MichaelC
[AP Moderator]
20802
Yesterday, I drove in a Beast. A real one.
I posted about this car over 2 years ago, when I last saw it. I am part of a small business group that hosts a few select events per year for people in our industry. The coolest one is a day at a local drag track called Bandimere. Really a cool venue at the base of the mountains.
The person who owns this car is a real enthusiast as you can imagine. It is his passion. Yesterday, he only made a few runs with it as he has a big event coming up for the car. We made small talk when I arrived, and I mentioned how I would love to get a ride if he takes anyone.
After he made a solo few runs, he came up and asked if I was ready.... booyah! I did not have a helmet, and there are rules about speed at this track if you don't have one. So he used his computer and tuned the car down before our run. A dear colleague's dad came to the event in his S8. Now no question about it, that car was incredibly impressive. He was running 1/4s at 12.2 - 12.3. All traction off the line for that Audi. A stock 4 door sedan running at that speed... wow. Took down a C7 Vette with ease, albeit the Vette had a lot of wheelspin. He wanted a crack at the Fairlane.
So to the line we went, me with my friend Bill in the old Ford, and my colleague riding with her Dad in the Audi. I told my guy, I know we are "tuned down" but please make sure we cross first. He smirked a bit and said no problem. Well, the lights go green and bam, we about stall. WTF! In a split second, the Audi was 1/3 of the way down the track. Well, I think my guy forgot the helmet rule and "running easy". We passed the Audi just ahead of the finish line and crossed at 141MPH. The acceleration I felt in that run is unlike anything I had ever experienced.
After the lap, I asked if it was my 150 LBs that caused the near stall ;-) Bill laughed, and told me the car is harder for him to drive when he tries to take it easy. His top 1/4 is now an 8.74 at the same strip. Considering we how slow we started, to cross at 12.05 - it was amazing.
Wish I grabbed a wrist shot. I went with my ceramic Tudor to keep weight down...
Yesterday, I drove in a Beast. A real one.
I posted about this car over 2 years ago, when I last saw it. I am part of a small business group that hosts a few select events per year for people in our industry. The coolest one is a day at a local drag track called Bandimere. Really a cool venue at t...
You'd have lost to the Audi if you were wearing your Offshore beast!
Cool story (even if I am partial to the Audi). M4
Ford only made a handful of '66 Fairlanes...
Made for the dragstrip, Thunder Bolts, and that could be one of them
Wasn't much of a Ford guy (except Mercury Cougars), but . . .
. . . their 427's were so rare that sightings were seared into memory. I've seen two that weren't Cobras, a red or maroon '63 Galaxie and a black '62. And those sightings were 40+ years ago. Art
I remember the first day of high school like it was yesterday . . .
. . . when it was exactly fifty years ago to the week. 🎓
8.74!!! That's one fast car!
My Mercedes, which is a "fast" car, supposedly does the 1/4 mile in the 12 second range (I've never tried it) at sea level. I wonder if it would be any different in Colorado due to elevation change. The Mercedes is supercharged, so maybe not a huge differ...
Yeah! More than Double! Probably closest experience to a rocket this side of legality!
I still get a thrill when the airplane takes off. I like my g-forces!
The sub-nine second…
…run is crazy fast. Don’t know if I would survive the g-force : )
He gave it all it had to close the gap
I can't really describe in words what those last 6-7 seconds were like. But I swear I can still feel the feeling!
Maybe part of it is due to the noise...
...I wonder if you'd feel the same going just as fast in a Tesla, for instance.
Good question, but no E-car could ever offer the sounds and sensations of a real motor
That has to be part of the joy, the revving motor, shifting gears, etc.
Those . . .
. . . were the days, Michael. Here's a video . . . Dream machine . . . well worth watching. Your pal's Ford 427 Fairlane is one muscle car I don't recall seeing on the street. It's a rare bird, and then some. Art
You know it, my Friend.
The charms of these old machines will never be replicated in newer ones.
A nice ride
The time of your life, Michael. The Fairlane is a special Ford. Jay Leno have restored a Fairlane to a modern muscle car. The project was unique and uncommon. Normally other models taken for special projects, so a Fairlane is rare. The last of the mohican...
A beast for sure
Wow what a ride , he was taking it easy , with 1200hp and traction he should be in the 7's amazing car . would like to hear it running