1966 Ford Fairlane

Ford Factory Custom Car Caravan Feature Car
Ford commissioned legendary builder Gene Winfield to create this iconic car
Seen and admired by tens of thousands of enthusiast both in period, and at modern shows
Incredible features including fantastic Metal Flake Pearlescent White paint applied by Gene Winfield
Early pilot model used to promote Fairlanes new look
High-performance factory-installed 427-cid V-8 engine
Restored and authenticated by Gene Winfield in the 2000s
An important part of Fords 120-year-plus history

Starting in 1955, Fords top-of-the line models were in the new Fairlane series. Lots of chrome, stylish bright metal side trim and brilliant two-tone combinations were offered. As time moved on, Fairlane was relegated to lower priced entry-level models hitting the bottom in 1961. Then, built on the success of the compact Falcon, Ford introduced for 1962, the new mid-size Fairlane, giving a whole new life to this hallowed name and Ford would score another market-leading sales success. Over the next several seasons, Fairlane received updated styling and with the onset of Fords Total Performance program, the legendary Fairlane-based Thunderbolts were created where they ruled drag strips from coast to coast. For 1966, a total redesign was given to the Fairlane models. Reflecting many styling cues from the Galaxie and Customs, the new Fairlane featured flowing body lines that resembled those full-size cars, including the stacked headlights first seen with the 1965 models. Even the Fairlanes new taillights reflected inspiration switching from round circles to soft cornered rectangles, again similar to the big Ford models.

To help introduce new designs and performance products, Ford created the Custom Car Caravan which was active from 1962 to 1966, visiting car shows, county and state fairs and other public events where prospective car buyers, and those who loved horsepower would gather. Many of the special cars in this caravan were created using early production models, running prototypes and in later years, actual competition vehicles. While Ford often relied on its own in-house stylists for many of these cars, they also turned to well-known customizers of the day. Enlisted to help were names that most every kid knew, such as George Barris, Dean Jeffries, the Alexander Brothers, Bill Cushenberry, and Gene Winfield.

Initially designated as the new Fairlane GTX A-Go, it was later shortened to just the Fairlane GT-X. 1966 saw the introduction of the new Fairlane GT, a high performance package that was powered by a 330-HP, 390-cid FE V-8 engine and could be ordered with a four-speed manual transmission or a C-6 Cruise-O-Matic which then created the GT-A models. Based on the very low serial number, this car started life as a pilot production two-door hardtop painted Arcadian Blue with a standard blue interior. It was diverted to Fords Prototype Division for final hand-assembly where the medium riser 427 V-8 engine was installed, backed up by the C6 automatic. Making the wheels go fast was a 9-inch rear axle with 4.11:1 gears. With the powertrain in place, the car then left the Dearborn facility and was shipped across the country in an enclosed transporter to the shops of noted builder, Gene Winfield on Tully Road in Modesto, California. That is where a lot of the magic began.

The lower headlights, normally the high-beams, were removed from their front fender pods and a custom chrome-plated cast metal fixture was added that allowed for extra intake for that oxygen hungry big-block V-8 under the hood. To the rear of the car, the taillights were restyled and blended into the quarter panels with custom red lenses installed. To the rear, the exhaust outlets were redirected to cut-outs in the bumper. However, a concealed device in the passenger compartment operated special exhaust cut-outs that directed those escaping gases to special chrome-plated castings installed on the front fenders behind the wheel openings. The stock interior was gutted and two pairs of special bucket seats were fabricated and trimmed in a custom Peacock Blue metal-flake Naugahyde that was ventilated for comfort. This was, after all, only a concept vehicle and those bucket seats were bolted directly to the floor. Other special touches included a special competition-style steering wheel, Winfields application of Peacock Blue interior appointments, and numerous other upgrades and features. While Winfield, who was noted for his superb body work and customizing talents, was considered one of the worlds best painters and he pulled out all the stops for the GT-X project. A complete color change ensued, from the factory light blue to a Metal Flake Pearlescent White accented by a Peacock Blue metallic stripe down the center of the car. A set of Hurst mag wheels was also installed, but not before Winfield had worked his color magical skills on the spokes of these stylish wheels. Special GT-X nameplates had been created for this car, but Winfield was told not to install them as someone at Ford had gotten word that Plymouth was planning for a new performance model for 1967 using the GT-X moniker. One insider revealed that when the Plymouth did arrive, the GTX emblems on those cars were identical to the ones originally planned for this special Fairlane. All of Winfields work was done in complete secrecy and once it was done, a transporter truck showed up in the dead of the night, loaded the Fairlane GT-X into its trailer and took it back to Dearborn where it would join its stablemates for the 1966 Custom Car Caravan.

As often happens with show cars, when its traveling days were over, the GT-X was relegated to a surplus vehicle sale and its history after Fords ownership was lost. That is until the early 2000s when a dedicated 1966 Fairlane enthusiast got a call from the sister of the owner who had passed away. She told him that it was a special car, so he traveled to Ohio where he immediately recognized what was sitting in front of him. He acquired the car and brought it home. Knowing of Gene Winfields involvement with the car, he called to verify that he indeed had the original Fairlane GT-X. After both parties were satisfied of the cars authenticity, Winfield told the owner that when he was ready to restore and repaint the GT-X, it had to come to Modesto for the Winfield touch. It took a few years for the owner to arrange his finances to get this historic vehicle to Winfields shop, but when it arrived, Winfield again worked his magic. His goal was to repaint the car using the same steps and methods he had performed 45 years earlier. When completed, the finished project was returned and for several years the Fairlane GT-X was seen by thousands at cars shows throughout the Midwest.

Our current consignor acquired this one-of-a-kind Ford show car and has sorted out any maladies found. He reports that the GT-X shows just over 3,000 miles on the odometer, is in excellent mechanical condition and presents with day-one appearance. He also tells us that by flipping those concealed cut-out switches, that big-block 427 V-8 makes itself known when the accelerator is depressed. While the car is operable, it has been reported that due to the fixed position of the bucket seats, it is best suited for short trips, such as visiting the winners circles at various car shows and concours.

This Ford Factory Show Car by legend Gene Winfield, stands as one of the most historically important Ford muscle cars of the mid-1960s. Spectacular features and stunning restored condition, make this iconic muscle car ready for display, use, and participation in the countrys finest and most important collections and shows.