Vehicle Description
It's hard not to admire vintage race cars. Whether it's lust for
world class warriors that have accomplished amazing feats,
relishing the 'good old days' of NASCAR, SCCA or NHRA, or
reminiscing about monsters they've actually built, almost everyone
loves old school speed! More than just a casual nod to the past,
these brazen and brooding beasts are visceral manifestations of the
sights, sounds and ingenuity that made many of us the car
enthusiasts we are. This authentic Ford Fairlane Thunderbolt, raced
by Phil Bonner in the 1964 NHRA Super Stock class, is a
meticulously restored salute to all things great about American
motorsports. And if you're in the market for a pedigreed
collectible that backs an incredible story with first class looks
and a nasty disposition, you're reading about your next
classic!
FROM 'RUN WHAT YA BRUNG' TO FACTORY-BACKED ROYALTY
A series of 100 units produced for the 1964 model year, The Ford
Fairlane Thunderbolt was an experimental, drag race-only automobile
that combined lightweight Fairlane bodies with dual-quad Galaxie
motors. Although the Galaxie had proven itself in NASCAR, it was
simply too heavy to be drag raced with any significant success.
After Ford had stripped the car into a semi-victorious
'lightweight', they decided to apply the same formula to the
Fairlane. The result was a storied track champion that, when
compared to the Galaxie, was 3 inches shorter, weighed 700 pounds
less and unofficially produced over 500 horsepower.
Phil 'Daddy Warbucks' Bonner was a well-known match racer who, like
so many drivers in the late 1950s and early 1960s, built a hardcore
base of fans by running southern drag strips almost every night of
the week. Always behind the wheel of a Ford, Bonner often ran his
full-bodied, daily-driven hot rod to victories almost anywhere he
wanted to line up. Eventually, his success led to a place on the
short list of drivers that were invited to purchase Thunderbolts.
Victories in the Thunderbolts allowed him to add cars like an
all-wheel-drive Falcon, a Tasca single overhead cam Mustang,
various experimental Super Stocks and a flip-top Funny Car. And in
the span of roughly ten years, Phil Bonner, known for his tireless
dedication, humble demeanor and pioneering fearlessness, had become
a legend to both the Ford camp and the national drag racing
community.
Originally used as a promotional car by the likes of Fred Lorenzen
and Curtis Turner, to show that NASCAR drivers were competitive in
NHRA as well, this authentic Thunderbolt left Dearborn in a
showroom-friendly coat of Wimbledon White single-stage. However,
Phil Bonner's first Thunderbolt, a car that had been rolled and
totaled at Paradise Dragstrip in Calhoun, Georgia, was known and
recognized for its signature Vintage Burgundy aesthetic. So, when
Bonner decided to put this Ford on the track, it was repainted
accordingly. After the 1964 NHRA season, the car ended up in the
hands of Bonner crewmen and cylinder head specialist Gene Wilson.
According to vintage photographs, the Gene Wilson era brought new
paint, a new christening as "THE PRODIGAL" and, of course, more
racing. Eventually, this legendary Fairlane would stable up in a
barn in Alpharetta, Georgia, under the care of engine guru Hal
Reed. Reed stored the car in a semi-built state for well over 20
years, declining offers from especially astute pursuers that
included Phil Bonner himself. However, after a lot of time and a
lot of consideration, Mr. Reed ultimately made a deal with
Clarksville, Georgia's Donald Allen. And, as a well-known restorer
of several unique and limited production Ford performance vehicles,
Mr. Allen did what he does best: subjected this legend to an
era-correct, nut-and-bolt restoration that included a roster of
original and NOS components.
IN RACING WE TRUST
When Dearborn brass decided to shove large-displacement engines
into compact Fairlanes, they probably had a hard time keeping a
straight face. And, when you feel the lope of this raucous
Thunderbolt, you'll understand exactly why. Unpin the car's
fiberglass hood and you'll find a "BONNER" branded 427 that's
wicked in all the right ways! At full throttle, oxygen flows
through large, forward-mounted ducts into a finned,
Thunderbird-style air box and date-correct Holley carburetors.
Below those carbs, a requisite FoMoCo distributor strings loomed
plug wires around a date-correct High-Riser Intake. At the sides of
that plane, polished valve covers center tasteful "427" decals on
date-correct heads. Those heads heat intricately piped headers
that, in addition to being balanced by a crossover, hint at the
cool 'bundle of snakes' pipes found on Ford's legendary GT40. And
everything stays cool thanks to a rebuilt radiator. Visually, the
clean V8 is a mass of bright castings that are properly seated in a
Satin Black engine bay. And items like new fuel lines, pliable
coolant hoses and fresh tower clamps round out a trophy worthy
display.
MODEST CREATION, BIG ASPIRATIONS
Take a peek under this Ford and you'll find an exceptionally clean
chassis that's punctuated by Satin Black floors and, in traditional
Thunderbolt fashion, a substantially re-engineered suspension that
was finished by Dearborn Steel Tubing. At the center of those
bones, a correct Borg Warner 4-speed proves an effective companion
for slinging gears and scorching stoplights. That aluminum
transmission channels power to a familiar, 9-inch axle. A rebuilt
steering rack joins manual drum brakes to keep the driving
experience nice and authentic. There's a gloriously ironic
single-pipe exhaust system that looks like it's never even been
used - trust us, you'll want to keep the plates off the headers
just as much as we did! And torque meets the pavement through
correct steel wheels, which spin fresh 6.40-15 Firestones in front
of NOS 9.50-15 Firestones that feature appropriate lightning bolt
tread patterns.
A REAL 'STOCK CAR' RACER
Behind this Fairlane's substantially lightened doors, a standard
Beige interior is a sea of 1960s authenticity. Lightweight bucket
seats retain their original fabric. Correct rubber flooring frames
a correct chrome shifter opposite a tight headliner that's fitted
with one standard sun visor. The dash is simple, hanging factory
telemetry and correct deletes between a big Rotunda tachometer and
a small Stewart Warner oil gauge. In front of the driver, an ornate
factory steering wheel provides a touch of class. At the sides of
the passengers, correct, armrest-free door panels feature bright
stainless trim and standard chrome handles. And behind the cockpit,
a vast trunk correctly locates the car's battery.
How many chances do enthusiasts get to own a pedigreed, impeccably
restored race car? How many of those enthusiasts are lucky enough
to own a storied Ford Thunderbolt? Only 100 of these legendary
strip slayers rolled down Ford's hallowed Dearborn production
lines, and fewer still survived the 'quarter-mile life' on their
way to becoming coveted collectibles. Looking for the ultimate
homage to the golden age of American motorsports? Follow the
thunder to https://www.RKMotors.com!
HIGHLIGHTS
Authentic, documented, nut-and-bolt-restored Thunderbolt with many
rare original and NOS components
First time being offered for sale to the public
Car number 53 of only 100 Ford Fairlane Thunderbolts produced
Raced by well-known racer Phil Bonner in 1964 NHRA Super Stock
competition
Restored by marque expert Donald Allen, well-known restorer of
unique and limited production Ford vehicles
