Test Driving the 1966 Ford Fairlane GT with a Custom 427 Engine – Runs and Sounds Astounding
The 1966 Ford Fairlane GT is a true classic muscle car that stands out in the crowd. Although it was not originally built with a 427 engine, many car enthusiasts have turned to building their own using the available parts and technology of today. One such individual is a man who has owned this classic car since he was 15 years old, and he is now working on the car with the sole purpose of enjoying it.
The 1966 Ford Fairlane GT underwent a redesign to match the full-sized Ford Galaxie, which had been restyled the previous year. The front end of the car featured vertically stacked twin headlights, which added to its unique and stylish appearance. The GT and GTA packages, as well as a convertible, were added to the existing lineup of sedans, hardtops, and station wagons.
The GT model came standard with a 390 CID FE V8 engine, which produced 335 horsepower and had a four-barrel carburetor. The newly developed SportShift Cruise-o-Matic automatic gearbox was available on the GTA model. This automatic transmission was highly advanced for its time and allowed for a smoother driving experience. However, the car enthusiast who owns the 1966 Ford Fairlane GT opted for a more traditional four-speed manual transmission to enhance the driving experience and achieve a more classic feel.
Although the 1966 Ford Fairlane GT was not originally built with a 427 engine, Ford did build 57 unique Fairlane 500 two-door hardtops with “R-code” 427 cu in (7.0 L) V8 engines in the middle of the year. These cars were extremely rare and highly sought after by car enthusiasts. However, many car enthusiasts have turned to building their own 427 engines using the available parts and technology of today. The car enthusiast who owns the 1966 Ford Fairlane GT opted to build his own 427 engine with dual quad FE carburetors, which produced a whopping 425 horsepower.
The exterior of the car was restored to its original condition and painted in a beautiful shade of candy apple red. The car’s interior was also restored to its original condition and features bucket seats and a center console.
It is a testament to the enduring popularity of classic cars and the dedication of those who continue to restore and modify them.