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.
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.
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...
Yep, and it's about to have some big rubber again...at least something presentable that fills up that big opening.
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
Haha it would definitely be right at home at the Gear Jam. Still has a clutch pedal hanging in it....
Wonder how many times that Fairlane saw Cotton Perrys tail lights at the finish line at Brainerd dragstrip?
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
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.
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
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.