Re: Survivor Thunderbolts
 

A few before & after shots of Gas Ronda's 1964 Thunder Bolt...

http://img849.imageshack.us/img849/6...ercuryhors.jpg

http://img809.imageshack.us/img809/2...datbolt01a.jpg

http://img163.imageshack.us/img163/3...datbolt12a.jpg

Re: Survivor Thunderbolts
 

:) Hey "Moose"...geez...it's real good to see that car again...Gas...the former dance instructor (said all the other stuff in previous post)...a still very handsome "movie star" like devil @ 80 plus...looks not a day over 40 (has found the fountain of youth for sure)...a class act that never goes out of style...the late Les Richey's Performance Associates "help" ...with somewhat un-heralded longtime super-wrench Cliff Brian...Russ Davis Ford dealership..."dem's"...were the daze 'eh...seems like just... yesterday :) Drake...the Downtown Ford deal ended early in the "life" of the T-Bolt...they had...however...long been a part of Gas's racing career/cars for some time time in earlier (years) Galaxies as well...

Re: Survivor Thunderbolts
 

http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e3...psa902829a.jpg

Hey...here's a photo...of legend...Gaspar (Gas) Rhonda...with Tom Caldara...(the longtime partner with Nate "Nazy Crate" Cohen)...two "boys" still lookin' pretty good 'eh...Gas @ 80...Tommy @ 68... and counting...love 'em both...:) inquiring minds want to know...could it be the "air" quality on the west coast???!!! Drake

Re: Survivor Thunderbolts
 

Front bumper seams longer on side of the Russ Davis version also no tow tabs

Re: Survivor Thunderbolts
 

:) Hey Grape..."first" bumper in photo on car (maroon) was fiberglass...second bumper in photo was aluminum (orange) hence "seams"...the first 11 cars produced by Andy Hotten/Dearborn Steel Tubing for Ford Motor Company were maroon (and given to their "chosen" racers)...the rest were all white...Gas always had a trailer to carry...not sure why the "change" in bumper along with paint (although orange color with/lettering style was Russ Davis "colors" with Gas through the AFX Mustang & later series of funny cars as well...Drake...p.s....not sure if my "re-call" is correct...but Plaza Fiberglass (Ontario,Canada) made fiberglass components for FoMoCo T-Bolts,Falcon,AFX Mustang... very early stuff was kind of heavy...they did make some lighter stuff later on...also possibly "re-call" (memory?) that front of car was damaged in towing/trailer accident...not terrible "damage"...hence bumper replacement though :)..."our"(originally was Bill Rick Ford/Centraila,Illinois-pictured elsewhere on this thread under our Carmel Ford banner in mid/late 70's "form")) T-Bolt (original white) had aluminum front bumper being like # in the seventies (production wise of 111 produced)...NHRA does "accept" both...at least...now :D

Re: Survivor Thunderbolts
 

Re: Survivor Thunderbolts
 

The total number of 1964 Thunderbolts built was 100. I have the VIN list and a Thunderbolt has never been found that was outside of this 100 on the list.

They were produced at DST as follows:

Group 1

October 1963
Consisted of 11 cars, all vintage burgundy
- 10 Four Speeds, 1 Automatic
Group 2

December 1963 - Feb 1964
Consisted of 39 cars, all white
- 9 Four Speeds, 30 Automatics
Group 3

March - May 1964
Consisted of 50 cars, all white
- 22 Four Speeds, 28 Automatics

Yes there were more automatics built than 4-speeds. Many of the automatics were converted to 4-speeds as the Lincoln auto trans just wasn't fast. Dearborn Steel Tubing actually sold a conversion kit to install a 4-speed into an auto car.

It is unknown an exact reason why there were a greater number of autos over 4-speeds. Possibly Ford wanted to compete with the Mopars but it just didn't work out with the Lincoln transmission.

Re: Survivor Thunderbolts
 

Where is this thing at today? Last I knew it was on the west coast and I think went thru a auction. Was still black with the gold tricks

Re: Survivor Thunderbolts
 

:) Hey...I'm sure...at least I think I'm "sure"...Jodi's numbers are correct...just squeezing the tomatoes...but I "guess" this...at least...I like the production numbers 1....and 100 (of 100 produced)...better for ownership (along with his other 3 Thunderbolts) of Don Snyder's "nice" collection :D...I just have to be content for the couple years opportunity racing/driving the "then" SS/C Carmel Ford/VindicatorT-Bolt (original Bill Rick Ford car)...wasn't smart enough to hang on to it..am a very lucky/grateful guy...just not the "smartest" guy 'eh...:) Drake p.s. did make a few "laps" early on for ol' pal the late Nate"Nazy Crate" Cohen in his "then" SS/C T-Bolt as well...to get it to go from point a-b...under his watchful eye...

Re: Survivor Thunderbolts
 

http://i101.photobucket.com/albums/m...ordT-Bolt2.jpg

http://bangshift.com/assets/gallerie..._2010_796_.jpg

Here are a couple of other pics of the car, the last one was from the Grand National Roadster show back in 2010...have no idea where it's at today.