Description:

The first half of the 1960s marks the golden era of drag racing in the USA. The quarter-mile races conducted under the National Hot Rod Association (NHRA) were never so popular. More displacement, more power, more racing was the creed. The Detroit manufacturers also joined in on a large scale and got their own racing class with “FX” (Factory Experimental) to pit themselves there. The basic principle: strip a compact production car of all unnecessary weight and fit the biggest and most powerful engine from production. Thus began the contest for supremacy between Ford, GM and Chrysler. After all, it was the era of “win on Sunday, sell on Monday”. In 1962/ 63 the Fairlane came more into focus for Ford’s drag racing programme, where until then the Galaxie had been the standard. Thus a brand-new 1963 Ford Fairlane was fitted with a 410 cui Mercury V8, which soon afterwards made way for the new 427. Heating, radio, insulation and further unnecessary components were also removed. To give the gigantic engine space, the iconic teardrop fibreglass bonnet was fitted. According to NHRA regulations there were 7-inch slicks on the rear axle. In this car Ford test driver Bill Humphrey left the quarter-mile at Detroit Dragway in 11 seconds. From then on it was clear: the Fairlane was the new star in the quarter-mile sky. The project was driven further and with the 1964 model year officially appeared the Fairlane “Thunderbolt”. Only 127 of these cars with the 427 engine left the factory and today are extremely rare and highly valued collector’s vehicles. The prototype however, the Tasca Ford-sponsored car of Bill Humphrey, was subsequently scrapped. Unfortunately a common practice back then. 

This Fairlane 500 is the reincarnation of that Thunderbolt prototype. It was rebuilt after Humphrey’s car. The sponsors and class designations were faithfully reproduced. Shortly before his death Bill Humphrey even signed the dashboard. The mechanics were completely revised between 2021 and 2024. Most recently a fully rebuilt 351 Windsor V8 was installed. It breathes through an Edelbrock High Rise intake manifold and a Holley four-barrel carburettor. In addition, optimisations were made in the form of an electronic MSD ignition system, stainless steel headers with sidepipes, electric fuel pump and aluminium radiator with auxiliary fans. The suspension and brakes have also been renewed. At the front there was an upgrade to Wilwood disc brakes with four-piston calipers and cross-drilled rotors. The drivetrain is a C4 three-speed automatic. As with the original car, the radio, heating and insulation were omitted. Only a single body on Mikey Thompson slicks and the brutal power of the Windsor V8. No frills. A folder with the documentation of the lovingly built car is available. The Ford has the 13. 20 customs document. A real head-turner in mechanically pristine condition. Merely turning the ignition key makes the earth tremble and one cannot help but smile. A certainly unique and exceptional car for discerning taste. America’s motorsport at its zenith. 

Trade-in / swap possible

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