1964 Ford Fairlane Thunderbolt Tribute

Description

This 1964 Ford Fairlane Thunderbolt is a tribute to the rare lightweight examples that Ford sold a mere 100 units. Besides getting some great details correct, the dual-quad 427 V8 means it's still king of the strip. So as you look over the care that has gone into making a proper 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 a factory-correct coded car. These cars were an exercise in weight savings, so it's nice to have a lightweight fiberglass hood. And that large power bulge is the correct look that allows for the heat to dissipate. Plus, there are other great Thunderbolt-style details, like the painted front bumper, hood pins, and black Thunderbolt lettering and details painted on. You even have vintage Cragar wheels.

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 nice interior upgrade of later-model bucket seats. They offer nice comfort, and the comfy gray cloth coordinates with the rear seats and side panels for a nice uniform look. Oh course, what you'll really love is how the classic Mr. Gasket 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 large AutoMeter AutoGage tach mounted on top of the column.

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 a proper 427 cubic-inch side-oiler V8. That long air topper is needed because feeding this big motor are dual four-barrel carburetors. The full custom header package also adds power while creating a ferocious growl. It's a powerful package, and so you'll like the right details, like a four-speed manual transmission and 4.11 gears in the rear for powerful takeoffs. And speaking of the rear end, check it out in the undercarriage photos. The stout 9-inch Ford unit is even correctly reinforced with welded trailing arms to be a true strong track machine.

This is the tribute that offers all the fun of the original at a fraction of the price. Don't miss this special build, call today!