#21 - Solving The Mystery of "13M-353" - FoMoCo's 'Secret' 427 Test Mule
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 4 ส.ค. 2024
- Hello, and welcome back to the “Yours in old FoMoCo iron” TH-cam channel! My name is Adrian Clements, and today in video #21 we’re going to solve the mystery behind this 1966 Ford Fairlane GT 2-door hardtop with 1966 Michigan manufacturer’s tag number “13M-353”. This car was one of FoMoCo’s test mules used for development of the 1967 Ford and Mercury intermediates 427 program. We’ll see photos of the car from 1966, we’ll review the article entitled “427 Wedge Shot” from the July 1966 issue of “Hot Rod Magazine” that featured this very car, and we’ll see some internal period FoMoCo documents related to this car. Finally, we’ll review relevant period FoMoCo literature, and go through a full decode of the car’s VIN and known production data. Let’s get started!
Yours in old FoMoCo iron,
Adrian
Chapters:
0:00 Introduction
1:00 1966 Ford Fairlane GT 2-Door Hardtop, Tag 13M-353
3:34 Hot Rod Magazine, July 1966, “427 Wedge Shot” Article
11:13 FoMoCo “Stock Vehicles Activity Report” from June 1, 1966 & “Special Vehicles Activity Report” from December 1966
13:43 “1966 Fairlane” Sales Catalog
14:51 “1966 Ford Car Facts” Book
15:43 “’66 Ford Color and Trim Selections” Book
16:35 VIN & Production Data Decode
19:45 Close-Out
![[Live] : ONE FIGHT NIGHT 24 วันนี้!! “จาร์เร็ด vs กุสตาโว”](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/ENNA-fsT67c/mqdefault.jpg)
This body style is my favorite. It looks so aggressive and packed with R code 427. It is Bad ass
Ford screwed up. The wheel openings are too small for 15" wheels.
Nice 427 Fairlane.
This is so random, I'm working on a AMT model of a 66 Fairland 427 when this vid came up..... Thanks for your time, work and keeping American automotive history alive......
@jetsons101, that's a great coincidence! Thank you very much for your super-positive comment; I'm so glad that you like my content! It would really help the "Yours in old FoMoCo iron" TH-cam channel grow if you could spread the word about it with your old car buddies you think might enjoy the content too. Let's build the community! Thank you.
Yours in old FoMoCo iron,
Adrian
Wow!
I wish it was random, but with Google / TH-cam, it probably isn't
Sounds good to me.....@@adrianclements8916
The 66/67 Fairlanes were always my favorite car. My father has his first since he was 17 66 500xl emberglo on emberglo. I bought a 67 500 when i was 14 and still have it today. Came with only 3 options, radio, c4 cruise-o-matic and vinyl top. My Grandfather worked at the Mahwah NJ Ford plant and his last job before they shut down was installing the vinyl tops. My top was the last one he installed when I restored the car in 2000. Thanks Gramps R.I.P. . Dad also worked there until it was closed he has a 66 GT convertible. Funny part is I bought a 77 F150 that was built in Mahwah about 8 years ago, they both might have seen going down the line.
I love this. I have seen a 427 2,four and a Cyclone 427 Man what could have been!
Great video. Always loved Ford 427's
When I was a kid, my Dad bought a new 1967 baby blue Fairlane GTA with a 390. That thing was a beast.
What a Great Looking Fairlane, I like that hood with the scoop better than them faux vents they settled for.
@kenney5454, I agree 100% with you!
Yours in old FoMoCo iron,
Adrian
friend found a 427 comet in a field, thought it was odd fibreglass hood, few yrs later it comes out the salesman was alive and remembered the story on its sale. few yrs fwd the engine is found and the pair were reunited.
At the 2014 Fairlane Nationals in Dearborn, a former ford employee had his 1967 Fairlane GT, W-code there, said he purchased it in 1968 from Ford, said it was built for a Ford executive. It was Springtime Yellow, black vinyl top, black interior. Was delighted he started it up for us. Survivor condition. I believe Marti has certified it as 1 of 1? thanks for the video and information.
@fairlane69, I have been aware of the car you mention since the early 2000s, and have lots of information about it. I will be doing a video about this car in the near future - stay tuned!
Thank you for your positive comment; I'm so glad that you liked the video! It would really help the "Yours in old FoMoCo iron" TH-cam channel grow if you could spread the word about it with your old car buddies you think might enjoy the content too. Let's build the community! Thank you.
Yours in old FoMoCo iron,
Adrian
Had a 67 289 GTA. I sold it to a guy in Australia about 15 years ago. I loved it, one of the great classic Muscle Car designs of the era.
I sold and shipped the rear glass from a 67 galaxie ht to a guy in Australia a few years ago.
Those Aussie's love our Ford Muscle Cars.@@williamandrews1683
I'm doing a '66 Fairlane restomod. Coyote, 2.3 TVS, tremec magmum, 9 inch torque arm rear. Thanks for the video. Fwiw, I had 2 66 Fairlane gt's with 4 speeds. They both had autolite carbs on them. Both had the '66 only camshaft, which the is same cam as the 428 cobra jet.
@cjespers, that's interesting. Both the Ford Fairlane GT and Mercury Comet Cyclone GT literature is clear about a Holley 4150 carburetor on the S-code 390 GT 335 hp V-8 engines. Your restomod sounds like it's going to be a blast to drive!
You are most welcome for the video - I appreciate your thanks. If you haven't done so already, please subscribe. It would really help the "Yours in old FoMoCo iron" TH-cam channel grow if you could spread the word about it with your old car buddies you think would enjoy the content too. Let's build the community! Thank you.
Yours in old FoMoCo iron,
Adrian
Great video and such thorough research - thanks.
@ashleygordon3467, thank you very much for your comment - I'm so glad that you liked video #21! Thanks for watching, and Happy Holidays, Ashley!
Yours in old FoMoCo iron,
Adrian
Love that scoop.
I had a Fairlane GTA 390cu." I should had never sold it. I really Loved That Car ❤❤❤
Fairlane and Torino were both desirable cars to own. My dad bought a 65 Fairlane wagon and I have owned a 73 Torino sport. I hope this car is still around
TNitroH, there has been no sign of this car so far. Thanks for watching, and Happy Holidays!
Yours in old FoMoCo iron,
Adrian
This is so cool. Around 1980 I had purchased a Hot Rod recap issue of old articles featuring original articles of new muscle cars of the era. AMC's Plymouth's and the like. This article you show here is an article this issue features. The issue is quite desirable. It seems to have been the kickoff of the whole muscle car preservation / collector craze that followed. I had sort of recognized it when insurance premiums went up on them in the 70's. It never got me to do anything with my life though. Enough about me. Those cars still had character. Raw Fast. Dangerous as hell dangerous like today's cars very fast. They still come apart pretty much the same giving the right incentive. Carefull
I love the details you provide fantastic job!
@CAROLDDISCOVER-FINDER2525, thank you so much - I'm ALL about the details! Thanks for watching, and Happy Holidays!
Yours in old FoMoCo iron,
Adrian
@@adrianclements8916 you're welcome and Merry Christmas
A computer can figure out what color the interior is. I always enjoy your videos and keep up the good work! 🏁
@paulbruno8327, maybe somebody can play with the colours from some screenshots of the car and let us know what they find? Thank you for your positive comment; I'm so glad that you like my content! It would really help the "Yours in old FoMoCo iron" TH-cam channel grow if you could spread the word about it with your old car buddies you think would enjoy the content too. Let's build the community! Thank you, Paul.
Yours in old FoMoCo iron,
Adrian
Oh boy. The hunt is ON.... fascinating...
The Interior color vinyl would be medium blue as would be the norm to match the exterior color giving the vehicle a cohesive sportiness being a bit more upscale was my first impression and I was surprised by the question not thinking that would a question at all by the hue in the magazine article albeit a B&W photo. Great Series
Adrian, Thank you for this very fun video. I'm going to vote the interior being blue, same reasons you have given.
@Ralph19541954, you are most welcome - I'm so glad that you enjoyed the video! You vote for a blue interior has been noted.
If you haven't done so already, please subscribe. It would really help the "Yours in old FoMoCo iron" TH-cam channel grow if you could spread the word about it with your old car buddies you think might enjoy the content too. Let's build the community! Thank you, Ralph.
Yours in old FoMoCo iron,
Adrian
Hey, Adrian. Great story. Something I'd love to see here... '67 Cyclone GT. Compared to '66 production was low, 3419 GT hardtops and a scant 378 convertibles, from the numbers I've been able to find. 13,812 '66 GT hardtops were built and 2158 GT convertibles. I've wondered what caused the drop in sales on the '67. Personally I find the '67 to be a nicer-looking car inside and out. A friend had one and I remember it fondly. Maybe there's information enough to make a story out of it for you.
Great video! Slight critique, torque is typically expressed in pound feet, not pound force.
This was a great story, Adrian. After reviewing some photos of '66 Fairlane GT interiors online, I think the interior of this car is black, since the blue interior on the '66s had a dark (blue, I assume) dash pad but silver blue lower painted portion, and the seats and door panels were two shades of blue. To me, this is consistent with the way concurrent Mustang blue interiors were done., even though the trim swatches appear to be the same color. Personally, I would prefer the blue, as I think it would be smarter with the Nightmist Blue metallic paint.
@DSP1968, I'm glad that you enjoyed the video! Your vote for a black interior has been noted.
It would really help the "Yours in old FoMoCo iron" TH-cam channel grow if you could spread the word about it with your old car buddies you think might enjoy the content too. Let's build the community! Thank you.
Yours in old FoMoCo iron,
Adrian
They had problems with the exhaust manifolds. If you want it all that 425 you had to have long tube headers. The stock exhaust manifolds robbed at least a hundred horsepower
@AndrewByrnes-iv5dn, I have seen internal company communications from June 22, 1966 discussing the difficulty in supplying 1966 Ford Fairlane 500 R-code 427 exhaust manifold castings for the "427 CID Fairlane Race Program - 1966 Model".
If you haven't done so already, please follow the channel. It would really help the "Yours in old FoMoCo iron" TH-cam channel grow if you could spread the word about it with your old car buddies you think would enjoy the content too. Let's build the community! Thank you, Andrew.
Yours in old FoMoCo iron,
Adrian
I know all about it I have more useless information than anybody would ever need. I built two of them. 124 scale the second one I built I put a sho manifold on it that was the fastest one for 1:24 scale
Hi Adrian.I am new to your channel and love it.I have spent quite a lot of time looking at the color photo and i think the interior looks blue.Just my opinion and nothing technical to back it up.
Cheers from Aust
@lukesm5747, thank you for your kind words about my channel (so glad you like it!) and feedback about the interior colour. I'll mark you down as "blue".
It would really help the "Yours in old FoMoCo iron" TH-cam channel grow if you could spread the word about it with your old car buddies you think might enjoy the content too. Let's build the community! Thank you.
Yours in old FoMoCo iron,
Adrian
That setup would make it a TOTAL badass.
@jacksonmarshallkramer5087, I agree completely! Thanks for watching, and Happy Holidays, Jackson!
Yours in old FoMoCo iron,
Adrian
Another fantastic, informative video Adrian❤ I had no idea the Farelane GT had a removable fiberglass hood like the Road Runner. I would've ordered a blue on blue GTA without the fake scoops.
@bobhill3941, thank you - I'm so glad you liked the video! The removable fibreglass hood on the Nightmist Blue 1966 Ford Fairlane GT 2-door hardtop was only factory installed on the 57 Fairlane 500 2-door hardtop R-code 427-8V 425 hp V-8 cars built in Atlanta for the 1966 model year. Perhaps the feature car in the video has one because it was being considered for the 1967 Ford intermediate 427 program? Anyway, it was not an RPO on any 1966 Fairlanes other than the 57 just mentioned.
It would really help the "Yours in old FoMoCo iron" TH-cam channel grow if you could spread the word about it with your old car buddies you think might enjoy the content too. Let's build the community! Thank you, Bob.
Yours in old FoMoCo iron,
Adrian
@@adrianclements8916 Thanks for the information Adrian. Merry Christmas.
@@bobhill3941, absolutely - Happy Holidays to you and yours!!
Yours in old FoMoCo iron,
Adrian
@@adrianclements8916 Thanks Adrian you as well.
Interesting, love to seen info on test mules. I have that '66 Hot Rod in my prized pile. BTW AM-FM was available in '66 Fairlane(radio model F6TBD, mfg by Bendix), for whatever reason was dropped in '67.
@tombryan1104, I'm glad you liked the video and have the July '66 HRM in your collection! Thank you for the additional information about the availability of an AM/FM radio for the 1966 Fairlane lineup. It must have been added to the option list after the "1966 Ford Car Facts" book was printed, likely in August or September 1965. I will update my records with a screenshot of your comment - much appreciated!
If you haven't done so already, please subscribe. It would really help the "Yours in old FoMoCo iron" TH-cam channel grow if you could spread the word about it with your old car buddies you think might enjoy the content too. Let's build the community! Thank you, Tom.
Yours in old FoMoCo iron,
Adrian
@@adrianclements8916- I am wondering how to get information on my ‘66 GTA convertible, such as production figures, and anything else that’s available. Any ideas? Thanks very much 🇺🇸
@@mrdiplomat9018It's a shame Marti Autoworks only covers Fords from 1967 onwards.
@@mrdiplomat9018, sadly, the electronic production records for the 1966 model year were erased years ago. I can do a full and complete VIN and production data decode for you for $25. Please email me at adrian.clements@me.com if you're interested.
Thanks for watching, and Happy Holidays!
Yours in old FoMoCo iron,
Adrian
@@stephenholland5930, unfortunately the 1966 electronic production data was deleted years ago.
Yours in old FoMoCo iron,
Adrian
AM/FM mono radio option was available beginning in all 1963 Fords
I find this 427 discussions very interesting. However, I am not sure if the Magazine article is accurate concerning the 427 cam specs. I do believe there were 3 different cams for the 427. The single 4 barrel carb was .500" lift and 308 degree duration, for the 2X4 carb was: .500 Lift and 324 degree duration and another cam over the counter: .550 Lift and 324 degree duration, all at .050
Was a locking or limited slip rear end available as an option? Must have been hard to get it to hook up with an open diff.
Blue interior is my vote
The sedans are cool the rancheros not alot of them left anymore,or maybe as rare,as it gets,mine still hauls big time
Blue interior...black would be "inconvenient" for employee operators in a Detroit Summer.
@thomastrout9997, a black all-vinyl interior in a car without A/C is MISERY in the summer! I have a Dark Moss Green (a dark green metallic paint, Color Code "Y") 1967 Ford Galaxie 500 convertible (390-2V/C6) with a charcoal black "Crinkle" grain vinyl bench seat interior and that thing is a frying pan in the summer.
If you haven't done so already, please subscribe. Much appreciated, Thomas!
Yours in old FoMoCo iron,
Adrian
All dark colors are about as bad.
I got nothing about why they needed a ‘test mule’ using a motor in that mounts right in just like any FE motor. So little was different from any 390 car and in fact had modifications that came from available parts other than the hood. Adding 50 or 100 more hp does not require some kind of major testing. My basic hopped up 390 probably made as much as either of the 427’s and other than a little more power that can get you in trouble easier I can’t see what special testing is needed. You will find out what acceleration it has when you drive it, in this case mostly on the track. The Nightmist blue is a beautiful color.
@helpful5539, reading the article, it really didn't sound like many modifications were required to make the 427 test mule streetable. The biggest change was probably the addition of the front disc brakes, borrowed from the 1966 Mustang lineup. Nightmist Blue is a great paint colour!
Yours in old FoMoCo iron,
Adrian
Hey Adrian I really enjoyed the video, I was wondering a few years back there was a site that was all about civilian and police use Crown Victoria's and I was wondering do you know of any other websites available that gives a breakdown of these cars by VIN? your help would be greatly appreciated thank you Robert from south bend indiana.
@robertvance1873, thank you - I'm glad that enjoyed video #21! You may want to try the CrownVic.net forum at www.crownvic.net/ubbthreads/ubbthreads.php. I had a 2004 Ford Crown Victoria as my company car for 24 months and LOVED it.
Thanks for watching, and Happy Holidays, Robert!
Yours in old FoMoCo iron,
Adrian
@@adrianclements8916 Merry Christmas and Happy New Year
I had a 1966, 7 Liter 428 Fairlane GTA. It was bone stock, truely purchased from a little old lady in So Cal. It had 15” wheels and a big Dana ( I think 10.25” Dana rear end) I pulled the motor for my 69 Mach 1 and sold the roller chassis. Wish I’d of kept that car. It was in prime condition other than the leaking tin freeze plugs. Dark metallic green that looked great when waxed (every month).
I believe The 1966 GTA had the new for 66, C6 transmission, not the medium case cruisomatic.
Right, but Ford used the term cruise-o-matic for a lot of their auto's.
@portlandon, correct. Thanks for watching, and Happy Holidays, Don!
Yours in old FoMoCo iron,
Adrian
I don't know if I love the hood. The scoop goes too far forward. Black steel rims with dog dish caps on white letter tires. 4 speed manual with Hurst T shifter, like the Gator McKlusky 429LTD.
I think the 66&67. Fairlane is the prettiest cars ever made.
@JamesWicker-ps4gq, agreed - they are a great design that is standing up very well as the years pass. Thanks for watching, and Happy Holidays, James!
Yours in old FoMoCo iron,
Adrian
Would aluminum cylinder heads and tube headers offset the extra weight of the 427?
If anything the 427 weighed less than the 390 because the 2 four barrel intake is made of aluminum, other wise a 390 and 427 weighed exactly the same.
Ford was weird. I've wondered since at least the early '80s why they didn't offer the 427 in the GT, only the 500 and XL. Nobody knows for sure. Was it weight? The GT weighs the same as the XL, perhaps a bit less because of the more basic interior and no side trim. Cost? The GT was about 110 bucks more according to the George Dammann book. 427 GTs would have been so cool, as was this test car, but FoMoCo had their own ideas.
@mattfarahsmillionmillexus5783, I can think of no logical reason why Ford didn't offer the W-code 427-4V 410 hp V-8 engine or the R-code 427-8V 425 hp V-8 engine in the 1967 Fairlane GT 2-door hardtop when it was offered in GT's close sibling, the Fairlane 500/XL 2-door hardtop. Do you want to know what's even crazier? According to the 1967 Mercury intermediate lineup literature, both the W-code and R-code 427 engines were available in the Cyclone AND the Cyclone GT 2-door hardtop! I have in my FoMoCo photo archives images of a Cinnamon Frost (Color Code "V"; Ford called it Burnt Amber) 1967 Mercury Cyclone GT 2-door hardtop with a factory R-code 427-8V 425 hp V-8 engine that looks showroom new, so they built at least one '67 Cyclone GT 2-door hardtop with a 427. Too funny!
Yours in old FoMoCo iron,
Adrian
My uncle had a 427 Fairlane in Rome New York . Needless to say. The car didn't have a long life living in the rust belt. And i think it was a GT.
@unclebilly1353, awesome! It couldn't have been a Fairlane GT, as only one of those was built with a 427 engine (see video #23, th-cam.com/video/CovIKpjan3s/w-d-xo.html), and it has lived its entire life in the greater Detroit area. The 1967 Ford intermediate models that could be ordered with a 427 engine were the Fairlane Club Coupe (a 2-door sedan), Fairlane 500 Club Coupe (again, a 2-door sedan), Fairlane 500 Hardtop (a 2-door hardtop), and the Fairlane 500/XL Hardtop (again, a 2-door hardtop).
Thanks for watching, and Happy Holidays, Billy!
Yours in old FoMoCo iron,
Adrian
I want to know about the country squire SOHC 428 car listed on the test car sheets.
@williamandrews1683, good eye! I will be doing future videos on some of the other cars listed on the "FoMoCo Stock Vehicles Activity Report" from June 1, 1966 and the "FoMoCo Special Vehicles Activity Report" from December 1966, so please stay tuned!
Thanks for watching, and Happy Holidays, William!
Yours in old FoMoCo iron,
Adrian
@adrianclements8916 I have a 428 to into my 67 galaxie, wish it was a 428 cammer!!!!
Is Bill Holbrook the father of Chris Holbrook of the famous Holbrook racing engine?
@matthewnosal6893, no - they aren't related according to a comment Bill made to me years ago.
Yours in old FoMoCo iron,
Adrian
Back in high school (class of '67) I lobbied for this when most of my friends were bowtie.
Cool car, I've had/own a few, but they are pretty much widow makers. That suspension, steering and brakes were not good, even for the time.
I also find that the magazine article quotes the 427 medium riser heads having 67.12cc combustion chambers and 10.25:1 compression. Not true. Should have read 73-76 cc combustion chambers and 11.1:1 compression ratio. This is not a reflection on the author of the article just misinformation from the magazine.
Henry Ford Jr asked John Wyer what he needed to finally beat Ferrari at Le Mans. He said, "with the Lola as the basis of the chassis, there is no better platform. But I need 17 engines that can produce 500hp for 24 hours with complete reliability." He got them. Nascar was a side beneficiary which was a bonus.
Oh kay so what happened to the car I did it get crushed blow the engine up what happened to it I went through all the fluff and still didnt say what happened to it
@madmanmechanic8847, please go to 12:53 in the video: "I don't know what became of this car after Bill Holbrook and his group were done with it. I would expect that once the car became surplus, the R-code 427-8V 425 hp V-8 engine would have been pulled for use in another 427 project car, and the original or a replacement "390 Thunderbird Special V-8" would have been reinstalled or installed. Then the car would have gone to Ford's B-Lot for sale as a used company vehicle."
That's all I can tell you at this point. Thanks for watching!
Yours in old FoMoCo iron,
Adrian
@@adrianclements8916 Oh ok since you knew the guy that was on the team I thought he would of told you what they did with it after the testing? Okay thank you for the reply Sir have a great day
@@madmanmechanic8847, no worries. Thanks for watching, and Happy Holidays!
Yours in old FoMoCo iron,
Adrian
@@adrianclements8916 What I am about to tell you is not a BS story . I actually have a very rare boat it is a Sanger and I verified from Sanger there was only two built . its a 1965 and from what I gathered Jack Davidson the founder of Sanger and his team built this boat with fiber glass over wood . Its a cuddy cabin . Heres the kicker he and his team dropped in a Ford 425 hp 427 its dated as 63 for the production code the Holleys still have the Autolite tags on one of the carbs and it retains the original gold canister fuel filter element that came on the Passenger cars . It looks like Jack ordered a complete 427 From Ford and him and his team dropped it in . Honestly I dont think its ever been a part I think its all factory as nothing looks like its been touched. I have to get started on it soon it does run but the Holleys need rebuilt and it needs a major tune up. It still retains the Autolite 427 dual point Dist with the tag on it I have had a cover on it all the time but I am sure the wood will need sanded and refinished I will try trying to preserve it. I am trying to get a Chevelle finished up its been a 6 year restoration .
@@madmanmechanic8847, your boat sounds awesome, and a completely reasonable explanation for how it came to be.
Yours in old FoMoCo iron,
Adrian
I wanna know aboot that Emberglow S.O.H.C.er!!
@BubbaSmurft, not to worry - I'll be doing videos in the future about some of the other cars on the FoMoCo “Stock Vehicles Activity Report” from June 1, 1966 and the “Special Vehicles Activity Report” from December 1966, including the Emberglo 1966 Ford with the 427 SOHC engine lent to astronaut Leroy Gordon "Gordo" Cooper, Jr.
Thanks for watching, and Happy Holidays!
Yours in old FoMoCo iron,
Adrian
I have a one only 1967 Ford Fairlane XL/GT 2 doors hardtop 427 R code car that I bought new at Tasca Ford in RI. Candy Apple red with black interior.
What do you mean? It is both an XL and a GT? What is the badging and the body code?
@@helpful5539 Body code 63 C/D. Engine code R. Color code T. Transmission code 5. Rear Axle code E.
How about a picture
@@sergeantmasson3669
Would like to see the Marti report on that one.
@@blk05gt Marti Reports are NOT always true or accurate.
I have no idea why ford put these cars on the street with 390's& 427's with single leg rears,,,that was not a smart move..
@460duck, I have always assumed for the 427 cars that the FoMoCo "Limited Slip" (locking) differential wouldn't stand up to the torque. That wasn't a concern with the 390 engines, but so few people coughed up the ~$40 that it cost for a Limited Slip diff.
Thanks for watching, and Happy Holidays!
Yours in old FoMoCo iron,
Adrian
@@adrianclements8916 👍🏾👍🏾
Ford pretty much sat out the “muscle car” era. They were rare.
...but by 1966, GM had completely swamped FoMoCo where muscle cars were concerned, to the point where Fairlanes and Comets were considered "loser" cars compared to GTO's and 4-4-2s.
Not to mention Chrysler with the 440 and the Hemi. Hence the 427 option.
Te real problem at the time was the Ford legal department, which was against, the installation of any performance engines, due to the aggressive nature auto safety crusaders were pushing in that time period. Henry II was worried about the government, and legislation that was drafted to nationalize the auto industry. Tasca finally convinced Henry II to do something. But by 1969 the handwriting was on the wall, quit the racing and promotion of muscle cars, or face the government nationalizing the industry, and the backers had the votes in Congress. So, it ended.
@@johnsalvaterra3116 This is a really good explanation as to why things were so weird back then.
In 1981 I bought a 66 fairlane 500 xl that was candy apple red black interior with bucket seats and console remote drivers mirror am radio factory woodgrain steering wheel 289 automatic and a antenna on the rear quarter panel which is the only fairlane I seen with one, I wish I still had that car today but I have a 65 Mustang coupe now
@dennisthomas4766, that 1966 Ford Fairlane 500/XL sounds like a beautiful car! Thanks for watching, and Happy Holidays, Dennis!
Yours in old FoMoCo iron,
Adrian
My father has a 66 GT convert and that also has the antenna on the rear quarter. Also the only one I ever saw like that assume it was done during restoration. I removed my front fender antenna during restoration to give it a sleeker look.
The rear antenna on the Fairlane I had was Ford Factory installed, I don't know how many Fairlanes came with that option!!!!@@blk05gt