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FE Power Forums => Non-FE Discussion Forum => Topic started by: AlanCasida on April 06, 2018, 08:56:54 PM

Title: I wonder if this started out as a Thunderbolt
Post by: AlanCasida on April 06, 2018, 08:56:54 PM
if so...ouch. Oh well, I bet they were saying "it's just a race car".
Title: Re: I wonder if this started out as a Thunderbolt
Post by: cammerfe on April 06, 2018, 10:54:09 PM
There was a T-bolt that ran often at Milan back in the early '70s. It had some nice touches, such as a backlite made of red Lexan with a Thunderbird emblem cut out in the middle. It also was running a relatively mild 440 mopar engine. After seeing it several times, I finally made a point of asking the driver why he'd put that engine in.

His answer, "It's all I had." I just walked away.

Another experience---I had what had originally been Dave Lyall's AF/X Comet offered to me as a gift---minus the engine and trans. I had no immediate use for it and no place to store it so I turned it down. :o

KS
Title: Re: I wonder if this started out as a Thunderbolt
Post by: thatdarncat on April 07, 2018, 12:01:36 AM
if so...ouch. Oh well, I bet they were saying "it's just a race car".

I'm pretty sure that yes, that was an original Thunderbolt. A few of the cars over just a few years got cut up into practically nothing. Drag racing and the classes were changing so fast at that time. There is a long running thread about Thunderbolts going on the H.A.M.B., started I believe by our member Jody A. that has lots of good info and pictures. One original Thunderbolt was cut up a few times, eventually ended up as a short track circle track car. There's also a good Thunderbolt Facebook page.
Title: Re: I wonder if this started out as a Thunderbolt
Post by: jayb on April 07, 2018, 08:14:27 AM
From the looks of the injectors that car is equipped with an SOHC.  I have to say I think its pretty cool, despite being all cut up...
Title: Re: I wonder if this started out as a Thunderbolt
Post by: machoneman on April 07, 2018, 09:03:04 AM
I had to blow up the pic but Jay you have a good eye and I think you're right on the Cammer.

Just think of all the great drag cars that also got cut up for altered wheelbases, went from stock bodies to shelled-out bodies over mainly tube or tube type chassis. That and crashes. Others that were beat so badly they literally ended up in a junkyard and were scrapped. Well, at least they put on a great show before heading to that junkyard in the sky!  :-[ ;) ;D   

From the looks of the injectors that car is equipped with an SOHC.  I have to say I think its pretty cool, despite being all cut up...
Title: Re: I wonder if this started out as a Thunderbolt
Post by: AlanCasida on April 07, 2018, 11:30:45 AM

Just think of all the great drag cars that also got cut up for altered wheelbases, went from stock bodies to shelled-out bodies over mainly tube or tube type chassis. That and crashes. Others that were beat so badly they literally ended up in a junkyard and were scrapped. Well, at least they put on a great show before heading to that junkyard in the sky!  :-[ ;) ;D   

Agreed. I was not passing any judgment on the owner who did this. That was just how it was back then. A guy I used to work with ran HotRod pulling tractors from the late 60s thru the 80s and he used to go to the insurance salvage pools and buy wrecked Hemi cars. He would pull the drivetrains, keep the Hemis, sell the trans & rearend then scrap the bodies. He said by today's standards they were all repairable but back they were just wrecked cars and you could go get a new one at the dealership. He did mention something about "What was I thinking!" 20-20 hindsight.
Title: Re: I wonder if this started out as a Thunderbolt
Post by: TomP on April 07, 2018, 01:21:34 PM
By 1965 it was just an old race car to some. When they had heads up weight classes, 2400lb, 2600lb and 2800lb would have required weight removal from a Tbolt. I would guess that roadster may be in 2400lb class.
 Is that the one John Donilson was killed in?
Title: Re: I wonder if this started out as a Thunderbolt
Post by: 57 lima bean on April 08, 2018, 04:59:55 PM
It may not be Tom   http://dragstripdeaths.webs.com/196569.htm
Title: Re: I wonder if this started out as a Thunderbolt
Post by: TomP on April 08, 2018, 11:40:35 PM
I thought Donilsons had the roof cut off too. They updated that site, last time I read that entry it didn't have the details like being rear ended by another car and being thrown back into the trunk.
 Explains where that braced seat and crossbar rule comes from...written in blood as they say.
Title: Re: I wonder if this started out as a Thunderbolt
Post by: thatdarncat on April 10, 2018, 12:13:35 AM
Beautiful color picture today from the Facebook Thunderbolt page ( Not my picture ). Not only the rear axle location altered, but the front axle too.  (https://s5.postimg.cc/9g0xevp6v/image.jpg) (https://postimages.cc/)
Title: Re: I wonder if this started out as a Thunderbolt
Post by: cjshaker on April 10, 2018, 06:35:28 AM
I'm assuming they must have used coils instead of leafs on that one. Sure doesn't look like there's ANY room for leaf springs on that front end.
Title: Re: I wonder if this started out as a Thunderbolt
Post by: machoneman on April 10, 2018, 08:19:16 AM
Wow, that car has about the furthest front axle relocation I've ever seen on an altered wheelbase door slammer, Hemi-powered Chrysler racers as well. 
Title: Re: I wonder if this started out as a Thunderbolt
Post by: Heo on April 10, 2018, 08:54:16 AM
I'm assuming they must have used coils instead of leafs on that one. Sure doesn't look like there's ANY room for leaf springs on that front end.
Maybe cross spring  (buggy suspension)
Title: Re: I wonder if this started out as a Thunderbolt
Post by: thatdarncat on April 10, 2018, 05:06:44 PM
Picture of the Donilson T-Bolt as the "Dixie Stripper", notice at this point the side window "Posts" had been removed. ( Not my picture, from the H.A.M.B. thread )
(https://s5.postimg.cc/hay57z92v/image.jpg) (https://postimages.cc/)
Title: Re: I wonder if this started out as a Thunderbolt
Post by: AlanCasida on April 10, 2018, 08:07:52 PM
By 1965 it was just an old race car to some. When they had heads up weight classes, 2400lb, 2600lb and 2800lb would have required weight removal from a Tbolt. I would guess that roadster may be in 2400lb class.
 Is that the one John Donilson was killed in?
I posted this picture on facebook and a guy knew the car and said someone named Sydney(not sure first or last name) bought the car used and modified it to that configuration.
Title: Re: I wonder if this started out as a Thunderbolt
Post by: thatdarncat on April 10, 2018, 08:44:54 PM
By 1965 it was just an old race car to some. When they had heads up weight classes, 2400lb, 2600lb and 2800lb would have required weight removal from a Tbolt. I would guess that roadster may be in 2400lb class.
 Is that the one John Donilson was killed in?
I posted this picture on facebook and a guy knew the car and said someone named Sydney(not sure first or last name) bought the car used and modified it to that configuration.

I believe Sidney Foster, hence the "Foster Motor Co." on the side of the car. I'm not sure of the spelling either, going by how I've seen it spelled. 
Title: Re: I wonder if this started out as a Thunderbolt
Post by: thatdarncat on April 10, 2018, 08:55:19 PM
It's unbelievable how many of these received the altered wheelbase treatment. I'm guessing maybe Dennis K. Or Jody A. have an idea how many. There's no end of pictures. Also many original fiberglass hoods that were cut. Here's another car, again from the H.A.M.B. ( Not my picture )

(https://s5.postimg.cc/8di0odlg7/image.jpg) (https://postimages.cc/)
Title: Re: I wonder if this started out as a Thunderbolt
Post by: Falcon67 on April 11, 2018, 10:37:05 AM
Looks like something Paul Peyton did in Super Gas.  NHRA Gave him hell about it, just about never let it run.