This 1966 Fairlane Hardtop seems to possess all of the prerequisites for a really top project car. It is listed for sale here on eBay. Located in Dundas, Illinois, it is for sale with a clear title. Bidding is up to $6,200 at this stage but the reserve hasn’t been met.
The seller claims that this is a rust-free car, and certainly the photos in the ad tend to support this claim. The floors look solid as does the trunk. It appears that the owner was trying to achieve a virtually badge-free look for this particular Fairlane, which would explain the spots in the rockers and the rear quarter panels on both sides. What happens with chrome and trim will be the choice of the next owner of this car.
Under the hood is a 351ci Cleveland which is backed by a 4-speed top loader transmission. The engine has been given a bit of a boost with the inclusion of Hooker Headers, Mallory ignition, a Holley intake manifold, and a Holley 650 double pumper carburetor. The only thing that is stopping someone from driving it right now is the lack of an exhaust. The Fairlane also features a nine-inch differential, new tires, new radiator, new gas tank, and new fuel lines.
The interior is where you can have the chance to really put your own personal mark on this car. The dash looks pretty good and the back seat seems to be in pretty decent condition, but the front seats will need new covers. The door trims and rear passenger trim look quite good. There is no carpet or headliner, but the seller has the bows for the headliner.
I look at this car and I see it as a really great opportunity for someone. If the body is as rust-free as it appears in the photos and like-wise for the mechanical components, then the new owner is going to have a blank canvas to finish this Fairlane in the way that they want. Sounds like a good idea to me.
I’m pretty sure that steering wheel is from a later Ford or Mercury, probably about 1975 or so.
I like these Fairlanes with the stacked headlights. If the reserve isn’t too high and if his claims of no rust are true this could be a street fighter with a couple weekends of work.
It is in Illinois, so unless it came from somewhere else, it has rust. It does look good and solid but WHY did they not give some photos of the undercarriage? Hmmm. Before you make the trip, get under body photos.
I think it is in Dundee Illinois. Never heard of Dundas….but that is just a guess.
I am an Illinois native and am a Rust Expert as my Family started Ziebart Rustproofing back in 1964 and still doing it today (not as Ziebart). 54 years later….be around it my entire life of 52 years.
Very cool car. Amazingly solid for what can be seen.
Southern Illinois between Effingham and Olney. This is tempting as I have a built 66 428 that I could stuff into it.
I had the good fortune of riding in on of 57 fairlanes 427s back in 1975 its a ride I will never forget. I love these cars. I had a 67 289 4speed and it was a blast to drive and to be seen in.
I had the good fortune of riding in one of 57 fairlanes 427s back in 1975 its a ride I will never forget. I love these cars. I had a 67 289 4speed and it was a blast to drive and to be seen in.
The exhaust will be tricky with this one if headers are desired. It is very difficult to find them for a 351 Cleveland in this car.
@Steve, all you have to do is call FPA and they custom make your headers for your Ford with whatever engine and trans you have , that’s what I did for our 70 Mach1 with a 351C and they fit perfect and so did the Flowmaster dual exhaust, just need a fat bank account to buy both.
Purchased a new 67 500XL Fairlane in clear water aqua color. Wish I still had it along with 30 Franklin that I sold to purchase my wifes engagement ring back in 65.
But do you still have the wife…?
Most likely this 66 Fairlane is from Alabama, the King emblem is visible on the trunk.
See attached image:
More King ad trivia.
King Emblem
One of my favorite fords.my dad had one.i think it had a 390…traded it and cash to my brother for a 69 caprice that was very clean.wish I had em both
Still have mine! Bought it in 1986 for $2,200. Originally a 390 GT, four speed. Put a 69 428 Cobra Jet in 1988. Best et 11:27 @ 119 mph. Now detuned for more drivability. Still a blast to drive… In hind sight should’ve kept the original 390. Oh well.
By the way, headers for a 70-71 Cleveland Torino will work on this one.
Looks like it holds the road really, really well.
I rotated your photo and cropped it a bit. Great looking Fairlane! Where can I get a Dots sign?
T. G. T. – really nice example. I bought a ’67 GTA (new) off a dealers lot outside Fort Knox, KY just before graduating Officers Candidate School. Mine was that Ford light yellow with black stripes and black interior. Drove it all over Europe when I was stationed in Germany. Real eye-catcher and curiosity to Europeans as I could out-run nearly everyone on the Autobahn ! However, that 390 H.P. sucked gas like no one’s business and 400 liters a month in ration stamps doesn’t go real far if one has a “heavy” foot. LOL (I traded him in on a ’71 BOSS 351 when I got home…)
Bog, thanks for the compliment. And thank you for serving our country!
Say – it was my pleasure to serve. Not just an obligation. After getting drafted I made the “best of it” , lots of “luck” and “coincidences” and went to OCS and became an officer at 19. Wouldn’t happen now unless I’d already had a college degree, as those are the rules for all branches. Doesn’t matter how smart and able you are. Had orders to ‘Nam 5 times and other orders came through over-ruling those. Again, have no idea why. Certainly new wife didn’t want me to go ! I just noticed that you have a 427 style hood on your beauty. ‘Glas or steel ? And does it force air into a 427 type open aircleaner ? I miss my GTA AND my BOSS. Making do with a tuned 328is….heck, I’m old now !
bog,
Yes it’s a reproduction of the original 66-67 427 fiberglass hood. Except the factory ones were a lift off hood. Mine is hinged. The underside of the hood has a oval opening for the 427 air cleaner to fit into. So it does have a ram air effect. I got mine from Crites restorations.
One of those cars that looks like it’s going fast parked, ha, my favorite all time body style when it comes to mid sized cars in general. Always wondered what one of these could do with a Cleveland in there. Fifteen or so minutes behind the wheel of a 428 powered ’67, a very warm 428, was enough to convince me of how strong an FE could be. Should have bought that dang Fairlane for the 2300 bucks it was being sold for.😬😬😬!
@ The Going Thing: either those are the stickiest tires on the planet, or your garage is setup just like the Green Hornet’s! Beautiful blue Fairlane though! Owned a ’67 myself.
Ha! I don’t remember parking on the ceiling like that?
@Going Thing, I copied your picture and turned it right side up but for some reason when I try to post a picture on Barn Finds it comes up with a error that the picture is too big or not the right kind ( jpg ). That can not be right because it was your photo that had already been posted and all I did was turn it right side up. You do have a beautiful car. Hopefully Jamie sees this and can correct that for me.
Hi Jimmy, I rotated Going Thing’s photo. Thanks for trying to upload a corrected one for him!
Fellas, “we don’t need no stinking exhaust…..” Literally! If the car is drivable I’m sure the lack of exhaust shouldn’t deter someone from at least driving it around the block and then onto a trailer. If I was just a tad closer, I’d be checking this one out. I’d want the trim back on it though.
Thank you Josh for correcting my photo. I don’t know why it came out upside down? The Dot’s sign is just cardboard, a local convenience store was throwing it out. I thought it looked kind of retro.
T.G.T. – It’s an excellent repro. My favorite places as a teenager was either in our garage working on my car, making models of those I couldn’t afford, or at the local dragstrip watching the Super Stocks and FXers that I’d just read about in Hot Rod, Car Craft etc. My favorites were the ’65 427 hi-rise Fairlanes with the reverse teardrop hood and the big hoses from the inner headlight spot to the airbox. Stock wheelbase cars…sorta lost interest once the wheelbases started getting altered and blowers started appearing. Then, presto, Army took me away from those minor concerns ! ! !
bog
Very cool post! That era was pretty unique. Best cars, best music, best drag racing with racers actually shifting manual transmissions. Took a special talent back then to be a good drag racer. I think the zen of power shifting is a thing of the past.
I too spent many a cold winters night building models of muscle cars and drag cars, listening to the local am radio station blasting out the latest hits from the Animals, Van Morrison, the Kinks etc…And later on after getting my license,out in the garage working on some old car. Usually a Ford.
I think that’s why I’ve kept my Fairlane all these years. It reminds me of a simpler time. A fun time.
The Going Thing – I call “twin brothers from different mothers” ! My Dad was primarily a FoMoCo guy that always regretted buying a different brand, so he finally stopped doing that ! He passed along that “gene” to me. So, many of my cars have been from that family. Not now, but you already know that from previous posts. I do get ads from Ford though, just to “keep my finger on the pulse”. So many Mustang variants I’d love to have esp the BOSS Laguna Seca. But, we have real Winter here & I have vivid memories of my various Ford “hot rods” v. snow/slush/ice. Not fond memories. No wrecks, just white knuckles and lots of sweat & sore muscles ! “Keep the fire burning”, as they say !