1966 Fairlane

In 1966 the Fairlane was redesigned and it grew a little larger. The new dual stacked headlamp design and the smoother lines of the body were popular from the start. Ford had increased the size of the engine bay so that big blocks could easily be installed. Options included 427 ci engines with dual carburetor engine setups 4 speed manual transmissions bucket seats consoles and much more. The convertible was re-introduced this year as well as the GT and GTA models. The GT and GTA had a 390 ci big block standard. Other features included bucket seats and an interior console. The GTA referred to a GT with an automatic transmission where the GT indicated the car was equipped with a 4 speed on the floor. In a nod to the amazing Thunderbolts of 1964 Ford produced a drag strip version of the 1966 Fairlane. Modifications included fiberglass hoods and omission of many comfort options in an attempt to reduce weight. These were serious race machines and an estimated 57 were built with fiberglass hoods and 427 race engines. On the dragstrip these cars could do the quarter mile in under 13 seconds at almost 114 mph. With a little work times in the mid 11's were possible.