Vehicle Description
1964 Ford Thunderbolt recreation
DETAIL, DETAIL, DETAIL...no this is not a real estate lesson but
for those of you that recall the days of "Race on Sunday...Sell on
Monday" this Thunderbolt is the zenith of both axioms. Ford built
just 100 of these ultra high performance cars to sell for $1 each
to the biggest names in drag racing in the mid 60s. The sole
purpose of the car was to showcase Ford's high performance prowess
and drive buyers to their local showrooms so they might enjoy a bit
of the glimpse they might have gotten from behind the wheel of a
truly momentous car from the Blue Oval Boys. Yes, this one is not
one of the original and vaunted few that Ford built, but there is
testimony that it is as true to one of the first eleven originally
built as you will find anywhere this side of Dearborn. This 1964
Ford Thunderbolt re-creation is of the one Ford sold to Mickey
Thompson and driven by Butch Leal. This vehicle has photographic
authentication of its provenance to the minutest detail of the
build. Here is an opportunity to take advantage of another man's
expertise and attention to detail, right down to the cloth that
covers the seats, and enjoy an absolute blast from the past.
Ford dedicated 100 Fairlane 500 2-door sedans to this project. They
built them in three blocks; 11, 39, and 50
The first 11 Thunderbolts were burgundy with gold interior. This
vehicle is modeled after #7 of the first eleven
The remaining 89 vehicles in this project were all white
The complete "rotisserie" build was done to Ford factory
specifications. The paint on this vehicle is restored to the
original specifications of the first 11 vehicles
The interior in this vehicle has been replaced to match those
specifications set forth by Ford Motor Company in the project
The tires and wheels are factory correct and exclusive to this
unique model
The engine is a factory specific 427 high riser with close ratio
Hurst shifted top loader to a 31 spline and 3.50 gear ratio
traction lock Ford 9" rear end
This combination successfully accomplished the goal of a
street-safe and strip-ready powerhouse. It runs on 91 octane fuel,
readily available everywhere
A very unique feature is the viscous drive fan cooling system
through 3 core radiator with 180� high flow thermostat cooling to
190�. All this means over-heating is highly unlikely
The Crites exhaust system, with electric cut-outs, is plumbed
through a single exhaust. Which is factory correct!
There is a Stewart Warner electric fuel pump with a correct 3/8"
fuel line to the factory-correct mechanical pump. Because this one
is thirsty
The hood is audacious and was the design used on the first 11 cars
only, It may not be the most stylish but it is correct
This particular car is neither for the faint of heart or someone
that doesn't truly appreciate what went into building factory race
cars of this era. It is a bare bones brute of a car, that will turn
heads not only at ignition but at launch and blowing through the
traps or just sitting on your trailer.
