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 â€" 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!
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