Features Ford Thunderbolts Photos Wanted

Anyone know the story on this car? I've wondered about this one ever since these pictures appeared in one of the NY based magazines from the period. The car was different with no chrome trim on the side. It can be seen briefly in the background of one of the NHRA films from the '64 NHRA Nationals ... in the tech lines as I recall. It was bright red. Both of these Zantop pictures came from Super Stockers in Action magazine or something like that ... late '64 or very early '65. Many of those NY based magazines had great coverage, better in my opinion than the CA magazines. Alex Walordy and Al Kirschenbaum were behind many of the stories and pictures.
Joel

 

This is the Zantop car the way it is today. It has been owned by the same owner since 1968. It's still in Michigan and doesn't come out much. This shot is from the 45th. reunion and the last time it was out prior to that was the 40th.....

 

Those shots are from Super Stockers in Action. John Durand also has a shot of this car.

 

Why did the Zantop car not have side molding or fender and rear pillar emblems?

If this is the same car, looks like someone added them.
Tom S.

 

There were a couple clones(?) at the Autorama that I took pix of. Unfortunately, I dropped my camera and broke it. Would anyone know if any of these were TRUE T-Bolts or have pix?

 

Good question, the next time I see Barry I'll ask him. T-Bolt-Too did not have roof crowns either.

Regards,
Dennis

 

No original T-Bolts at Autorama this year. The last time I recall seeing an original Bolt there was 1969 or 70. It was the former Milo Coleman car with a SBC in it. However, a few years ago Reliable had their 65 B/FX Comet there.

Regards,
Dennis

 

Thanks Dennis! A SBC in a T-Bolt... Sacreiligeous! At least put a 390 into it!

 

When Bob Trevarrow bought the car in 1990, it had a 468 BBC with a THM-400 in it.

Regards,
Dennis

 

Back in 1996? at Spittle's SSR Dinwiddy, VA event I was strapped in and helmet on, just getting ready to move up under the tower to make a run in my Thunderbolt. I had a person come up to talk to me that at one time owned the car. We had little time to talk, but asked him to meet me at my trailer as soon as I made a pass, as he knew where I was pitted. Unfortunately, I never got the man's name and he never stopped by to talk. From what I recall, his brother-in-law got the car from him, by then it was altered wheelbase straight axle and crashed it.

Many years ago Skip Norman had looked for the car and found out it crashed and the driver died in it.

Do you know if Bob Balderson and Donati were related?

Regards,
Dennis

 

Dennis; Balderson and Donati are not kin. The Donati bros. and Pete glassco got the car from Bob in early 1965. Jimmy wrecked the car late '65 at Richmond Dragway. I have the car on 8mm film converted to dvd. The clutch blew, came through the floorboard and cut the brakeline to the left front. It was repaired and turned into a matchrace car then Jimmy went Nam and the car disapeared. Someone please help find out more about this car as it was big hit at Richmond Va. dragway. Donati and Glassco lived in Richmond. Balderson lived in Farnham Va.
regards, Jim

 

Are Glassco and Donati related? Just trying to figure out if one of them were the brother-in-law that crashed the car. When I was at Dinwiddy I wanted to find out if his brother-in-law survived the crash or not and anything else about the car, but never was able to. I can't ask Skip Norman who he spoke to about the car as he passed away a couple years ago. Do you have any photos as a match race car?

Regards,
Dennis

 

Dennis, i don't know if Glassco and Donati are related, but they were partners with the t-bolt. Glassco has also passed away. I,m trying to contact Donati now, hoping he can remember more about the car, but he's a busy guy. He and his son run a car at Richmond and I run mine at Dinwiddie. I have his address and phone no.
regards,
Jim

 

Ford has always limited their production of good stuff and made it too rare for practical use, and that's a shame cause one of these T'bolts would run hell out of a Hemi Cuda!

Once the high riser could no longer be welded and sleeved any more, you had to put something else in them. They ran very good, but were thin wall, and the sodium filled valves played hell when they inevitably snapped.
They didn't just hammer around in there, they exploded.
Ford didn't want to play race anymore, so the only option was the 485 series (ugh), or a smaller and lighter weight cleveland if you had $$ for the one of a kind race parts.

But a lot ended up like the one I worked on in the early 70's, with a big block in modified eliminator. With square port heads, they were all the same, and common. (using that term loosely)

I suppose if you did have $$, a Chrysler could be a comparable option, but then they had their own bodies and vehicles.

Tom S. in Tn.

 

FYI
There is a four page article about Phil Bonner in this weeks National Dragster. Phil was interviewed for almost two hours for this article and it includes a ton of photos. Check it out...

 

Troublemaker2, where on earth can i find National Dragster. Not in my local book store!?
Jim

 

Most likely you will need to find a current NHRA member and steal their copy. You may be able to get a copy at NHRA.com. Some larger speed shops sell it too.

 

OK, thanks. Let us know what you find out. Do you have a photo of it as altered wheelbase?

Regards,
Dennis

 

I just noticed the T-Bolt picture in the Bonner National Dragster article shows the rare "clover leaf" hood which preceeded the more common "teardrop" hood.

 

Side moldings are probably off for weight savings. Just the door panels and side trim missing take 70 lbs off on my Fairlane.

 

This Photo was posted on another thread awhile ago, My appologies if is on here earlier.I could look at it all day.

Nothing like a Pie Crust Tire on a Mickey wheel Sitting under a Bad Ass Thunderbolt And One of the best Bill Lawton talking about it.
Where do I get one of those Cool Jackets?

 

I believe that is engine man John Healy Lawton is talking to

 

hello i'm new to board . i have a lot of the 1/18 diecast thunderbolts with all the decals on them . plus a lot you cant buy . a friend of mine who has passed away made the decals for me.
what i'm wondering if any of you on board know's some one who make's 1/18scale decals of the thunderbolts are any drag decals .
if you do please email at . tenn.cooter@yahoo.com
thank you for any help !

 

I love the H.A.M.B,i'm a big Thunderbolt fan. I have a short video i made using footage from Richmond Dragway from 65 of my dad racing, and lots of T-BOLTS must see.soon as i figure out how to post it.Keep on Racing !

 

Phil Bonners wrecked T-bolt pics! Was this car rebodied/fixed? Was Bonner driving?

 

I believe the one that Reggie had was originaly called WAR EAGLE and the man that used to drive it live over by the georgia alabama line.He is a graduate of Auburn and was driving super stock pontiacs till the t-bolts came out.It was never beaten.

hope this helps

sp1ke