Phil Bonner 1965 Mustang & 1965 Falcon

Muttley: The guy standing behind the car during the wheels up launch is a buddy of mine that lives here in Colorado Springs and still drag races, he worked with Phil back in 64. Way kool guy!!!!

 

It was kool to meet Phil for the first time in AZ at **** Brannan's show,I had him sign my car and my cammer valve cover. Super Guy!!!

 

Muttley,you never cease to amaze me with your wealth of knowledge!

 

That is a great story and even better photos!!!That is the first time I had seen the picture with the steering box OUTSIDE the frame! They were trying all kinds of suspension,front and rear,back then. Thanks for posting! ROY.

 

Knowledge? I'm not too sure about that. I do have a pretty good magazine collection though.

 

and they say they didnt hook back then......I love that shot

 

Incredible Pics and Info! Many thanks! It is amazing of how the "Arc" of the frame rails were cut and lengthed/stretched of which resulted in the 9 inch AWB on Poppy Red 1965 Falcon! I always wondered how this was accomplished.

Amazing story as why Phil's A/FX Falcon came about when Phil already had the A/FX Mustang up and running. Why the Poppy Red 65 Falcon was crushed is beyond me. Attached are pics of "Front Halfed" AWB Comets and Falcons. Notice of how the rear half of the 1/4 panel wheel well remains in factory position.

 

Although not Phils what a thing of Beauty!

 

I ran into something interesting last night. I have volume 1, issue 1 of Street and Strip Magazine and it has an article about the building of Bonner's '65 Falcon which is good but the cover says "**** Bonner's A/FX Falcon" I guess they mixed **** Brannon and Phil Bonner together or something.

 

I have heard that after the huge wheel stand at the Nationals against Brannon that the '65 car was pretty cracked and broken up anyway..

 

That is the first time i have seen those 'rear trailing arms' with shock absorbers. Anybody here elaborate on them? Please don't consider this as stealing a thread. This is a bit of a technical piece anyway.

 

I pulled this thread back up because...I understand that he used a quarter elliptical leaf front suspension. Are there any old pics of this setup in any of the old magazines? Does anyone have a pic of this? Also, in answer to oj....rear trailing arm shocks were used ...it made the car that pulled enough torque do a four wheel stand...rather a hoot to see in person...LOL.

 

I think there are pics in the AFX Falcon thread

 

Thanks, I will take look...

 

Also check out the A/FX front suspension thread.A few good pictures on there.

Scott


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After purchasing bee on video , cecil county drag o way dvd, and watching some action from 65-66, the interview of Phil Bonner answers some questions here. The Falcons rear axle could be pushed further up than a mustang, therefore he liked the falcon better for this reason. When Bonner was done with the Falcon, Ford did not want anyone else driving it saying it was too dangerous and was scared of liability so Ford took it.

If anyone wants to see this car in action, I highly suggest you purchase the dvd. It is very very good.

 

The red Daddy Warbucks Falcon was damaged to the point it was unusable by the wheelstand Bonner pulled in that race against Brannan’s “ Bronco” awb Mustang.
Bonner ran a long nose Mustang,also constructed by H/M,for the 1966 season.


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I seen Phil Bonner at Dover a few times in 64/65 the blue car definitely had ALL 4 wheels of the ground. It was named the "Georgia Peach" but I think it is the same car that was referred to as the "Leap Frog".

Pat

 

Boy, this thread brings back some great memories of watching Bonner and the Daddy Warbucks Falcon in match races at the old Thunderbolt Dragstrip in Jacksonville, FL. Thanks for the memories, those were good days.