Named after the estate owned by Henry Ford, the Fairlane debuted as the top-line division car in 1955. By 1962, the nameplate was transferred to a new mid-size platform as there was now a gap in the offerings between the Galaxie and Falcon. This 1966 Ford Fairlane 500 could be called a Fairlane 460 as that’s the displacement of the engine that now resides under the hood. In good running condition, this Ford could easily be turned into a Pro-Street and Pro-Touring race car. Located in New Port Richey, Florida, this Fairlane is available here on eBay for the Buy It Now price of $13,495 (offers also welcome).
The second generation of the Fairlane as an intermediate was released for 1966-67 and would have stacked instead of horizontal headlights, an apparent theme for Ford at the time. The Fairlane would come in second to the Chevy Chevelle in sales numbers, accounting for more than 317,000 units in 1966. The Fairlane 500, the upscale model, would see a production of 76,000 copies in 2-door fastback trim.
For whatever reason, someone chose to soup up this ’66 500 and begin making it ready to eat up some asphalt at the racetrack. According to the VIN, this Fairlane left the factory with a 289 cubic inch V8 with a 2-barrel carburetor. It has since been replaced with a 460 out of a 1978 Lincoln and we get the impression it may have been rebuilt. Paired with the C6 automatic transmission, we’re told the car runs very well. A lot of stuff has been replaced, such as the fuel system, brakes, hoses, radiator (aluminum), fuel pump, and probably more.
With a 9-inch Ford rear-end with highway gears, the rear suspension has been moved around to accommodate ladder bars and the like. We’re told everything on the Fairlane works as it should and the only thing it’s lacking is good paint. Rust doesn’t seem to be a problem and the interior is more than presentable, so a new coat of burgundy paint could be all you need to at least begin showing it. On a side note, with all the extra weight on the front wheels now, this car must be a handful to steer as there is no sign of a power booster.
Well, at least the battery got moved out back to help balance the weight to what, 80/20 with a full fuel cell? Shocked it didn’t get a cage or tubbed, too. Must go through meat like a T Rex.
With the way the rubber fuel line is just laying on the shock tower probly gona burn up soon anyhow…….All in all I liked the styling of these mid 60’s fords and they’re mercury cousins…
Hmm, a 78 Lincoln 460 would have churned out a whopping 210 (SAE net) horsepower from the factory. Without the pollution junk and if it has indeed been rebuilt, would that up the ante much?
Exactly what I was thinking, Bob C., that boat anchor 460 certainly has cubes but would be low on hp. The original 289 would probably have had at least 200 hp and with less weight up front would have handled a lot better. Unless significant upgrades were made to the internals of the 460, I don’t see any advantages to “upgrading” to a big block that doesn’t offer a lot of hp and probably consumes a lot more gas than a 289.
200 hp gross, maybe the equivalent of 140 hp net, . vs 210 hp sae net
By the looks of the paint on the exhaust manifold and oil filter only rebuild this had was by a rattle can…..
Would have been much easier and cheaper to bolt on an aftermarket 4bbl intake and carb. Less weight, more horsepower, and they could have just hung on to the original parts for any future buyer that wanted to revert to the “correct” equipment. Lots of work and expense to basically ruin a car. Pass
Been better off leaving the 289 in. Easier on gas and will take more abuse then the big blocks. Had a 390 hp–428 and a 289. Still have the car with the 289. Spun bearing in 390–blowed the 460 drifting–the inside of the block. The 289 took alot more punishment and survived., Plus it was easier non gas ,to work on and alot cheaper on parts. The grill is a GT grill–not a 500. The price–not knowing what he actually did is questionable over priced
We all have fun with our toys.. This owner had his and he’s probably gotten tired of it and wants another project to play with.. I like it and would pop in a 3/4 race cam with rollers. He sure seems to have had a good time.. Best of luck… Nice find.
This Fairlane looks to be pretty solid. Don’t see many 1966/’67 Fairlawn, anymore, especially the Fastback models. I owned a GT 390 CI, 330 HP. Sold it in the mid 1970’s due to the gas shortage. Would like to have another, but too old to mess with them, now.
I’ve been through a couple dozen 66 Fairlanes in 56 years. 500s and XLs. My pastor at the time gave me the first when I was about 18, and I was hooked. Love the squared-off body and stacked headlights. The flat hood is too boring, so I ran with a 66 GT hood on my XL ragtop, and 67 power domes on my daily driver. Out playing with five buddies, whoever rode B (usually my girlfriend) had to sit on the console, which curves up to point on one side. It was dubbed the blade and I got a little pillow for it to soften the ride. – The C codes came stock with just 200 hp, and 2.70? rear gears. So they weren’t real quick off the line, and they weren’t built for cornering, but damn they looked good. They all develop a crack, running from the bottom rear quarter window backward, from body flex.
~ Fairlane Fanatic
Bob, Patrick, and others: I always liked this quote, “Horsepower is how fast you hit the wall. Torque is how far you take the wall with you.” The Lincoln is rated at 350 lb/ft; the 289 at 190lb/ft., almost twice as much. 460 will get that Fairlane moving a LOT quicker than the 289, wish we could see numbers for it. Here’s a guy with a mild 460 in a Fox body running sub 11s, would take more than a four barrel to get a 289 moving that fast!
https://www.460ford.com/threads/460-in-a-fox-body-mustang.141686/
Weight is a tossup between this and a Fox, depending on model and equipment.
I built a 460 for my buddies truck, 10.5:1 compression, decent comp cam, aluminum heads and intake and headers. It had 410’s with a granny gear, it was a stump puller.
Had me worried at “Lincoln 460”, the old MEL series engine, but this is pure 385 series Ford big block stuff. Installed in my favorite mid sized Ford. These ’66-67 Fairlanes look just right to me.
My guess somebody was racing this at one point by the hole in the missing backup light on passenger side. Electric shut-off switch, no? Probably with a different motor though. That 460 does look to be a quick drop in. With the fordish blue over spray on everything I can’t imagine somebody having done any work on the motor outside of the expert paint. Does have an aftermarket intake on it though …
Brakes are still 4 wheel drum. Torque box look like they could be questionable.
I had one of these 500’s for about 30 years. Great cars. Unassisted steering was not a problem for me. Even double parking in NYC. Of course I was a bit younger then.
In my opinion drop a warmed over 351W in there and call it a day. That’s what I did. Drove the wheels off that thing as my daily.
I now own this car. I can tell you the car runs and drives fine. Not sure how but i just ran in to his looking for parts for it. I also found the owner that put in the 460 and it has had a bit done to it but not as much as I’m doing to it. the car is now pretty stripped down and going on a rotisserie. Engine will be coming out next week to be built. As ScottyMac mentioned its not about the HP its the Torque which this does have. I’m not a member so I can’t post pictures here but will be adding some pics and videos to youtube 66fairlane500 is our youtube name.
That’s great Jake Tell. Enjoy the project and if possible, post your progress.. I’m a Ford lover and would appreciate knowing your progress..
I’ll try to do that. We will try to post videos and pics on YouTube search for our YouTube name 66fairlane500 there’s noting up yet but will be soon.