In 1964 NASCAR wanted to explore unibody cars as stock cars, so it had Holman Moody build a ’64 Fairlane to current specs to evaluate the concept. Fireball Roberts tested the car at Daytona and it was fast, but NASCAR wanted to see it compete so the team ran it in the Continental sports car race in Daytona(this was before 24 Hours of Daytona). With Fireball driving, the car finished Second behind A.J. Foyt in a Cooper Monaco. Eventually that car was sold to Alan Mann Racing in Europe, which raced it successfully in a few events before selling it. The original car is now unaccounted for; Holman says, “It probably got crashed. We don’t know what happened to it.”
Fast forward to 2006. , where H-M is a recognized name among the GT40 Mk II and vintage-Ford racers, and the idea to build a continuation Fairlane surfaced. FIA rules say that if a type of car raced back in the era, then you can build a new one like it so long as it is faithful to the original design. Of course, FIA retains the power of approval of any new car. Holman Moody still has the original drawings and some of the original parts, so who better to build a new/old ’64 Fairlane race car? The FIA gave H-M permission to build four of them, and the one you’re looking at is the third one built. What makes this car even more special is that it was the only street legal car built, the first two were strictly race cars.
Build documents from Holman Automotive show the build began in December 2009 and was completed in November 2014. Powered by a 450HP 427 Side oiler engine built by H-M with top of the line internals, aluminum heads, and a single 4 bbl induction with Holley Carb. Top Loader 4 speed backs it up with a ford 9″ Posi rear with 3.50 gear and Currie Axles. Vintage Air ac and heat help keep the cabin more comfortable. Tilt column, and a very rare Gauge cluster that H-M recast from their original mahogany pattern found on the shelf from the original car built in 64 that houses Stewart Warner gauges.
Wilwood disc brakes up front with Coleman Hats, Nascar Basset Rims with AVON racing tires on all 4 corners. Fully adjustable front suspension.
Weighing in around 2500lbs thanks to lightweight fiberglass bumpers, hood, fenders, doors, decklid, and custom aluminum window frames that still allow the drivers and passenger glass to roll up and down like factory.
Only 323 miles on the build, and one of only 3 FIA approved Fairlane Thunderbolts built out of the Legendary Holman Moody Shop. Own a very special piece of American racing history you can drive on the street without getting arrested!
