1967 Ford Fairlane 500 XL '427 R Code' Fastback

Descended from the legendary Thunderbolt drag cars of 1964, which saw the first use of a powerful big-block V8 stuffed into the compact Fairlane body for drag racing, Ford continued to offer high performance options on the Fairlane for several years thereafter.

Based on the second generation Fairlane that arrived in 1966 with sharper styling and the addition of a convertible body style alongside the hardtop coupe, Ford built a limited number using "Side Oiler" wedge 427-cid engines and the four-speed Top-Loader manual gearbox to qualify this combination for both NHRA and IHRA Super Stock racing. All 60 made were finished in white, had fibreglass bonnets with large scoops and had stronger shock towers and stiffer front springs, power front disc brakes, heavy-duty rear suspension and bias-belted tyres to cope with the extra grunt. Rated at 425 hp, the 427-cid engine was the same unit found in Shelby's legendary Cobra and the GT40 race cars that raced at Le Mans and in standard trim, a stock 427 Fairlane could do the quarter-mile in less than 13 seconds and reach 60 mph in six seconds flat. The 1967 Fairlane saw only minor revisions to the grille and trim and Ford once again offered the 427-cid V8 as the high performance option, either with two-barrel (the W-Code) or four-barrel (R-Code) Holley carburettors. Externally, there are few clues to the potential under the bonnet of the R-Code Fairlane and fewer still inside, with minimal instrumentation (not even a tacho) and an imitation wood steering wheel. Although precise figures aren't available, it's believed fewer than 200 Fairlanes were sold with the 427-cid option in 1967, making this one of the rarest muscle cars around.

Note: Shannons advise that all potential buyers research all vehicles before purchase to authenticate originality.