reason the seller has it on but I know with some of the older cars I had the steering wheel felt thin and the steering wheel cover gave it some substance and grip.
Ghetto or not.. these Fairlanes had extremely thin steering wheels. I install covers on all of my old cars for two reasons.
#1 is to give me something comfortable to grip and also not burn my hands after sitting in the sun.
#2 is to protect the wheel from deterioration due to the sun.
I agree the owner could have chosen a better cover though.
History? Nice survivor.
Hmmm…. Nice Fairlane, but not a 500 or a Mustang of the era. $29 K+ is steep. $15K would be a good starting price.
This is a beautiful time piece. I’m really into fords and I think this Fairlane would be great to have. Although the owner feels that he has a real gold nugget I feel that the price would be great at $20,000.
Very nice little clean machine. Be proud but not $30k proud.
Was in my first roll over accident in a big brother to one of these. Sitting in the back seat. On a case of beer. With 3 other buddies. Going for more beer.
Whew, how the hell did we all make it through that time in space.
I’ll never know.
Back to this really original (appearing), little Ford. I’m generally not a Ford guy however I could make a exception to this Fairlane. In all honesty, it is nice to see a genuine example.
To bad it’s so far away.
I guess I agree with the majority, a very nice car, but over priced!
Nice
$30,000 lid looking for a jar.
Dragnet 2 door
Nice car. That “ghetto” steering wheel cover everyone is dissing is period correct. Back in the 60’s and early 70’s this type of cover was about the only one available to us. They were also considered very sporting and were found on many of our early sports cars, as they were advertised in magazines like Autoweek, Road&Track, Motor Trend, etc. They provided better grip and kept the wheel from getting too hot in the sun. Also, today’s wheel covers are usually too big for the skinny wheels of the 60’s and 70’s. Got one on my 40 Plymouth for the same reason.
I don’t know why steering covers get so much hate. All of your observations are on point. When I was growing up my dad put a leather cover like this on every car my parents owned. They were more comfortable and kept the steering wheel cooler if the car was parked in the sun. They way I look at it, if a cover warrants a complaint the car likely doesn’t have any real flaws.
Steve R