1964 Thunderbolt how fast were they?

Tom Nolan · 10-01-2012, 02:30 PM

I have been looking at the data from Indy and was wondering just how fast were these cars in 1964-1970? I have tried to research the internet but have really come up with no real ET's.

Andys dad · 10-01-2012, 03:30 PM

11.00 was real fast - look up what the Ramchargers and the ZL1s were running in 1965

Yours is a lot faster today - make that a lot lot faster - LOL

Yours also cost more - I think you could have bought one back then for under 5K ready to go - my neighboor was a Ford dealer and had one - use to try it out on our street in front of the house - oh for those by gone days

Ron

X-TECH MAN · 10-01-2012, 04:40 PM

More like 11.20's on 10 inch racemasters in A/FX and 11.80's to 12.0's on 7 inch S/S tires back in 1964.

Mike Gray · 10-01-2012, 04:43 PM

Look up stories on the drivers or just "stock, super stock" in general. Most of the stories will mention Thunderbolts along with the other fast cars from that era.
What is interesting is the motors were capable of running much faster than the records in the 60's. The cars were being held back by a lack of tire and suspension technology. In 1983 I purchased a 427 tunnel port from Mickey Thompson that was built in 1969 (It was probably similar to high risers for power) and I put it in a '67 Mustang and ran it without any modifications. With a C-6 and a 11.5 tire it was almost a second quicker than a Thunderbolt from the '60's.

Superfan1 · 10-01-2012, 04:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tom Nolan

I have been looking at the data from Indy and was wondering just how fast were these cars in 1964-1970? I have tried to research the internet but have really come up with no real ET's.

If I remember correctly, Butch Leal won SS/S (Super Stock Stick) at the 1964 Winternationals with an 11.76@123+. In SS trim, they were restricted to 7 inch tires; in A/FX trim, they were allowed tun 10 inch tires and were capable of low 11s@127+

Carguy49 · 10-01-2012, 05:48 PM

If you haven't already been there, Craig Sutton has a very informative site. Lots of pictures and data about the Thunderbolts. Using Yahoo type in www.thunderbolt.cc/ and scroll down to Craig's site. I hope this helps.

Tom Nolan · 10-02-2012, 10:55 AM

Ok great I looked at that site a couple of years ago. Thanks.

troublemaker427 · 10-02-2012, 12:25 PM

http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/s...t=troublemaker

Above is the best T-bolt thread anywhere on the web. Lot's of information here.

Phil Bonner was the first door car to run in the 10's at Mason Dixon Dragway driving his Thunderbolt mid year in 1964. He did this on 10" tires.

6t5frlane · 10-08-2012, 02:39 PM

Darrell Droke was in the 10's with his 65 T-Bolt

X-TECH MAN · 10-08-2012, 04:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 6t5frlane

Darrell Droke was in the 10's with his 65 T-Bolt

Different engine (SOHC Cammer) and better tires. The SOHC made much more power at a higher RPM. Big jump in tire technology from 64 7 inchers to 65 FX tires.

10-01-2012, 02:30 PM	#1
Tom Nolan Member Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Lacombe, Alberta, Canada Posts: 179 Likes: 0 Liked 61 Times in 10 Posts	1964 Thunderbolt how fast were they? I have been looking at the data from Indy and was wondering just how fast were these cars in 1964-1970? I have tried to research the internet but have really come up with no real ET's.

10-01-2012, 03:30 PM	#2
Andys dad VIP Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Arcadia, Ca Posts: 1,571 Likes: 48 Liked 175 Times in 78 Posts	Re: 1964 Thunderbolt how fast were they? 11.00 was real fast - look up what the Ramchargers and the ZL1s were running in 1965 Yours is a lot faster today - make that a lot lot faster - LOL Yours also cost more - I think you could have bought one back then for under 5K ready to go - my neighboor was a Ford dealer and had one - use to try it out on our street in front of the house - oh for those by gone days Ron __________________ time is our most precious resource, you can always make more money but you can never make more time spend your time wisely with the ones you love - Ron Durham Last edited by Andys dad; 10-01-2012 at 03:34 PM.

10-01-2012, 04:40 PM	#3
X-TECH MAN Banned Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Lake Placid, Florida Posts: 3,207 Likes: 1,049 Liked 235 Times in 110 Posts	Re: 1964 Thunderbolt how fast were they? More like 11.20's on 10 inch racemasters in A/FX and 11.80's to 12.0's on 7 inch S/S tires back in 1964.

10-01-2012, 04:43 PM	#4
Mike Gray Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 519 Likes: 222 Liked 498 Times in 134 Posts	Re: 1964 Thunderbolt how fast were they? Look up stories on the drivers or just "stock, super stock" in general. Most of the stories will mention Thunderbolts along with the other fast cars from that era. What is interesting is the motors were capable of running much faster than the records in the 60's. The cars were being held back by a lack of tire and suspension technology. In 1983 I purchased a 427 tunnel port from Mickey Thompson that was built in 1969 (It was probably similar to high risers for power) and I put it in a '67 Mustang and ran it without any modifications. With a C-6 and a 11.5 tire it was almost a second quicker than a Thunderbolt from the '60's. Last edited by Mike Gray; 10-01-2012 at 04:46 PM.

10-01-2012, 05:48 PM	#6
Carguy49 VIP Member Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Fife, Washington Posts: 1,843 Likes: 1,775 Liked 2,232 Times in 596 Posts	Re: 1964 Thunderbolt how fast were they? If you haven't already been there, Craig Sutton has a very informative site. Lots of pictures and data about the Thunderbolts. Using Yahoo type in www.thunderbolt.cc/ and scroll down to Craig's site. I hope this helps. __________________ Ron McDowell - Did Race Every day is a Gift - Enjoy with family and friends.

10-02-2012, 10:55 AM	#7
Tom Nolan Member Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Lacombe, Alberta, Canada Posts: 179 Likes: 0 Liked 61 Times in 10 Posts	Re: 1964 Thunderbolt how fast were they? Ok great I looked at that site a couple of years ago. Thanks.

10-02-2012, 12:25 PM	#8
troublemaker427 Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Hampstead, MD. Posts: 426 Likes: 287 Liked 65 Times in 23 Posts	Re: 1964 Thunderbolt how fast were they? http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/s...t=troublemaker Above is the best T-bolt thread anywhere on the web. Lot's of information here. Phil Bonner was the first door car to run in the 10's at Mason Dixon Dragway driving his Thunderbolt mid year in 1964. He did this on 10" tires. __________________ Jody Aberts Troublemaker2 1966 Fairlane 427

10-08-2012, 02:39 PM	#9
6t5frlane Junior Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Posts: 21 Likes: 0 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: 1964 Thunderbolt how fast were they? Darrell Droke was in the 10's with his 65 T-Bolt