This is the perfect "resto mod". No gross 20 inch wheels and rubber band tires, no carbon fiber, and no ugly paint job. Just a original looking car with modern performance. Sweet car.
The thing about 20" wheels is that, as bad as they look on new cars- and they look stupid and are anti-functional-, they look even worse on old cars. Twenty years ago, I drove a nineties Mustang at a dealership with huge wheels and rubber band tires and it literally felt like it had no suspension at all! Stupid.
As a Chevy guy, I must say that's a damn good Thunderbolt. Also, I 110% agree with his attitude towards this car, make it DRIVE like a new car, but not LOOK like a new car! He NAILED it!!!
Man I’m an old Chevy guy to. Hell I still am BUT when I ran into the opportunity to get myself a 64 Fairlane I couldn’t resist. I just had to have it. I ran into some health issues a little over a year ago but I’m bouncing back now and I’m back to working on my old 64Fairlane !!! My very first car was a 69 Chevelle Malibu SS. My second car was a 73 Dodge Charger. I would KILL to have those two cars again. Maybe some day but right now I’m having so much fun with my Fairlane.
I'm a Ford guy, but I love the looks of the gen 1 Chevy II's. I also like the 66-67's, but I like the gen I a little more. I knew a guy who had a white '64 Nova with an old school, square 6" snorkel scoop that was installed in just the right spot on the hood. Rear end sat a little higher than the front, with a moderate 350 with maybe 375hp. It looked great. I think these early Fairlanes were basically Ford's Chevy II, just like '62-'64 Impalas & Galaxies were similar.
@@patrickmcleod111 ford's chevy II was a falcon jay lenos 63.5 falcon sprint is the best version of that. But i love the 62-64 fairlanes and galaxies too early 60s fords are under appreciated
@@nealpurdy1202 Yeah, the Falcon was definitely closer to the Chevy II than the mid 60s Fairlane, but there's still some similarity. Also I think the mid 60s Fairlane was probably larger than it looks in pictures and video. The Chevy II and Falcon were considered smaller cars back then, and Chevelles were mid sized. But by the time 66 & 67 rolled around, the Fairlane body style had changed dramatically, and it obviously became a mid sized car. I'd like to see a 64 Fairlane side by side with a 66/67 Fairlane, to see how much difference there is in overall size. Btw, I use your paint brushes and rollers almost exclusively... Lol
@@patrickmcleod111 lol and im a fan of your clutches.... The chevy ii is a good looking car i like them with a 4.3 vortec cars did balloon by the later 60s
+Robin van Venrooij not everyone has /DRIVE+ so this is their first exposure to it. I wish there was a way to avoid the stuff that is coming back from /DRIVE+.
The thumbs down are from those fuel efficient small car.drivers. penny pinchers.i own a.1967 Malibu, with a.350 engine. ( long ago it had a 283 worn out engine.{ Chevelles never had 350's they shoe horned it in.) So she's my hybrid car. Out side she's a 67 Malibu. Under the hood.a 350. 4 barrel carb. With headers.. She's my baby. never had a new car, ever.😁p.s. I just turned 60.
Man, I remember watching this for the first time in 2018, September 14. I had just gotten into classic cars. Then May 2019 I bought a '53 Ford, which I later sold due to the cost spiralling. Jump to July 2020, and I bought a '62 Meteor, the sister car to the first gen Fairlanes, can't wait to slap a teardrop hood on my car, this video has always been an inspiration to me!
Who could thumbs down this great episode? I'm a die-hard Chevrolet guy, and I absolutely loved it. That rear quarter shot looking over the valley is EPIC!
I've never been disappointed by any /BIG MUSCLE episode, hands down the best series on /DRIVE. Although I miss the bloopers at the end with Mike and Thad, or Zack :(
I have to agree with the owner of this 64 Fairlane . I love the old weathered worn paint look as long as one is not all beat up and rusted out . Do not get me wrong , I love an old car restored and looking super great , but at the same time so do I love this old not new painted look . Thanks for posting it and allowing me to express myself on it . Great job on the car Colin .
The only thing this car has in common with the Thunderbolt is the body and hood. The Thunderbolt was a 427 cubic inch MONSTER. 500+ horsepower and meant for only ONE thing. Get down the quarter mile as quickly as possible. Zero handling or creature comforts. And much as I LOVED the 'Bolt, I'd take this one over a 'Bolt in a heartbeat. Love the look, but more the handling, braking and comfort this masterpiece provides. And the BIGGIE, safety. I was a high schooler when the Thunderbolt was introduced. And caught up with the aluminum bodied Cobra and all the Mustangs, in their various incarnations. When we got a 'Bolt in my town for the drags, my allegiance did an about face. The mere SOUND of that monster and the way it obliterated the competition won me over. Of course it was wearing slicks and open exhaust, but the other cars just seemed to fade away. I guess mystique is the word to describe it. Even more than the Cobra. Heck, my family doctor had a slab side 289 Cobra. NOBODY had a Thunderbolt. This guys homage to the 'Bolt is as close to heaven as one can get. Excellent idea and manifestation of same.
Tom Swinburn you are correct, throwing around the name Thunderbolt is an injustice. I disagree with making an old car into a “new” one. It loses all its soul, it’s uniqueness. Sure up grade but if you need a new car buy one. Just my opinion.
This guy is my spirit animal. I caught myself nodding to everything he said. I agree with him 100%, across the board and am honestly proud for him for all of those giggles he has driving it every day.
Colin nailed it with this car! I love the emphasis on function and cool looks of an atypical, classic car. Even better that it's combined with serious function and drivability. The fact that he doesn't plan to ever paint it makes it even more of a win.
I watch this every 6 months whether I need to or not because it is the best car build on the road. There are a ton of very expensive new corvettes, mustangs and porches, and more that just do not get my respect when this car is in my brain. Thanks for building it and sharing. You are a true craftsman. I hope to see this car in person some day. I'm in North Georgia. Fords forever!
I can really appreciate this guy and his car. Cars like this one is why I bought my '04 Marauder. A Police Interceptor Plus suspension and DOHC all aluminum engine were the starting point and I went from there. About $5000 worth of the right suspension and brake upgrades and it handles like a roller-skate on a rail! Probably the most helpful was the 14" cross-drilled front rotors that allow me to wait to the last millisecond before I brake for a curve. The most unappreciated among the "street crowd", but icing on the cake on those curves was the 2K I spent on a Torsen T2 differential with 31 spline axles. I can nail it coming out of a turn and it differentiates, holding the turn and putting power to both wheels, unlike the stock Traction Lock or any Positraction differential. I leave those little BMW's that have 50 more horsepower going into and coming out of the corners every time. THAT'S driving satisfaction.
honestly i think drilled rotors are a meme. go to the track and you see plenty of cars there using blanks or slotted. drilled is more susceptible to cracking and it doesn't improve cooling as much as people think it would. slotted can help a bit but plain rotors work just as well without the downsides slotted and drilled rotors have
The key word he said was, it puts a Big Smile on his face, I’ve always been a Ford Guy and was a teenager in the 60’s so can relate to this very cool Car, I’ve had a 2014 Fiesta ST for 4 years now with 62,000 miles and on my 4th set of tires, that’s how much it puts that Big Smile on my Face, best little Secret around, Feista ST, Street legal Go Kart.
Great old 64 fairlane Thunderbolt ! this car was 1st on my bucket list as well. I opted for a direct copy with 427 big block dual quads 9inch. bad ass cars!!
Another great episode, and wow what a great car, I was born in 1964, and I've always loved the cars of that era. I have a friend who has/had a 1966 Fairlane convertible with a 289 in it what a great car.
Miss this guy that did these car interviews, he was the best. His way of making us everyday car guys feel like we are there with him in the adventure of witnessing his experience of driving the car he is sharing to the world is so genuine. Hope he moved on to greater things as for one I miss his adventures of driving the next best car experience and build.
Honestly I cant stand him , but if you are wanting to watch some videos with him as the host again. I am pretty sure he does videos on a channel called "Hemmings"
you dont see 4 door fairlanes very often my family is lucky to have the ones we have my dad bought all the ones he could find in NC to restore my moms sport coupe and found himself a 4 door and restored it along with my moms sport coupe
I have a 1964 ford fairlane 500 also mine is already in pretty good condition I just need to change the paint but I will be installing a secret stereo in it so it looks stock but u can listen with bluetooth
Brilliantly edited video, beautiful car. Thank you for letting us HEAR THE CAR. So many car vids out there have awful music playing the whole time over the sound of the car
The owner/builder/engineer of this car is not only a genius with regards to hot rod automobiles, he's an artist. Of coarse, I have a bias as his approach to his Ford Fairlane is the same trajectory that I took when I built my hot rod Corvette Stingray. A very unique Ford indeed.
I really enjoyed the production of this genuinely informative video. The owners passion for achieving success in this particular build gives off a sense of inspiration to one in the process of improving their particular project. Thanks and High fives to all involved in the success of this car shown in video.
Great video. Loved it. My very first car was a 1964 Ford Fairlane. 2dr jet Black with grey vinyl interior, 289 Special and C-4 automatic. Got it used in 1972, put glass packs, Hi Jacker shocks and Crager SS mags with G-60 tires in back 70's in front. Loved that car, wish I would have kept it.
I'm a 20 year old kid from missouri and I'm slowly restoring my dream car.. My 1964 Ford Fairlane 500 sports coupe I love the car I wanna fix everything on it make it look like it just rolled onto the showroom floor but I really want newer suspension and drivetrains cause let's face it the 260 cubic inch v8 I just rebuilt in school for this car isn't gonna be that monstrous it'll just be point a to b with a couple smiles per hour here and there. lol The car was owned by Shawn Plunkett a man who was my uncles'(Dads' side) best friend in school and my moms first date(in this car) sadly he passed away in early 80s during a draft in boot camp I hope to fully restore the car with some added extras to it, too. If you can contact this guy again please send him my way so I can learn some knowledge fairlane guy to fairlane guy.
Very good video, I was a teen back when this car was a 'hit', I've had more muscle cars and sleepers than most average people, but like most things when one goes through a divorce..... Thank's for sharing this video, I enjoyed it.
Beautiful car,I stumbled across a place in NJ that has a 64 Fairlane thunderbolt replica that has a 427 in it and couple 427 side oilers engines just laying around.plus a couple 428's,429's,460's and a boss 302 on an engine stand!! It's the holy Grail of Ford history!!
Love this build. Even better that is has a great suspension setup and some good get up, yet isn't trying to win awards with 10k paint jobs. It can get scratched and youre like... So what. Excellent.
I bought a 64 Ford Fairlane 500 two door hardtop w/289 cu.in. V8 four speed B/W transmission from “Petty Ford” in June 1964. I was 22 yrs. old and it was my first new car. I loved it, fun to drive good on gas 24 mpg hiway. I put a quarter million miles on it, cried like a baby when I sold it 9 yrs. later. Really wished I had it today.
+Mike Musto what a wicked find I've only ever see one in my life what a mystical car great find thanks for showing us this one. Looking forward to the next episode. Keep them coming.
In HS I had a 1964 Ford Fairlaine 500 Sport Coupe, K-car 289 HP model. It used to be run on the 1/4 mile strip. When I got it, it had a stock 302 with 4 speed & 4.11 rear end gears. It hopped on take off and was fun to drive, but not over about 60 mph due to low read end gears yielding high RPMS at high speed. Loved that car!!!
Your whole idea on the Fairlane is perfect. They weren't known to be the best handling cars. I think it is great that you kept the car with imperfections. I have seen several Fairlanes on the road and a few of them have been 64s. 62-65 Fairlanes aren't very common I have a 62 Fairlane that I am in the process of restoring. So right now it is a driving project.
Props for this guy, I could never build a run an old car like this. I am just not mechanical enough, maybe one day I'll learn enough but by that time I'll probably have my 2010 Challenger sitting the way I like it, and it'll be a classic
Mid-sized compact Ford's from the '60s ARE impressive, even from DownUnder. Check out videos about the Aussie Ford Falcon GTHO Phase III, also. Legendary!
I had the 64 Fairlane 500 sportcoupe. 289 HP 127mph 1/4th MI. et @10.7 seconds on a sanctioned strip in N. M. classified as a C/gas modified production. could never take a 1st place in the class
My first car was a 64 Fairlane 200cid 6cyl. Rust holes in the trunk so large the spare would exit the car if you cornered too hard. My Brother in law patched the holes for me and I learned a lot about cars keeping it running. I always thought it would be cool tohave one with no rust and a 289 4 speed. Nice car dude. Thanks for showing it off for us!
I owned a 62 and 66 Fairlane loved them, good friend owned a 64 Harlem & muddy fairlane, race orange, that pretty much bet every thing on the road and he drove a lot on the street, tell they finally put stop to it, Lot a tickets, then he was at the track all the time after that, man that was a bad ass car, miss them days!
If I could give this video 100,000 likes I would. This was my dream car when I was a little kid too. I used to go to the drag strip every Friday when I was very young and there was a forest green Fairlane that I was in love with. This guy is my doppelganger!
this is one of the best episodes yet. amazing stuff to all involved. keep it up. adding to that, I suspect this bloke would love to come hang out in Aussie and New Zealand where there are a lot more 60's Fairlanes and Falcons rolling around. :)
There's a guy who drives around my town in an old Fairlane with the thunderbolt hood, all primered up, with crown Vic police hubcaps. That a car I'll remember when I'm 80.
This is what made me drool over Ford muscle cars in the 60s! My dad had the 65 Galaxy (289) which was a horrible tank. It was as comfy as the popemoble, though.
I´m not a muscle car guy, I like this show though. This is one of the few shows that does not focus on crazy power and torque figures that lead to really hard to drive cars and focuses on the drive itself.
That car looks great and sounds great. The interior and exterior look like they should.. I love the 1960's below dash air conditioner. That is a fantastic car. You nailed it. buddy.
The Factory stock cars that tore up the strips in the early to mid '60's, like the Thunderbolt, have largely been overlooked except to a few. Pontiac's "Swiss Cheese" cars were monster. Just ask The Farmer. Or anyone who lined up across from him. They have been over shadowed by the late '60's Muscle. This car was built right. It shows exactly what can be done with the right parts. And they are out there. You can just about build a car from scratch that will drive like anything new on the road today. Start with a solid car/truck and you'll have something that will turn heads anywhere that can be updated a little at a time. There are entire suspension kits on the market that won't break the bank. Move to the engine and trans as you get the money. Little bit at a time and enjoy driving it as you go. Build them to be drivers instead of Lawn Art. Let people see what Detroit USED to build. Cars used to identifiable at a glance.
The Best. Looks like a iconic piece of machinery from the glory days of the "hot rod wars" but with the drivability and functionality of a weekend warrior.
owned a fairlane (1964)straight 6..in 1981 from a wrecker in pocatello idaho $220 drove it to . LA via utah,wyo,colo,utah,ariz,timexicali,sandiego gave it away in la.. no fuel gauge all the way and leaking oil..
Very nice had to comment on this one. Ur right when u own one u rarely see another 64Fairlane. Had mine almost 6 years now at age 23. Wish I could post a picture on here for you.
Carbs, big valves, and big overlap cams can be run reliably to. The key is gearing, cooling, tuning, and not to much cam. My 73 360 Duster track car is dead reliable within a 50 mile radius of an E85 station. There is only one...in the whole state last time I looked, 5 miles away. I have to block the radiator in the summer to keep the thermostat from cycling. It's made to cool 500 hp and it only uses 35 or so to go down the road. When I go back to pump gas it will drive to Kansas.
I truly love the Thunder Bolt! It's one bad ass Muscle Car that I've been looking for but still have not found one. I'll tell you one thing before I die I will buy and build one.
Nice Ford, Now show me mid 60's Plymouth Fury. Total muscle car but also an everyday driver for most people. I once owned a '65 Fury III ex-Police Interceptor. 383 Commando , Holly 750 Double-Pumper 4 Barrel , 727 Torqueflite transmission. Most !FUN! car I ever drove. Wish I still had it.
I have a '66 Sport Fury in storage right now... I'm a born FORD man, but a friend of mine didn't want his ex wife to get her hands on his Plymouth in the divorce, so I'm kinda babysittin it for him for a little while...all original numbers matching car runnin the 273 small block in it, blue in color, full of chrome from the factory, only car I've ever seen that runs better when it's down a quart of oil, and with little to no anti-freeze in it...lol
I dailyed my 64 fairlane for 2 years through HS and only ever saw one other, and that was at a car show. blew a motor a year ago and been too busy working 60-70hr weeks to throw another small block in it.
+Austin Smith old cars can be a pain in the butt though. my 1st and current vehicle is a 1988 f250 and the owners before me hacked up the engine harness
Great Fairlane just as you said I grew up in ga. and there where alot there and they were a good car to fix up for us young guys that couldn't afford a Mustang or a falcon .
Sweet build. More shots under the hood/drivetrain/suspension. Why does it work well? We want to know. Record the owner/builder in the pilot's seat. It is his self expression, record him enjoying the machine.
this was a well spent 12 minutes. a good good video about an antique car and I'm not even a ford guy. Tell me what kind of rims were those. kind looked like torque trusts?
This is the perfect "resto mod". No gross 20 inch wheels and rubber band tires, no carbon fiber, and no ugly paint job. Just a original looking car with modern performance. Sweet car.
@Curtis Sherwood so you can tune it with a computer to make even more power, or get diagnostic information regarding it
@Curtis Sherwood up to you chief, both work, comes down to what you'd prefer to do
Thank you for the message
The thing about 20" wheels is that, as bad as they look on new cars- and they look stupid and are anti-functional-, they look even worse on old cars. Twenty years ago, I drove a nineties Mustang at a dealership with huge wheels and rubber band tires and it literally felt like it had no suspension at all! Stupid.
I'd paint it.
As a Chevy guy, I must say that's a damn good Thunderbolt. Also, I 110% agree with his attitude towards this car, make it DRIVE like a new car, but not LOOK like a new car! He NAILED it!!!
Man I’m an old Chevy guy to. Hell I still am BUT when I ran into the opportunity to get myself a 64 Fairlane I couldn’t resist. I just had to have it.
I ran into some health issues a little over a year ago but I’m bouncing back now and I’m back to working on my old 64Fairlane !!! My very first car was a 69 Chevelle Malibu SS. My second car was a 73 Dodge Charger. I would KILL to have those two cars again. Maybe some day but right now I’m having so much fun with my Fairlane.
I'm a Ford guy, but I love the looks of the gen 1 Chevy II's. I also like the 66-67's, but I like the gen I a little more. I knew a guy who had a white '64 Nova with an old school, square 6" snorkel scoop that was installed in just the right spot on the hood. Rear end sat a little higher than the front, with a moderate 350 with maybe 375hp. It looked great.
I think these early Fairlanes were basically Ford's Chevy II, just like '62-'64 Impalas & Galaxies were similar.
@@patrickmcleod111 ford's chevy II was a falcon jay lenos 63.5 falcon sprint is the best version of that. But i love the 62-64 fairlanes and galaxies too early 60s fords are under appreciated
@@nealpurdy1202
Yeah, the Falcon was definitely closer to the Chevy II than the mid 60s Fairlane, but there's still some similarity. Also I think the mid 60s Fairlane was probably larger than it looks in pictures and video. The Chevy II and Falcon were considered smaller cars back then, and Chevelles were mid sized. But by the time 66 & 67 rolled around, the Fairlane body style had changed dramatically, and it obviously became a mid sized car. I'd like to see a 64 Fairlane side by side with a 66/67 Fairlane, to see how much difference there is in overall size.
Btw, I use your paint brushes and rollers almost exclusively... Lol
@@patrickmcleod111 lol and im a fan of your clutches.... The chevy ii is a good looking car i like them with a 4.3 vortec cars did balloon by the later 60s
Everything about this episode made it the best one of the season yet. So awesome. Nice job Mike!
+Keegan Ossler Isn't this just a reupload? I have already seen this one a while back.
+Robin van Venrooij it is.
+Robin van Venrooij not everyone has /DRIVE+ so this is their first exposure to it. I wish there was a way to avoid the stuff that is coming back from /DRIVE+.
Who's Mike?? Lol jk
The thumbs down are from those fuel efficient small car.drivers. penny pinchers.i own a.1967 Malibu, with a.350 engine. ( long ago it had a 283 worn out engine.{ Chevelles never had 350's they shoe horned it in.) So she's my hybrid car. Out side she's a 67 Malibu. Under the hood.a 350. 4 barrel carb. With headers.. She's my baby. never had a new car, ever.😁p.s. I just turned 60.
Man, I remember watching this for the first time in 2018, September 14. I had just gotten into classic cars.
Then May 2019 I bought a '53 Ford, which I later sold due to the cost spiralling.
Jump to July 2020, and I bought a '62 Meteor, the sister car to the first gen Fairlanes, can't wait to slap a teardrop hood on my car, this video has always been an inspiration to me!
This guys approach to his car is f’n awesome. I’m a mopar guy but def can respect this.
This car is a masterpiece to be enjoyed. This car was built the way I always wanted to do an old Studebaker.
This car is spot on!
Mike
I still come back to watch this every so often. The best car. I got a 63 fairlane wagon coming out.
Who could thumbs down this great episode? I'm a die-hard Chevrolet guy, and I absolutely loved it. That rear quarter shot looking over the valley is EPIC!
I've never been disappointed by any /BIG MUSCLE episode, hands down the best series on /DRIVE. Although I miss the bloopers at the end with Mike and Thad, or Zack :(
Agustín Franco Big Muscle and THoM
I have to agree with the owner of this 64 Fairlane . I love the old weathered worn paint look as long as one is not all beat up and rusted out . Do not get me wrong , I love an old car restored and looking super great , but at the same time so do I love this old not new painted look . Thanks for posting it and allowing me to express myself on it . Great job on the car Colin .
The only thing this car has in common with the Thunderbolt is the body and hood. The Thunderbolt was a 427 cubic inch MONSTER. 500+ horsepower and meant for only ONE thing. Get down the quarter mile as quickly as possible. Zero handling or creature comforts. And much as I LOVED the 'Bolt, I'd take this one over a 'Bolt in a heartbeat. Love the look, but more the handling, braking and comfort this masterpiece provides. And the BIGGIE, safety. I was a high schooler when the Thunderbolt was introduced. And caught up with the aluminum bodied Cobra and all the Mustangs, in their various incarnations. When we got a 'Bolt in my town for the drags, my allegiance did an about face. The mere SOUND of that monster and the way it obliterated the competition won me over. Of course it was wearing slicks and open exhaust, but the other cars just seemed to fade away. I guess mystique is the word to describe it. Even more than the Cobra. Heck, my family doctor had a slab side 289 Cobra. NOBODY had a Thunderbolt. This guys homage to the 'Bolt is as close to heaven as one can get. Excellent idea and manifestation of same.
Tom Swinburn you are correct, throwing around the name Thunderbolt is an injustice. I disagree with making an old car into a “new” one. It loses all its soul, it’s uniqueness. Sure up grade but if you need a new car buy one. Just my opinion.
This guy is my spirit animal. I caught myself nodding to everything he said. I agree with him 100%, across the board and am honestly proud for him for all of those giggles he has driving it every day.
Colin nailed it with this car! I love the emphasis on function and cool looks of an atypical, classic car. Even better that it's combined with serious function and drivability. The fact that he doesn't plan to ever paint it makes it even more of a win.
I watch this every 6 months whether I need to or not because it is the best car build on the road. There are a ton of very expensive new corvettes, mustangs and porches, and more that just do not get my respect when this car is in my brain. Thanks for building it and sharing. You are a true craftsman. I hope to see this car in person some day. I'm in North Georgia. Fords forever!
I can really appreciate this guy and his car. Cars like this one is why I bought my '04 Marauder. A Police Interceptor Plus suspension and DOHC all aluminum engine were the starting point and I went from there. About $5000 worth of the right suspension and brake upgrades and it handles like a roller-skate on a rail!
Probably the most helpful was the 14" cross-drilled front rotors that allow me to wait to the last millisecond before I brake for a curve. The most unappreciated among the "street crowd", but icing on the cake on those curves was the 2K I spent on a Torsen T2 differential with 31 spline axles. I can nail it coming out of a turn and it differentiates, holding the turn and putting power to both wheels, unlike the stock Traction Lock or any Positraction differential. I leave those little BMW's that have 50 more horsepower going into and coming out of the corners every time. THAT'S driving satisfaction.
honestly i think drilled rotors are a meme. go to the track and you see plenty of cars there using blanks or slotted. drilled is more susceptible to cracking and it doesn't improve cooling as much as people think it would. slotted can help a bit but plain rotors work just as well without the downsides slotted and drilled rotors have
Great car, love the weathered look underpinned by up-rated running gear. Good stuff!
+Clever and Original Username. its filthy frank
That thing is built right...one of my favorites that you've covered.
The key word he said was, it puts a Big Smile on his face, I’ve always been a Ford Guy and was a teenager in the 60’s so can relate to this very cool Car, I’ve had a 2014 Fiesta ST for 4 years now with 62,000 miles and on my 4th set of tires, that’s how much it puts that Big Smile on my Face, best little Secret around, Feista ST, Street legal Go Kart.
Great old 64 fairlane Thunderbolt ! this car was 1st on my bucket list as well. I opted for a direct copy with 427 big block dual quads 9inch. bad ass cars!!
the dog moment was hilarious lol
had me in stitches also
+Joe DeSalvo 9:37
+Joe DeSalvo For dogs to look like their owners, that pup looked like he owned the car! Great stuff
Absolutely
+Joe DeSalvo I'd never let a little shit stain like that in a car that I cared about
Another great episode, and wow what a great car, I was born in 1964, and I've always loved the cars of that era. I have a friend who has/had a 1966 Fairlane convertible with a 289 in it what a great car.
Miss this guy that did these car interviews, he was the best. His way of making us everyday car guys feel like we are there with him in the adventure of witnessing his experience of driving the car he is sharing to the world is so genuine. Hope he moved on to greater things as for one I miss his adventures of driving the next best car experience and build.
Honestly I cant stand him , but if you are wanting to watch some videos with him as the host again. I am pretty sure he does videos on a channel called "Hemmings"
a few weeks ago i bought a 4 door 1964 fairlane and im restoring it
you dont see 4 door fairlanes very often my family is lucky to have the ones we have my dad bought all the ones he could find in NC to restore my moms sport coupe and found himself a 4 door and restored it along with my moms sport coupe
I have a 1964 ford fairlane 500 also mine is already in pretty good condition I just need to change the paint but I will be installing a secret stereo in it so it looks stock but u can listen with bluetooth
The 64 has been on my bucket list for some time now I love this car, glad to hear your say you will not paint the car. WELL DONE!
Brilliantly edited video, beautiful car. Thank you for letting us HEAR THE CAR. So many car vids out there have awful music playing the whole time over the sound of the car
I'm totally gobsmacked and impressed ! I want it....love the 289 badge on the front quarter, hahaha, FORD power works lovely.
The owner/builder/engineer of this car is not only a genius with regards to hot rod automobiles, he's an artist. Of coarse, I have a bias as his approach to his Ford Fairlane is the same trajectory that I took when I built my hot rod Corvette Stingray. A very unique Ford indeed.
I really enjoyed the production of this genuinely informative video. The owners passion for achieving success in this particular build gives off a sense of inspiration to one in the process of improving their particular project. Thanks and High fives to all involved in the success of this car shown in video.
Great video. Loved it. My very first car was a 1964 Ford Fairlane. 2dr jet Black with grey vinyl interior, 289 Special and C-4 automatic. Got it used in 1972, put glass packs, Hi Jacker shocks and Crager SS mags with G-60 tires in back 70's in front. Loved that car, wish I would have kept it.
I'm a 20 year old kid from missouri and I'm slowly restoring my dream car.. My 1964 Ford Fairlane 500 sports coupe I love the car I wanna fix everything on it make it look like it just rolled onto the showroom floor but I really want newer suspension and drivetrains cause let's face it the 260 cubic inch v8 I just rebuilt in school for this car isn't gonna be that monstrous it'll just be point a to b with a couple smiles per hour here and there. lol The car was owned by Shawn Plunkett a man who was my uncles'(Dads' side) best friend in school and my moms first date(in this car) sadly he passed away in early 80s during a draft in boot camp I hope to fully restore the car with some added extras to it, too. If you can contact this guy again please send him my way so I can learn some knowledge fairlane guy to fairlane guy.
It actually looks like it corners pretty good. Great build!
@JPS JPS It gets 15k miles a year...
Very good video, I was a teen back when this car was a 'hit', I've had more muscle cars and sleepers than most average people, but like most things when one goes through a divorce..... Thank's for sharing this video, I enjoyed it.
Beautiful car,I stumbled across a place in NJ that has a 64 Fairlane thunderbolt replica that has a 427 in it and couple 427 side oilers engines just laying around.plus a couple 428's,429's,460's and a boss 302 on an engine stand!! It's the holy Grail of Ford history!!
Another fantastic episode. Great car, great story, spot-on cinematography. This series has really been on the ball lately. Keep it up!
Don't usually think about cars like this. Sold me! I want one. Life is great.
Love this build. Even better that is has a great suspension setup and some good get up, yet isn't trying to win awards with 10k paint jobs. It can get scratched and youre like... So what. Excellent.
There is just something about these classic cars.
I have no words to describe it. I love them ! :D
I bought a 64 Ford Fairlane 500 two door hardtop w/289 cu.in. V8 four speed B/W transmission from “Petty Ford” in June 1964. I was 22 yrs. old and it was my first new car. I loved it, fun to drive good on gas 24 mpg hiway. I put a quarter million miles on it, cried like a baby when I sold it 9 yrs. later. Really wished I had it today.
Great episode guys.
Love what the Fairlane's Owner said...
"I dont want it to look like a new car, i want it to drive like a new car."
Admire that
+Mike Musto what a wicked find I've only ever see one in my life what a mystical car great find thanks for showing us this one. Looking forward to the next episode. Keep them coming.
That has to be one of the best episodes of big muscle yet. keep up the great work.
This old ride just pulled at the heart strings...old childhood memories!
This man gets it. Good job sir!!!
I bought a 1964 Red Fairlane for sentimental reasons, it was the last race car My Dad had. this is a 289 with Edelbrock carb & intake. I just love it!
In HS I had a 1964 Ford Fairlaine 500 Sport Coupe, K-car 289 HP model. It used to be run on the 1/4 mile strip. When I got it, it had a stock 302 with 4 speed & 4.11 rear end gears. It hopped on take off and was fun to drive, but not over about 60 mph due to low read end gears yielding high RPMS at high speed. Loved that car!!!
Love the car , and love the wear on it, great build
Would not have minded a few pic's under the hood
Your whole idea on the Fairlane is perfect. They weren't known to be the best handling cars. I think it is great that you kept the car with imperfections. I have seen several Fairlanes on the road and a few of them have been 64s. 62-65 Fairlanes aren't very common I have a 62 Fairlane that I am in the process of restoring. So right now it is a driving project.
All I can say is that car was Tastefully done I love it great job👍. AL from upstate New York
I'm a Chevy guy as well, 67 Chevy II was my first, so no wonder I love these Thunderbolts. Well done.....
Love it! And I love the'63 Fairlane 500 Sports Coupe even more...
Superb, absolutely spot on, lucky guy.
Hats off to you,,,,,,,
YOU KNEW WHAT YOU WANTED AND DID IT,,,, GREAT OUTCOME,
MAKES ME WANT TO DO ANOTHER PROJECT,,,,,,,,,,,
Props for this guy, I could never build a run an old car like this. I am just not mechanical enough, maybe one day I'll learn enough but by that time I'll probably have my 2010 Challenger sitting the way I like it, and it'll be a classic
+AutoJunkieMan you learn by taking shit apart!
tr0n its all fine and dandy, but my car is my daily driver. If i can't get it back together i am screwed.
AutoJunkieMan and that's how you learn. when it matters.
plenty of rides from friends, taxis, busses in my past :D
tr0n Don't really want to rely on others to get to where I am going, thats why I have a car
AutoJunkieMan whatever man, then don't take things apart, don't learn. you don't have to.
Mid-sized compact Ford's from the '60s ARE impressive, even from DownUnder. Check out videos about the Aussie Ford Falcon GTHO Phase III, also. Legendary!
One of your best ones, Mike. Saw it on plus and again here. Congrats!
Great video. Awesome car. Built just the way it should be suspension done right and horsepower secondary. The balance of the car is what its about.
Love the Car............Gut Wrench'er!!
Thanks for sharing and even more love the thinking!!!
Beast, fantastic Job sir. Thank you for showing us this gem.
Sweet ride! Btw; Ford used their 427 sideoiler nascar-enegine in the Thunderbolt. A 13.5-1 compression high-rise version that made +550hps.
I had the 64 Fairlane 500 sportcoupe. 289 HP 127mph 1/4th MI. et @10.7 seconds on a sanctioned strip in N. M. classified as a C/gas modified production. could never take a 1st place in the class
One of my bucket list cars! Beautifully done!
My first car was a 64 Fairlane 200cid 6cyl. Rust holes in the trunk so large the spare would exit the car if you cornered too hard. My Brother in law patched the holes for me and I learned a lot about cars keeping it running. I always thought it would be cool tohave one with no rust and a 289 4 speed. Nice car dude. Thanks for showing it off for us!
I owned a 62 and 66 Fairlane loved them, good friend owned a 64 Harlem & muddy fairlane, race orange, that pretty much bet every thing on the road and he drove a lot on the street, tell they finally put stop to it, Lot a tickets, then he was at the track all the time after that, man that was a bad ass car, miss them days!
If I could give this video 100,000 likes I would. This was my dream car when I was a little kid too. I used to go to the drag strip every Friday when I was very young and there was a forest green Fairlane that I was in love with. This guy is my doppelganger!
this is one of the best episodes yet. amazing stuff to all involved. keep it up.
adding to that, I suspect this bloke would love to come hang out in Aussie and New Zealand where there are a lot more 60's Fairlanes and Falcons rolling around. :)
There's a guy who drives around my town in an old Fairlane with the thunderbolt hood, all primered up, with crown Vic police hubcaps. That a car I'll remember when I'm 80.
easily one of my favorite episodes
Great build. Love his function function function.
This is what made me drool over Ford muscle cars in the 60s! My dad had the 65 Galaxy (289) which was a horrible tank. It was as comfy as the popemoble, though.
Keep 'em comin'! I watch these over and over!
I´m not a muscle car guy, I like this show though. This is one of the few shows that does not focus on crazy power and torque figures that lead to really hard to drive cars and focuses on the drive itself.
That car looks great and sounds great. The interior and exterior look like they should.. I love the 1960's below dash air conditioner. That is a fantastic car. You nailed it. buddy.
Oh. My. Goodness.
A fitting tribute to the legendary Thunderbolt.
Tear Drop hood scoops forvever!
Super cool!
Exactly what I wanted to do with my (former) -64 Falcon, but no shop space ended that dream.
The Factory stock cars that tore up the strips in the early to mid '60's, like the Thunderbolt, have largely been overlooked except to a few. Pontiac's "Swiss Cheese" cars were monster. Just ask The Farmer. Or anyone who lined up across from him. They have been over shadowed by the late '60's Muscle. This car was built right. It shows exactly what can be done with the right parts. And they are out there. You can just about build a car from scratch that will drive like anything new on the road today. Start with a solid car/truck and you'll have something that will turn heads anywhere that can be updated a little at a time. There are entire suspension kits on the market that won't break the bank. Move to the engine and trans as you get the money. Little bit at a time and enjoy driving it as you go. Build them to be drivers instead of Lawn Art. Let people see what Detroit USED to build. Cars used to identifiable at a glance.
wow i realized i was smiling the whole time watching this video, the car was build correct with no ego in mind.
The Best. Looks like a iconic piece of machinery from the glory days of the "hot rod wars" but with the drivability and functionality of a weekend warrior.
Love everything about this car.
One of my favorite episodes yet. Something about that car is just cool. Would love to have it be my daily driver.
Cool car, cool dog, cool owner, what isn't there to love?
owned a fairlane (1964)straight 6..in 1981 from a wrecker in pocatello idaho $220 drove it to . LA via utah,wyo,colo,utah,ariz,timexicali,sandiego gave it away in la.. no fuel gauge all the way and leaking oil..
Great video as usual Mike, my dad's 67 Fairlane GT has the same TASCA Ford badge on the back left part of the boot lid.
Nice car! You did a great job in building it right. And I love the Tasca badge on the trunk!
Very nice had to comment on this one. Ur right when u own one u rarely see another 64Fairlane. Had mine almost 6 years now at age 23. Wish I could post a picture on here for you.
Head to Beachbend Kentucky, seen dozens of them there. Lots of Thunderbolts too.
I totally get this ...my hat's off dude !! I myself lived that exactly in my 1965 cyclone..4 speed
Carbs, big valves, and big overlap cams can be run reliably to. The key is gearing, cooling, tuning, and not to much cam. My 73 360 Duster track car is dead reliable within a 50 mile radius of an E85 station. There is only one...in the whole state last time I looked, 5 miles away. I have to block the radiator in the summer to keep the thermostat from cycling. It's made to cool 500 hp and it only uses 35 or so to go down the road. When I go back to pump gas it will drive to Kansas.
Well done, perfect , you should build them I’d love to have one , in blue. Gorgeous car
Video's like this is why I watch DRIVE. Great Job.
I truly love the Thunder Bolt! It's one bad ass Muscle Car that I've been looking for but still have not found one. I'll tell you one thing before I die I will buy and build one.
Nice Ford, Now show me mid 60's Plymouth Fury. Total muscle car but also an everyday driver for most people. I once owned a '65 Fury III ex-Police Interceptor. 383 Commando , Holly 750 Double-Pumper 4 Barrel , 727 Torqueflite transmission. Most !FUN! car I ever drove. Wish I still had it.
I have a '66 Sport Fury in storage right now... I'm a born FORD man, but a friend of mine didn't want his ex wife to get her hands on his Plymouth in the divorce, so I'm kinda babysittin it for him for a little while...all original numbers matching car runnin the 273 small block in it, blue in color, full of chrome from the factory, only car I've ever seen that runs better when it's down a quart of oil, and with little to no anti-freeze in it...lol
Great episode! Bad ass Fairlane. There's absolutely nothing I would change about that car.
I got to navigate in one of these in Targa Tasmania. One of the best experiences of my life!
I dailyed my 64 fairlane for 2 years through HS and only ever saw one other, and that was at a car show. blew a motor a year ago and been too busy working 60-70hr weeks to throw another small block in it.
+Austin Smith old cars can be a pain in the butt though. my 1st and current vehicle is a 1988 f250 and the owners before me hacked up the engine harness
+hairychesticles1 head to a yard and try to pull a harness
i already have one on the way because the plug is shot. it sucks to it shit out after i had some nice exhaust done on it
Great Fairlane just as you said I grew up in ga. and there where alot there and they were a good car to fix up for us young guys that couldn't afford a Mustang or a falcon .
i would love to know the build sheet that went into this car.
Love your build & purpose on the fairlane. I wouldn't change a thing except the owners name on the title. Bad Ass ride.
Sweet build. More shots under the hood/drivetrain/suspension. Why does it work well? We want to know. Record the owner/builder in the pilot's seat. It is his self expression, record him enjoying the machine.
More people should do this with old muscles. Don't get so flashy you don't want to drive it. Beautiful thing, this car.
this was a well spent 12 minutes. a good good video about an antique car and I'm not even a ford guy. Tell me what kind of rims were those. kind looked like torque trusts?
Love. Love. Love this Car. This is exactly how I want to build my Valiant.