Features Ford Thunderbolts Photos Wanted

Well it's not actually a Thunderbolt but the Wild Child is a real factory A/FX car. Here is a picture and you can go to The Wild Child for more information on the car. I restored this car in 2004 and we were invited to the Ford Nationals in Carlisle, PA where they were hosting the Thundebolt 40th Reunion. Strange as it may seem, they featured the Wild Child in the Thunderbolt program.

Enjoy,
Joe Germann

 

Ford flashbacks photos look like they were taken at Milan at the 30th T-Bolt reunion. The gray Mr Nasty car was there for sale less motor, trans and lacking most of the interior(it had the bucket seats) for $25,000 I believe it has been restored?

 

So the gray car at Milan was a legit T-Bolt? Is this the same car?......

 

So, is Paquet's car a legit T-Bolt?

 

The gray Mr Nasty III appeared real to me back then. It had a very weathered 1964 Nationals?(as I recall) decal on the dash--I didn't know what to look for as far as vin no.s then, and it had an altered wheelbase. I don't know if it is the same car as the white restored Mr Nasty III.

 

Do you have or seen any shots of the Falcon with Bob Ford lettering besides current ones?

 

The Hotten car ran a small block from the begining.

 

Here are a few that I took. It was a great weekend. I got to hang out all weekend with my two drag racing heros, my dad and Phil Bonner. Twelve "real" cars were there. The banquet Friday night was worth the trip alone!! It was full of T-bolt/Ford legends. Many thanks go out to Dennis, Larry & Larry on their hard work putting this all together. It is a shame more of the owners of these great cars couldn't find time to attend this monumental event. Thanks to those who did come. Nick Smith brought two cars all the way from Florida.

I'll post more photos in the near future.

 

Sorry I do not have any more (old) pix of that Falcon. Something I had forgotten about, Dennis told me awhile back he didn't think it ever had Bob Ford painted on it back in the day. Maybe Hajek added it when he restored it. I will see if I can get Dave Lyall to give us the low-down on his Falcon.

(sent you a pm also)

I got this shot from Lyall, I believe it is from 2001.......

 

There was a really nice Thunderbold shown at last week's GoodGuys in DesMoines, if anybody has a pic.

 

There is another T-bolt reunion this coming weekend (7/24-26) in Norwalk OH. It is part of the Ford's at the Summit event. The first, second and last Thunderbolt built will be there among others. Phil Bonner and Dick Brannan will also be there all weekend. We will be heading out Thursday with the Bonner Thunderbolt. Hope to see you there.

 

Jody, Is that Bonners original Falcon, or a clone?

I heard from Dave Lyall, he said his Falcon did have Bob Ford logos on it in 1965, they were removed when it was sold after the '65 Indy Nationals.

Did you get my PM?

Have fun at Norwalk!

 

WOW, great showing of T-Bolts. just came to track to pick up some 351 parts (for Glidden Pinto) and see the Thunderbolts, scored a verti-gate as well in the swap (for 62 Comet)

Is the Gate Job FC a re creation or the original?? soo cool.

Got Dick Brannan and Phil Bonner to sign the glove box door to my Bracket Car 67 Cougar,,,,,Awsome,,, Bonner was an absolule HOOT!!! laughed my ass off!!

Great time..............

Dave

 

Yes the Gate Job is the original car as far as I know.

They don't come any better than Phil Bonner!!!

 

The Bonner Falcon is an exact replica built by Jim Cagle. Jim bought the original car from Phil in '65. The original car has never been found. Rumor is it ended up in NYC as a street racer.

Yes I got your PM. I'll be in touch.

Here are a few shots from Norwalk.

 

A few more...

 

And a few more...

 

Troublemaker; Whose T-bolts are the two white ones in your photos other than the Drew -Lively One? There were almost as many at Norwalk as at the Fairlane meet. Is the Alderman car the same Nick Smith car as was at Dearborn? Looks nice lettered.

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AVOLQZcx1xs

 

Here's Gas Ronda with his T-Bolt. Notice the very rare/prototype cloverleaf hood scoop design.



Pete

 

Hello:

If I may ask. What is the widest 15 inch diameter tire size that can be put under a unmodified 1964 Fairlane?

Thank You Again.

 

A pic of "Dyno" Don Nicholsons '64 Comet 4 months before I bought it in the Fall of 1980.

 

.....Any more pictures? Thanks for posting.

 

I've been trying to find my pics but I think they may have been mistakenly disposed of during one of my parents home renovations. I traded this car in '84 for a Lightweight Galaxie that I sold in '88.

 

Very cool to see that picture! Any idea when the wheelbase was altered ?
I guess you didn't buy it off Don so how many owners has it been through?

As for Fairlanes they are exactly the same wheelwell width as a Comet as i'm finding out. I've got both cars. An 8" wide wheel with a 9 x 28" slick is about all you will fit comfortably and that is after cutting the front edge of the rocker, do that a bit more and you'll fit a 9x30. If you don't want any cutting a 26" diameter is tops but looks silly. A 10" rim makes things way too tight unless you widen the inner wheelhouse to the frame rail.

I run a 9 x 30 on a 10" rim but that's with the wheelwells against the frame rail and even that is notched in the rear. Offset shackles and the rear end moved 1" forward on the springs and the front edge of the lip moved 3" forward and angled towards the rocker.

 

I believe I was the 3rd or 4th after Dyno Don, the guy I traded it to and still the current owner is Brent Hajek in Oklahoma. The wheels had been moved forward by one of the owners before me, it had 10.5x28.5 M&H slicks mounted on a 5" rim, man what a handfull.

 

Matt Fenton had the wheelbase altered as early as 1965. I believe he and Ivan Jordan were partners with the car. I have Eastern Drag News issues that show the AWB in '65. By the way I'm trying to track down Matt Fenton if anybody knows if he is still around.

 

A recent web find....the old Conner Ford Don Bowles car

 

Comet vs Thunderbolt.

 

a couple I found