Yes the 71 block, 68 bell housing, missing the SPEC case, 8K dash tach, probably the 67 31 spline axles, can't tell if the it has the the correct axle housing, wrong intake manifold, not sure if its missing the transistorized ignition.
A few things to start with.

It's a legit 66 R-code. I looked at it in the early 90's.
It was disassembled but very complete and expensive.

Rob

[/quote]Unless you have closely inspected his crankshaft thats a pretty bold statement to make,while I agree that some of the unfinished forgings were likely finished with a 3.98 stroke as yours was many more were finished with a 3.78 stroke and probability is good that some of those were welded and stroked later.
[/quote]

Well John it's not a bold statement at all. I've owned it over 30 years and looked at it very closely when I posted about the stamping on the counter throw. It is NOS, 3.98, 2.438 rod journal and not a welded stroker.

We need to redefine this being not a Ford OEM 3.98 stroke crank but an OEM forging. My understanding is they were shipped as unfinished cranks.
I'll try to drag mine out to see if they is any vendor stamp like Hank the Crank, Reath , Velasco or H&M on it.
 
Rob

The pictures of the shock towers are from my 67 R-code and not from the car in the discussion.

Rob

Sorry, I have been unable to post pictures of the shock towers from my R-code to show the upper access holes that are on all 66-67 R and W code Fairlanes and Comets.
You can see that access hole on the drivers side tower on the Ed Terry car.

Since you have dismissed all of us as Google experts why not go back and post your question in the FB
66 67 427 fairlane/67 427 comet registry.

The only thing so far that sounds possibly be an r-code is the Spec casing. But then you could have found out about that in a Google search.

At this point I am going to file this with the 1968 W code Mustang.

Good luck with your research.

Thank you, exactly the point. He has been on the defense about this car without any answering any specific questions.
Without its origin, time slips, residual lettering under a layer of paint it is going to be difficult and or next to impossible to trace its history.

1) If  it is one of factory Drag council team cars it would not be unusual that a modified pre-production version would be supplied by Ford  to r-code specs by the various Ford vendors (DTS, Holman Moody, Ford X Garage ).
I have one on the 11 factory 62 lightweight Galaxies re bodied to a 63. It is not a R code but a G code and doesn't fall into a production category but is still a 63 lightweight.

2) Is reason there was 57 66's is because Ford Engine Foundry could only supply 57 427's to the Atlanta plant by the required due date. His is not hearsay but Ford interoffice document's I've seen.

3) Press cars usually because of the leed time would be pre production vehicles and not matching engine codes or transmission combinations (example, automatic transmission in in the Phil Bonner 427 Fairlane test).

4) It was not unusual back in the day for race cars to be updated with the next year sheet metal so I wouldn't be concerned about that.

I asked specific questions regarding the holes in the shock towers and contacting Don Antilla without a answer.

I am not trying to slam this car nor am I jealous but in all honesty from the FB pictures and the current separate thread, I haven't seen anything that would convince me that it is a 66 production R-code Fairlane.

Moving on to race history it would be helpful to have a time frame and specific location.
I get it, these cars can be a size able investment and you want to make sure what you buy is a legit vehicle
If I am wrong in my opinion I will gladly apologize in this forum as to any error in my opinion.

Contact Don Antilla up Southbury, Connecticut and get a Marti report.