autoevolution
 

Restored 1966 Ford Fairlane R-Code Shows Only 4,931 Original Miles

Not to be confused with the Fairlane for Australia, the American model became a go-faster legend with the introduction of the Thunderbolt, of which 100 units were produced for 1964. Revised in 1966, the Fairlane lineup welcomed the R-Code package mid-year to qualify the 7.0-liter V8 and Top Loader four-speed manual tranny for the NHRA and IHRA series.
Restored 1966 Ford Fairlane R-Code 47 photos
Photo: lefthander on Bring a Trailer
Restored 1966 Ford Fairlane R-CodeRestored 1966 Ford Fairlane R-CodeRestored 1966 Ford Fairlane R-CodeRestored 1966 Ford Fairlane R-CodeRestored 1966 Ford Fairlane R-CodeRestored 1966 Ford Fairlane R-CodeRestored 1966 Ford Fairlane R-CodeRestored 1966 Ford Fairlane R-CodeRestored 1966 Ford Fairlane R-CodeRestored 1966 Ford Fairlane R-CodeRestored 1966 Ford Fairlane R-CodeRestored 1966 Ford Fairlane R-CodeRestored 1966 Ford Fairlane R-CodeRestored 1966 Ford Fairlane R-CodeRestored 1966 Ford Fairlane R-CodeRestored 1966 Ford Fairlane R-CodeRestored 1966 Ford Fairlane R-CodeRestored 1966 Ford Fairlane R-CodeRestored 1966 Ford Fairlane R-CodeRestored 1966 Ford Fairlane R-CodeRestored 1966 Ford Fairlane R-CodeRestored 1966 Ford Fairlane R-CodeRestored 1966 Ford Fairlane R-CodeRestored 1966 Ford Fairlane R-CodeRestored 1966 Ford Fairlane R-CodeRestored 1966 Ford Fairlane R-CodeRestored 1966 Ford Fairlane R-CodeRestored 1966 Ford Fairlane R-CodeRestored 1966 Ford Fairlane R-CodeRestored 1966 Ford Fairlane R-CodeRestored 1966 Ford Fairlane R-CodeRestored 1966 Ford Fairlane R-CodeRestored 1966 Ford Fairlane R-CodeRestored 1966 Ford Fairlane R-CodeRestored 1966 Ford Fairlane R-CodeRestored 1966 Ford Fairlane R-CodeRestored 1966 Ford Fairlane R-CodeRestored 1966 Ford Fairlane R-CodeRestored 1966 Ford Fairlane R-CodeRestored 1966 Ford Fairlane R-CodeRestored 1966 Ford Fairlane R-CodeRestored 1966 Ford Fairlane R-CodeRestored 1966 Ford Fairlane R-CodeRestored 1966 Ford Fairlane R-CodeRestored 1966 Ford Fairlane R-CodeRestored 1966 Ford Fairlane R-Code
A grand total of 57 units were produced, originally priced at $4,502 or a third more expensive than the Hemi-equipped Dodge Charger from that era. That’s $41,150 adjusted for inflation, which isn’t bad at all in comparison to the MSRP of a Hellcat Jailbreak or a Z07-equipped C8 Corvette Z06.

Chassis number 6A43R249124 is one of those street-and-strip monsters equipped with the original medium-riser V8. Acquired by the current owner in 2002, the car saw plenty of sanctioned racing in the Pacific Northwest in the 1960s. Refurbished at great expense down to the very last bolt, the two-door pillarless hardtop is finished in Wimbledon White over black vinyl for the front and rear bench seats and black for the remainder of the cabin.

Equipped with 15-inch painted steelies boasting piecrust rubber boots from BFGoodrich, the quarter-mile sleeper had its R-Code 427 rebuilt by Richmond Engines in 2019. Headlights include chromed valve covers, a 2x4 aluminum intake, a couple of 715-cfm Holley carburetors, and a dyno sheet that reads 442.9 horsepower at 5,600 revolutions per minute. As for torque, Richmond Engines recorded 465.8 lb-ft (642 Nm) at 3,700 rpm.

Restored 1966 Ford Fairlane R\-Code
Photo: lefthander on Bring a Trailer
For reference, the FE-based leviathan was officially rated at 425 hp and 480 lb-ft (651 Nm), merely 10 lb-ft (14 Nm) short of the 426 Hemi. As part of the rotisserie refurbishment, the engine, transmission, and 9.0-inch rear axle were rebuilt in a period-correct fashion. The brake master cylinder, brakes, suspension system, and starting linkage were also addressed. The odometer showed only 4,931 original miles (7,936 kilometers) at the time the current owner purchased it back in 2002. The restoration was completed in 2021.

Equipped with a heater and lap belts for everyone, the road-legal racecar had its headliner and carpets replaced for good measure. The door panels were also refurbished. As for the car’s data plate, it decodes to Fairlane 500 Hardtop (code 63B), Wimbledon White (M), black vinyl trim (46), July 6th build date (06G), 1 for the 3.00:1 standard rear axle, and 5 for the four-speed manual. The rear axle currently rocks a 3.89:1 Detroit Locker differential.

6A43R249124 is offered on Bring a Trailer with manufacturer’s communication, restoration photos, and newspaper clippings of the car participating in the drag racing events mentioned earlier. With six days left on the ticker and after two expressions of interest, the car presently sits on a high bid of $75,000, which is not nearly enough for an R-Code.

Two years ago, a similar model went for $209,000 at a Mecum Auctions event. Back in 2018, Barrett-Jackson sold a different unit for $137,500. Given these numbers, we can guesstimate that the reserve on chassis number 6A43R249124 is at least $150,000, if not $200,000. To whom it may concern, the five-digit odometer still shows 4,931 original miles.

If you liked the article, please follow us:  Google News icon Google News Youtube Instagram X (Twitter)
About the author: Mircea Panait
Mircea Panait profile photo

After a 1:43 scale model of a Ferrari 250 GTO sparked Mircea's interest for cars when he was a kid, an early internship at Top Gear sealed his career path. He's most interested in muscle cars and American trucks, but he takes a passing interest in quirky kei cars as well.
Full profile

 

Would you like AUTOEVOLUTION to send you notifications?

You will only receive our top stories