1966 Ford Fairlane GTA

Description

Before there was a Mustang GTA, there was the Fairlane GTA, and this one is a brute. Packing a 390 cubic inch V8, this 1966 Ford Fairlane GTA was one of the nastiest, fastest Fords on the road in 1966 and you'd better believe it still makes a stir today.

Subtly finished in code R Ivy Green (it was originally code T Candyapple Red), this is the face of Ford racing in the '60s. On the street, the GTA took no prisoners, and was neatly positioned as a gentleman's hot rod that could pound the strip on Sunday and commute in rush-hour traffic Monday morning. Beautifully finished, it's a good thing it's dark green, because you're going to want to show off the quality bodywork underneath. Fit and finish are excellent, with super clean flanks, great panel alignment, and paint that simply glows in the sunlight. The hardtop profile looks sleek, which is just right for the high banks of the NASCAR circuit, and Ford knew that they didn't have to advertise when there were 390 cubes under the hood. Instead, there's just a simple white stripe along the rockers framing a small GTA badge and a matching one on the trunk. Sure, the big 472-style scoop on the hood is a little flashy, but on Ford's popular performer, you'd expect a little bit of swagger, no? Chrome remains excellent, including both bumpers, and the two-tiered grille is in great shape. The rocket age was almost over for Ford, but this one retains a set of jet-inspired taillights, just for fun.

The basic black interior is equally spectacular, fully restored using factory-correct patterns throughout. The Fairlane GTA's upscale mission is particularly evident here, with handsome stitching on the seatbacks, a center console, and lots of chrome on the instrument panel. The stock gauges are kind of minimalist (although in great condition), so a set of auxiliary dials watching voltage, oil pressure, and coolant temperature was fitted underneath and there's a tach in the usual slot on the steering column. The steering wheel is a beautiful piece of performance art that just begs for a set of vintage driving gloves to be wrapped around its rim. A center console looks great and adds value, and even the original AM radio still remains in the dash. There's plenty of room in the back seat, and the spacious trunk will carry enough luggage to go coast-to-coast.

Performance is impressive thanks to the correctly detailed 390 under the hood. Ford wasn't doing matching numbers in 1966, so there's no way to claim that this one is "matching numbers" in the traditional sense, but it is a correct S-code 4-barrel 390 rated at a stout 335 horsepower. They resisted the urge to add a bunch of aftermarket parts, so it still looks quite stock, even with that giant air cleaner up top. Ford Blue engine paint and chrome valve covers sparkle in the satin black engine bay, and there's a ton of new hardware, including the full braking system with dual master cylinder, a new alternator, details like the fuel pump look recent. It's backed by a C6 3-speed automatic and a 9-inch rear with 3.25 gears inside, so you can really use all that torque. Factory styled steel wheels are a very correct look and wear suitably-sized blackwall radials that really fill the fenders properly.

Beautiful, comfortable, and wicked fast, this Fairlane GTA is everything you'd expect from Ford's race-bred mid-size. It's also the nicest one we've ever seen. Call today!