Years ago, I had a thing for Ford’s ’66 and ’67 Fairlane. The “thing” passed, and I moved on to others. But even back then, as is the case today, the convertible version was seldom seen—and that’s what caught my attention in the case of this Dover, Pennsylvania, subject. I’ll apologize in advance for the lousy images, but this is still one to review. Interested parties will find it here on eBay, where it’s available for a BIN price of $40,000. There is a make-an—offer option, too.
Fairlanes, Ford’s intermediate, came in four flavors in ’67, with the base Fairlane starting as the foundation. Next up was the Fairlane 500, continuing upward with the 500/XL and then the GT/GTA riding the crest and as an add-on to the 500/XL. I always thought it odd that Ford discerned a Fairlane GT as a “GTA” if it were equipped with an automatic transmission. Why not just call it a GT and note that it’s available with a manual or an automatic gearbox? All right, whatever, our GT convertible, “A” or not, is one of only 2,117 assembled 58 long years ago. I’d say that’s pretty rare, and I don’t recall the last time that I spied one.
The GT package meant a standard 289 CI V8 engine, power front disc brakes, “power dome” hood, bucket seats, a blacked-out grille, and stripes/badging – along with the standard XL/500 equipment. As mentioned earlier, the images of this dark green drop top aren’t great and the most notable aspect of its exterior is the coating of dust that has befallen its horizontal surfaces (wash it for cryin’ out loud and remove the bird poop!). The seller claims, “(new) convertible top, glass rear window, chrome bumpers. New wheels and tires: mustang mags, 1” whitewalls.”
Under the power-dome hood is a 390 CI V8 engine that has been modified with an aluminum intake manifold and likely a Holley carburetor. Whether it started out as a 270 or a 320 HP variant is not disclosed. The seller adds, “Rebuilt c-6 transmission and 390 engine.” No word is mentioned as to how it runs and drives.
The black vinyl interior is said to be new, but it’s barely photographed, so I can’t tell you a thing about its overall condition. The single image of the driver’s seat backrest does reveal new-looking upholstery. I suppose my biggest concern with this car is the substandard listing and the statement of, “Since I am listing this for my brother-in-law, I can’t answer most of the questions someone may have.” He invites a telephone call for more info. but for a $40K ask, which I’m not feelin’, I’d suggest that this not-too-informative listing, and its weak images, needs a complete overall – rare model or not.
There’s a red one in a field about the tail western end of the county I live in on the Gulf Coast. It is in much worse shape than this one is and has become nearly unrecognizable in my lifetime. He uses it at a planter for perhaps the biggest Oleander I’ve ever seen. I know none of the story about it, just that it makes me sick to my stomach every year or so when I drive that way to get some collard greens for Thanksgiving from my uncle. Another guy at the other end of the county does the same with a pre-1967 Beetle convert.
It seems this one has escaped that fate already and I pray it continues to do so.
If I didn’t see the 2010 era Subaru in the background? I’d swear they took the pictures with one of those disposable cameras from back around 40 years ago. And, they’re selling it for the BIL. So they don’t know much, but…they knew enough to check the market for the price.
Ok.. here comes the complaint… To the seller…. You want $40,000 for a dirty filthy Ford. 10 pictures only!!! Sorry not in this world. You show one picture of the car dirty. Then 20 pictures of the car wash and clean. Take pictures of the dash , gauges and console . Then all the seats and door panels. Top and rear glass. The chassis pictures with rear end exhaust etc. You make the car stand out for $40,000. Oh show the mileage on the speedometer . Then you will have a good chance of selling it. Have a good day. 🐻🇺🇸
Yeah! Can you take a shower before we go on a date? Nice car, over ask, pass.
Sorry, but the Ford Fairlane GT/GTA only came exclusively with the 390. No 289. And these were snazzy cars, I wouldn’t have minded owning one. I guess I never will if they’re priced like this one. And the pictures are terrible. Does he really want to sell it?
Terrry, Terrry, Terrry…Read the attached brochure for the ‘67 Fairlane.
JO
Well played, O’Donnell
They came with 289’s too. I agree that the asking price is absurd, especially without more details and better photos. That underside better be spectacular and it better have great documentation.
I’m with Jim’s write-up, and with the other posters. This could be a very desirable car in good shape, but sadly we can’t tell.
Whenever I see a presentation like this, I think about the real estate industry…. marketing, including quality photography, is core to the effort to sell a high-priced item.
I agree with Bob and other comments that there could be way better quality and presentation for that money. And by the way was it setting in the garage in the background for several years collecting that dust. Might just need a good cleaning to get some good money!!
I really cant bend my brain around this listing. It seems as though underneath all of the Sabre Toothed Dust Mites living on this thing, that it just may present nicely. For 40K. If it were me selling it, I’d have the car detailed, and have nice photos taken of it, inside and outside, under the hood ( I know… Right???? What an idea) and even the trunk and of course underneath as well. Its a lot of money to ask, and like Bob said about the real estate business, you get high quality photographs to sell an expensive listing. The same should apply here. I’d live to see this cleaned up.
This model is really hard to come by and If it was a stick id buy it. The seller’s name and number are in the ad. Call the man if you have complaints.
Nothing wrong with pointing out obvious mistakes in sales techniques, it’s just common sense and a chance for sellers to learn.
I don’t think I saw many of these when they were new. The base or 500 models but not a GTA. Maybe in car magazines or maybe it was the Mercury Comet version. I would like this but not for that price.
$40k! Really $40k? Nice car but I don’t think so. Even cleaned up with good pix I would say $30k. Pass on this one.
40k ? About 5 years agp i passed on a mint one in better colors with auto and air….. for 22k…
What influenced Ford to distinguish between the GT’s and GTA’s in both the Mustang and the Fairlane was the fact that automatics were still coming into their own right as a high performance or drag racing tool. Mopar started the automatic trend in the very early ’60’s with their drag racing efforts, when the establishment mantra was manual transmissions. Properly tuned, a slushbox could knock a full second, or more, off the ET.
JIM, Thank You for giving us the Location in the first paragraph :-)
When I worked for Chrysler/Plymouth dealer in early 70’s I borrowed a 65 Comet convertible from used car lot while I was waiting for delivery of my hemi Barracuda.It was a caliente model with a weber carbed 289 with a 4 speed. When I first tried to drive it home it wouldn’t do more than 45 mph.Got it home and immediately dug into it, as the deal was I got it running good I could drive it till my car came in.Turns out the timing was retarded so far it shouldn’t have ran at all.Fixed that still didn’t run that well, so did the obvious, plugs, points and condenser cap and wires, closer, but just still not right.So really didn’t want to tackle carbs, no experience with Webers.Talked to manager about swapping out Webers, he says no way big selling point.So now I got to find someone who knew Weber carbs, found a guy who worked on high end European cars.Took carbs apart showed what to look for, and how to clean them well, didn’t even have buy rebuild kits, tuned them, really woke it up, get rubber in first and second,really fun car after that.When I gave it back he upped the selling price by $1000, sold it 2 days later. lol Another fun memory from a long time ago.
circa 1975 while working in a service station i had the pleasure of working on a customers 1967 fairlane GT vert.it was a tired 390 4 sp.,but it responded to a tuneup nicely.what a pleasure to drive ….good times…sigh
I’m try to figure out if he doesn’t really get along with his sister or hates his brother in-law. For the ask one of them (or all) should have made an effort to wash it for the few pictures shown. People astound me sometimes.
$40K BIN? Seriously? At least wash it for the pictures if you want that kind of money! Criminy!
Mom & Pop’s first new car was a ’66 Raven Black Fairlane 390 4v 4speed non-GT hardtop they affectionately named, “Midnight”. Man, that thing was sharp. I remember being small enough to ride lying down on the package tray in the back window.
The rear bumper started rusting almost right away and the Ford dealership kept blowing dad off refusing to warranty it until he sat down and penned a letter to Mr. Henry Ford II himself. A month or so later Pop got a call from the dealership asking if he could come in ASAP so they could install his new bumper for him. They took one off of a car on the lot and that was that.
Dad also received a letter from Mr. Ford apologizing for the inconvenience and the lack of customer service from the dealership.
We always knew when Mom was almost home from work because we could hear her downshift at the stop sign just up the road. That triggered the panicked attempts at cleaning up the house before she came home to a messy house and then the crap hit the Westinghouse.
Pop sold it off in the late 70’s for $300.00 to a fella at work for his son to use. The kid had it about a month before he wrapped it around a power pole.
Honest honey , I’m trying to sell it but no one is calling with offers
$40K is a little too rich for a seller thats too lazy to even rinse it off and take better photos. Come on now! I’d rather keep my 65 Mercury Marauder with a 390 AT and working factory AC, that’s been warmed up and updated than take a gamble on this Fairlane. Sometimes it’s best to be grateful for what you got.
At least wash the damn thing!