The new Fairlanes for 1966 came in a complete line-up of 13 models to suit the taste of every driver of every family. At the top for the performance enthusiasts was the new GT series that featured the Thunderbird Special V-8 engine. The GT moniker signified the Fairlane had a manual gearbox; GTA denoted the car being automatic. A full page ad in the inside cover of the December 1965 Road &Track headlined that “The great thing about Fairlane’s new GTA automatic is that it can stop being automatic.”

Now having lower gears to grab on the automatic-shift console is a commonplace feature, but in 1966 these concepts were fresh in application. At the time, it is easy to remember when you wished your manual would be an automatic, and just as much you could wish the automatic in your car could be shifted like a manual. The Fairlane “Sportshift” gave you the option of automatic convenience or manual fun.

And in this beauty, what fun you will have! When you consider that this spectacular Fairlane GTA has the impressive 390-cid, 335-hp S-code V-8 engine with 10.5:1 compression(biggest available for this platform), you can accomplish feats with the Fairlane due to this power being packed into the platforms trim dimensions; the results of applying the “loud pedal” is something that is best worked out in your imagination.

The Fairlane GTA received a four year, ground-up restoration over the 1996 to 2000 timeframe after it was hunted down as this enthusiast looked for a solid, original Springtime Yellow and Black interior car. It was located in Tallahassee Florida; the Ford is reported to have at that time “29,000 original miles after being stored in a garage for 22 years.” The car was meticulously completed in 2000 and first shown at the Carlisle All-Ford Nationals invitational.

The GTA was meticulously restored with Ford new old stock components from the center caps to the dashpad. A copy of the original window sticker further confirms the special status of this exceptional example. Additional equipment includes a limited-slip differential, power top, electric clock, courtesy light group, visibility group, styled steel wheels, deluxe steering wheel, tinted glass, AM radio, power steering and Firestone tires (Deluxe Champion whitewalls are fitted). Bucket seats, center console, Autolite battery, GTA badging, faux hood scoops and factory side stripes are also part of the package. It was originally sold to Adamson Ford Inc. in Birmingham, Alabama.

The Fairlane GTA has been professionally appraised as a “Condition 1” car and it is also the recipient of AACA National First Place awards at Hershey, Pennsylvania (Junior) and Melbourne, Florida (Senior). It also was honored with being nominated for “Outstanding Vehicle of the Year” by the AACA National Awards Committee. The GTA was also featured in Fairlaner, the magazine of the Fairlane Club of America in its March/April 2001 issue (Volume XXI, Number 2). It is offered from a prominent private Florida collection and has been well-cared-for and maintained. William "Tom" Gerrard is listed as a prior owner.

Quite uncommon; in 1966 Ford produced a total of 320,000 Fairlanes in 13 models, with 37,342 of them in either the GT or GTA guise – only 4,327 were the fabulous GTA convertible