Seems like there were dozens of these two-door posts in any given neighborhood in the '60s and '70s. They were family cars for young married couples in the '60s. They ultimately became second car grocery getters and first cars for many of us in the '70s. We're talking about the '67 Fairlane Club Coupe. The vast majority of them were factory-fitted with 200ci sixes and 289-2V small-block V-8s. Most had C4 Cruise-O-Matic transmissions and 2.79:1 axle ratios. These were the utilitarian sedans the most modest of budgets could afford.
Glance at this Candyapple Red Fairlane sedan, and it reminds you of the old neighborhood back home, but we're pretty convinced none of your neighbors had anything like this Fairlane sedan. Ford built just 35 of them. Beneath the bonnet is Ford's legendary 427ci, 425-horse, FE-series big-block-the engine that won LeMans. This is the 650-pound chunk of Ford iron that whipped Ferrari in France, not once, but three times in 1966-1968. It deserves to be approached with caution and respect.
When we spotted this brute sedan at the Carlisle All-Ford Nationals a few years ago, we approached owner Jim Murray with caution. First, we had to pay him a compliment for the magnificent job he and his cohorts did restoring such a very limited production automobile. Then, we had to know all about it.
Jim hails from southeastern Nebraska on North America's Great Plains. In this part of the world, there rarely is a discouraging word, though you can expect clouds and rain periodically. But none of this stuff bothers Jim because he has found the car of his dreams.
It is easy to understand the motivation behind restoring a car like this -rarity and raw power. Jim was with his brother back in 1967 when he ordered a new 390 GT Fairlane hardtop at the local Ford store. His brother wanted the optional 427 badly, but Ford needed another $1,250 to secure the deal. When you remember what $1,200 was worth in 1967, and how many hours you had to work to earn that kind of money, it's no surprise he opted for the 390 instead.
With that Ford showroom memory in tow for more than three decades, Jim has always known he would eventually own a 427 Fairlane. In 1991, when musclecar values were bending the tach needle, Jim found this Fairlane in Pomona, California. He never expected a sedan. He was always convinced he would find a hardtop.
It all started with Jim running a "wanted" ad in the Denver newspaper seeking an original-owner, low-mileage 427 Fairlane. He figured, at best, it was a long shot that anyone would respond. But the telephone did ring; it was the son of a deceased original-owner 427 Fairlane. The story went well beyond those wild and crazy dreams most of us have. The car was ordered for racing, and it was a national record holder-invited to the 1968 NHRA Winternationals in Pomona. Call it a healthy national record holder, with time slips showing 10.88 at 122 mph on racing slicks, not bad for an old grocery getter.
We're pretty convinced this Fairlane could still crack a 10-second quarter-mile e.t. This 427 side oiler has received a mild .010-inch honing. In each of the bores is a LeMans rod with a domed piston. In the valley is a nice street/strip mechanical camshaft that gives the 427 a snarly bark when the throttle is cracked. Ultra-Flo mufflers keep the roar down to a gentle bellow. A duo of Holley atomizers does the same thing they did in 1967. A Motorcraft Dura-Spark distributor keeps the fire lit well above 7,000 rpm. At first glance, it's all there and seemingly period correct. But Jim goes the factory one better.
Inside, it's all taxi cab-stark and plain Jane original, right down to the '67 steering wheel crash dome most of us tossed in the trash can. Just in front of the bench seat is Ford's broomstick-in-a-barrel shifter bolted to a big-shaft Top Loader inside the tunnel. Down the driveshaft is Ford's bulletproof 4.11:1 9-inch Traction-Lok differential. Enough said, you get the idea.