BUILD THREAD For 1964 Falcon Sprint to Monte Carlo Rallye FIA spec'

[Paul B]

Paul,
I was just able to rescue that "Classic Cars"magazine from the storage locker at work as the heavy rains here had caused a leak right next to it !
My wife will be glad to see my collection go down even if by one !
We have lived at our home since 1979 and I don't think we will ever leave now as how can one part with a "California Emission Controls Manual for a 1977 Fiat X-19" ?
I hope you have a name tag on or else I may ignore you although John McKechnie or Bruce Thompson might point you to my whereabouts.
Cheers,
Ken H

Thanks very much Ken, very much appreciated!
Completely understand, car manuals/literature are an important source of information and form an important part of our life education, culture and knowledge and parting with these things is likened to removing a limb! Keep collecting, retain all limbs!

I will be at the GP and very keen to meet to have a yak. Both John & Bruce have my mobile number. Look for the hair folicly challenged one with a grin on his face. I will keep an eye out for you too.

Cheers
P

[Paul B]

As fellow Anglia drivers, you will recognize each other.

You bet! Angleboxes rule.
This was my old Anglia from 1976, it had escort running gear, widened rims with Cavalino tyres, I flared the rear guards out (to match my flared jeans. Don't look too hard, it was my first go at panel work!). it was a quick car... for the day.. and what it was then. I painted it red


And prior to painting - Thats me, with hair, doing lawn gymkhana.

[Steve Holmes]

Paul,
I found this article in a Feb. 1993 Thoroughbred and Classic Cars magazine and thought you might be interested if you have not seen this already. (You may have to enlarge the images to read it as it is hard to get it down to the 185 kb )
Attachment 48794

Attachment 48795

Attachment 48797

Attachment 48796


To be continued.

I too have a copy of that article. Bought the magazine while living in London. My magazine collection got so big while I was there that I had to cut out all the articles I wanted to keep and throw away the rest of the magazine. Otherwise I couldn't keep the article.

[Paul B]

This is a great clip of 1965 Riverside 500 stock car race.
Junior Johnson, Parnelli Jones, Dan Gurney, Fred Lorenzen, AJ Foyt etc

[/url]

[Paul B]

Thanks Bruce.

Now this is not a Falcon
But its 1964 and demonstrates what the experimental NASCAR 1964 Fairlane (sport coupe model) that was at Alan Mann racing in 64 was all about. This car was one of 3 recreations re-made by Holman Moody In 2003. 2 cars had FIA status but I believe they changed the cars around and this was pulled by FIA. The engine was a 427 big block FE. Just listen to that big block sound... music to my ears!

The experimental NASCAR 1964 Fairlane (sport coupe model) car is not to be confused with the 1964 Fairlane 427 Thunderbolt, which was a 2 door post model and was built only for drag racing.

The Experimental NASCAR 1964 Fairlane 2 door Sport Coupe model with a 427 was a completely different project as Ford wanted to transition out of full chassis Galaxies for NASCAR. Holman Moody built the 1964 experimental NASCAR 427 Sport coupe Fairlanes in secret and 1 was shipped to UK, Alan Mann racing for testing, I believe it was very successful. Later Alan Mann Racing offered up a number of Ford race cars including this car for sale. It was never seen again. I believe it went back to USA.
It was Fireball Roberts who raced such a car in USA at The 1964 DAYTONA CONTINENTAL MEETING This was partly International, for the World Championship of Makes (16.02.1964).
The FORD Fairlane was in fact entered in the AMERICAN CHALLENGE CUP race and this is not recognised as an FIA International Competition, it took place as an opening race on the 15.02.1964. He came 2nd in this race

Here we have The 1964 DAYTONA CONTINENTAL MEETING, This was partly International, for the World Championship of Makes (16.02.1964). and was an FIA race
The FORD Fairlane NASCAR H-M (White, No 96) was entered in the AMERICAN CHALLENGE CUP race and it is not clear if this race was also recognised as an FIA Competition. This was the opening race on the 15.02.1964. (the white car number 97 was a Falcon Sprint, believed to be the 15th H-M car as 14 went to Alan Mann)



See post #193 for the video footage of the Holman Moody re-creation of this fantastic machine
Also check out the rest of the field racing!

[Paul B]

Last week I imported some more parts for the Rallye Sprint and I was lucky enough to find a very rare OEM steel floor hump that is used in the 4 speed manual shift model cars only. But (there's always a but) it had some rust and an extra bit cut out of the top and a patch panel welded on top.
You can see where the bottom had rusted away (The white pattern shows where the steel should be) and above that it was thin and full of pin holes


So off came the patch plate that was tack welded to the top


They originally had an offset oval hole and 2/3s of that was left so I used that as a marker, I made a new steel panel and started to tack it in


Then finished the weld, ground it back and plenished it. Just need to cut out the rest of the oval.


The base area was a little more complex as it had curved returns upwards and side ways so careful stretching of the steel was required to fabricate the new piece the same as original, I really like to make this kind of stuff, It was easier to make it in 2 pieces, so I cut out the first piece of rust.


I welded in the first new piece that I fabricated. Then I cut out the last piece of rust and fitted up the second new piece I fabricated and welded that in also.

Just have to grind the welds down and plenish the surface. A bit of hammer & dolly work to straighten it all out, then, clean, prime & paint.
It was a full days work. Making, fitting, welding & preparing for paint, the bottom new panels slowed me down.
The finished result on post #251.

[Bruce302]

Nice work Paul, I love seeing the details.
It's easy to forget the parts than may be hidden later or will only be appreciated by the few that know.

B

[Spgeti]

Great work Paul. A worthwhile find.

[Paul B]

Thanks Guys,
Its always more satisfying restoring the original parts... where possible. You are very right Bruce, once all the rust repairs are done and a nice shiny coat of paint is on top its very hard for some to understand the effort put in bringing these old machines back to life.

[kiwi285]

I really appreciate seeing these photos and hearing about all the background work that you put into these items. I wonder how many others would have gone to this much trouble to get the housing totally correct. Especially when an off the shelf ali items might well have fitted and would have been difficult to see once the interior was painted.

Fantastic work sir.

[Paul B]

Thanks Mike,
You are right, Its possible to buy some aftermarket part that "will do". But I think, (only in my opinion) we are in a time now where these historic cars actually need to have a correct restoration, weather in fact if its a real car with history or if its a recreation of a historic machine.
I really have an appreciation of the cars that have retained all of the period character. For me with this build as a recreation of the Graham Hill car # 201 from the 1964 Monte Carlo Rallye, to try and get all of the factors of the car in correct detail and colours and in turn it will hopefully portray to people viewing the car just how it was in 1964.

Here is a pic of the completed restored manual transmission floor hump panel.

[Oldfart]

Another Wow from me. As they were is the way I like them too.

[kiwi285]

Here is a pic of the completed restored manual transmission floor hump panel.

Real craftsmanship Paul and an indication of perhaps how others couls approach their restorations.

[Paul B]

Thanks Rhys & Mike, I think there are a few very nice race car builds currently underway, 1 is Paul McCarthy's Broadspeed Escort, a fantastic build and all credit to Paul Mc' he is making such a nice job on his car, I am sure you all will be impressed.
Cheers
P

[Spgeti]

We currently have 4 Mk1 Escorts being built to FIA Appendix K all powered by 2Litre BDG’s.
They are all fantastic builds and will add to HSC’s grid along with Paul’s Falcon.

[Paul B]

And you watch those Escorts go, they will be very quick. Very keen to see them all on the track!

[ERC]

I really do admire this sort of talent. As one who only ever had 1 year of metalwork at senior school in the third year (the school was brand new and the previous two years, also at a brand new school, the metalwork shop hadn't been finished - post war boom baby problems), my metalwork ability is zilch. Dad was very good at woodwork, but he too had zero experience with metal.

Methinks that the degree of talent or depth of pocket often has an effect on an attitude to period correctness.

Great stuff Paul and as one who can't even cut a piece of metal, it is great to see what has gone into a build.

[Paul B]

Thanks Ray,
I am just one of those car guys, the same as anyone else. But... a bit (a lot) of a detail person and things that are not done right on my builds annoy me enough to motivate me to get it done correctly. I really enjoy working with steel and aluminum, funnily enough I dislike working with wood or on houses... probably because houses don't have wheels!
Cheers
P

[Paul B]

Another great view of St Mary’s Trophy Race 1 at Goodwood Revival 2015
Great battle between The Alfa, Cortinas and Fairlane



The 427 Fairlane Holman Moody Sport coupe (incorrectly called a Thunderbolt by the commentators)

[Paul B]

And heres one inside a 427 Galaxie