FORD FAIRLANE 500 CUSTOM RANCH WAGON 1966

FORD FAIRLANE 500 CUSTOM RANCH WAGON 1966

General Information

Category	Driver / Restorer
Make	Ford
Model	Fairlane 500
Body Style	4-dr Ranch Wagon
Price	$49,900

Engine Specs

Engine & Transmission Specs	Ford Windsor Small Block
Engine Type	4.7L 289cui-2v V8
Transmission	C4 3-spd column-shift automatic

Additional Information

Length	5.08m (16' 8")
Weight	1597kgs (3521lbs)
Fuel Capacity	76 ltrs
Exterior Colour	Metallic Gold
Interior Colour	Light Beige
VIN	6K48C118122

Car Description

1966 Ford Fairlane 500 4-Door Custom Ranch Wagon powered by a 4.7L 289cui-2v V8 Ford Windsor small block engine matched to a 3-spd C4 ‘Cruise-O-Matic’ column-shift automatic transmission and driven through a conventional rear differential with 3.00:1 gearing.

Super Cool Californian Wagon
Excellent Running 289 V8
Factory Power Steering
Factory Power Brakes
Factory Air Conditioning
Factory Electric Rear Window

This ’66 Fairlane was manufactured in Ford’s Kansas City, Kansas plant on the 18th October 1966 as a Fairlane 500 4-dr Custom Ranch Wagon. The trim/body plate identifies it as painted in Onyx Black with Parchment vinyl interior trim with a front bench seat. It was fitted with a C-code 289cui-2v V8 engine, C4 3-speed automatic transmission paired to a conventional rear differential with 3.00:1 gearing and delivered to the Los Angeles, California DSO, where it was sold and has spent all its life.

This rare ’66 Fairlane 500 Ranch Wagon hails from sunny California where it resided with its long-time owner. Take a look at the floors on this car and you will see that it is still wearing its original red oxide paint from the factory. And it is still wearing its original California ‘Black & Yellow’ plates. It has had what appears to be a single repaint in Metallic Gold back in the late 1900’s, as well as an interior refresh with new velour seat upholstery at the same time.

Option wise, this one is pretty hard to beat. It was really well optioned with factory fitted features which included power brakes, power steering, air conditioning and a 2-way rear tailgate with electric window. All these systems still work with the exception of the A/C which will need to be serviced.

The body is quite solid, especially for the breed. The only real corrosion visible is on the rear tailgate (see photos). The floors still wear their original red oxide paint and it looks very good. The car is wearing a coat of metallic gold that really compliments the car. The panels are straight and there is nothing to suggest the car has been in any serious collisions. The trim and bright work show some age but overall they are in good condition. It appears that during the repaint there was some silicone paint around the windshield peak that was painted over (see photos). This one would make a good no-guilt driver or with a repaint could be something much more.

Inside the interior is mostly original with the exception of the seat upholstery which has been recovered in a velour material. Original floormats still cover the original carpet. The door panels are the originals and still look pretty good. The rear interior panels were recovered in a matching vinyl. The original dash pad is cracked and has been treated to a new dash cap. The original seat belts are still in great shape, which is quite rare as they tend to corrode profusely. The windows roll up & down properly including the rear gate glass which is electric.

Under the bonnet the 289 fires up quickly and really sounds nice. It has been treated to a fresh oil & filter service. The C4 automatic transmission works properly. We didn’t receive any service documents with this one unfortunately. From what we can see it appears the cylinder heads were removed at some point indicating a possible valve job or hardened seats for unleaded fuel were added. The 289 powers the wagon around fine but it’s not going to be confused with its Muscle Car 390GT brethren. There are plenty of period modifications that could be done to really wake this one up though.

The air conditioning system appears complete but has dis-charged over the years that it sat in storage, and will now require servicing and a re-gas.

The original steel wheels have been replaced with a set of new period-correct 15″ ‘Styled’ chrome wheels wearing new Cooper Cobra Radial G/T tyres, with 235/60’s on the front & 255/60’s on the rear.

This Fairlane 500 Ranch Wagon runs and drives great, and it presents nicely enough to take the family or friends out on the weekends in style. It is not a show car by any means, but certainly a vehicle that anyone would be proud to own and to be noticed.

Please find below a VIDEO of this car running: –