Remember all of the advertising stunts that FCA pulled for the introduction of the Challenger Demon? The super-teased dribble of information that honestly, got annoying? The car itself is wicked, but when you have to spend months trumping up what your machine can do, it kind of dulls the impact a bit when you finally get to see it in action. I’m of the mindset that the Demon should’ve just appeared, no questions asked and no statements given, at some random event where it dropped it’s best time while hiking tires…THEN FCA could tell the world about it. Same with the upcoming Shelby GT500, or the ZR1 Corvette, or any modern-day end-all-be-all machine…you know what you’re up against once you see the scoops, spoilers, pie-pan brakes and all the gingerbread. It’s almost comedic how far manufacturers are going to impress those with the big wallets.

I fully understand why old-school types pine for cars like the Fairlane R-code. Look at it…like a two-door taxi cab with just the basics. Steel wheels, dog dish caps, no radio, basic-beyond-basic interior, Wimbledon White and every sincerely wicked speed part Ford could bolt on. Fifty-seven of these machines were built for competition in Super Stock racing and from the 427 side-oiler that packed dual quads, four-speed manual, a 3.89-geared 9-inch rear with a limited slip, disc brakes and that lift-off fiberglass hood, this was blunt-force trauma wrapped up as a poverty special. You had to know someone well up the chain to get your hands one one of these machines, but when you got one, you had something special. High elevens out of the box is still impressive today, but imagine in 1966. This Ford would’ve been decimating…especially with GM on a self-restraint bend and Chrysler fully engaged in the horsepower war with Ford on all fronts possible. 

There’s tons of sweet machinery pouring through Barrett-Jackson’s Scottsdale 2018 auction, but if you wrote us a blank check and told us to pick one, this would be on the top five of the list with no doubt whatsoever. The R-code is trim, lean, and mean as all get out. Simple and perfect.

Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale Auction 2018: Lot #1356 – 1966 Ford Fairlane 500 R-Code