Alternative Muscle? 1967 Ford Fairlane 390 GTA
In spite of the spectacular popularity of Chevrolet’s ’66 and ’67 SS396 Chevelle, I was first aware of Ford’s ’66 and ’67 Fairlane GT and still have a thing for them. I’m not sure if it is the “fleet-0f-foot” styling, the stacked headlights, or the fake hood vents, it’s probably a combination of the entire package. And the taillights of the ’67 model, such as those on today’s ’67 GTA find, are my preference over the preceding year’s version. Said to be one of 64 finished in Pebble Beige, this Fairlane is located in Omaha, Nebraska and is available, here on eBay for a current bid of $24,300 with the reserve not yet met.
Fairlane’s “performance” model designation varied depending on the installed transmission, “GTA” for those with a slushbox and “GT” for clutch-equipped variants. Beyond that, the GT/GTA package included a mandatory V8 engine, power front disc brakes, bucket seats, a blacked-out grille, side striping, a “power dome” hood, and appropriate badging. Production totals for GT/GTA-equipped two-door hardtops reached a bit over 18K units but I couldn’t find a breakdown between GTs and GTAs.
Pebble Beige isn’t exactly a stirring hue for a muscle car, one of 64 or not, but, this example really presents well. Whether it’s the original finish or not, is not stated and really doesn’t matter. The paint has nice depth and a reasonable sheen and works in concert with the chrome and stainless bits. The wheels are Ford look-alike pieces but they’re non-standard fifteen inchers.
We’re told that an S-Code 390 CI V8 engine provides the go so that would translate into a 315 gross HP edition of Ford’s famous FE engine. There’s no mention as to how it runs and drives; the mileage is listed as 0440 so one would assume that the odometer has rolled over but that hardly means a worn or worn-out prime mover. As previously stated, the “GTA” designation denotes an automatic transmission, in this case, a C6 three-speed gearbox.
The interior images portray an excellent environment, upholstered in tan vinyl. There are only two included pictures, and unfortunately, they’re not very revealing (all of the listing images are less than ideal). The seller mentions that this is a “radio delete” car but that’s really a misnomer as a radio was an option and whoever initially spec’d this car decided to pass on the extra expense.
Back to my opening Chevelle comment, I have never understood why their current trading prices are so ridiculously outsized while similar cars, such as this Fairlane GTA, lag behind. This example, in my estimation, is where the hidden hot rod value resides, wouldn’t you agree?
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Comments
Beautiful GTA.Needs nothing…just drive and enjoy.Yes and I don’t understand the crazy appeal of Chevelle’s either.
390 Ford’s 👍
As a Chevelle guy I think I can answer your question. Now this is not a knock on this car, it is clearly a beautiful car, and the styling is very good and was a cool ride for anyone in 1967, but let’s face it, many considered the Chevelle SS a better looker. While Ford made 18 thousand of these, Chevy made almost 60 thousand Chevelle SS coupes. Similar power available between the two, so name me another reason why that happened?
The Chevies were cheaper.
I like Chevelles,but this car is beautiful and like you said alot less were produced. Personally I’d perfer aGTX OR Sport Fury. Nothing like American Muscle
Looks are a subjective thing, and the relative rarity of the Fairlane GTA versus the Chevelle would suggest it pull more money, not less. Suggesting a car sells for less money because it is rare does not make sense.
And Chevelle had a full frame. I can tell you I had Firebird Camaro and Chevelle all had big blocks and 4 speeds you want a full frame trust me!!
My feelings on these cars was mentioned on the 427 one, so no need to repeat. This was a far more acceptable rendition of the car. To answer Jeffs question, 2 words, stacked headlights. Some liked them, but many like me, didn’t, and the Chevelle was just a nicer looking car. For many, I bet, the word “Fairlane” conjured up images of Aunt Fannies 6 cylinder 4 door, and a Chevelle was,,well, a Chevelle. This, I feel, was more for the secretary or nurse that knew a thing or 2 about cars,( or had a boss or brother that did) the 390 was just part of the package. Many buyers, I’m sure knew nothing about it, but boy howdy, it had power to pass. I think by the late 60s, Ford fell a bit behind. Even the mighty 428 could be beat by GM or Dodge out of the box, and Ford seemed to concentrate on cushiness, rather than brute hp of yore.
In conclusion, as usual, $25grand? Maybe. Unquestionably, the nicest ’67 car Ford made, and just think, let that annoying RAM dually on your azz go by, then kick this baby down, and show THEM who’s boss,,or was, anyway. Not the fastest off the line, but like 50-90, this car hauled azz.
Lots of nice Fairlanes here lately, more than I can recall actually seeing on the road, few times at Carlsbad Raceway, very few actually, and the one I let get away. And that was in the 1980’s-90’s. The 427 Fairlane the other day, super rare and more than just a GTO fighter, a lot of guys had no idea what I was talking about back then, usually a puzzled look or shake of the head. They were older guys too, and had no respect or interest in Ford products new or old. Ford muscle has always lagged behind the other guys in interest, I don’t get it. Nice ride up there for sure, a bit more civilized than the 427, quite a bit actually.
I agree with Howard about the FE engines becoming passe by the late 60s. The 390 was a good, solid and reliable Powerplant, but it was late 50s technology, and no match for a Chevy 396 or a Chrysler 383 off the line.
The name, yes.
Howard, I completely agree. “Fairlane” sounded like a street address in a Harlequin Romance novel. “Chevelle” was fairly new at that time. And definitely not associated with anybody’s aunty.
I would have taken some better photos, (0) feedback as a seller.
Boy the memories. Early 70’s a friend’s older brother had a GT (not ‘A”), same color outside, black interior. Shackles on rear springs, wide tires. Every Sunday, was and wax..if it rained in between, it was cleaned again. It must have had 6 inches of Turtle wax on it. I learned a lot about 390’s from him. I remember they were known for oil starvation on the passenger side rear cylinders. Does anyone else remember that? Guys running metal oil lines into valve covers? That Fairlane was a small block eater, not many Hemi’s roaming because of insurance coverage. He told me he always was leery of 340″s. Beautiful feature car, thanks for the memories.
@73 XR7 The oil starvation issue you refer was a problem on the early Ford -Y- blocks. The ‘54 Ford 239/Mercury 255 overheads, and the ‘55 272/292s. By ‘56 Ford had the oil starvation to the rocker arms corrected. It was common to see after market or home made “overhead oiler kits” installed on the early Ford -Y- blocks. There are no top end oiling issues with an FE.
I liked your story about your friend’s brother keeping his Fairlane well waxed with Turtle wax. That was my favorite wax too. Kept the Springtime Yellow looking great. “Hard Shell Finish”!
Beautiful ‘67 Fairlane GTA! As for FE’s being “passé” by the late ‘60s I respectfully disagree. When the T-bird/Galaxie 428 was up-graded to Cobra Jet specs the FE became quite a competitor.
I bought a new ‘66 GTA. Lightly optioned. No PS/PB or AC. Rear gears: 3.25 limited slip. I owned this Springtime Yellow Fairlane for ten years. I ran it on every drag strip in Washington State: Kent, Puyallup, Ellensburg, and Deer Park (Spokane). I ran in C Pure Stock until bracket racing became the way to go for a street driven car. Here are the engines my 390GT (335hp in ‘66) never lost to: 396/325hp; 383 in any MoPar body; Pontiac 389/335 or the standard 400 in ‘67; 401 Buick GS’s; 350 Chevys. Here are engines I never beat: 396/350hp, 360hp or 375hp; 389 Tri-Powers, up-graded Pontiacs (Ram-Air etc.) and Buicks. And never a 440 Mopar. By 1976 with tuning and a Factory Ford aluminum Police intake manifold and the original Holley 600 CFM, still original 3.25 gears, my Fairlane ran a 14.2 ET @ 97 mph at Seattle International Raceways (Kent). It had 60k miles. Ran perfectly.
The FE was far from passe. The CJ 428 did quite well into 1970.
It was wonderful reading your response. about your life with a Fairlane GTA. At 68 years old it was a walk down memory lane. I went through high school in a ’57 ford Custom with 292 3 sp. wishing I had the money for a 390, I thought it would have been a nice setup. I always liked and dreamed of owning a ’66-’67 Fairlane GT or GTA. Thanks for sharing.
Have to add one more engine my ‘66 390GT couldn’t touch – 340 Mopar. I remember running against a beautiful metallic copper ‘69 Barracuda 340 backed by a torqueflight. That little 340 ran 13.9s! On street tires. Stock exhaust other than after market mufflers. Bracket racing circa ‘76. SIR.
My old man called them “Fair-i-lanes”,,not sure why all the fanfare with Chevelles. It’s not like GM didn’t have any fast cars, with the Chevy ll drag cars, the Chevelle was seemingly born to go fast from the factory.
The 340 Cuda was no slouch, but there was a big weight difference, almost 600 lbs lighter than the GTA. While 340 Cuda did great in the 1/4, once the cubes of the Ford took over, at the 1/2 mile and beyond, all the Cuda would see is the Fords tail lights. :)
Hats off to you McQ. You are a true die hard FE man. I know I said passe, but it doesn’t mean I’m not a fan of them.
Just one more thing (yes I’m a Fairlane fanatic) – the engine bay of this fine Fairlane. Should be painted satin black. I admit that it being painted the color of the car actually looks great. That’s how MoPars were done. Always thought it was a nice way to brighten up the engine compartment. So … minor quibble. If I didn’t already have the Fairlane I want in my garage I’d be bidding on this -S- code ‘67.
Also would like to note that the C-6 automatic in the GT Fairlanes and Mustangs (S code 390) was NOT a slush box. They were factory built with internals that provided a very firm shift. Ford finally built and automatic trans that matched Mopar’s torque-flight.
I love the comments on the racing at SIR. I ran a 71 Demon 340/4spd in the early 80s. I drove it there,did a little tuning and ran a consistent high 14s and then drove hometo north seattle. I know I should be dicussing the fairlane-just got hung on the SIR,340 comment. Although a guy north of seattle had a really nice lite yellow gt with black int. It was for sale. he had it for a long time. Maybe it was yours?
My first car was a 1967 Fairlane GTA. A tornado destroyed it in 1984. I missed it so much that now I have two 1966 Fairlanes. One 390 car and one with a 351w (not original to the car). Sadly neither is a GT or GTA.
I may be in the minority here, but I happen to like this car in tan . It seemed to me that most were maroon, dark blue or silver and this lighter color rerally shows off the body lines better.
I’m more of a Mopar guy , but I think these Fairlanes were a lot better looking than the same year Chevelles , inside and out . The name wouldn’t put me off from buying a car I want , and apparently the tuner crowd doesn’t either -Many of those guys drool over Nissan Fairladys !
Anybody remember the 332? My dad bought a new 58 Fairlane that had a 332 interceptor. He gave it to me in 1967. Two-door hardtop, chromed out! Beautiful car, yellow.
Yes the 332 was introduced in ‘58 along with the 352 for the Fords and a 361 for the small series Edsel. Ford marketing gave the series the title: ‘Interceptor’. Not Police Interceptor. Just Interceptor. The series is now commonly known as the FE series.
F – Ford. E – Edsel.
In ‘58 the 332 was standard with a 2bbl. Carb but a Power Pack was offered for the 332 which was a 4 bbl. Carb and dual exhaust. The 352 and 361 both had 4bbl. carbs and dual exhaust standard. For ‘59 the 332 was still an option but the Power Pack for it was gone. The FE series grew to 390, 406, 427, 428, 360 – Pickups/trucks and even heavy duty trucks got a 361 or 391. As Ford Fans (Yep that’s me) well know the FE series did much of the High Performance work for FoMoCo along with being a workhorse for standard cars and trucks.
That humble little 332 was essentially the same design as the 427 which was the engine that powered the GT40’s to 1st, 2nd, 3rd places LeMans 1966.
MEL series engines, Mercury Edsel Lincoln. Ford also came out with the big truck Super Duty V8 in ’58 I think. Mercury had an FE by the early-mid sixties, a 410 which was a stroked 390,, same stroke in a 406 created the 428, an engine I just really liked. Growing up a man down the street had a ’63 Galaxie drag car with the 427 SOHC, a car he built in the late sixties and Still owns to this day,, a real parts breaker too. Always thought FE just stood for Ford Engine, oh well. Fearsome Fords!