1966 Ford Fairlane 500 V8 Convertible (LHD)

Description

The Fairlane started out as Ford’s most expensive model in 1955, replacing the Crestline as the top trim level available ahead of the base Mainline and intermediate Customline. Named after Henry Ford’s estate in Michigan, the first three generations of Fairlanes, produced between 1955 and 1961, were full-sized models, before the nameplate was used on a new intermediate series of cars between 1962 and 1965, neatly bridging the gap between the compact Falcon and the full-sized Galaxie. Ford unveiled a completely restyled Fairlane for 1966, with longer, wider and lower lines that followed the general trend set by the new Galaxies in 1965. With vertically stacked headlamps, the new Fairlane offered a more aggressive appearance in keeping with Ford’s Total Performance ethos and the basic sedan and station wagon models were joined by stylish hardtop coupe and glamorous convertible derivatives. The interior now had more space, with a fresh instrument cluster design, new seats and trim combinations, along with flow-through ventilation across all models for the first time. Offered with a range of trim packages, including the 500, XL, GT and GTA, the Fairlane’s base engine remained a relatively sedentary 170-cid six, but was available with a choice of 289-cid small block and, for the first time, 390-cid big block V8s under the hood. Ford even built a small run of stripped Fairlane 500s mid-year running R-Code 427 mills and four-speed tranmissions, specifically designed for NHRA Super Stock drag racing. The Fairlane 500, as offered here, was designated the intermediate trim level in 1966 and saw additional badging, polished aluminium rocker panel moldings and colour-coded carpets throughout. Ford built just 9,299 ragtops in 1966, making it easily the rarest derivative Fairlane that year and few remain on the road today.