Vehicle Description
Motorsports and vehicles sold to the public have been intertwined
for decades, especially between manufacturers in the united states
and sanctioning bodies like NASCAR and NHRA. In fact, it's
something that is still happening to this very day, take for
instance, the new Dodge Demon - a street legal, supercharged HEMI,
purpose built street legal race car that Dodge has promised to
build only 3000 units of. Very rare by today's standards.
If you take a step back in Automotive history and examine the 1966
Ford Fairlane R-code program and you'll see how this program was
being done over 50 years ago by the Ford Motor Company which
produced one of the most power muscle cars of the era and one of
the rarest cars of all time - Only 57 examples rolled off the
assembly line. Here sitting before you is one of these rare 1966
Ford Fairlane 500's destined for the quarter mile.
These vehicles were commissioned by Ford to compete with the likes
of the HEMI. Ford completely redesigned the midsize Fairlane for
'66, selling almost 76,000 units. One of the obvious and planned
benefits of the overhaul was that the new car could accommodate the
FE big block engine that would need make it nearly unstoppable on
the drag strip. This example was sold new to Jim Plavney in
Cleveland Ohio. According to a letter from the 2nd owner, who owned
the vehicle from 1974 - 1978, Orders could only be placed on the
Fairlane on Monday at the dealership. Jim would travel to his local
dealership every Monday in hopes of finally placing his order one
of these cars. The day finally came when Jim would purchase the
vehicle for a grand total of $4512. The added race package with the
427 added $2,017 over the sticker price of a base 289 vehicle. This
is all documented by the original window sticker that is still in
the window today.
The car is amazingly preserved and is one of the most well
documented cars we've ever seen. We not only have the window
sticker, original build sheet, complete ownership history which
includes letters from both the second and third owners, but also
includes photos of the vehicle being raced in the 60's, and ultra
rare internal correspondence from the FORD Motor Company regarding
the program. This correspondence includes letters that actually
requested the program to increase to 70 vehicles produced, but an
engine shortage kept the program to a limited Number of 57. This
particular example is #52.
Only changing hands 3 times, the vehicle was kept within a
collection by the third owner for over 30-years. All the original
panels are present, and these rare cars were only available in
Wimbledon white. Plavney actually painted this car silver and black
at one point, but the 3rd owner correctly restored it back to the
original white.
Under the original lightweight fiberglass lift-off hood you'll find
a correct 425hp 427 side-oiler with the correct medium riser
intake. You'll also see the extremely rare air cleaner assembly and
hood seal still intact and the BK/BJ dual holley carbs and original
throttle linkage. Also present is the unique FoMoCo transistorized
ignition, amplifier distributor and very rare exhaust
manifolds.
QUICK FACTS:
1 of 57 NHRA Legal 427ci 2X4bbl V8 4-Speed Fairlanes built in
1966.
Correct 4-speed
Original lightweight lift off fiberglass hood
One repaint in correct Wimbledon White.
COMPLETE OWNERSHIP HISTORY BELOW.
One of the most documented cars we have ever seen. Complete list of
documents below.
OWNERSHIP HISTORY:
Sold new to Jim Plavney in Cleveland Ohio.
Plavney sold the vehicle in 1974 after racing it for a few years
with only 138 original miles on it.
A Mr. Baker purchased the vehicle and kept it until November of '78
when he sold it to a Mr. Chiera.
Mr. Chiera sold it a few months later in March of '79 but never
titled it to a Marc Covington.
Marc owned the vehicle for nearly 30 years before he sold it in
2008 to the current owner.
DOCUMENTATION:
Original buildsheet in near mint condition
Photo of vehicle being raced in the late 60's.
Letter from second owner who details how he bought the car from the
original owner and what alterations were made from factory.
Listing for the vehicle in April 5, '74 of National Dragster.
Photo of vehicle in 1974 when sold to 2nd owner.
Letter from fourth owner documenting the third owner never titled
the vehicle in his name.
Feature story that the fourth owner had done on the vehicle in the
early 80s.
Copy of the title from fourth owner.
Appraisal from 1988 by Auto art that valued the vehicle at
$50,000.
Appraisal from 2008 by FORD Boss Exchange that valued the vehicle
at $285,000.
RARE Internal correspondence from FORD Motor Company that documents
the entire R-code fairlane build. Starts in December of '64 and
correspondence continues through the completion of the vehicles.
Even documents that Ford requested to build an increase to 70
R-codes but an engine shortage stopped the program at 57.
All vehicles are being sold As Is, Where Is, with No Warranty,
expressed, written or implied. All sales are final. It is the sole
responsibility of the customer, and which we strongly encourage, to
thoroughly inspect the vehicle personally or via 3rd party, to
ensure satisfaction to the condition and value, prior to purchase.
Any descriptions or representations are for identification purposes
only and are not to be constructed as a warranty of any type.
Vehicle information is provided by the consignor (current owner) of
the vehicle, and while we do perform a visual and safety inspection
of the vehicle upon arrival, we can make no warranty, guarantee or
representation regarding the accuracy, truth, or reliability of
such information. Dealership is not responsible for any errors,
omissions, or inaccuracies contained in information provided by
third parties. The majority of these vehicles are considered
classics or antiques, meaning they are older vehicles with
sometimes dated automotive technology. We are not an expert in the
construction, engineering, finishes, materials or components of
these vehicles. Our employees are a team of talented individuals
with a history in the classic car industry. We perform an extensive
visual inspections on all vehicles we represent, but we do not
disassemble vehicles or components for inspection purposes and
therefore it is always possible there is hidden damage that is not
readily apparent.
Dealership and its affiliates shall and will make every reasonable
effort to disclose any known defects associated with a vehicle
prior to the close of sale. Dealership assumes no responsibility
for any repairs needed to the vehicle and it's the buyers sole
responsibility for any repairs that might be needed.
If marked "Numbers Matching" or "Original Mileage", the
consignor(current owner) states this vehicle as such. Given how
easy it is to create a "clone" or "tribute", we cannot guarantee
the authenticity of any and all claims. Customer is encouraged to
verify this information on their own, prior to purchase.
We can assist you in delivery through our network of private and
commercial carriers. Most of which can deliver the vehicle to your
driveway. We assume no responsibility for damages or delays
incurred once a vehicle is in a shipper's custody.
Because we advertise each vehicle with so many third-party
affiliates, it is the customer's sole responsibility to verify the
accuracy of the price with the dealer. All advertised prices
exclude l...for more information please contact the seller.