1966 Ford Fairlane Facts, Figures, and Specifications
Five Fast Facts You May Not Know
1966 Ford Fairlane GTA Convertible
1. S-Code 390 CID 335 HP V-8 Now Available
2. "Select Shift" Automatic Transmission an Option
3. R-Code 427 CID 425 HP V-8 Available to Select Customers
4. First Year for Convertible
5. 289 CID Hi-Po Dropped
1966 Ford Fairlane Gets A Wider & Longer Look
The 1966 Fairlanes were longer, lower and wider, and featured new suspension both front and rear. It was basically a new car in all aspects – with more engine selections as well as a convertible for the first time. This major restyle required an all-new unit body and included 13 different models! All new was the 390 CID 335 HP V-8 in the engine lineup.
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1966 Ford Fairlane Facts and Specifications
General Year Information – 1966 Ford Fairlane
Major restyling was the key change in the Fairlane lineup, which required an all new unit body. They were longer, lower and wider, and featured new suspensions both front and rear. The full-width grille featured a horizontal grid with a large divider bar and the Fairlane crest in the center of the grille. The headlights were vertically stacked and angled back, at the bottom, for a more aggressive look. A full-length horizontal feature line was a key feature and the model designation, in block letters, was located on the rear fender. The taillights were rectangular and featured a chrome ring around the outside and around the centrally located backup lights.
Engine choices ranged from the 200 cubic inch, 120 horsepower six-cylinder engine, up to the 335 horsepower, 390 CID “GT” V-8 engine. For the first time, three convertibles were added to the lineup. The K-Code 289 CID Hi-Po was dropped.
Mid year, Ford produced 57 special Fairlane 500 two-door hardtops with R-Code 427 CID engines, rated at 425 HP, equipped with a four-speed manual transmission. Built to qualify the engine/transmission combination for Super Stock drag racing, they were white and had fiberglass hoods with a forward-facing hood scoop which ended at the edge of the hood.
NOTE: The station wagon and the Ranchero rode on the Falcon wheelbase, but were considered Fairlanes and could be had with most Fairlane options and interiors. However, the 1966 Ranchero is a hybrid that used the Falcon front fascia and as such is not covered here.
Historical
The new body, now more mid-size than intermediate small size resonated with the public. 337,792 Fairlanes were delivered an increase of 113,840 units.
1966 Ford Fairlane Factoids
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- S-Code 390 CID 335 HP V-8 Now Available
- First Year for Fairlane Convertible
- Select-Shift Automatic Transmission New
The improved unit body allowed Ford’s 390 CID V-8 to be fitted. Thus, the Fairlane GT (manual transmission) and GTA (automatic transmission) models were born.
The redesign included a convertible for the first time. Over 13,000 convertibles were produced.
Ford developed a new module for the automatic transmissions this year. The transmission had a different manual control system that allowed the driver to hold gears manually.
1966 Ford Fairlane Facts – Models Offered
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Fairlane – The Fairlane was the base trim level for the 1966 and included chrome windshield and rear window moldings; chrome rain gutter molding; chrome horn ring; front and rear arm rests; cigarette lighter; vinyl coated rubber floor mats and the Fairlane name, in block letters, on the front fenders.
Fairlane models were the 2-door Sedan, 4-door Sedan and Station Wagon.
Fairlane 500 – Fairlane 500 models used the same Serial Number sequence as the Fairlane models. The Fairlane 500 was the intermediate trim level for 1966 and included all the Fairlane trim, plus polished aluminum rocker panel moldings; a Fairlane crest in the center of the grille; color-keyed carpets (front and rear) and Fairlane 500 identification, in block letters, on the rear fenders. A Fair lane crest and Fairlane script also appeared on the right hand vertical section of the trunk lid.
Fairlane models were the 2-door Sedan, 4-door Sedan, 2-door Hardtop, Convertible, Deluxe Station Wagon, and Squire Station Wagon.
Fairlane 500XL – Fairlane 500XL models used the same Serial Number sequence as the Fairlane and Fairlane 500 models. The Fairlane 500XL was the sporty version of the Fairlane 500 series and included all the Fairlane 500 features, plus bucket seats and console; special name plaques and exterior trim; Deluxe wheel covers; red safety lights and white courtesy lights in the door arm rests. The GT and GTA were part of this series and denoted by the fitment of the special 390 CID V-8 as standard.
The Fairlane 500XL was available as a 2-door Hardtop and Convertible only.
Fairlane GT & GTA – Fairlane GT & GTA models used the same Serial Number sequence as the Fairlane and Fairlane 500 models. The GT and GTA were part of Fairlane 500 Series and denoted by the fitment of the special 390 CID V-8 as standard. It included all the Fairlane 500XL features: bucket seats and console; special name plaques and exterior trim; Deluxe wheel covers and red safety lights and white courtesy lights in the lower interior door panels. The GT and GTA were denoted by the fitment of the special 390 CID V-8 as standard.
The Fairlane GT & GTA was available as a 2-door Hardtop and Convertible only.
1966 Ford Fairlane Facts – Engines
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- 120 HP 200 CID I-6
- 200 HP 289 CID V-8
- 265 HP SMT 390 CID V-8
- 275 HP AMT 390 CID V-8
- 315 HP 390 CID V-8
- 335 HP 390 CID V-8
- 410 HP 427 CID V-8
- 425 HP 427 CID V-8
- NOTES
200 CID I-6. Engine Code “T” In-line 6. Overhead valves. Cast iron block. Seven main bearings.
Displacement: 200 CID.
Bore and stroke: 3.684″ x 3.13″.
Compression ratio: 9.2:1.
Horsepower: 120 @ 4400 RPM.
Torque: 190 @ 2400 RPM.
Valve lifters: Hydraulic.
Camshaft timing: Intake: 252 degrees, Exhaust: 252 degrees, Lift: 0.348″. Overlap: 28 degrees.
Carburetor: Ford Autolite one-barrel (Manual Transmission) Model C50F-9510-Y; (Automatic Transmission) Model C50F-95l0-Z.
289 CID 2-Barrel V-8. Engine Code “C” V-8. Overhead valves. Cast iron block. Five main bearings.
Displacement: 289 cubic inches.
Bore and stroke: 4.05 x 2.87 inches.
Compression ratio: 9.3:1.
Horsepower: 200 @ 4400 RPM.
Torque: 282 @ 2400 RPM.
Valve lifters: Hydraulic.
Camshaft timing: Intake: 266 degrees, Exhaust: 256 degrees, Lift: 0.3684″. Overlap 40 degrees.
Carburetor: (Manual Transmission) Ford Autolite 2-barrel Model C6AF-9510-A; (Auto Transmission) Ford Autolite 2-barrel Model C6AF-9510-B.
390 CID 2-Barrel V-8 – Manual Transmission Only. Engine Code “Y” V-8. Overhead valves. Cast iron block. Five main bearings.
Displacement: 390 cubic inches.
Bore and stroke: 4.05 x 3.78 inches.
Compression ratio: 9.5:1.
Horsepower: 265 @ 4400 RPM.
Torque: 401 @ 2600 RPM.
Valve lifters: Hydraulic.
Camshaft timing: Intake: 256 degrees, Exhaust: 256 degrees, Lift: 0.440″. Overlap 37 degrees.
Carburetor: Ford Autolite 2-barrel Model C60F-9510-B.
390 CID 2-Barrel V-8 – Automatic Transmission Only. Engine Code “Y” V-8. Overhead valves. Cast iron block. Five main bearings.
Displacement: 390 cubic inches.
Bore and stroke: 4.05 x 3.78 inches.
Compression ratio: 9.5:1.
Horsepower: 275 @ 4400 RPM.
Torque: 405 @ 2600 RPM.
Valve lifters: Hydraulic.
Camshaft timing: Intake: 256 degrees, Exhaust: 256 degrees, Lift: 0.440″. Overlap 37 degrees.
Carburetor: Ford Autolite 2-barrel Model C60F-9510-C.
390 CID 4-Barrel V-8. Engine Code “Z” V-8. Overhead valves. Cast iron block. Five main bearings.
Displacement: 390 cubic inches.
Bore and stroke: 4.05 x 3.78 inches.
Compression ratio: 10.5:1.
Horsepower: 315 @ 4600 RPM.
Torque: 427 @ 2800 RPM.
Valve lifters: Hydraulic.
Camshaft timing: Intake: 256 degrees, Exhaust: 256 degrees, Lift: 0.440″ Overlap 37 degrees.
Carburetor: Ford Autolite 4-barrel Model C6AF- 9510-A; Non-Emission) Ford Autolite 4-barrel Model C60F- 9510-D.
NOTE: This engine was not available in the GT or GTA.
390 CID 4-Barrel V-8 – Fairlane GT & GTA Only. Engine Code “S” V-8. Overhead valves. Cast iron block. Five main bearings.
Displacement: 390 cubic inches.
Bore and stroke: 4.05 x 3.78 inches.
Compression ratio: 10.5:1.
Horsepower: 335 @ 4800 RPM.
Torque: 427 @ 3200 RPM.
Valve lifters: Hydraulic.
Carburetor: Ford Holley 4-barrel Model C60F-9510M (manual transmission), Ford Holley 4-barrel Model C60F-9510N (Automatic transmission).
427 CID Drag Pack V-8. Engine Code “W” V-8. Overhead valves. Cast iron block. Five main bearings – cross-bolted.
Displacement: 427 cubic inches.
Bore and stroke: 4.23 x 3.78 inches.
Compression ratio: 10.6:1 – 11.5:1.
Horsepower: 410 @ 5600 RPM.
Torque: 476 @ 3400 RPM.
Valve lifters: Mechanical.
Camshaft timing: Intake: 324 degrees, Exhaust: 324 degrees, Lift: 0.524″ Overlap 112 degrees.
Carburetor: Holley 4-barrel Model C5AF-9510 BU.
NOTE: Available on Fairlane 2-door Sedan and 2-Door Hardtop Only. Special Order.
427 CID Super Drag Pack V-8. Engine Code “R”. V-8. Overhead valves. Cast iron block. Five main bearings – cross-bolted.
Displacement: 427 cubic inches.
Bore and stroke: 4.23 x 3.78 inches.
Compression ratio: 10.6:1 – 11.5:1.
Horsepower: 425 @ 6000 RPM.
Torque: 480 @ 3700 RPM.
Valve lifters: Mechanical.
Camshaft timing: Intake: 324 degrees, Exhaust: 324 degrees, Lift: 0.524″ Overlap 112 degrees.
Carburetors: Two Holley 4-barrel Model C5AF-9510 BC (front) and C5AF-9510 BU (rear).
NOTE: Available on Fairlane 2-door Sedan and 2-Door Hardtop Only. Special Order.
NOTE 1: Except where cited, Torque is in lb. ft.
NOTE 2: For more engine information, you may access 1966 Fairlane AMA Specifications Sheet HERE.
1966 Ford Fairlane Facts – Chassis Features
-
- Wheelbase: 116.00″ – Wagons 113.0″.
- Overall length: 197.0″ – Wagons 199.8″.
- Overall width: 2-Door Sedan & Hardtop – 74.0″, 4-door Sedan – 74.7″, – Convertible 74.0″ – Wagons 74.7″.
- Overall height: 2-Door & 4-Door 55.0″ – Hardtop 54.3″ – Convertible 54.0″ – Wagons 55.9″.
- Weight: Varies – See 1966 Fairlane AMA Specifications Sheet pg 24 HERE.
- Front tread: 58.0″.
- Rear tread: 58.00″.
- Tires:
- Base: 6.95 x 14 four-ply tubeless black wall.
- Wagons 7.75 x 14 four-ply tubeless black wall.
- GT/GTA 7.75 x 14.
- Details: See 1966 Fairlane AMA Specifications Sheet pg 18 HERE.
1966 Ford Fairlane Facts – Power Trains
- Transmission Ratios
- Three-Speed Manual Transmission (Floor Shift on GT Models Only)
I-6: First: 2.76:1, Second: 1.69:1, Third 1:1. Reverse: 3.74:1
289 V-8 (Optional I-6): First: 2.99:1, Second: 1.75:1, Third 1:1. Reverse: 3.17:1
289 Overdrive Only: First: 2.80:1, Second: 1.89:1, Third 1:1. Overdrive 0.70:1 Reverse: 3.80:1
390 V-8: First: 2.42:1, Second: 1.761:1, Third 1:1. Reverse: 2.33:1 - Four-Speed Manual Transmission
289 CID V-8: First: 2.78:1, Second: 1.93:1, Third 1.36:1, Fourth: 1:1. Reverse: 2.78:1
390 CID V-8: First: 2.32:1, Second: 1.69:1, Third: 1.29:1, Fourth: 1:1. Reverse: 2.32:1 - 427 CID V-8: First: 2.32:1, Second: 1.69:1, Third: 1.29:1, Fourth: 1:1. Reverse: 2.32:1.
427 CID V-8: First: 2.78:1, Second: 1.93:1, Third: 1.36:1, Fourth: 1:1. Reverse: 2.78:1. - Three-Speed Automatic Transmission
Low: 2.46:1, Second: 1.46:1, Direct 1.00:1. Reverse: 2.20:1.
- Three-Speed Manual Transmission (Floor Shift on GT Models Only)
- Rear Axle Ratios
- I-6:
Three Speed Manual: 3.25:1
Four-speed Manual: 3.20:1 Wagons 3.25:1
Automatic: 2.80:1 Wagons 3.25:1 - 289 V-8:
– Three Speed Manual: 2.80:1 Wagons 3.50:1
– Four-speed: 3.25:1
– Overdrive: 3.50:1
– Automatic: 2.80:1 Wagons 3.00:1 - 390 V-8:
– Three Speed: 3.00:1
– Four-speed: 3.00:1
– Automatic: 3.00:1 - 427 V-8:
– Four-speed: 3.89:1 - Optional Rear Axle: See 1966 Fairlane AMA Specifications Sheet page 4 HERE.
- I-6:
1966 Ford Fairlane Facts – Powertrain Options
- Engines
-
- 289 2-barrel CID V-8 engine ($105 – not available on GT).
- 390 2-barrel CID V-8 engine ($175 – not available on GT).
- 390 4-barrel CID V-8 engine ($206 – standard on GT).
- 427 CID Drag Pack V-8 (no price – special order).
- Transmissions
-
- Three-Speed Manual Transmission Standard.
- Three-Speed Manual Overdrive Transmission Optional 289 CID only.
- Four-Speed Manual Transmission: Optional – Standard in 427 Drag Pack Engines.
- Automatic Transmission: Optional.
1966 Ford Fairlane Facts – Significant Options
-
- Air conditioning $353).
- AM radio ($57).
- AM/FM radio ($133).
- Cruise-O-Matic automatic transmission ($184 with 289 V-8; $214 with 390 V-8).
- Four-speed manual transmission ($183).
- Luggage rack on station wagons ($44).
- Power brakes ($42).
- Power steering ($84).
- Power windows ($99).
- Tinted windshield ($21).
- Two-tone paint ($21).
- Vinyl roof on two-door hardtops ($76) on four-door hardtops ($85).
- Wheel covers ($21).
- White sidewall tires ($33).
1966 Ford Fairlane Downloads and Images
1966 Ford Fairlane Facts – Related Document Downloads
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1966 Ford Fairlane Print Advertisements
1966 Ford Fairlane AMA Specifications Sheets
1966 Ford Fairlane NHRA Engine Specifications Sheets
1966 Ford Fairlane GT/GTA AMA Specifications Sheets
1966 Ford Fairlane GTA Road Test –
Car Life Magazine
1966 Ford Fairlane GTA Road Test –
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1966 Ford Fairlane GT Comparison Road Test – Car and Driver Magazine
1966 Ford Fairlane Facts – Related Images
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1966 Ford Fairlane GT Convertible
The 1966 Ford Fairlane GT Convertible was also a sales success. 4,327 were delivered.
1966 Ford Fairlane GT Hardtop
The immense popularity of the 390 CID V-8 equipped 1966 Ford Fairlane GT Hardtop shocked even Ford – with 33,015 sold.
1966 Ford Fairlane GT Interior
The 1966 Ford Fairlane GT Interior copied earlier versions of the 500 XL, with the exception of the more stylistic center console and in automatic equipped cars, the “Select Shift” shifter.
1966 Ford Fairlane 500XL Convertible
Like its hardtop brethren, the 1966 Ford Fairlane 500XL Convertible offered GT looks and interior with a choice of I-6 or V-8 power. 4,560 were sold.
1966 Ford Fairlane 500XL Hardtop
The 1966 Ford Fairlane 500XL Hardtop was basically a performance step down from the GT with I-6 and V-8 choices. However, a 390 CID V-8 could be specified. 23,942 were delivered.
1966 Ford Fairlane 500 Convertible
The 1966 Ford Fairlane 500 Convertible was intended to be a smart, stylish but less expensive alternative to the 500XL version, with a more practical interior. This was a good decision as 9,299 were delivered.
1966 Ford Fairlane 500 Hardtop
The 1966 Ford Fairlane 500 Hardtop was a very clean and stylish piece. It was the best selling model in the entire Fairlane line with 75,947 sold.
1966 Ford Fairlane Squire Station Wagon
The 1966 Ford Fairlane Squire Station Wagon was very popular with 11,558 produced.
1966 Ford Fairlane 500 4-Door Sedan
The 1966 Ford Fairlane 500 4-Door Sedan was intended as the “bread and butter” model in the line. It was the 2nd best seller with 68,635 produced.
1966 Ford Fairlane 500 2-Door Club Coupe
The 1966 Ford Fairlane 500 2-Door Club Coupe was intended for those who wanted good looks at a reasonable price. 14,118 were produced.
1966 Ford Fairlane 500 Station Wagon
The 1966 Ford Fairlane 500 Station Wagon was a step down from the Squire, but still offered many of the same features. 19,826 were produced along with the lesser Fairlane wagon that had 12,379 deliveries.
1966 Ford Fairlane 4-Door Sedan
The 1966 Ford Fairlane 4-Door Sedan and its 2-door sister (not shown) were to be a step up from the Falcon line, with more room and better interiors. 26,170 4-doors and 13,498 2-doors were produced.