Outlawed Ford 427 Cammer SOHC in a 1964 Thunderbolt

Watch the fastest cars of the 60s clash in the epic 1964 Super Stock Wars! Featuring the iconic 1964 Ford Thunderbolt 427 and Gas Ronda battling it out for ultimate supremacy on the drag strip.
the car that was so fast, they had to change the rules

The Ford Thunderbolt and Chevrolet Z-11 Impala were both purpose-built drag racers designed to dominate the Super Stock class, but they had several key differences:

Episode 16, AMERICAN MUSCLE Season 1

A Little History
Gas Ronda emerged victorious in the 1964 Super Stock drag racing competition, piloting a Ford Fairlane Thunderbolt to claim the NHRA World Championship

At the 1964 Winternationals, Ronda faced Butch Leal's Thunderbolt in the final, securing the win with an impressive pass of 11.78 seconds at 123.40 mph

Lightweight construction: Fiberglass fenders, hood, and decklid, along with aluminum bumpers, reduced weight significantly2

Powerful engine: A 427 cubic inch V8, officially rated at 425 horsepower but estimated to produce over 600 hp

Aerodynamic features: Iconic teardrop-shaped hood bulge and air intake snorkels through the high beam headlights2

Gas Ronda's Success
Ronda's achievements in 1964 included:

Winning the Winternationals Super Stock class
Capturing the NHRA national Top Stock crown
Winning Super Stock at the first Hot Rod Magazine Championship Drag

Races
These victories solidified Ronda's position as one of the top Ford drivers in Super Stock and contributed to Ford's dominance in drag racing during the "Total Performance" era

AMERICAN Car History, Season 1
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Chassis and Body

Size
The Thunderbolt was based on the smaller, lighter Ford Fairlane, while the Z-11 used the full-size Impala body

Weight reduction
Both cars employed extensive weight-saving measures, but the Thunderbolt achieved a lower final weight of 3,203 lbs compared to the Z-11's 3,400 lbs

Engine
Displacement: Both used 427 cubic inch V8 engines

Power output:
The Thunderbolt's engine was officially rated at 425 hp but estimated to produce over 500 hp, while the Z-11's engine was rated at 430 hp with real-world estimates also exceeding 500 hp

Induction:
The Thunderbolt used a "high rise" intake with dual 4-barrel Holley carburetors, while the Z-11 featured a high-rise 2-piece aluminum intake manifold with dual Carter carburetors

Performance
Speed: The Thunderbolt set records with 11.6-second quarter-mile times at 124 mph, while the Z-11 Impala ran 12.7 seconds at 118 mph

Production and Availability
Numbers: Ford produced 111-127 Thunderbolts, while Chevrolet built fewer Z-11 Impalas

Model year:
The Thunderbolt was introduced for the 1964 model year, while the Z-11 was available in 19631

Both cars were highly successful in drag racing, with the Thunderbolt winning the 1964 NHRA Top Stock Crown and Manufacturer's Cup, while the Z-11 Impala achieved notable victories in various drag racing events


Specifications
Engine: 427 cu in (7.0 L) Ford FE V8
Assembly: United States: Dearborn, MI
Body style: 2-door sedan
Class: Muscle car
Curb weight: 3,203 lb (1,453 kg)
Length: 197.5 in (5,020 mm)
Manufacturer: Ford

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