There are times when it seems that classic car ownership and having a growing family are two incompatible things. As teenage legs get ever longer, squeezing them into the back seats of some cars seems like mission impossible. That’s where cars like this 1967 Fairlane GTA could provide the ideal answer. It promises excellent performance, potentially stunning good looks, and enough legroom for the lankiest passengers. This one requires restoration but is the sort of project that could involve the entire family. The seller has listed it here on eBay in Granite Falls, Washington. Bidding has reached $7,300, although it is short of the reserve.
The seller describes this Fairlane’s paint as dead, which seems an appropriate assessment. It is so faded that it is difficult to believe it was once a deep shade of Vintage Burgundy when the car was shiny and new. Before attempting to apply fresh paint, the buyer has a few other issues to consider first. There are some minor panel bruises and blemishes, but none require panel replacement. The same applies to any exterior rust, which the new owner could tackle with simple patches. The news is generally good when we climb under the car to have a good look. A previous owner replaced the driver’s floor pan, and while the work quality is not great, it has eliminated rust from that area. There may be some developing on the opposite side, but this is another area where patches may solve the problem. Otherwise, the Fairlane looks pretty clean and structurally sound. The glass is free from significant flaws and problems, while the condition of the trim is acceptable for a driver-grade classic. The GTA rolls on a nice set of Magnum 500 wheels, and while they aren’t original, they suit this classic’s character.
The baked paint makes this Fairlane’s interior condition no surprise. It features Black vinyl upholstery with front bucket seats. However, the vinyl waved the white flag due to severe UV exposure. The buyer faces a total restoration, but with replacement upholstery readily available, achieving a stunning result is possible. A complete kit that includes a dash pad costs approximately $2,000, but there will be some minor trim and other items requiring replacement. Factoring those items into the equation, getting the entire thing sparkling like a new penny should cost around $2,500. That sounds like a fair chunk of change, but it is worth remembering it represents a one-off expense. If the owners treat the new interior respectfully and avoids prolonged UV exposure, it should still present nicely in another fifty-five years.
The VIN confirms this Fairlane started life with an S-Code 390ci V8 under the hood pumping out 335hp. As a GTA, that motor sent its power to the rear via a three-speed automatic transmission. That power figure was enough to launch the GTA through the ¼ mile in 15.3 seconds. For purists, there’s bad news to absorb. The engine bay continues housing a 390, but it isn’t numbers-matching. It looks like the engine block could be of 1965 vintage, while the cylinder heads and intake are from later years. The auto transmission has made way for a four-speed Top Loader, but the 8″ rear with 2.79 gears should give the car long legs on the open road. The Fairlane has been sitting, but it does yard drive. The seller recommends a thorough inspection, and new tires would be a wise first move before venturing onto the road in this classic.
I’m not going to claim that this 1967 Fairlane GTA is perfect, and it isn’t 100% original. However, if those two factors aren’t deal-breakers, it could represent a fantastic restoration project for the right person. Family projects offer an excellent opportunity to bond while working towards a common goal of a classic car that the whole tribe can enjoy. This Ford could make that possibility a reality, and if the bidding remains within its current level, it might be an affordable starting point for such an activity. Therefore, if that type of project is on your Wish List, it could be worth watching this auction to its conclusion.
I think most people that want a ’67 Fairlane GTA, want it specifically for the automatic transmission which I believe the “A” in “GT/A” represents. I’d love to run this one through the gears with that four-speed though.
Agreed on the “A” representing the automatic. IIRC, this was the first year of the C6 “Select-Shift Cruise-O-Matic,” which more or less allowed “manual” shifting inasmuch as putting the lever in “2” always selected 2nd gear, even from rest. As we all get older, some of us begin to appreciate automatics more and more, despite the “less sporting” nature!
Although I was a chevy guy, always like the lines on these Fairlanes.
Always a market for this model. They were light and quick.
Curious that it’s being sold as a GTA but it has a third pedal and a stick shift.
If you actually took the time to read the ebay ad you would see that the seller says that the original automatic transmission was swapped out by a previous owner for the 4 speed. Worse yet it is not even a real toploader, it is a later 70s model with overdrive. And on top of that the original 9″ rear was removed and replaced with an 8″ rear.
My dad bought a new one of these in 67, too bad it was a 4 door but it had the 390 in it so I guess that counts for something. I would love to have this ford and the fact it has been converted to a 4speed makes it so much sweeter.
My second new car was a ’66 Fairlane GTA – Emberglo paint with the Parchment interior (IIRC $3350 out the door, fairly high dollars in 1966) – the ’67 models were very similar with a few minor trim changes. This example looks more like a 500 series from the interior shots shown – my GTA had a full console and more interior door panel details. It also had a 9″ rear axle (standard for any big-block Ford in that series). Mine also ran consistently in the 14.80s at 100 mph flat in the B/SA class at the Ramona and Carlsbad drag strips with open cut-outs and with only mild tuning on the ignition system. Shoulda kept it – divorce lawyer said ‘no’…
My dad bought a new ’66 GTA and drove it a couple times at the dragstrip. He didn’t have a clue how to launch it with belted tires and made the best smokey launches I have ever seen. Didn’t win for some reason. It was copper with copper interior. 2 years later he bought the very first ’68 Charger R/T sold in central Ohio. That car was a blast.
Ford’s best looking intermediate GTO fighter, those wheels only add to the vibe. Interesting though, I always thought ’67 Fords had that bumper car looking steering wheel, not this one?. Without the stock S code heads and intake I figure this 390 runs stronger, I guess it depends on which ones it has now.
Scared my 17 year old self to death, ,,one of these packing a swapped in 428 with 427 medium riser parts, my introduction to big cubic inch street terrors.
This is a sweet ride. I’d restore the paint to Royal Maroon, a 68 color or the original 77 vintage burgundy. Ugh, stinks I just changed jobs and ownership of this car is out of the question currently. Hope the next owner really appreciates her. She’d be center stage in my garage. Bonus she’s rockin the four speed. Love rowing through the gears!!
Looks just like the one my brother and i bought for 50 bucks in 1977 except it was a 66 gta. The motor was locked up but the rest was straight and rust free with a really nice interior. I was putting the motor out of a 64 galaxy and dad freaked out that we were putting that big motor in that car, tried to tell him it was the same size engine but no use. I was 15 and still obeying dad like i should so the plan was shot. Ended up using the trans in a pickup and traded the body for a 68 plymouth fourdoor . Those were the days
Not a GTA missing spaced letters on rear quarters .gta specific trim on front grill and rear trunk lid also as said all gta s came with ford 9 inch rear and console .That being said you can now buy full floor pan which is what i would do for strenth as its a unibody
A buddy had GT back in high school (1980) light green paint, dark green bucket seat/console/390 4 speed. It was hopped up a bit and it would move. My Charger was quicker, but not by much.