FE Power Forums
FE Power Forums => FE Technical Forum => Topic started by: Joe-JDC on December 17, 2022, 10:13:37 AM
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I thought I was fairly knowledgeable on the Fords of the era since I have been driving a Ford since 1962, but I have never heard of a Fairlane before the 1966 model year having a "R" in the serial number. I am aware of the "K" code 289 HPs, etc. Is this real, or a re-serialized plate?
There is a supposed "R" code for sale locally that has all kinds of tribute stuff on it, but not a real Thunderbolt? Thanks, Joe-JDC
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Your suspicions are correct, Joe. The first R code Fairlane was 1966.
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Everything I've read indicates that the Thunderbolts started life as K-code Fairlanes.
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As already answered, all the 100 original ‘64 Thunderbolt Fairlanes have a “K” engine code in the 5th digit of the VIN, and all the VIN numbers of those cars are known, along with the dealer or racer they were originally “delivered” to. I would add though, is the person possibly confusing the Ford assembly plant code in the second position of the VIN, and calling it an “R” code car be because of that? Ford assembly plant code “R” is San Jose California. I’ve seen people with Mustangs make that statement, calling their car a “R” code car, when in fact the “R” was the assembly plant.
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As already answered, all the 100 original ‘64 Thunderbolt Fairlanes have a “K” engine code in the 5th digit of the VIN, and all the VIN numbers of those cars are known, along with the dealer or racer they were originally “delivered” to. I would add though, is the person possibly confusing the Ford assembly plant code in the second position of the VIN, and calling it an “R” code car be because of that? Ford assembly plant code “R” is San Jose California. I’ve seen people with Mustangs make that statement, calling their car a “R” code car, when in fact the “R” was the assembly plant.
Kevin, I have even heard guys that had San Jose built, 428 CJ Ram Air cars refer to them as a "Double R code", as if that made it special and more valuable.
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The 1964 Fairlanes equipped with the DST installed 427 started out as "K" code cars and stayed that way. The 1964 Mercury Comets with DST installed 427 started out as "D" code cars. Both stayed that way after conversion.
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About 3 years ago I bought a paperback book at the FE Race and Reunion titled “Thunderbolt” authored by Charles R Morris. This book pretty much echoes what has already been said that all Thunderbolts started life as a 289 Hi Performance K code before shipment to Dearborn Steel Tubing Company. The appendix of the book has a Ford Inter-office memo listing the first 8 serial numbers and who they were shipped to. These serial numbers are 4F41K118358, 59, 60, 61, 63, 66, 67, and 68. Note they skip over 4F41K118362, 64, and 65.
The 111 page book is a pretty interesting read covering pre-Thunderbolt Ford drag racing cars, the development and campaigning of the Thunderbolt and where it was headed after the Thunderbolt.
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what's the story on Ray's T-Bolt , not a real 427 car but still a 289 hi po Dearborn Steel car ? Is that correct ? Like Nash's Mercury SS/B ?
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Yes, Rays was built as a race car but not one of the 100 Thunderbolts, his is a plain non-500 model built by DST. So while it's not "real" it's even more special.
Nash's what? It was B/FX, a 289 HiPo...and sounds like the A/FX started as HiPo's too before getting modified. K code Comets are regular 289 4V and not the solid lifter one.
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This topic has made me wonder about something, we all know that the 63-64 Galaxies with factory installed 427s were either a Q or R code, but what about the 427 Hi Risers? Were the still a R code, or was there a special designation to ID a Hi Riser car? Was it possible to buy a 64 Galaxie with a 427 Hi Riser, without it being a Lightweight package car?
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The '64 LWG cars bore the VIN 4A66RXXXXXX so they didn't receive any special VIN designation for the Hi-riser. Simply an "R" code Galaxie.
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The '64 LWG cars bore the VIN 4A66RXXXXXX so they didn't receive any special VIN designation for the Hi-riser. Simply an "R" code Galaxie.
Does anybody have a list of all the factory lightweight Galaxies, or is there anyway to confirm that a LWG is an actual "real" car, or a "Clone", Tribute" ,"Reproduction", or fake?
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I always understood that the Thunderbolt Fairlanes went to DST as Kcode cars so that they would have the 9 inch, the Comet deal is consistent with the Hipo code being D on them, anybody have any insight as to why the Comets had the D and K codes swapped for them? I always understood that there were no HR non race car Galaxies,guys would always point out that the 2x4 HR required the Thunderbolt style hood which meant no normal production cars, but thats not the case for the 1x4 HR so does anybody know of any other reasons why they couldn't be installed in a normal production car?