Stock and S/S hoods

[RJ Sledge]

The 66/67 Fairlane 427 hood NHRA history is full of twists and turns.
This is based on my personal experience, at the US Nats in 1988 I showed up with a 1966 Fairlane 427 410hp single 4 barrel/automatic transmission with a class hood, Travis Miller told me my hood was incorrect and I needed to change it to a steel hood/hinges/hood latch setup. He also told me he had all the info on all the 1966 Fairlane 427 cars that had been built by Ford and all had 4 speeds in them. I had to change Hood/Hinges/Hood Latch, before he would let me continue racing that weekend.

Luckly I located a steel hood/hinges/hoodlatch assembly in about 1 hour and was back racing that day. I rented them for $25 for weekend.

In 1989 I was back at Indy with the car and won Class B/SA and the Eliminator, In the winners circle Travis Miller walked up to me and shook my hand and told me that he had "Researched the Ford Archives and told me that even though all the 1966 Fairlanes 427 car produced by Ford were equipped with 4 speeds......that the C6 Automatic Transmission was available to any racer who wanted one"

Since then there have been many changes to satisfy different racers whims running that combo. Way too confusing the way it is now, but thats the way things are.

Just my personal experiences.

Thanks
RJ

[DeuceCoupe]

Originally Posted by RJ Sledge

The 66/67 Fairlane 427 hood NHRA history is full of twists and turns.
This is based on my personal experience, at the US Nats in 1988 I showed up with a 1966 Fairlane 427 410hp single 4 barrel/automatic transmission with a class hood, Travis Miller told me my hood was incorrect and I needed to change it to a steel hood/hinges/hood latch setup. He also told me he had all the info on all the 1966 Fairlane 427 cars that had been built by Ford and all had 4 speeds in them. I had to change Hood/Hinges/Hood Latch, before he would let me continue racing that weekend.

Luckly I located a steel hood/hinges/hoodlatch assembly in about 1 hour and was back racing that day. I rented them for $25 for weekend.

In 1989 I was back at Indy with the car and won Class B/SA and the Eliminator, In the winners circle Travis Miller walked up to me and shook my hand and told me that he had "Researched the Ford Archives and told me that even though all the 1966 Fairlanes 427 car produced by Ford were equipped with 4 speeds......that the C6 Automatic Transmission was available to any racer who wanted one"

Since then there have been many changes to satisfy different racers whims running that combo. Way too confusing the way it is now, but thats the way things are.

Just my personal experiences.

Thanks
RJ

Confusing indeed!
And I'm trying to sort out what the rules WERE, over 50 years ago.
Detective work, and some guessing.
Ford DID write "letters" to NHRA sometimes, saying something was "available" or an "option", eg
* Auto trans 427 Fairlanes and steel Galaxies
* Aluminum intake 390GTs
* Fairlane 427 Glass hoods for 1967
* C8AX-C cam factory in the (non-"135") 428CJ cars
Per my understanding none of that stuff actually left the factory in a car.

I have heard RUMORS that a couple auto-trans 427 66-67 Fairlanes were factory built, but just that - rumors. Kinda like the factory 1968 427 W-code Mustangs, that rumor finally put to bed. I think.

Of course GM & Mopar did some of that too, blessing combos that never left the factory except maybe in the trunk. So it all comes back to how the rules were INTERPRETED - in a given year. Not easy.

At least today, as I understand it, if it's in those Excel files online, it's legal to run. But, rules in past years were different. Thanks for the help.

[Rat Patrol]

It is my understanding that the 66 glasshood cars were put into FX at the 66 Indy Nats because glass was still banned from S/S.

Can anyone confirm this was def the case?

[Bob Nottingham]

Originally Posted by Rat Patrol

It is my understanding that the 66 glasshood cars were put into FX at the 66 Indy Nats because glass was still banned from S/S.

Can anyone confirm this was def the case?

Yes, I believe that is true, I had to run in modified production in late 1966 till Ford had the hoods approved for 1967 Winternationals. There never was a issue wether single 4 or dual 4's. Bob

[cobrajet2]

I think the Hinterman car and the Fastbacks Fairlane were the two automatic cars from back in the day. I could be wrong, though.
Mike

[bigshow2966]

There used to be a pineapple green '66 427/425 auto car that raced a lot at Havana. Owner claimed it was original.

[doglover44]

Sounds like those Fords are confusing to keep track and keep up with.

[202man]

Originally Posted by cobrajet2

I think the Hinterman car and the Fastbacks Fairlane were the two automatic cars from back in the day. I could be wrong, though.
Mike

100% correct