’57 FORD SUPERCHARGED FAIRLANE

Posted on September 1, 2025September 1, 2025 by MartynL

Ford offered multiple high-performance 312-inch engines in 1957, but the ’57 FORD SUPERCHARGED FAIRLANE was the prelude to Dearborn’s Total Performance marketing. In 1957, Ford offered high-output engines in its passenger cars, as well as in the T-Bird. You could order the hottest dual-quad and supercharged 312-inch engines with three-speed manual (with or without Overdrive) or Ford-O-Matic transmissions in any model, base two-door sedan and station wagon to T-Bird! The lineup consisted...

’64 FORD 427 GALAXIE

Posted on July 26, 2025July 26, 2025 by MartynL

Ford continues its Win On Sunday, Sell on Monday marketing mantra, with a packed performance portfolio including an updated ’64 FORD 427 GALAXIE. In 1964, Ford carried over its winning ways with new engines, race-only cars available for purchase, a game-changing Mustang, and aggressive dealer marketing and advertising programs. “It is the full intent of the Ford Division to continue its total commitment to open competition during the 1964 model year. For only under the conditions exi...

‘69 BOSS 302 ROAD & TRACK MUSTANG

Posted on July 2, 2025July 2, 2025 by MartynL

Ford’s new Boss, Bunkie Knudsen, fast-tracked the long-awaited ‘69 BOSS 302 ROAD & TRACK MUSTANG, Dearborn’s Z/28 Camaro challenger. Mustangs had been on two-year restyling cycles, and there were major changes in 1969. Overall length was increased by almost four inches and width by approximately one-quarter inch. Curb weight was up by 140 pounds. Leading the charge was a portfolio of Mustangs, ranging from the Boss 302, above, photo by Stuart Schorr, to the R-Code 428 Cobra Jet Ram...

’67 FORD GALAXIE: 427-CUBE HEAVYWEIGHT

Posted on March 4, 2025March 4, 2025 by MartynL

In 1967, Ford ‘called out’ the GTO with its hot 390 and 427 Fairlanes, put a big-block in its Mustang, and won the Daytona 500, Indy 500, Trans-Am Championship, and Le Mans. And, the ’67 FORD GALAXIE: 427-CUBE HEAVYWEIGHT took no prisoners! Even though all factory drag and NASCAR racing programs were centered around the new 427 Fairlane, Ford still offered customers a choice of W-Code or R-Code 427 side-oiler engines with four-speed transmissions in the full-size Galaxie. Collector Charlie Lill...

1965 FORD 427 GALAXIE

Posted on August 30, 2024 by MartynL

Ford enthusiasts in 1965 may have been more interested in Mustangs and Fairlanes, but the 1965 FORD 427 GALAXIE surprised a lot of Ponycar and Musclecar owners on the street and strip! 1965 was a year of firsts and incredible accomplishments for Ford on racing circuits worldwide. No other American carmaker - and few European manufacturers - even came close to Ford’s seemingly unstoppable assault. Ford cars and engines prove to be unbeatable on the world’s toughest proving grounds: Dayto...

FORD 428 COBRA JET & BIG BLOCK HERITAGE!

Posted on June 29, 2024June 29, 2024 by MartynL

In February 1968, 1968½ Cobra Jet Mustangs swept Super/Stock Class and Eliminator titles at the NHRA Winternationals. FORD 428 COBRA JET & BIG BLOCK HERITAGE! is showcased here, and in the latest edition of Over-Drive Magazine. Ford’s primary performance car for 1968 was the mid-year 428 Cobra Jet Mustang, with Toploader four-speed manual or beefed C-6 automatic transmissions. The powertrain option was available in coupe, convertible and fastback SportsRoof models. In 1968 the Musta...

427 FAIRLANE (THUNDERBOLT) PROTOTYPE

Posted on October 20, 2022October 20, 2022 by MartynL

Before there was a ’64 Super/Stock 427 Thunderbolt, there was ZIMMY-1, the ’63 A/FX 427 FAIRLANE (THUNDERBOLT) PROTOTYPE. Most Ford fans were really confused when Tasca Ford’s Bill Lawton first staged the Ming Green A/FX ’63 Fairlane coupe at the 1963 NHRA Nationals. They were used to seeing ’63 Fairlanes running in D/Stock, like Li’L Lord Fotus, the Fairlane Milo Coleman drove for the class win at 99.88 mph/ 13.75 seconds. What was a stock-looking Fairlane doing in A/FX? After Lawton m...

REMEMBERING BILL KOLB, JR., 1941-2021

Posted on December 8, 2021December 8, 2021 by MartynL

Longtime friend Bill Kolb is probably best remembered in the enthusiast community as the 1960s poster boy for Ford’s Total Performance and Win On Sunday; Sell On Monday marketing concepts. His close friends often called him, “Mr. Monday! We bonded after I did a story on him and his Lightweight 427 Galaxie in 1963 and we've been friends since. Remembering Bill Kolb, Jr., 1941-2021. Bill Kolb, Jr. passed away quietly at home in Carefree, AZ, on Friday, December 3, 2021, comforted by his ...

1962: MUSTANG I CONCEPT

Posted on July 4, 2020July 4, 2020 by MartynL

A radical new sports car, the 1962: MUSTANG I CONCEPT, confirmed that the only constant at Ford in the early-1960s was change! In early-June 1962, famed sports car constructors Troutman and Barnes in Culver City, CA received body molds from Ford for an experimental sports car – the Mustang l. Troutman and Barnes had been known for building stunning Indy and sports car racers, including Lance Reventlow’s Scarab. Known internally as Project W-301, Mustang I was a concept for a serious sports c...

TRIBUTE: ’63 ½ FORD 427 GALAXIE!

Posted on May 3, 2020May 3, 2020 by MartynL

‘With Eight Pipes, What Noble Music It Makes’ headlined Ford’s midyear advertising campaign, spotlighting the new ’63 ½ Sport Roof (fastback) 427/425 Galaxie. We look back at the events surrounding Ford’s unleashing of its Total Performance program in 1963, while tech-savvy automotive scribe Don Sherman focuses his attention on a 609 horsepower TRIBUTE: ’63 ½ FORD 427 GALAXIE! In January 1963, Ford unleashed a bevy of high-performance vehicles, timed with its participation in the 1963 Monte Car...