By 1966, buyers seeking a new car with genuine performance credentials were spoiled for choice. Waiting in the wings were the Pontiac GTO, Chevrolet’s Chevelle SS or Impala SS, or the Oldsmobile 442 (to name a few). If your leaning was more towards something wearing a Blue-Oval badge, a car like this 1966 Fairlane GT Convertible was a serious contender. It offered plenty of power under the right foot but with room for a growing family. This beauty has been sitting for a few years, but it is an essentially solid classic begging for restoration. If you fancy a fast wind-in-the-hair classic motoring experience, you will find it in York, Pennsylvania, and listed for sale here on eBay. Bidding has climbed to $15,600, although it is yet to reach the reserve.

For enthusiasts with a family, cars like the Fairlane GT were an attractive proposition. They offered performance that would put a smile on their face with enough room to cope with growing teenagers. This Fairlane increases the appeal thanks to it being a drop-top. Its story is unclear, but the seller indicates it has been sitting for many years. Its Sauterne Gold paint looks tired, but if the new owner elected to retain the car as an original survivor, it possesses a reasonable shine and consistency that would make the approach viable. The panels are straight, and the Black power top looks as tight as a drum. One aspect of the Fairlane that shows promise is its lack of significant rust. The panels look clean, although the underside shots reveal surface corrosion and steel penetration around one rear torque box. Otherwise, it appears structurally sound. The exterior trim is okay for a survivor-grade car, and there are no issues with the glass.

Fairlane GT buyers weren’t overwhelmed with choices when ordering their new toy in 1966. The only engine Ford offered was the 390ci V8, although, with 335hp available under the right foot, it was no slug. The transmission choice was where the company offered buyers the opportunity to personalize their purchase. They could select from a three or four-speed manual transmission or a three-speed automatic. This GT’s original owner ticked the box beside the four-speed option, and in its heyday, it would have allowed this Convertible to storm the ¼ mile in 15 seconds. Interestingly, the GT Hardtop dropped that figure to 14.7 seconds. Power outputs between the pair were identical, but the additional 176lbs carried by the Convertible made itself felt when drivers sought to squeeze every last ounce of performance out of their classic. The seller indicates that the GT has been sitting for many years, so it requires work to return to a roadworthy state. However, with the engine firing into life on starter fluid, the buyer should be commencing the process from a sound base.

This Fairlane’s interior is complete, and if the buyer wishes to return the car to active duty quickly, it is serviceable. Before spending any money restoring this aspect of the car, I’d spend some time in my workshop with high-quality cleaning products. The lack of significant physical damage to the upholstered surfaces suggests that a deep clean may produce positive results. Items like the armrests, dash pad, and carpet may be beyond help for those seeking a top-end result. But with everything clean, this could prove the most affordable part of this project. The console is the right type, but its color looks wrong. It may be a later addition, but its condition is good. The interior isn’t loaded with luxury features, although the factory AM radio should relieve boredom on long journeys.

While Ford’s total Fairlane production for 1966 was 317,274 cars, only 4,327 were GT Convertibles. That figure represents 1.3% of the overall total, making the GT Convertible a relatively rare car in the grand scheme of things. However, rarity does not always equate to stratospheric values, with the GT Convertible losing ground in the classic market over the past two years. In its current state, I would be surprised if this car topped $20,000 before the auction ends. Once fully restored to a high standard, it could command a value of $50,000. If the hammer falls for around the figure I’ve predicted, that will leave room to move on any restoration before the financial viability becomes questionable. Is that thought enough for you to pursue this classic further?