For 1966 the Fairlane became a long wheelbase longer body version of the revised Falcon platform with the mid size wagon bodies common to both model lines. The appearance was changed to match the full-sized Ford Galaxie, which had been restyled in the 1965 model year, and adopted vertically stacked dual headlights. The XL, GT, and GTA packages were introduced, as well as a convertible to join the existing range of sedans, hardtops, and station wagons. The "K-code" 289 CID engine was dropped this year. The GT featured a 390 CID FE V8 as standard, while the GTA also included the newly introduced the SportShift Cruise-o-Matic automatic transmission. The GT/GTA 390 CID engine developed with higher compression, and had a four-barrel carburetor. Mid year, Ford produced 57 special Fairlane 500 two-door hardtops with "R-code" V8 engine rated at at 6000 rpm and at 3700 rpm of torque, equipped with Ford's "Top-Loader" four-speed manual transmission. Built to qualify the engine/transmission combination for NHRA and IHRA Super Stock racing, they were white and had fiberglass hoods with a forward-facing hood scoop which ended at the edge of the hood. The Fairlane Squire wagon was reintroduced for 1966.
Minor trim changes were introduced for 1967 as the Fairlane was mildly facelifted. For the 1967 model year the Ranchero pickup based on the same platform switched from using the Falcon front end styling to the Fairlane front end design. The 289 CID small-block was the base V8, with a 200 CID six standard, with the 390 CID optional (with either two- or four-barrel carburetor, at 275 and , respectively). The 427s were still available, either with a single four-barrel carburetor or dual quad carbs, developing 410 (W-code) and 425 bhp (R-code), 427s were available on XL models, but very few were built.
Adapted across the entire range of Ford models for 1967, Fairlanes included a number of federal government-mandated safety features, including a new energy-absorbing steering column with a large padded steering wheel hub, soft interior trim, four-way hazard flashers, a dual-chamber braking system, and shoulder belt anchors. The convertible had a tempered safety glass rear window.
Two different two-door coupe models were offered. The lower-end Fairlane Club Coupe had pillars separating the door glass and rear side glass, while the higher trim level Fairlanes were pillarless two-door hardtops, similar to the convertibles.
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File:Ford fairlane 500.jpg|1966 Ford Fairlane 500 4-Door Sedan
File:1966 Fairlane 500 Station Wagon.jpg|1966 Ford Fairlane 500 Wagon
File:1966 Ford Fairlane 500 XL convertible (6048460211).jpg|1966 Ford Fairlane 500 XL Convertible interior
File:1967 Ford Fairlane 500 Hardtop 390 (cropped).jpg|1967 Ford Fairlane 500 Hardtop
File:1967 Ford Fairlane Ranchero.jpg|1967 Ford Fairlane Ranchero
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Sixth generation (1968–1969)
A redesign was introduced for the 1968 model year, and continued the similarity to the Ford Galaxie series. The wheelbase remained at , but it grew in other dimensions. They were about four inches (102 mm) longer and heavier than the cars they replaced. A fastback Sportsroof model was introduced in the Fairlane 500 series, as well as a more luxurious Torino model at the top of the intermediate range, contributing 172,083 of the Fairlane's 371,787 units sold that year.
In a cost-saving decision, the station wagons carried over the 1966-67 bodies from the cowl back. The GTs were part of the Torino range, with the 302 CID V8 standard, with optional engines being the 390 CID V8 in two- and four-barrel versions. The 390 four-barrel was supplanted mid-year as the top performance engine by the Cobra Jet, developing . There was also a Super Cobra Jet. For 1969, the Fairlane 500, Ranchero, and Torino GT/GTA were also offered with the new 351W CID with a two-barrel producing 250 HP and only in the Torino GT/GTA the 351W four-barrel with 290 HP could be ordered.
The Ranchero coupe utility body style was available in standard, 500, and GT versions.
The Cobra was introduced in 1969 as a competitor for Plymouth's Road Runner. Basic models featured the 302 CID V8 and three-speed manual transmission as standard. Options included the 390 CID and two V8s. The Cobras had a standard 428 CID V8 rated at , while options included bucket seats, hood scoop, clock, tachometer, power disc brakes, and 4.30:1 rear axle gearing. "Regular" Fairlanes and Rancheros continued, all with bucket-seat options.
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File:Ford-Fairlane-500-1968.jpg|1968 Fairlane 500 convertible
File:1969 Ford Fairlane 500 (18784420552) (cropped).jpg|1969 Fairlane 4-door sedan
File:1968 Fairlane 500.jpg|1968 Fairlane 500 Sportsroof (fastback)
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Seventh generation (1970)
Ford's intermediates grew again in 1970, now with a wheelbase. At the start of the model year, only the Fairlane 500 remained as the base trim model in what was now effectively the Torino series.
The straight six-cylinder was the economy power, while largest engine was now a with four-barrel carburetor and . Different heads were optional and gave the Cobra and higher compression. Other options included the Cobra Jet Ram Air 429, though Ford quoted the same power output, and the Drag Pack rated at . However, the 1970s were slower than the 1969s, and race teams were forced to run the older models.
The Falcon name was transferred from Ford's now discontinued (in North America) compact to a basic, even lower-trim version of the intermediate platform as a "1970" model on January 1, 1970. This series included a two-door sedan which was not available in the higher trim lines. For 1971, the Falcon and Fairlane 500 names were dropped, as all of the intermediate models took the Torino name. The Falcon and Fairlane names continued to be used in Australia through to the 21st century, while the Fairlane name continued to be used in Venezuela through 1978 on corresponding Ford Torino and LTD II models.
Ford Fairlane in Argentina
thumb|The Argentine Ford Fairlane
The four-door Fairlane sedan of the 1968 body style was built in Argentina from 1969 to 1973, followed by the 1969 body style which was built from 1973 to 1981. The Argentinian Fairlane came with three equipment packages: Standard, 500, or LTD. The car was similar to the American model except the engines: The two options were a 221 CID 6-cylinder with , and the old, phase I 292 CID "Y-block" V8 which had been last used in the 1964 F-Series truck; the V8 was rated at .
In 1971 the Ford Motor Company Argentina decided to improve the 292. The spark plugs were inclined towards the front of the engine, allowing them to be changed without removing the engine. The firing order was changede, as was the exhaust valve timing. Larger intake valves, from the Heavy Duty 292 engine used in the United States, were fitted, while the entire head and manifold was redesigned in a style very similar to that of the small block 289. The manifolds now had individual, full length runners. Buxton brand, higher compression pistons with ribbed skirts (from the 302 Windsor) were used, raising the compression ratio to 8 to 1. Claimed power was at 4500 rpm. The distributorwas also redesigned. In 1978, the LTD "Elite" option was introduced as the most luxurious version to be made in Argentina. By the end of production in 1981, almost 30,000 Fairlanes had been made.
Ford Fairlane in Venezuela
Ford manufactured the Torino in Venezuela marketed as the Fairlane and Fairlane 500. These cars were identical to the U.S. Torino through 1976 and both base Fairlane and upscale Fairlane 500 used the 1973–1974 Torino base model grille. For 1977–1978 the Fairlane was based on the American LTD II.
2005 concept
At the 2005 Auto Show circuit, Ford revealed a new concept car with the Fairlane nameplate. The "people-mover" Fairlane crossover utility vehicle concept featured three-row seating for six passengers, and previewed the chromed three-bar horizontal grill design, which also appeared on the 2006 Ford Fusion sedan and 2007 Ford Edge crossover utility vehicle."
Production model
:See Ford Flex
A production version of the Fairlane concept, now called the Ford Flex, debuted at the 2007 New York Auto Show, and entered production for the 2009 model year in summer 2008. Unlike the concept, the production model comes with seven seats. It is built on the Ford D3 platform, which is also used by the Ford Taurus, and Mercury Sable. It is intended to replace the people-mover capability of the Ford Freestar minivan.