Fairlane Club of America
Hi Editor Bob:
Here’s a sad tale of a "skinned" Thunder-Bolt. It’s for sale (what’s left of it) here in LA for $6,500. Even at this low price most say it’s too much, but I think it has great possibilities considering the rarity of finding "lost" T-Bolts these days. About 80% of the originals are accounted for.
It’s original owner is thought to be Ken McClellan from Texas. It was then apparently sold to Steve Wise also in Texas.
Steve raced it there for a number of years modifying it to the point where all that was left of the original T-Bolt was the "skin"!
His NHRA # was 4611 which is now assigned to someone else.
It ended up with a tube frame, very narrowed rear end & an unknown front suspension as it’s missing now. The rear end is something like a Dana, not as strong as a 9", & probably could not withstand the power of today’s 460’s.
It then ended up here in California, getting passed around a bit & then apparently was striped of its ID to be put on a "donor" Fairlane to get back to an "original" T-Bolt again & worth some big bucks.
Was this legal, I don’t know.
Was this ethical, I don’t like it.
Was it stupid, maybe.
Stupid maybe because the shell was left behind & I think the "original" Fiberglass front end is still there. The fiberglass fenders, bumper-valance are unique in that they are made the way only the first 20 or so "Originals" were made then & I do not think anyone makes reproductions like this today. The competition "cried" about this then so an Aluminum bumper was incorporated. This one has the fiberglass one piece bumper-valance modified so that the aluminum bumper could be added on.
Apparently Steve named it "Humpin Henry" which real neat!
It’s believed that Steve some 15 or so years ago wrote to an unknown Auto magazine telling all about the T-Bolt including it’s SN’s. If this could be found it would authenticate the car if the lettering was kept intact & it was put back into running condition even with the tube frame, etc.
Would this not make a reclaimed T-Bolt with a unique history?
Does anyone know more about this including pictures of it racing? James Peterson |
For the full article & many pictures, see the "Fairlaner", Jan- Feb 1999.
"Humping' Henry" is now in New Mexico being restored.
A correction & questions come to mind from this letter -
There were 100 built, not 50.
If it was sanded down after it was named "Humpin' Henry", was it a different color then, & after repainting it, they must have changed their mind about renaming it "Ol' Henry"?
From the tone of their letter, I don't think they were the ones who "butchered" their "collectors item" (a mater of opinion of course). So who else has owned it & when?
We read your September issue, & in it we noticed the 1964 Thunderbolt. Well, I wrote to say we own one too! We are waiting to restore it like the one in your September issue. We knew that there were only around 50 built in 1964, & that we own one of those 50, but we never knew just exactly what we had! I believe they will become collector's items soon, if they aren't already. Ours has the Plexiglas windows & the fiberglass front end (no fiberglass doors or deck lid) & hood. If ours was painter correctly, there would be no difference from Mr. Short's car. We are painting ours white lacquer. We have a lot in mind, but are taking our time. It costs! In our glove box, on a tag, it states the following:
"This vehicle has been built especially as a lightweight competitive car & includes certain fiberglass & aluminum components, because of the specialized purpose for which this car was built, & in order to achieve maximum weight reduction, normal quality standards of the Ford Motor Company in terms of exterior panel fit & surface appearance are not met in this vehicle. This information is included on this vehicle to assure that all customers who purchase this car are aware of the deviation from the regular high appearance quality standards of the Ford Motor Company."
On the door is the following: Body (623), Color (M), Trim (24), Date (09L), DSO (890004), Axel (8), Trans (5), ID 4F41K167175.
Well, we thank you for your time. By the way, our car's name was "Humpin' Henry" before it was sanded down. We may change it to "Ol' Henry."
Mr. & Mrs. Steve Wise Lameso, Texas
Information now indicates that it wasn't Steve who did the engine swap & chassis mods. But still unclear about who pulled the origional 427 & sold it for Boat use.
HH may have had a brand "X" motors after it's original 427 was pulled to be put in a boat!
It's been reported that HH's clone has resurfaced in Florida for sale, but may have been taken off the market when questioned by a knowledgeable car guy! Buyer's beware, always!