1964 FORD THUNDERBOLT

This car is a restored version of the second Thunderbolt that Mickey Thompson secured from Ford Motor Company. It has the M/T designed and manufactured HEMI headed Ford engine that Thompson is credited with engineering and producing. The construction of the car was the efforts of Jess Tyree who at the time worked for M/T and was responsible for the modification of the chassis to accept the HEMI engine and eventually bought the car from M/T when Ford pulled the plug on the program. When Jess originally built the car for Thompson, he put a Chrysler B front suspension in the car and eliminated the shock towers. During the restoration of this 1964 Thunderbolt, a decision was made to use a donor body to correct various issues with the original body due to drag racing modification throughout the car's history. The doors, hood, front fenders and bumper is fiberglass, the windows are Plexiglas and the interior was stripped. Lightweight bucket seats were adapted from the Econoline van, and the battery was relocated to the trunk. From the Frank Tiegs Collection.

Originally delivered with a 427ci High-Riser engine, Ram induction, two Holley 4-barrel carburetors, 12.0:1 compression ratio, headers, scatter shield, racing suspension and drag tires. From the Frank Tiegs Collection.