1966 Ford Fairlane GT Convertible With a 390 V8 and a Four-Speed

Ford's Fairlane GT was a new entry in the muscle car sweepstakes for 1966, and it delivered a fresh appearance; 390 V8 power under the hood; a manual transmission; and the bucket seats, console, badging, blacked-out grilles, stripes, and hood adornments dictated by its market niche. This mildly modified 1966 Fairlane GT Convertible is being offered at no reserve. - My late brother found this car in Iowa through a magazine classified ad in 1988. He flew out and drove it back to Indiana. I borrowed it for my wedding in 1990, and it participated in a couple of Hot Rod Power Tours and an occasional car show. He always kept it in the built-in garage of his house and did most of the work on it himself. He continues, My brother lived alone for more than 35 years and cared for this convertible as if it were family. He took ill suddenly and spent his last five months on a ventilator in ICU, so I didn't have an opportunity to confirm any of the particulars about his car. I am presenting it to the best of my knowledge and closing out my brother's estate. Regarding the code-S, 335-horsepower, 390-cu.in., four-barrel OHV V8 and four-speed manual transmission, the seller states, I'm sure [they're] the original engine and transmission. Though the block casting C6ME-A (see photo) can be correct for a 1966 390-cu.in. V-8, it was also used for other displacement engines (and years), so narrowing down the possibility that it could be the factory-installed one for this particular car requires further verification via date codes, which we don't have. At one point my brother had it torn down, , and the stock camshaft was swapped for a Crane cam (see cam card photo) and the rear main seal was replaced. Additional modifications include Hooker headers and an Edelbrock Performer intake manifold. The original parts are also included in the sale. I found a Motorcraft four-barrel carb in a box, the seller notes. The current carb installed has an Autolite tag, but I'm not sure which one is the original. He goes on to say, It took a few tries and a few pumps of the accelerator on startup, and the engine smoked some. It seemed to clear up 100 percent on the driver's-side exhaust, but not totally on passenger's side. The rear main seal has a leak. We didn't road test the car, so I can't speak for gears two, three, and four of the [optional] four-speed [code-5 on door-mounted data plate]. It did back out and drive back into the garage without complaint. Per code-4 on the data plate, the rear axle has 3.25:1 gears. -Some work was done to a front fender after a tire blowout and there may have been minor rust in the lower rear quarters, the seller remembers, but I don't see any now. Nor do I see any rust or bubbling paint anywhere. This Fairlane GT convertible (code 76D on the data plate) was painted code-F Arcadian Blue at the factory. He adds, I think there was one complete repaint in the original color, but I'm not sure if it was the entire car or not. The paint presents very well. I noticed no major dents, scratches, or chips, but I wouldn't be surprised to find a few small blemishes. About 15 years ago, the power top was replaced with a blue one, that has some fading but no tears, the seller recalls. It operates very well both up and down, but I can't vouch for leaks. I noticed no scratches or cracks in any of the glass, and I believe all of the [weatherstripping is on] the car. Operation of the lights has not been checked. In the code-B2 Parchment and blue cabin (blue areas appear to have been swapped for black parts), The front seat covers were replaced years ago with stock-style material, the seller reports. There's some wear and fading of the carpet, and the steering wheel rim has missing sections. Aftermarket gauges feature a tachometer and indicators for oil pressure and temperature that work, but an ammeter that does not. The heater/defroster is functioning, but he's not sure about the speedometer and fuel gauge. The glove box and hazard lamp switch were removed, but retained to go with the sale. Aftermarket stereo components were also taken out and not saved, but free-standing speaker boxes remain on the back seat floor. I don't know if the original AM radio is still working, the seller admits, but the antenna is still there. - Currently undetermined is the condition of the suspension, manual steering, and drum braking systems, as I did not road test the car, I just moved it in and out of the garage, the seller restates. Stock 14-inch steel wheels and wheel covers are present, and though the BFGoodrich Radial T/A tires have decent tread, their age isn't known, so they should be replaced. With some work, this 1966 Ford Fairlane GT Convertible'offered for sale at no reserve'will treat its new owner to FoMoCo muscle car performance and open-air cruising.