Hot Rods How to ID an old Match Racer?

You never know what's going to turn up in the woods of VT.

I stumbled across a car that was never titled, and supposedly had ties to a major Ford outside contractor.

Don't want to give up too much info just yet. I've been doing my own research, and if I'm right, and it's the car I think it is, this was a well known East Coast based race car that's been missing for over 45 years.

Some of the modifications are typical of the altered/match race era.

10" engine set back.
Firewall moved back for engine set back.
No front brakes, just hubs on spindles
Fiberglass fenders, hood, bumper, doors.
Plastic? windows.
Rear axle moved ahead 10-12".
Traction bars welded onto the rear and attached to brackets on a crossmember.
Ran an injected big block and 4 speed.

My question is, who are the experts in this area? Did the contractors or manufacturers keep records? If I end up with it, I'd like to verify that it's the car I think it is. (Its been changed some in preparation to be streetable, and its been painted at least once, and it's kind of rough) I've found some cool stuff over the years, but nothing like this.

 

Hang tite..I'm sure some one will know something or know where to send you..HAMB knows all; except for one mid engine 57' Chebby!

 

Let it out into the open, post lots of detailed pictures, and the experts will find you.

(if you have not yet purchased it, then I can understand your reluctance)

 

Yep get it bought, then post away. Gear-on-teed you'll probably get more info than you ever dreamed. Those eastern cats don't forget nothin'....

 

So where did I put that shoebox dashboard?

 

VT - Hope to see it soon. Don't blame you for playing your cards close to your vest.

 

This should be Interesting!

 

dang! waiting on the pictures!

 

At least give us a hint if it is a Ford, Chevy or oddball

 

It's a Ford, ran an injected 427. That of course, is long gone.

 

If you think you can't loose even if it's fake go for it.

 

HellifIknow Seb, I ain't that far east. Have a hard time finding my shoes in the morning.

 

I'd say the man that would know is my buddy Mike Guffey. He has found , identified, owned, bought, and sold more race cars than you could dream about !

 

Mike Guffey, X2

 

Been in touch with him, thanks guys.

 

So the car is not the one I thought it was, but it's still a legit altered wheelbase car.

Northeast, or East coast guys, anyone remember a 66 Ranchero, blue in color, then later white, running?

 

VT - No actual help but a pic of a '66 Ranchero. Damn, there's a good looking body style. Apologies to the mods, pushing the year I know.
Now to scrape up $2300 and a time machine...
*edit* - Now I can actually read the fine print. Gonna save almost $50 with blackwalls and steelies.

 

I know 66 is pushing it, but there's no knowledge base out there like the HAMB. It's an odd one, someone has to remember it.

 

So I have to update this old post. I was mistaken and the car in question actually was what I thought. It was rough and did not match what little information I had at the time. I bought it and have been doing research and looking for pictures. This is what I know at this point. Any insight or comments are welcome.l

I found Bud Shellenberger's altered wheelbase Ranchero that he match raced in the Maryland area. It made it's way to Vermont after Bud sold it and was raced by Faysey (Willis) Ford owner John Casey.

Bud built the car from a new Ranchero, and as such it has never been registered for the road. He stripped the car of any unnecessary weight, adding lexan windows, fiberglass fenders, hood, bumper and doors. The wheel base was altered about 8.5" and the 6 cylinder was yanked for an Algon injected 427 high riser backed by a C6 that Ford provided. A 9" rear and Thunderbolt style traction arms rear were mounted out back.

Bud named the car FoMoGo and debuted it at Cecil County Dragoway early in the spring of 66. It's first times were 10.60s-10.70s. By mid summer it was running very low 10s at 139mph. After racing the car at Cecil, Aquasco, 75-80 and Mason Dixon and possibly other tracks, Bud sold the car. It then turns up in Northern VT owned by a Ford dealer and is swapped to a 4 speed and gains taller velocity stacks. It was then run at Milton Speedway and possibly at tracks just over the border in Canada.


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Cool find, I'd say show us some pics but the mods might not approve.
What are your plans for the car?

 

p.s. Love the car in your avatar.

 

I'll post pics. I've been slowly putting it back together as parts are found and time allows.

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Thank you, that one has a history of it's own as well.

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Here's a few pics. I know it's a 66, but there has been mention of this car, and Bud's other drag cars on the HAMB, so I thought we might let this one slide.

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Damn cool, I am also a proud owner of a third gen Falcon.
Not the prettiest in the flock so nobody kept them.
Kinda rare to see one nowadays.
What are the plans with the Ranchero?

 

As Schultzie would say, "Verrrry Interesting"!

 

Love the ‘63 and dig the ‘66 with its legit drag history back to day one.

Good on you for saving it and showing it off. Look forward to seeing more.

Cliff Ramsdell

 

There kind of an oddball body style. Falcon fenders on a Fairlane platform. They do take a big block though.

 

67 they went to the Fairlane nose, a one year car. I think the Fairlane front looks better, always wanted one. I remember looking at a 66 edition of Hot Rod, there was a 66 that had a 66 Fairlane nose swapped on it before Ford came out with the 67's. 68 went to the Torino nose.

 

Here’s my old ‘66, was my first engine swap and I put a 428 in it, Pontiac 428

@VTjunk , if you want me to pull this down let me know.

Cliff Ramsdell