Ford Fairlane

This lot will be auctioned via Iconic Auctioneers, Online Auction 12th March on Thursday the 12th of March. , Background:The early 1960s represented the high point of American drag racing, with quartermile competition under the National Hot Rod Association drawing unprecedented crowds. The Factory Experimental class, known as FX, provided a battleground for Detroits leading manufacturers, each determined to prove that success on the strip translated into sales in the showroom. The formula was direct: reduce weight, increase displacement and extract maximum performance from productionbased components.Fords attention turned to the Fairlane in 1962 and 1963, culminating in the development of the Thunderbolt for the 1964 model year. Just 127 production Thunderbolts were built, all based on the 1964 Fairlane platform and powered by the 427 V8. The original Tasca Fordsponsored prototype driven by Bill Humphrey, however, was later dismantled, as was common practice at the time.The Car:The car offered here is a tribute to that original Thunderbolt prototype raced by Bill Humphrey. Correctly based on a 1963 Fairlane 500 Hardtop, rather than a 1964 model as per the production Thunderbolts, it stands as a considered homage to the longlost original.Finished in white and adorned with periodstyle Tasca Ford B/FX graphics, it presents with a purposeful stance on black steel wheels. Distinctive visual details include ramair intake screens integrated into the grille and a fibreglass Thunderboltstyle bonnet. Periodcorrect touches extend to a Moon Eyes tachometer, Auto Gauge auxiliary dials and appropriate window decals, all reinforcing its competitioninspired character.The vendor reports that power is provided by a 351 cubic inch Windsor V8 built by VanGordon Performance and featuring a ramair intake, Holley carburettor, stainless tubular headers, a fourrow alloy radiator, and MSD electronic ignition.Evocatively detailed and engaging to drive, this distinctive Fairlane 500 captures the spirit of the Factory Experimental era and would be well suited to nostalgia drag events or relaxed cruising alike.Location: SwitzerlandSeller: TradePhotography: Professional