You see them at car shows, tucked between the hulking Galaxies and the nimble Mustangs, often wearing a coat of Candyapple Red or Wimbledon White. It’s the 1966 Ford Fairlane 500 XL. For a lot of guys growing up in the sixties, this wasn't just a car; it was the "just right" solution to a problem Ford didn't even know it had yet.
Muscle cars were exploding.
The GTO was eating everyone's lunch. Ford needed something that could handle a weekend at the drag strip but wouldn't feel like a tractor when you took your wife to dinner on a Tuesday night. Enter the redesigned Fairlane. It was sharp. It was stacked—literally, with those vertical headlights that defined the era's Ford look. Honestly, if you look at a '65 and a '66 side-by-side, it’s like watching a teenager finally hit the gym and buy a tailored suit.
The Year Everything Changed for the Fairlane
Before 1966, the Fairlane was... fine. It was a reliable mid-sizer that did its job without much fuss. But '66 was a total pivot. Ford moved away from the boxy, slightly dated look of the early sixties and embraced the "Coke bottle" styling that was starting to dominate Detroit. The 1966 Ford Fairlane 500 XL sat at the top of this hierarchy, representing the "Extra Lively" trim that gave you bucket seats, a center console, and enough chrome to make a crow happy.
It was bigger than the Mustang but smaller than the full-size LTD or Galaxie. That meant it was light enough to be fast but heavy enough to feel like a real American automobile.
People often confuse the 500 with the 500 XL. While both are great, the XL was the sporty one. You got the deluxe interior. You got the prestige. More importantly, you got the option to stuff some serious iron under the hood. While the base models were putting around with the 200 cubic-inch straight-six, the XL was built for the 289, the 390, or, if you were truly daring, the legendary 427.
What’s Under the Hood Matters
Most 1966 Ford Fairlane 500 XL buyers opted for the 289 V8. It was a solid, reliable engine that produced decent power. But the real story of '66 is the introduction of the "S-code" 390 Thunderbird Special. This was a 6.4-liter monster that pushed out 335 horsepower and a massive 427 lb-ft of torque.
It changed the car's personality.
With a 390 under the hood, the Fairlane stopped being a grocery getter and started being a legitimate threat at stoplights. You have to remember, back then, "high performance" meant something different. No traction control. No ABS. Just raw power going to the rear wheels through a Toploader four-speed manual or the C6 automatic.
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If you've ever driven one, you know the feeling. The nose lifts. The tires scream. There’s this momentary sense that the car is trying to escape its own skin. It’s visceral. Modern cars are faster, sure, but they’re sterile. A '66 Fairlane with a big block feels alive in a way that’s actually kinda terrifying if you aren't paying attention.
Then there was the R-code.
We have to talk about the 427. Ford produced a very limited number of Fairlane 500s (specifically the 500, not typically the XL trim for pure racing homologation, though the history gets murky with special orders) equipped with the 427 side-oiler. These were the factory drag cars. They had fiberglass hoods with massive scoops. They were rated at 425 horsepower, but everyone knew that number was a total lie—they were pushing way more. Only 57 of those R-code Fairlanes were built in 1966. If you find one today, you're looking at a six-figure price tag and a piece of NHRA history.
The Interior: Buckets, Consoles, and Chrome
Inside the 1966 Ford Fairlane 500 XL, Ford really leaned into the "luxury" side of the muscle car equation. They didn't just throw in some vinyl and call it a day. The XL featured "shell-type" bucket seats that were surprisingly comfortable for the era. The center console was the centerpiece, housing the shifter and a small storage compartment that was basically only good for a pack of cigarettes and some spare change.
Everything was metal or heavy-duty vinyl.
The dashboard was a masterpiece of horizontal lines. You had the wide speedometer in the center, flanked by smaller gauges. If you were lucky enough to have the tachometer, it was usually mounted on the dash or the steering column, looking like a total afterthought in the best way possible.
One thing most people don't realize about these interiors is how much room there actually is. Even though it's a "mid-size" car, you can fit four adults in a 1966 Fairlane 500 XL without anyone needing a chiropractor afterward. That was the selling point. You could have the speed of a sports car with the utility of a sedan. It was the ultimate compromise that didn't feel like a compromise at all.
Handling the Beast: The Good and the Bad
Let's be real for a second: the handling on a stock 1966 Ford Fairlane 500 XL is... adventurous.
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By modern standards, it’s like steering a boat with a toothpick. The suspension was independent in the front with coil springs, but the rear was a classic leaf-spring setup. If you hit a bump mid-corner, the back end would do a little dance that usually resulted in your heart rate doubling.
Power steering was an option, and honestly, you wanted it. Manual steering in these cars required the upper body strength of a blacksmith. And the brakes? Drum brakes were standard. Stopping a 3,500-pound car with drum brakes after a high-speed run is an exercise in faith and prayer.
However, this is where the hobby comes in. Today’s restorers almost always upgrade to front disc brakes and beefier sway bars. You can make a 1966 Fairlane handle like a modern Mustang if you have the budget for it. Companies like Total Cost Involved (TCI) or Detroit Speed offer kits that replace the entire front subframe.
But there’s something to be said for the original feel. There’s a certain skill in navigating a big V8 through a winding backroad using nothing but your wits and a thin-rimmed plastic steering wheel.
The GT and GTA Connection
You can't talk about the '66 Fairlane without mentioning the GT and GTA packages. While the 1966 Ford Fairlane 500 XL was the high-end trim, the GT was the performance-specific package.
The GT came standard with the 390.
The GTA was simply the GT with an "Automatic" transmission (hence the 'A').
The XL and the GT shared a lot of DNA. In fact, you could order an XL with almost all the performance goodies of a GT, but the GT had the iconic hood scoops and the lower body stripes that told everyone exactly what you were driving. The XL was more of a "sleeper." It looked sophisticated. It looked like something a bank manager would drive—until he dropped the hammer and left you in a cloud of burnt rubber.
Buying a 1966 Ford Fairlane 500 XL Today
If you're looking to buy one now, you need to be careful. Rust is the mortal enemy of the '66 Fairlane. Specifically, look at the cowl—the area right below the windshield. If the drains got plugged with leaves over the last sixty years, the cowl rots from the inside out. Fixing it requires cutting out the entire dashboard and front fenders. It's a nightmare.
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Check the rear quarter panels and the trunk floor too.
Mechanically, these cars are tanks. The FE engines (352, 390, 427) are heavy but incredibly durable. Parts are easy to find because Ford used them in everything from trucks to station wagons. The trim, however, is a different story. Finding original "XL" badges or specific chrome moldings for a 1966 Ford Fairlane 500 XL can be expensive and frustrating.
Prices have been climbing. Five years ago, you could snag a decent driver for $15,000. Now? You’re likely looking at $25,000 to $40,000 for a clean 390-powered XL. If it's a convertible, add a "sun tax" to that price.
Why This Car Matters in 2026
We live in an era of silent electric cars and SUVs that all look like melted bars of soap. The 1966 Ford Fairlane 500 XL represents a time when design was bold and engines were loud. It was a transitional moment for Ford. It paved the way for the Torino and the Mach 1 Mustangs.
It wasn't just a car; it was a statement of mid-century ambition.
Owning one today isn't about transportation. It’s about the smell of unburnt hydrocarbons and the sound of a mechanical secondary opening up on a Holley carburetor. It’s about a car that requires you to actually drive it.
Actionable Steps for Potential Owners and Enthusiasts
If you are seriously considering adding a 1966 Ford Fairlane 500 XL to your garage, don't just jump at the first one you see on Facebook Marketplace. Start by joining the Fairlane Club of America. They have the most comprehensive registry and can help you decode VIN numbers to ensure you aren't buying a "clone" (a base model dressed up as an XL).
- Verify the VIN: Look for the "5" in the second digit of the VIN to confirm it's a 1966 model, and the "47" or "48" codes which designate the 500 XL series.
- Inspect the shock towers: These are notorious for cracking on big-block cars because of the sheer weight of the 390 engine. Look for stress fractures or amateur weld repairs.
- Test the transmission: If it’s an original Toploader, check for "notchy" shifting between second and third. If it's a C6 automatic, make sure the shifts are firm; a soft shift usually means the vacuum modulator or the clutches are on their way out.
- Prioritize body over engine: You can build a 390 in your sleep, but fixing a twisted frame or rotted pillars will break the bank. Buy the straightest body you can find, even if the engine is missing.
The 1966 Ford Fairlane 500 XL is a rewarding project and an even better cruiser. It captures a specific slice of Americana that just doesn't exist anymore. Whether you keep it stock or turn it into a Restomod, it remains one of the most balanced and handsome cars Ford ever put on the road.