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Page 12GENE EAMON FORD SECTION1966 FAIRLANE 500/XL * 2-DOOR HARDTOP1966 FORD GALAXIE 500 2-DOOR HARDTOPFord Line Is Most Impressive Yet* (Continued From Page 8)Itures include distinctive styled -steel wheel covers; the new 428-CID 4V V8 engine; and unique 7 Litre identification.STYLING —The skillful blend-_ing of crisp and soft surfaces -gives the 1966 Ford a look that js new but still clearly Ford.3 The new silhouette includes a 'subtle, graceful hop-up in the 1 rear-quarter area — complemented by a divergent sculptur-jed line in the lower rear quarter, remindful of 1964-65-66 Thun-Iderbirds. A sculptured wind-TSplit runs from the front fen-^der to the rear quarter above The drive wheels.• Wheelcovers with deep sec-Ttions lend emphasis to the low-'er portion of the car. Upper-se--ries Fords draw even more at-^tention to this area through use -of wheel lip moldings and rib-Ibed moldings on the rocker ^panels and lower rear-quarter Ipanels.Unique grilles on the LX, LTD, 7 Litre and Country Squire ; models, bring a new look of quality to the popular-priced car market.The grille consists of dual horizontal banks of deep-sectioned die cast blades, well recessed behind the bright frames ’that separately encase the upper and lower grille sections. The outboard ends of each grille section incorporate separate parking and turn indicator lamps, stacked to coordinate with the verticle headlamp treatment.; The 7 Litre model is further distinguished by special paint stripes, performance - oriented styled steel wheel covers and 7 Litre ornamentation on the grille, deck lid and front fenders. The paint stripes follow the sculpturing of the bodysides, enhancing the look of movement.Massive rectangular taillamps create a strong new rear-end identification. The car has a broader-looking stance, partly because the fender tops are pulled down slightly to match the top of the broad deck lid. Series differentiation is accomplishedwith deck lid appliques and model insignia.Door and seat trim designs are all new for all series. Among other significant interior changes is the embossed strap application in the all-vinyl Galaxie 500 trim option.SUSPENSION IMPROVE-MENTS — Important revisions have been made in the revolutionary Ford suspension design introduced in 1965 for an even quieter ride and better handling in 1966.Front spring and shock absorber rates have been reduced and the rear suspension track bar has been lowered to achieve a more “balanced ride. This fine tuning of the 1966 Ford suspension provides a better handling feel with reduced pitch and improved straight-line stability.POWER TEAMS — The number of engines available to Ford buyers has been increased to eight in 1966 compared with five in 1965.Heading the list of new engine choices is a 428-CID 4V V8 with hydraulic valve lifters. This engine is standard on the 7 Litre series and optional on all other Ford models. It is unique in offering the best of two worlds — outstanding performance combined with the smoothness, quietnes and low-speed willingness of the Thunderbird 390 CID engine.Desirable to many is the advantage that the new 428 can be ordered with automatic transmission, power steering, power brakes, air conditioning and limited-slip differential — options not available with the highspeed 427 engine.A special handling package similar to that standard with the 427 engine — including heavy-duty shock absorbers, springs and stabilizer bar — is optional for 428-powered cars. The 428 engine is fitted with dual exhausts, and is similar in exterior appearance to the 390 engine.A second new engine optional on all 1966 Fords except the 7Litre is the regular-fuel 390-CID j 2V V8. Other optional engines include the 352-CID 4V V8, the 390-CID 4V V8, The 427 4V V8, and the 427 8V V8.The seven-main-bearing 240 -CID Six introduced new in 1965 continues as the standard engine on Ford Custom, Custom 500, Galaxie 500 and all station wagon models. The 289 2V V8 is continued standard with three-speed Cruise-O-Matic transmission on the Ford Galaxie 500-XL and Ford LTD series.The three-speed Cruise-O-Matic automatic transmission is continued as an option with all engines except the 427 high-performance. The three-speed manual all synchromesh transmission is standard with the 240-CID Six and the 289 2V V8. A four-speed manual all synchromesh transmission is optional with the 390 4V V8, 427 4V V8 and 427 high-performance engines.DISC BRAKES — Power-operated disc brakes — standard on the 7 Litre series — are optional on all other Fords for 1966. Disc brakes were pioneered on the Thunderbird and Mustang in1965.They utilize the design proven on the Thunderbird with ventilated cast iron discs 11.87 inches in diameter. Each of the two oblong brake pads which grip the discs is operated by two hydraulic cylinders and has a pad area of 10.03 square inches.When the brakes are applied, the pads clamp equally on the discs for smooth, straight-line stops. The air circulating both j inside and outside the braking j surfaces provides maximum heat | dissipation for optimum fade re-, sistance under repeated braking j or when stopping from high | speeds. |Other advantages of the disc j brakes include quieter operation, j easier serviceability, self-adjustment, and lining life equal to or better than regular brakes.SPEED CONTROL - A convenience option rapidly growingin popularity on all V8—equipped Fords — automatic speed control — has been made even more convenient for 1966 with addition of a “resume-speed” feature.The 1966 automatic speed control is mounted to the right of the steering column below the instrument cluster. As before, the driver actuates the device by pulling an engagement knob and dialing the desired speed. If disengaged, the unit remains ready to resume the selected speed whenever the resume speed button is pushed.Previously, the driver resumed the selected speed by manually acclerating the car until re-engagement occurred. The “resume-speed” button on the new unit, however, permits the driver to resume the set speed by simply touching the button at any speed over 20 miles an hour. The “resume-speed” button activates the electric-vacuum-controlled system and automatically accelerates the car to the selected cruising speed.STATION WAGONS - The five Ford station wagons for 1966 continue the Ford innovation in luxury and convenience with a new dual-action tailgate-door. This feature is made possible by the exclusive Ford “Bear-Hug” latch design in which two fingers grip a striker pin. Gripping the pin, the fingers act as a hinge and permit dropping the tailgate. Unlatched, they permit the unit to be swung aside as a door for passenger entry without the necessity of crawling over a tailgate as with conventional wagons. This convenience is further enhanced by optional new bumper steps, providing a handy and safe means of entry.OTHER FEATURES - A new safety option for 1966 is a deluxe seat belt package including a seat-belt warning light which automatically extinguishes after 30-40 seconds. This feature also is included in the safe-ty-convenience control package, continued as an option in 1966.Rear seat belts, thicker laminate windshields and padded dash panels are safety features standard on all 1966 Ford models.A Stereosonic tape system located conveniently under the dash is another new option for1966. The system utilizes four speakers and eight-track tape cartridges to provide true stereo music as desired.Transistorized ignition, continued as an option for all engines, is now standard with the 427 high performance engines.A new option for Galaxie 500-XL models is a six-way power bucket seat including fore and aft, up and down, and tilt adjustment to suit the driving position requirements of any stature and to permit a change of driving position easily for relaxation on trips. The six-way full width seat previously available Is continued as an option for 1966.
Newspaper Details
La Marque Times
La Marque, Texas, US
Thu, Sep 30, 1965
Page 32
Full Page
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USA 01 Jun 2024
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