1964 Ford Fairlane for sale $48,995

1964 Ford Fairlane $48,995
Car Ad from: Hemmings View Original Ad
Price: $48,995
Contact: View Original Ad from Hemmings
Location: Lithia Springs, GA
Details: Factory-built race cars are serious business todayand#44; and for Blue Oval fansand#44; few resonate like the 1964 Ford Fairlane Thunderbolt. Putting a thundering R-code 427 in a mid-sized car that was stripped bare was an awesome combinationand#44; and today real Thunderbolts are big money. Fortunatelyand#44; you can get much of the same experience here at a much more palatable price.

Yesand#44; its a tribute carand#44; but few tributes actually get all the little stuff right. Most guys throw on a teardrop hood and call it doneand#44; but this tribute nails all the little factory tricks that made these cars so special. Youll note the painted front bumperand#44; which was either aluminum or fiberglass depending on the modeland#44; the center high-beam headlights were removed to force-feed the engine cold airand#44; and yesand#44; the 2-door sedan body style is the right choice because it was light and strong. Most Thunderbolts were Wimbledon White like this oneand#44; so the graphics would show up bright and clear. This one sports a big 427 emblem on the doorsand#44; Thunderbolt lettering on the quartersand#44; and a few details like lettering on the front fenders warning people not to lean on them due to their fragile lightweight construction. Fit and finish are quite good for being 10 years old and the car has a definite race-ready look thats far more appealing than brightand#44; over-restored concourse shine.

Bare-bones was the only way the Thunderbolt came from the factoryand#44; but the handsome gold bucket seat interior here manages to look upscale at the same time. Factory gauges were minimalistand#44; so enterprising racers added Stewart-Warner dials just like youll find hereand#44; including a tachometer mounted up high and a set of oil pressure and coolant temperature dials underneath. Theres no radioand#44; no heaterand#44; no clockand#44; all of which added weight without adding powerand#44; and the only reason they used buckets is because you could remove the passengers side to slash even more pounds. The big thin-rimmed steering wheel makes it easy to guide the unassisted steering and the door panelsand#44; seat coversand#44; and even the floor coverings are beautifully rendered as they would have been when the car was new. The massive trunk is outfitted with a batteryand#44; which helps redistribute weightand#44; but there is no spareand#44; which obviously would be unnecessary in a race machine.

The original Thunderbolts packed a FE-series 427 cubic inch V8and#44; but this tribute gets to the same number a little differently. Instead of a giant chunk of cast iron up thereand#44; this one sports a stroked 351 cubic inch V8 which does indeed displace 427 cubic inches. It may not be immediately noticeable under the dual 4-barrel carbsand#44; that giant air cleanerand#44; and twin intake snorkels and from a horsepower standpointand#44; this one is every bit as strong as its 1960s counterpart. There are desirable upgrades like aluminum heads and a high-output electronic ignitionand#44; but when you rack the Toploader 4-speed through the gearsand#44; you wont care how it makes the powerand#44; only that it pulls like a freight train. Long-tube headers feed a Flowmaster dual exhaust system and its been outfitted for race with a proper scattershield on the clutch and a 9-inch rear end that doesnt mind having fun. Plain painted steel wheels was the original look and its replicated here with staggered 215/65/15 front and 275/60/15 rear blackwall radials for just the right stance.

So go outand#44; have some funand#44; and dont worry about destroying a piece of historyand#44; thats the magic of the tribute car. In the meantimeand#44; howeverand#44; be ready for everyone to think youre driving the nastiest piece of factory muscle from the 60s. Call today!
Analysis: Good Deal, 13.0% below market avg. What's this?