Vehicle Description
This 1964 Ford Fairlane Thunderbolt is a tribute to the rare
lightweight examples that Ford sold a mere 100 units. This one not
only gets the details right, but the dual-quad 427 V8 means it's
still king of the strip. So as you look over the painstaking care
that has gone into making an exceptionally accurate tribute,
remember how much fun you can have in this one without putting down
$200-$300k for an original.
If you're looking at this, then you already know the legend of the
Thunderbolt - 100 hand-built Fairlines made to capture the 1964
NHRA Super Stock championship. These cars were built in a very
specific way, and so you need to know what to look for in the
details. Wimbledon White was only one of two colors these came in,
and so it's great to have it laid down with care during this car's
restoration/transformation. These cars were an exercise in weight
savings, so you'll also see details like the aluminum front bumper,
single windshield wiper attachment, and no wheel covers. And no
Thunderbolt is complete without ram air vents in place of high
beams, and a huge bulge in the hood that allows for the heat to
dissipate. And speaking of the hood, it's made of lightweight
fiberglass, and it purposely has the fit to remind us that they
made these pieces to be performance parts not showroom stars (Ford
even wrote something similar inside the Thunderbolt's tag.)
Just like the exterior, the interior is all about authenticity for
racing. So non-essential items like the radio and heater are
deleted. But you still feel a sense of value because there's a
freshness inside that instantly conveys the time and money spent on
this car. They even correctly sourced simple bucket seats borrowed
from Ford's industrial vehicles at the time. And because this is
quite accurate (right down to the rubber matting,) this is also a
driver's machine. The gearstick will give you a tingle of
performance every time your right hand touches it. And the thin
factory steering wheel not only has the ideal classic grip, but
also it gives you a clear view to the auxiliary readouts and the
large tach mounted on top of the dash.
Under the hood is what really makes this so special. The
Thunderbolts were all about stuffing the full-size motor into a
lighter and smaller car. So you get an era-correct 427 cubic-inch
V8. These gave a set of eyes in the name of airflow, and that was
important, because it feeds a two Holley four-barrel carburetors.
Plus, this race-ready motor has a solid lifter cam, ARP Cobra Jet
rods, double roller set, and a compression ratio of 11:1. And while
this is a beastly motor, its extra tidy presentation should make it
no surprise that it fires up with ease. The full header package
adds power while creating a ferocious growl. But don't just listen
to it roar; follow the path in the undercarriage photos. There
you'll see more evidence of how fresh and detailed this build is.
The reinforced rear end is even there to remind you this classic is
a true dragstrip monster. So with a strong four-speed manual
(including new clutch) and Mickey Thompson slicks already on the
rear, you know this is ready for both show and go.
Complete with build receipts, this is the accurate tribute that
offers all the fun of the original at a fraction of the price.
Don't miss this special build, call today!