In the early 60's Ford's racing program consisted mostly of lightweight 427 Galaxies that were competing against cars like the Pontiac Super Duty and Dodge Ramchargers. Due to the weight of the Galaxies, Ford racers soon began dropping big blocks into Fairlanes. In 1963 Ford promoted an A/FX '63 Fairlane with a glass body and a 427, naming it a "Thunderbolt." In late '63, NHRA adopted a minimum weight rule for the stock-class cars, squeezing the Galaxies out of the racing picture. Ford then teamed up with Andy Hotten to build 57 Fairlane 427-powered race cars weighing about 3200lbs. These cars came with fiberglass fenders, teardrop hood blisters, lightweight bucket seats, plexi glass windows, cold air induction, 8000 rpm tachometer, modified suspension, and many other special features. The "Thunderbolts" boasted 500 horsepower and ferociously struck the quarter-mile in the mid-11's. There was about 111 cars produced. The first eleven cars were painted maroon, and then there was a second batch of 100 cars that were painted white. About 99 of the cars came equipped with a 4-speed.
1964 Ford Fairlane Production and Specifications
Model Number
Body/Style Number
Body Type & Seating
Factory Price
Shipping Weight
Total Production
Fairlane Six-Cyl Series
N/A
32
4 Dr Sedan
$2,224
2,828 lbs
Note 2
N/A
31
2 Dr Sedan
$2,183
2,788 lbs
Note 3
N/A
38
4 Dr Ranch Wagon
$2,520
3,223 lbs
Note 4
Fairlane V-8 Series
N/A
32
4 Dr Sedan
$2,324
2,962 lbs
Note 2
N/A
31
2 Dr Sedan
$2,283
2,922 lbs
Note 3
N/A
38
4 Dr Ranch Wagon
$2,620
3,357 lbs
Note 4
Fairlane 500 Six-Cyl Series
N/A
42
4 Dr Sedan
$2,306
2,843 lbs
Note 5
N/A
41
2 Dr Sedan
$2,265
2,813 lbs
Note 6
N/A
43
2 Dr Hardtop Coupe
$2,330
2,858 lbs
Note 7
N/A
47
2 Dr Sport Coupe
$2,491
2,878 lbs
Note 8
N/A
48
4 Dr Station Wagon
$2,601
3,243 lbs
Note 9
Fairlane 500 V-8 Series
N/A
42
4 Dr Sedan
$2,406
3,051 lbs
Note 5
N/A
41
2 Dr Sedan
$2,365
2,913 lbs
Note 6
N/A
43
2 Dr Hardtop Coupe
$2,430
2,992 lbs
Note 7
N/A
47
2 Dr Sport Coupe
$2,591
3,012 lbs
Note 8
N/A
48
4 Dr Station Wagon
$2,701
3,377 lbs
Note 9
Notes:
Total series output was 78,094 units including both Fairlane sixes and V-8s. Total series output was 199,522 units including both Fairlane 500 sixes and V-8s.
Production was counted by body style only. 36,693 Total.
Production was counted by body style only. 20,421 Total.
Production was counted by body style only. 20,980 Total.
Production was counted by body style only. 86,919 Total.
Production was counted by body style only. 23,477 Total.
Production was counted by body style only. 42,733 Total.
Production was counted by body style only. 12,431 Total.
Production was counted by body style only. 24,962 Total.
Chassis Data
Model
Wheelbase
Overall Length
Width
Front Tread
Rear Tread
Tires
Fairlane Six-Cyl
115.4 in
197.6 in
Not Available
Not Available
Not Available
6.50 x 13
Fairlane V-8
115.4 in
197.6 in
Not Available
Not Available
Not Available
7.00 x 13
Fairlane Station Wagon
115.4 in
201.8 in
Not Available
Not Available
Not Available
7.00 x 14
Vin Number Decoding - 1960 - 1969 Ford (All Models)
Location: stamped on top upper flange
of left front fender apron. Located on top of dash visible through windshield.
On lock face of left front door.
First Symbol - Year
0 = 1960
1 = 1961
2 = 1962
3 = 1963
4 = 1964
5 = 1965
6 = 1966
7 = 1967
8 = 1968
9 = 1969
Second Symbol - Assembly Plant
A = Atlanta
L = Michigan Truck
B = Oakville
N = Norfolk
C = Ontario
P = Twin Cities
D = Dallas
R = San Jose
E = Mahwah
S = Pilot Plant
F = Dearborn
T = Metuchen
G = Chicago
U = Louisville
H = Lorain
W = Wayne
J = Los Angeles
Y = Wixom
K = Kansas City
Z = St. Louis
Third & Fourth Symbol - Body Series
01 = Mustang 2 Dr Hardtop
51 = Ford 4 Dr Sedan (Custom)
02 = Mustang 2 Dr Fastback
52 = Ford 2 Dr Sedan (Custom 500)
03 = Mustang 2 Dr Convertible
53 = Ford 4 Dr Sedan (Custom 500)
10 = Falcon 2 Dr Sedan
54 = Ford 4 Dr Sedan (Galaxie 500)
11 = Falcon 4 Dr Sedan
55 = Ford 2 Dr Fastback (Galaxie 500)
12 = Falcon Station Wagon
56 = Ford 4 Dr Hardtop (Galaxie 500)
20 = Falcon 2 Dr Sedan (Futura)
57 = Ford Convertible (Galaxie 500)
21 = Falcon 4 Dr Sedan (Futura)
58 = Ford 2 Dr Hardtop (Galaxie 500)
22 = Falcon 2 Dr Sedan (Bucket Seats)
60 = Ford 2 Dr Fastback (XL)
23 = Falcon Station Wagon (Futura)
61 = Ford Convertible (XL)
30 = Fairlane 2 Dr Hardtop
62 = Ford 2 Dr Hardtop (LTD)
31 = Fairlane 4 Dr Sedan
63 = Ford 2 Dr Fastback Coupe
32 = Fairlane Station Wagon
64 = Ford 4 Dr Sedan (LTD)
33 = Fairlane 2 Dr Hardtop (500)
65 = Ford 2 Dr Hardtop Coupe
34 = Fairlane 4 Dr Sedan (500)
66 = Ford 4 Dr Hardtop (LTD)
35 = Fairlane 2 Dr Fastback (500)
70 = Ford Station Wagon (Ranch Wagon - 6P)
36 = Fairlane Convertible (500)
71 = Ford Station Wagon (Custom 500 Ranch Wagon - 6P)
37 = Fairlane Station Wagon (500)
72 = Ford Station Wagon (Custom 500 Ranch Wagon - 10P)
Note: Information, Specifications, Resources & Photos found in the Research Library should only be used as general guidelines. OldRide LLC makes no warranty as to the authenticity and accuracy of the information contained hereon.
