New cruiser - '66 LTD

[ToddK]

Just arrived home after collecting the latest addition to my garage, a 1966 LTD. These are pretty rare down here in Australia, I can't say I have seen another.





It has had a cheap respray at some stage, has a few scratches and dents and has a few small rust bubbles in the lower doors. But for a 50 year old car, it is in quite good condition.



Luckily, the original owner only ticked two option boxes, air conditioning and Q code 428 engine. The aircon is not connected, but I have all the parts. Otherwise, apart from the window washer bottle, the car has no missing or incorrect parts. The original air cleaner is in the trunk.



I also got the original owners handbook and the broadcast sheet with the car. Seems that the original owner was Frank O. King, the cartoonist responsible for the "Gasoline Alley" strip.



Overall, I'm very happy with the car, it drives beautifully. I plan to keep it mostly original, get all the aircon working and enjoy driving it. Eventually, I may get a decent paint job done in original Wimbledon white. It's just nice to have a comfortable family cruiser, as most of my other cars are angry street/strip beasts.

[rcodecj]

I love the 66's.

Enjoy!

[machoneman]

Wow, it is clean, especially the interior. Nice.

I'd check those hood hinges as w/o any lube on the pivots, they can jam. I'm sure you noticed the hood sticking up in the back. Bad news is sometimes the hinge can't really be fixed and needs replacement. Was the engine rebuilt recently? The paint and underhood finish look almost too good. 

[thatdarncat]

Nice car, I'm a big fan of the '66's as I have two myself. And the 428 is a big score. You do have more than 2 options though - The power steering and power brakes were optional according to the dealer brochure, even on the LTD. I can't read the brake pedal from the picture, but if they are disc brakes that was another option. Also the AM radio would have been an option and the passenger side mirror, although the mirror could have been added at the dealer. The Cruise-o-Matic was standard on LTD's. If you have the two speed wipers those were optional too, single speed was standard. Enjoy your car, it's a beauty.

[BruceS]

The original purchase date is interesting; October 1966 would've been one month after the '67s came out.  So if Mr. King bought it off the dealers lot he probably got a good deal on a new, leftover '66.  If he ordered it, it would've been one of the last orders for '66!  Judging by all the options it has I'd say it was probably bought from dealer stock. 

Not surprising that an original Florida car (btw by the VIN, it was assembled in Atlanta, GA) has factory air conditioning. Fixing it shouldn't be too much trouble.  My Fairlane's factory A/C was in the same condition so I replaced the compressor and condenser and did the conversion to R-134a refrigerant.  My A/C guy tells me the evaporators are usually ok.  Word of caution: once you get it working make sure the plenum is draining condensation properly under the car, and not in the interior.  Ask me how I know that!

Bruce

[Heo]

That bring back memories   My friend bought a 66 Galaxie 500 4dr in 1985
Flat black (20 years before it was cool)With red crushed velvet interior
PS PB PW 6way power seat  we put some Crome reverse rims on it that i
had. And used it as a rolling party apartment to pick up girls
so fun to be young and reckless

[ToddK]

I guess it does have more than 2 options. The wipers are 2 speed, and it does have power front disc brakes.
I noticed the purchase date, thought that it must have been very late in the model year.
The previous owner had the heads off the engine to do the hardened seats, but otherwise, as far as I know, it has not been rebuilt. It runs smooth, doesn't blow any smoke and has plenty of power when I punched it. Even with the 2.8 rear gears, it still managed to smoke the tires from a start.

[gdaddy01]

put the back windows down and post another picture , to me , a very different look to me . very nice , should be a nice sleeper or  "sleeper" with the back seat . i may be showing my age .

[63gal427]

I think another option would have to be the green tinted windows all round.

It's an interesting story if indeed this LTD did belong to the famous Frank O King.