Vehicle Description
1966 Ford Fairlane 500 Convertible
The Ford Fairlane is an automobile model that was sold between 1955
and 1970 by Ford in North America. The name is derived from Henry
Ford's estate, Fair Lane, near Dearborn, Michigan. In 1966, just
9,299 Fairlane 500 XL convertibles were built even as 317,274 cars
bore the Fairlane name including more than 40,000 station
wagons.
For consignment, a 1966 Ford Fairlane 500 convertible in the "gotta
have it" color combo of Raven Black over red and showing a
non-verifiable 86,837 miles on the odometer. This midnight rider
has won trophies and plaques at various car shows and has been
treated to a new clutch, new power front disc brakes and rear
shoes, a new 4-barrel carburetor, new aluminum radiator, a fresh
tune up and a new power steering pump within the last 500 miles.
This is a turn key drop top just waiting for a new home, will that
home be yours?
Exterior
Repainted in its original Raven Black, its two stage coverage shows
a definitive shine and looks very good with only minor
imperfections and inclusions. Stacked headlights flank a wide
grille with handsome vertical strakes above a robust chrome bumper
with embedded market lights. Ford is written broadly on the nose of
the hood which is a flat plane with center fold that leads to a
vented cowl. The metalwork is a combination of pieces in very nice
condition and the gaps remain well minded. The square taillights
bookend a wide and straight tail where Ford is expressed again on
the lid of a trunk that is also wide and flat. Nearly new 14-inch
Styled Steel wheels wear GT caps and like new Hankook blackwall
rubber. Giving the passengers shelter from the summer heat or a
passing storm is a fairly clean and tear free white canvas top that
has been fitted with a glass rear window. We note some delamination
and pitting of the chrome surrounding the top and passenger
compartment.
Interior
Attention to detail and all buttoned up are two words that come to
mind when swinging the doors open. A low back bench which uses
crinkle finish vinyl for tuck and roll inserts for the seats and
lower backs, and some shiny smooth red vinyl for the bolsters and
upper backs. In front is an original dash, fronted by the original
2 spoke black plastic rimmed steering wheel, and hangs above clean
pristine red carpeting. The factory long and narrow sweeping
speedometer relays information to the driver and in dash central we
note the factory AM radio in its correct home. Capping off the dash
is a near perfect black padded topper. In the back is a bench in
the same styling as the buckets to cap off all this excellence.
Drivetrain
We open the hood to reveal a 289ci V8 engine fueled by an upgraded
single 4-barrel carburetor. The bay is driver quality plus with
only a light patina gracing the satin black finished sides, rear
and shock towers.. A 3-speed column shifted manual transmission
with a new clutch in the last 500 miles sits behind it and sends
power to the Ford 8" rear with 2.80 gears.
Undercarriage
Driver quality conditions underneath with typical surface and some
invasive rust, residual oil, and grease on the knuckles. We note
the invasive rust making an appearance on the inner rockers and
outer edges of the flooring, but at this point it has not become a
structural issue. Shiny headers rain down to a like new dual
exhaust system that runs to a pair of FlowMaster mufflers and then
exits with angle cut tips under the rear bumper. Coil spring
suspension is found up front, and leaf springs are in the back and
new power front disc brakes work with rear power drums to bring
things to a halt.
Drive-Ability
This car was an immediate hit with my crack decoder so he drove and
I sat in the passenger's seat. Unfortunately it's not an automatic,
because despite his wealth of automotive knowledge, he has
questionable motor skills with his legs, and tends to stall the
clutched cars...just sayin'! Anyway I digress to the test track
where it performed swimmingly with only the wipers, radio and
reverse lights not showing up for work. While Classic Auto Mall
represents that these functions were working at the time of our
test drive, we cannot guarantee these functions will be working at
the time of your purchase.
A great restoration, well done and attentive to detail. A 289ci V8,
manual transmission, and a host of new parts, including chrome and
weather stripping. A snazzy interior, and sportier than standard
exterior make this a must see for the Fairlane aficionado as it is
truly one of the nicer examples of said car in our sacred halls of
the Classic Auto Mall.
6H45C163629
6-1966
H-Lorain, OH Assy Plant
45-Fairlane 500 Convertible
C-289ci 2bbl 200hp V8
163629-Sequential Unit Number
WARRANTY PLATE
BODY 76B-Fairlane 500 Convertible
COLOR A-Raven Black
TRIM 4D-Parchment Vinyl
DATE 20D-April 20th
DSO 16-Philadelphia
AXLE 6-Ford 8" 2.80 Conventional
TRANS 1-3 Speed Manual
Classic Auto Mall is home to more than 1,000 classic and
collectible vehicles for sale via consignment in a climate
controlled 336,000-square foot showroom (that's more than 8
acres!). The largest single location consignment dealer of classic
and collectible vehicles in the country is located in Morgantown,
Pennsylvania, just 1-hour west of Philadelphia off Exit 298 of the
I-76 Pennsylvania Turnpike. For more information visit
www.classicautomall.com or call us at (888) 227-0914. Contact us
anytime for more information or to come see the vehicle in person.
There is no guarantee of mileage. A $299 Dealer Administrative fee
is not included in the advertised price.
With so many great cars, you know we have a lot to talk about, and
we do that each week on the Classic Auto Mall Podcast with host
Stewart Howden. Stewart discusses new inventory as well as trends
in consignments and car prices, while interviewing celebrities and
automotive professionals about amazing cars and their history. Tune
in each week to the Classic Auto Mall Podcast wherever you enjoy
listening. You can also watch on YouTube!