Welcome everyone to Racecars Universe! Today I bring you something extraordinary and historically relevant, it's this 1964 Ford Fairlane 500 Road Race Thunderbolt Racecar built under license by Holman Moody.
Imagine my surprise spotting this unmistakable car being swung around thinking it's a replica, only to find out that it's in fact only 1 of 4 in the world that were ever built. In case you're wondering we're not in US but rather in New Zealand, at Pukekohe Park, South of Auckland. What an absolute privilege being face to face with such a '60s racing icon.
As far as the story goes, in 1964 Holman Moody was commissioned by Ford USA to build a 1964 Fairlane 500 as an experimental prototype unibody car for Nascar. That car debuted at the Continental Sports Car Race in Daytona finishing in 2nd place.
Then in 2003, the FIA gave Holman Moody permission to build 4 more cars, while only 3 actually saw the light. Until we get to 2017 when Chris contacted Lee Holman to get his '64 Fairlane Sport Coupe and turn it in to the 4th car, with the premise of being proudly built here in NZ but under official approval and with authentic parts. Lee firstly sent schematics and plans and right after that 2 big crates of parts made their way here to NZ, where it was built by Ken Hopper.
This car is powered by the legendary Ford FE 427 engine super toploader, with aluminium heads, twin 4 barrel 650 carbs and MSD ignition. the engine has been recessed by 4" into the firewall and that explains the rocker cover cutout for the brake cylinder. And then a dedicated fuel pressure regulator, aluminium radiator with huge fan, power steering kit, 4 speed manual and limited slip differential.
Most interesting technical detail is probably the dual shock absorber setup on each corner, making it 8 shocks in total! That's some pretty radical and experimental stuff from the 60s isn't it?
In the boot there's a dedicated fuel cell with a pickup pump and main pump, and then the rollcage tubular structure that extend into it from the main cockpit.
Interiors are proper racecar material with a period correct 3 spokes steering wheel and Stewart Warner analogue gauges, and the bucket seats with 5 point harness makes it a total package. Also worth notice that all the window frames have been replaced with solid riveted sheet metal.
You're looking at the only 1 of 2 '64 Fairlane 500 Road Race Thunderbolt still being driven and raced up to this very day in the whole world.
Let's jump on track to see and hear this glorious piece of American Racing History!
Huge thanks goes to Chris for allowing me to film this magnificent car and to the HVRA for organizing such an amazing event, please go give them a follow on their official Fb page here: / 195635129234866
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Video Chapters
00:00 Intro
01:06 History & Walk-around
04:17 The Sound
05:22 Track access & Warm up Lap
08:04 Race Starts!
17:50 Last Lap
19:17 Bonus Lap
21:07 Cool Down Lap
22:48 SUBSCRIBE !