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'64 Fairlane Gasser Uncovered

Discussion in 'The Hokey Ass Message Board' started by TLB@HCG, Apr 30, 2013.

  1. TLB@HCG
    Joined: Jun 7, 2011
    Posts: 227

    TLB@HCG
    Member

    This certainly isn't a holy grail barn find, but it's still a cool piece of local racing history. It's a '64 Ford Fairlane, which has a straight axle (looks to be Ford Econoline), hacked-up quarter panels and a 12 bolt rear end. Story on the car is that Genuine Auto Parts in Hixson, TN built it and it was driven by Don Sparks. The car had a Boss 302, 4-speed, but later changed to a 351 in the '70s.

    The guy that ended up with the car didn't seem to care that this was an old race car. He brush-painted the car (including trim, emblems, etc.) white and scrapped the wheels that were on it....I believe it had slots on it. He also "installed" a late model 302, which we will be disposing of shortly. Anyway, we drug this car home on whatever wheels we had lying around, but plan to change them out now that it's no longer sitting in a mud hole.

    My curiosity ran wild last night, so I bought a can of oven cleaner to see if anything remained beneath the white paint. The result was a layer of black paint beneath the white stuff. THEN, I kept scrubbing and found the lettering on the door, which reads "Borrowed Time". I haven't had a chance to do the whole car, but I'm hoping to get all of the white paint off, while protecting the lettering. I ran out of daylight yesterday but here's the progress so far.

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  2. slowmotion
    Joined: Nov 21, 2011
    Posts: 3,330

    slowmotion
    Member

    Looks like a great find with a ton of potential. Take your time cleaning that white wash off. You may be surprised at what may be decent, usable finish underneath. A 64 Fairlane is dragstrip icon.
     
  3. Alex Yohnk
    Joined: Sep 7, 2005
    Posts: 828

    Alex Yohnk

    Get that barn paint off that thing! That's gonna be awesome.
     
  4. jpnewlin
    Joined: Nov 19, 2010
    Posts: 196

    jpnewlin
    Member

    Too cool! Working the layers off to find that patina is awesome. It must have had some big rubber on the back at some point...
     

  5. jesse1980
    Joined: Aug 25, 2010
    Posts: 1,355

    jesse1980
    Member

    That's badass!
     
  6. scrappin bottom
    Joined: May 14, 2011
    Posts: 119

    scrappin bottom
    Member
    from Austin

  7. TLB@HCG
    Joined: Jun 7, 2011
    Posts: 227

    TLB@HCG
    Member

    Yep, and it's about to have some big rubber again...at least something presentable that fills up that big opening.
     
  8. black 62
    Joined: Jul 12, 2012
    Posts: 1,895

    black 62
    Member
    from arkansas

    great save...
     
  9. tommyd
    Joined: Dec 10, 2010
    Posts: 11,948

    tommyd
    Member
    from South Indy

    Post up the first part of the vin# Maybe its an old "K" car.
     
  10. tommyd
    Joined: Dec 10, 2010
    Posts: 11,948

    tommyd
    Member
    from South Indy

    Hey,64ONEOFF on here was looking for the antenna bezel like that car has.
     
  11. nha
    Joined: Apr 12, 2007
    Posts: 22

    nha
    Member

    Super cool.

    Thank you.
     
  12. Brad54
    Joined: Apr 15, 2004
    Posts: 6,021

    Brad54
    Member
    from Atl Ga

    That's too cool!

    Congrats on the find.

    (you know, you'd be home Saturday night, in time to cook breakfast on Sunday! 10 days to strip that white off!!!)

    -Brad
     
  13. TLB@HCG
    Joined: Jun 7, 2011
    Posts: 227

    TLB@HCG
    Member

    Haha it would definitely be right at home at the Gear Jam. Still has a clutch pedal hanging in it....
     
  14. Model A John
    Joined: Apr 24, 2008
    Posts: 1,771

    Model A John
    Member
    from wichita ks

    Good start! Keep us posted.
     
  15. tfeverfred
    Joined: Nov 11, 2006
    Posts: 15,791

    tfeverfred
    Member Emeritus

    Great find! Those early 60's Fairlanes were sharp rides.
     
  16. papastoyss
    Joined: Apr 9, 2009
    Posts: 195

    papastoyss
    Member

    Wonder how many times that Fairlane saw Cotton Perrys tail lights at the finish line at Brainerd dragstrip?
     
  17. Butch M
    Joined: Oct 14, 2008
    Posts: 1,633

    Butch M
    Member

    that's cool great find
     
  18. jratz1966
    Joined: Nov 11, 2009
    Posts: 104

    jratz1966
    Member

    Kool find,what's your plan for drive train? keep us posted

    jratz
     
  19. John1964
    Joined: Oct 16, 2006
    Posts: 114

    John1964
    Member
    from BC, Canada

    very cool! post some pics of the front axle set up and engine compartment.
     
  20. pontman
    Joined: Mar 18, 2011
    Posts: 419

    pontman
    Member

    Sweet! That should be a crime covering up old race cars.
     
  21. Redlighting
    Joined: Sep 10, 2008
    Posts: 49

    Redlighting
    Member
    from Tn

    That is awesome.Love it.
     
  22. old soul
    Joined: Jan 15, 2011
    Posts: 1,093

    old soul
    Member
    from oswego NY

  23. paco
    Joined: Oct 19, 2006
    Posts: 1,141

    paco
    Member
    from Atlanta

    Great find. I have 2 '64 myself. 1 is a tribute S/S car & the other a full tube frame outlaw 10.5 drag car (not finished yet).

    I've got a set of '64 vintage fenton hawks in great shape that are 5x15 small ford pattern if your looking for front vintage wheels
     
  24. TLB@HCG
    Joined: Jun 7, 2011
    Posts: 227

    TLB@HCG
    Member

    PM sent.
     
  25. TLB@HCG
    Joined: Jun 7, 2011
    Posts: 227

    TLB@HCG
    Member

    Front axle setup is pretty scary. The axle itself is ok, but the way they mounted the springs is interesting. Next time I get the chance, I'll take a couple shots of it. Engine compartment is decent. They cut the shock towers out of it completely, and riveted some sheet metal in place.
     
  26. Nice find, that white paint may have helped preserving it. That radius cut is pretty crazy, often wonder how people cut so crooked, stock car stuff..lol
     
  27. TLB@HCG
    Joined: Jun 7, 2011
    Posts: 227

    TLB@HCG
    Member

    Updated shot with its new wheels and tires....helped it a LOT! Still haven't completed the white paint removal...maybe I'll get a chance to work on it a couple nights this week.

    [​IMG]
     
  28. 1964countrysedan
    Joined: Apr 14, 2011
    Posts: 1,131

    1964countrysedan
    Member
    from Texas

  29. Brad54
    Joined: Apr 15, 2004
    Posts: 6,021

    Brad54
    Member
    from Atl Ga

    That is soooooo badass!!

    -Brad
     

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