I have been looking for a 66 or 67 Fairlane for several years. Three months ago Tim found one for me. It had been sitting for five years in a garage. The owner had reworked it 21 years ago. Swap out the 289, C-4 and 8" rear end for a 390, 4 speed and nine inch rear end.
I'm the fourth owner and the car has been around this area it's whole life. Great find. No rust, no issues. Good looking driver.
I had to replace everything that fuel or break fluid touched. New tires, clutch return spring, clutch arm bushing, lower seat foam and a battery. Took it for a test drive. Drove it 800 miles and then swapped the top loader for a 5 speed. With the top loader to was turning 2,900 rpms at 60 mph. Now it's 2,300 rpms at 75 mph.
A couple of weeks ago I drove it 1100 miles (round trip) to the London Cobra Show in Columbus Ohio. Broke a valve spring early in the trip but we thought it was a lifter. Only clicked at below 2,000 rpms. Luck I did not drop a valve onto a piston.
When I got home I replaced the valve springs and the rear leaf spring. Should have done that before I took the trip to Ohio.
I have two grandsons, six and seven years old and this is our car. They love it. We took a cruise this morning and I hear the older one say "I love this Fairlane."
Later he told me we need to get air condition for the Fairlane. I told him that was on the list for winter upgrade.
He has been a car nut since birth.
Also looking at swapping the 390 for a 427.
Check out the picture of the sending unit that had sat in 5 year ethanol fuel.
L