Showing 5,140 miles on the odometer, this 1966 Ford Fairlane 500 is one of just 57 R-Code Lightweight examples produced that year to qualify for NHRA and IHRA super stock racing. Restored to original specs, it retains its original engine, transmission and differential, the original Firestone Deluxe Champion tires up front with M&H Racemasters on the back and the original spare in the trunk. The original medium riser 427/425 HP V-8 engine is fitted with date-correct dual Holley 715 CFM carburetors and rated at 480 lb-ft of torque with an 11.1:1 compression ratio, and it’s backed by the original 4-speed manual Toploader transmission and the original 3.89-geared Traction-Lok rear end. Built in the Georgia factory, the Fairlane was refinished in its original Wimbledon White color with the Plaza fiberglass lift-off hood and a black interior with a bench front seat and it’s accompanied by some factory documentation. In 1964, Ford’s Fairlane Thunderbolt dominated the Super Stock classes. Switching from the full-size platform to the midsize platform Fairlane that year, Ford took 100 K-Code 289 Hi-Po Fairlanes and converted them into the mighty Thunderbolt to meet homologation production rules. Heaters, radios, sound-deadening material and even seam sealer was all deleted to reduce weight. The potent 289 was replaced by a gargantuan 427 that was built for the purpose, and the chassis was upgraded accordingly. In the end, the R-Code Fairlane weighed in around 3,200-pounds and made about 500 HP. Needless to say, the Thunderbolt could easily run 11-second ¼-miles and earned Ford a lot of racing cred. By 1966, the Fairlane was rolling out of the factory accommodating the 390 CI V-8, meaning it was simple to drop a 427 between the fenders. The new R-Code Fairlanes would be equipped with the 427, a 4-speed Toploader transmission, larger front disc brakes, manual steering, a larger exhaust system and a 9-inch rear with 3.89 gearing. Interestingly, while the car continued to receive no sound deadener, it retained the steel body panels, bumpers, full-width bench seat and actual glass. Even so, it still tipped the scales around 3,300-pounds. For all of its lack of creature comforts, the R-Code Fairlane cost more than $4,000 new, a huge sum for a car, but well worth it for one that killed quarter-miles in asphalt-melting times.
