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.
+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.
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
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!
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 :(
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!
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.
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 .
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.
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.
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
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!
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.
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
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 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.
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"
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.
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 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
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!!
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.
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 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.
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!
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!
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.
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!!!
+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.
Well I don't have a Thunderbolt but I do have a 64 Fairlane so if ya want to see one on the road come on down to my neck of the woods bro because I drive one every day! :) You're car is so great! I loved what ya said --> "Grab a thing that's old and save it". My Fairlane isn't as cool and fast as yours but I do have all matching numbers on mine which is another kind-of cool thing I guess!
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. :)
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!
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.
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..
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!
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.
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.
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.
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
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
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.
Great car, love the weathered look underpinned by up-rated running gear. Good stuff!
+Clever and Original Username. its filthy frank
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
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!
That thing is built right...one of my favorites that you've covered.
I still come back to watch this every so often. The best car. I got a 63 fairlane wagon coming out.
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.
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 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
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.
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.
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
It actually looks like it corners pretty good. Great build!
@JPS JPS It gets 15k miles a year...
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!
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.
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
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 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.
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!
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"
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
That has to be one of the best episodes of big muscle yet. keep up the great work.
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.
I'm totally gobsmacked and impressed ! I want it....love the 289 badge on the front quarter, hahaha, FORD power works lovely.
This man gets it. Good job sir!!!
Don't usually think about cars like this. Sold me! I want one. Life is great.
Cool car, cool dog, cool owner, what isn't there to love?
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 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.
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.
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.
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.
wow i realized i was smiling the whole time watching this video, the car was build correct with no ego in mind.
Love the car , and love the wear on it, great build
Would not have minded a few pic's under the hood
Superb, absolutely spot on, lucky 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.
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.
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.
There is just something about these classic cars.
I have no words to describe it. I love them ! :D
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!!
This old ride just pulled at the heart strings...old childhood memories!
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.
Great build. Love his function function function.
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.
Another fantastic episode. Great car, great story, spot-on cinematography. This series has really been on the ball lately. Keep it up!
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.
I'm a Chevy guy as well, 67 Chevy II was my first, so no wonder I love these Thunderbolts. Well done.....
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!
Well done, Mike! Great episode.
easily one of my favorite episodes
I really hope there's going to be more Big Muscle...
One of your best ones, Mike. Saw it on plus and again here. Congrats!
One of my bucket list cars! Beautifully done!
Love everything about this car.
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!
Sweet ride! Btw; Ford used their 427 sideoiler nascar-enegine in the Thunderbolt. A 13.5-1 compression high-rise version that made +550hps.
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!
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.
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!!!
+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.
More people should do this with old muscles. Don't get so flashy you don't want to drive it. Beautiful thing, this car.
Beast, fantastic Job sir. Thank you for showing us this gem.
Great episode! Bad ass Fairlane. There's absolutely nothing I would change about that car.
Well I don't have a Thunderbolt but I do have a 64 Fairlane so if ya want to see one on the road come on down to my neck of the woods bro because I drive one every day! :) You're car is so great! I loved what ya said --> "Grab a thing that's old and save it". My Fairlane isn't as cool and fast as yours but I do have all matching numbers on mine which is another kind-of cool thing I guess!
All I can say is that car was Tastefully done I love it great job👍. AL from upstate New York
Love it! And I love the'63 Fairlane 500 Sports Coupe even more...
Bored out 327 ci, 6 sp manual, 3.73 gears. Perfect.
A poked 302.
@@jamesedmister9922
Nope, stroked .25" and bored .030 = 331.
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. :)
I got to navigate in one of these in Targa Tasmania. One of the best experiences of my life!
I love all those old muscle cars of the 60s and 70s.
I realy like the shape of that muscle car. those tail lights! Good video keep up the good work!
That's a badass. Car guys would be hesitant to engage that little beast in combat. The reputation of that car is legendary.
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!
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!
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..
The little dog was aeesome! Lol! Made me giggle!
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!
Love the Car............Gut Wrench'er!!
Thanks for sharing and even more love the thinking!!!
I'd shake that car owner's hand, that's some truly respectable attitude towards engineering a car as a functional real life machine.
this guy is a genius, this is the kind of car i've been daydreaming about for yearz.
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.
" I don't want it to look like a new car, I want it to drive like a new car..." Priceless
You really did a pristine job. American Muscle Car Thunderbolt, they could barely staring down the quarter mile
Did you guys see the last 1320 cash days? a 69 mustang coupe with a 351 windsor kicked ass!
One of my favorite episodes yet. Something about that car is just cool. Would love to have it be my daily driver.
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.
Video's like this is why I watch DRIVE. Great Job.
Does anyone else think that these vids are the best!!!?
+IanW556 I do
+IanW556 All i know is, when he rolled into the throttle coming out of the turn, it gave me a semi. ;P
Super cool!
Exactly what I wanted to do with my (former) -64 Falcon, but no shop space ended that dream.
Anyone else notice how little tire flex there was in corners? Nice setup.
Head to Beachbend Kentucky, seen dozens of them there. Lots of Thunderbolts too.
I totally agree with the whole concept of building a car like this to enjoy everyday thats the best way to enjoy a car.
So he basically kept the bench seat for the road dome convenience lol right on