Thunderbolt whereabouts?
 

Bill Ireland (Portland,OR) got one of the original '64 T-Bolts. I remember seeing it run, got pictures.etc. Now a friend of mine is trying to find out what happened to that particular T-Bolt. Does anybody on here know what became of it after Ireland let it go? BC, maybe you'd know since you were into the Ford's back then. Appreciate any help. Thanks.
Ken

Re: Thunderbolt whereabouts?
 

Try Rich LaMont at 422motorsports.com, he may be able to help. He is a Ford expert, and owns an original Thunderbolt.

Re: Thunderbolt whereabouts?
 

I think a gentleman by the name of Mr. Ault (don’t know his first name) the owner of Ault electric in Tacoma has one in his collection.

Re: Thunderbolt whereabouts?
 

I was aware of 2 "real" Thunderbolts that migrated into B.C. Canada in the mid 60`s, one was bought by Gary Wanless of Burnaby, the other was raced by the "Chilton & Dooley" team from Kelowna or Kamloops BC.I talked to Wanless several years ago, and he told me that he cut the car up when he was building a Cougar Funny Car in the late 60`s, and he had moved the Tbolts rear axle forerward about a foot before that. I had heard that one of the cars was origionally been Les Ritchys car, but I don`t know if the Wanless car was Bill Irelands or not. There was also a couple of Tbolts from Washington State, one was known as "Little Pete" and also had the wheelbase altered in the 60`s, as did the old "Shaker" Tbolt that was restored, and is owned by Jim Gonia from Washington. I recall one other Tbolt from the Vancouver Wa. /Portland area, but I believe that car had never been modified. It was supposedly sold a number of years ago.

Re: Thunderbolt whereabouts?
 

Ken, Be prepared for what will be a shocker. When Dallas Kelly brings his Re done T-Bolt. Wrecking Crew out it will be AMAZING. Mike Pustelny did the chassis to current levels of Technology. Engine is being hand massaged by Dallas and All Painted and lettered. I hope it is out first of the year. I have seen pictures and it is worth the work and wait.... it is an original car.

Re: Thunderbolt whereabouts?
 

Bill,,,the man at Ault Electric with the Ford Collection is Gary McKay, a very nice gentleman with some awesome cars. Its been a while since I saw them, but I remember hearing that the T-Bolt had moved on.
Danny Durham

Re: Thunderbolt whereabouts?
 

Gary's collection is a site to behold for any Ford lover. I visited a few years ago with the local Shelby club and expected a few nice cars in an old warehouse. Boy, was I ever impressed. If anyone here ever get's a chance for a tour take it. Brian

Re: Thunderbolt whereabouts?
 

I don't know if it was an original but I saw one crash at Hampton Raceway on Long Island in the summer of 74. It was a 120 MPH car so for that time it was no joke of a car. I was on the starting line on deck when it crashed. It landed upside down and the guy died laying in the hot sun waiting for an ambulance. He fell out of the car as it flipped end over end and his head landed on the guard rail. He had no helmet on. After that day the helmet rule was enforced, Paul.

Re: Thunderbolt whereabouts?
 

Were the Thunderbolts available as automatics, or just as manual transmission cars?

Re: Thunderbolt whereabouts?
 

Thanks for straightening me out on who I was talking about. A friend paid him a visit a couple of years ago to take a look at one of his cars and I recall him saying his car collection was incredibly nice stuff and also if I recall correctly he said he was not just a Ford collector that he had some rare Hemi cars also. And please correct me if I’m wrong about this; wasn’t it his collection that was featured on the cover of Art Morrison’s catalog a year or two ago?