Yesteryear Collection

For Ford, the 1966 model year was one of intense activity as the company redesigned and refined the cars, especially the Fairlane. Offering a total of 13 models with three different convertibles available for the first time - the new Fairlanes were longer, wider and lower to the ground. All were equipped with new suspensions - in both the front and rear. These new Fords came with a choice of engines that started with a 200 cubic inch, 120 horsepower, six-cylinder engine and increased to an impressive "GT" V-8 engine that displaced 390 cubic inches and developed 335 horsepower. The exterior was marked with a new full-width grille, vertically stacked headlights and a full-length horizontal feature line or polished aluminum rocker panels (on the 500 Series). The sporty Fairlane 500XL Series included bucket seats, Deluxe wheel covers and special exterior trim. With its aggressive front end and the option of a mighty powerplant under the hood, the Ford Fairlane was available with Cruise-O-Matic automatic transmission or a 4-speed manual transmission. The Ford Fairlane was a monster of a car - the granddaddy among Ford's more compact and muscular offerings. Ample in interior roominess, sleek and powerful, it was a car destined to become a classic. Now, a 1966 Ford Faairlane XL is re-created in a magnificent 1:43 die-cast replica. Meticulously crafted and authentically detailed, this precision-engineered 1966 Ford Fairlane XL is produced by - and available from - Matchbox Collectibles, the greatest name in die-cast.

SPECIFICATIONS

Original Price: $2,240 (Fairlane Six Series) to $3,068 (Fairlane 500XL V-8 Series)
Current Value: $8,500 (2 door HT Fairlane 500XL) to$16,000 (2 door convertible Fairlane 500XL); add 5% for V-8, 40% for 427 engine, 30% for 428 engine
Production: 265,157 (Fairlane 500 series)

FAST FACTS:
* Ford's restyling was so sweeping in 1966 that the hood was the only interchangeable exterior body part with the 1965 model.
* 1966 was the first year that Ford offered Fairlane convertibles.
* Popular options on the Fairlane 500 Series included a 28 cubic inch V-8 engine ($105) and the 390 cubic inch V-8 ($206). The latter was standard on the GT model.
* In all, Ford offered 13 different Fairlane models in 1966.