Ford Thunderbolt fans will recognize this 1964 Ford Thunderbolt Fairlane, number 57 in the series of 100 built. Originally raced by Wayne Jones Ford in Virginia, it was later purchased by Tom Caldera and driven by his partner Nate Cohen. After Cohen’s untimely passing in 1980, Caldera moved to California, where the car was stored until 2006 when it was purchased by accomplished Super Stock and AFX restoration specialist Randy Delisio. Delisio restored it to its Caldera/Cohen configuration with the help of Howie Nisgor, who recreated the paint scheme he had first applied to the car in 1974. The restored Thunderbolt was featured in Hemming’s Muscle Machine magazine in 2008, and in 2010 was chosen by Mattel Corporation for their Hot Wheels Dragstrip Demon series. A photographic album of the restoration is included with this historically important Dearborn special.
HIGHLIGHTS
- Number 57 on the list of 100 Thunderbolt's produced
- In mid-production of the Thunderbolt, NHRA made Ford change fiberglass to aluminum on the front bumper, a small amount of cars were produced with the remaining stock of fiberglass bumpers with the aluminum bumpers bolted over it
- Campaigned by Jones Ford in Virginia, purchased by Caldera and driven by his partner Cohen
- After Cohen's death in 1980, Caldera moved to California and the car sat dormant until 2006, was purchased by super stock and AFX restorer Randy Delisio
- Restoration completed with the assistance of Howie Nisgor original designer of the paint scheme and graphics. He lettered and reapplied the mural 32 years after the first time in 1974
- Restoration featured in Hemmings Muscle Machine magazine in 2008, 2010 Mattel Corporation chose this car for their Hot Wheels Dragstrip Demon series.
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