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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 tach, modified suspension, and many other special features. The "Thunderbolts" boasted 500 horsepower and ferociously struck the quater-mile in the mid-11's.  I believe 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.