Thunderbolt Build? 1964 Ford Fairlane 500
After years as a full-sized variant, “Fairlane” moved to an intermediate body in model year 1962, slotting between the “compact” Falcon and the full-sized Galaxie. This 1964 Fairlane 500 2-Door Sedan shares a roofline with the hardtop Sports Coupe, and the 500 trim level adds some exterior and interior styling upgrades. The empty engine bay opens the door for a Thunderbolt clone or any manner of drivetrain choices. The sporty Bonsall, California classic can be yours with the high bid here on eBay, where at least two bidders have its market value above $8500.
Fairlane engine options in ’64 ranged from the base 170 cid (2.8 L) inline six cylinder engine up to the ferocious factory racing 427 428 cubic inch monsters fitted to the Thunderbolt drag cars. Step up from the I6 and you could pick from a menu of Windsor V8s including the K-code 271 HP Hi-Po 289 that Mustang fans know well. The unibody K-code Fairlane weighs in under 3000 lb (lighter than a Fox-body Mustang). Pile on some performance mods and these intermediates really get up and go compared to the heavier Galaxies. Thank to Wikipedia for some details.
White steelies without the “poverty caps” hint at performance these days, but this ride could pass for Librarian duty with an easy return to stock appearance. Hailing from a time that produced some forgettable styling, this Fairlane looks great from all angles, sharing some family resemblance with the Galaxie at the front and rear, with its own flair everywhere else.
The 500 trim level adds snappy tri-color upholstery and other doo-dads. Brochures at lov2xlr8 show bucket seats and a console available on some Fairlanes. I’ve wrenched on a ’63 Fairlane Sport Coupe. These cars feel sporty and right-sized for enthusiastic driving, like a Mustang for four adults. It would be interesting to see one done resto-mod style by robbing parts from the bountiful Mustang aftermarket.
California, folks; this is what a never-restored Golden State classic gets you. A little sanding, replace the rubber bits, and your restoration is complete. Forgive that slight exaggeration, but compared to rust belt classics with undercarriages that look like 20,000 leagues under the sea, the underbelly of this Fairlane is as clean as the Pope’s drug test. Would you Thunderbolt this ’64 or build it back stock?
Auctions Ending Soon
2002 Subaru Impreza WRXBid Now1 days$333
1975 Chevrolet Corvette ConvertibleBid Now1 days$4,000
1964 Ford F-100 Camper CustomBid Now1 days$2,000
2006 Jeep Wrangler SportBid Now3 days$11,000
1974 Datsun 260ZBid Now5 days$750
Comments
Nah, there’s enough drag cars around, put the 6 back in. Again, I had the Mercury Comet of this type. Another winter beater with a heater while the MG sat in the garage, until the MG became a beater itself. Cost of the ’63 Comet? Yep, $100 bucks. I think these cars, once the staple of Americas 2nd car, are all but gone in their original form. It’s why this should be restored for economical operation, and have a classy car to boot.
Side note on Thunderbolts. My SIL is from Morris, Ill. not far from Joliet dragstrip. We were talking about cars once, and he said his dad knows a guy with a Fairlane with no high beam headlights and a goofy hood scoop. I said, A Thunderbolt? He said, yes, that’s it, so you never know.
Oh, one more thing, if the 6 doesn’t trip your trigger, I remember these came with a 221(?) V8, the smallest of the small blocks, and could be a good choice.
My first car was a 1962 Fairlane 4 door with the “monster” 260 CI V8! Not sure if Ford offered a 221CI? The 260 could hardy get out of it’s own way! LOL..
The 221 was ’62 and ’63 only. In ’64 the V8 options were the 260 (164 hp) or the 289 (195, 271 hp).
Actually, the 221 was a gutless wonder, especially with a 2 speed auto behind it! I know, I had one. There were 3 versions of the 289 available, a 195 HP 2V, a 225 HP 4V, and the 271 HP 4V. The 260 was available in a 2V version only. I would stay away from any of the 6 cylinder engines, because they all had valve guide problems. Also, this car had a V-8 in it to begin with, so it is geared for that engine.
The freeway onramps aren’t long rnough to get something like that up to speed
Incredibly, the later ’60s Chevy 250 strait 6(& probably all the other american L6s back then 250-258 cubes – all with 1 barrel carb) has more hp 155 & torque 235(both at lower rpm) than the 2 barrel 221cube v8!!(145 hp & 216 lb⋅ft).
Above measurements are gross, not net.
& the 6 was about 30 lbs lighter than that v8.
Ise that 6 for a doorstop, Granny doesn’t need another car.
I’d go with a 347 stroker and a 5-speed, some chrome wheels, white letter tires and a Thunderbolt hood scoop.
Seek Help!
Nah. No 6 back in when the v8 badges are on the fender. I lean toward the Quirky 260 v8 Carrol Shelby had so much fun with. That would be a smooth little cruiser with just enough oomph to please.
I’m with Howard. Most folks are going to see this cool Fairlane and think “Thunderbolt clone”, I’d rather see it put back to something closer to stock. One of our growing-up family cars was a ’64 Fairlane 500, but in four-door form, yellow with a white painted roof (from back when even family cars came in bright colors).
It’s the right body for a Thunderbolt. 2 door sedan. As for engines, both the 221 and 260 were available in 62.
I wholeheartedly agree with everyone else. It seems you need to “explain” to everyone you have a clone. However theres no need to “explain” an original or as close to original car like this 64 Fairlane. These were everyday family cars back then that you just dont see often if at all. This one looks like it has good bones and is well worth restoring and preserving.
Nice car, I just can’t get over the fact that Howard’s sister-in-law is a man!!!
C’mon man, it’s Christmas time. Go easy on Howard. You know how sensitive he can be. He probably meant son-in-law.
How do you get sister from SIL????
Duh, Sister-In-Law
Context clues. When he refers to he, SIL seems to better fit Son in law
What? Nobody suggested putting an LS in it?
I’d have to have a V8, but a mighty small block would be fine for a cruiser.
I’d probably color match the wheels and add dog dish caps, cuz I do that with most of my cars.
One observation, this has 5 lug wheels. The ad says it was a 289 originally. No mention what happened to the motor that was in it, but another 289 or a 302 would be the way to go. This looks about as solid as you can get and at 8600 with 2 days to go somebody really wants it. Nice straight looking car and they ain’t gonna make any more.
I’m surprised no one mentioned that the original Thunderbolts used the 427 – not a 428.
You’re right Gord, they were 427s. Dual quad medium risers I believe. I bought a 64 roller just like above back in 1990. No hood, headliner and burnt wiring. I heard that the previous owner had a nitrous fire and the engine compartment was a mess. I agonized whether to make it stock or T-Bolt clone. In the end my drag crazy youth influenced me to the point of a clone. Anything larger than a 351w needs a Crites kit to cut the shock towers and various other sheet metal mods. I added the tear drop hood and got it up and running in 2 years. I still have the car and every time I turn on the garage light and see it sitting there, I get the same thrill. Most everyone has their automotive fantasies. I’ve been fortunate enough to live one of mine.
THE 351W will need the shock tower kit from Crites also. That’s if you ever plan on changing spark plugs or install headers. The 260 in mine was a tight fit and as now I’m installing a Mustang Ii front suspension with cross member. A 351w stroker to 427 is going into mine along with a Tremic T-56 .
Had a 289 high performance 4 speed & 9 in
rear dog dish caps 2 Dr ran like a raped ape
a real sleeper surprised a lot of chevys in the
day that thunderbolt must have been a real animal lol I think Howard meant son in law
I’m in the Thunderbolt camp, but since this one was originally a 289, I’d buy a 351 punched and stroked to 408ci with high compression and a fuel injection system that resembles the dual quad setup that the og Thunderbolt had. And while I’m at it I’d install a modern 6 speed manual and probably 3.73’s to keep it sane on the highway. I’ve seen crate 408’s for sale that make more than 500hp and comparable torque, which would be the shiznit in a lightweight car like this Fairlane. I’d also go all out and install the fiberglass hood and front fenders, along with the aluminum front bumper. Should probably install some modern disc brakes like Wilwoods, also. I’d leave the steelies on it, but maybe a wider set on the rear for some drag radials. But that’s just me- if I’m building it anyway I might as well go all out. Love to scare the living crap out of 3 of my friends, too!
I’d hunt up a 90’s Explorer for the roller cam 5.0 and AOD transmission for it. With a proper cam, aluminum heads and intake with a 600 cfm four barrel carb. A set of headers to finish it off with true dual exhaust. Up the rear end ratio to about a 3:73 and put in a posi unit. A set of dark gray Torque Thrust wheels with polished rims and black wall tires to finish it off.
I think it’d be neat to keep it stock on the outside and put in the drivetrain of a 1998-2011 Crown Vic/Marquis/Town Car. Keeps it Ford all the way through with a pretty 1960s body and the 21st century reliability of one of FoMoCo’s hardiest set ups.
I created a Thunderbird Clone and opted for the stroked 351W. You do need the Crites kit to get the engine in comfortably. I never could get the Crites headers to work without leaking and went to standard Headman headers as I recall.
Put in a tremac 5 speed and posi in the ford 8″ rear end.
Car sounds great and will bark the tires going into 3rd gear. (at 75 I don’t wear out tires as i did in my youth)
Mine is in burgundy and will draw a crowd when I stop for gas or local car show.
Not one person suggested Coyote 5.0. Would look cool to open the hood and see one of those under there. Personally I think a mildly built 289 with a 4 barrel and headers while leaving the car just like it is on the outside. Buckets and a center console with a 4 speed. Steelies with a wider wheel on back and poverty caps. PERFECTION! :-)
I own a current Mustang GT and really, really like the Coyote. But. If people are talking custom kits to get a 351 to fit, a DOHC Coyote would be a huge challenge. Probably not impossible though.
Put down your lattes all you Starbuckers. This think cries out for a 427 and a Toploader.
if its gonna live again… make it a god and thunderbolt it …💪
Yes, leave it as it is on the outside. 289 with a 4bbl and 4 or 5 spd under the hood and you’d be laughing.
I don’t understand the need for the money and effort to spend on a clone, or any high dollar reno. For what?, to sit and look at it.
Build a driver the you can use any day, anywhere.
Front discs, h-d suspension … maybe find a warmed over 351w to slip under the hood in front of the 4spd. Can all be done on a budget with factory bits.
Putting a six in it- waste of time for a substandard performer. Coyote fitment out of the question. FE clone only good for straight-line duty. I’m in 289 or 302 camp. Modern power with good weight balance, and modern suspension upgrades. As an owner of a 427 stroker 66 fairlane, I can tell you it’s not the car to jump in for coffee.
Bottom line you do you, and I will support you.
I had a 68 Falcon with a 289 V8. I had a couple of Ford’s with 6 Cylinder engines, a 170, and a 200. I prefer the 289 V8. Of all the cars I owned it was one of my favorite engines. I would put in a 289 wit a two barrel carburetor. If it originally had an Automatic Transmission then that is what I would do there, but I would hope it had a three on the tree transmission with those bench seats. I like to shift gears. At any rate I would keep it as close to factory original as I could.