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T-BOLT HISTORY ACCORDING TO BRADLEY [Ed Note: A while back we got a query wondering if anybody could shed some light on whether Ford made a "Thunderbolt" Fairlane in 1965. Reader Geoffrey Bradley recently sent us this information. DRO has no way to verify this info but it rings true to us.]
"OK here's the answers to your Fairlane questions. In 1965 the Ford Experimental garage made one Fairlane with a pushrod 427. The car was given to and raced by Darrell Droke of Downey California with success under the name "The Wonder Colt." After a few months the car was switched over to 427 SOHC power. In 1966 the car was repainted and some changes were made. The car was then driven by Jerry Harvey and sponsored by Paul Harvey Ford in Indy (still with the SOHC). Droke was now driving Mustang Funnies for Ford. Again the car was successful. By 1967 the car was supposed to be given to Ed Schmidt from Michigan. His father, Harry, owned Ubly Dragway and Ford wanted them to get the car. It never happened. Ford did a 180 and decided to go with the '67 body style. Dick Brannan believes the car was taken back to Dearborn and scrapped but is not 100% sure. Cars have been known to get out the back door. It should be noted that on a 1/29/65 Ford memo it lists two Fairlanes for drag development but nobody ever saw or knows about the second car. It may have never left Dearborn but there is one person who says Les Ritchey ('64 T-Bolt driver) got the car.???. So to sum up, one '65 T-Bolt was made and also one '65 Galaxie SOHC, both driven by Jerry Harvey in '65 and named "The Quiet One" and was sponsored by Bob Ford. Hope this helps a little. --Geoff Bradley" THE SWEDISH CONNECTION
Our Swedish operative shares the first photo of the year with this shot of Mats Ericsson's Crown Victoria. It has a swing arm chassis, a three-speed Lenco, and a 526 Hemi. The car ran 6.70 before the engine broke. Check out the Scandinavian drag racing scene at www.spn-photo.com. If you don't speak Swedish, be sure to click on "English siten."
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