A first look inside and under the 1962 Holman Moody Challenger III
Restoration of the Challenger III continues to progress with the mechanicals being put back together by Hampton Classic Motorcars, located in Speonk. Here' a first look.
A big thank you to Gerard Moringiello of Hampton Classic Motorcars for a wonderful visit yesterday.
Enjoy,
Howard Kroplick
Gerard Moringiello of Hampton Classic Motorcars and me.
The weld line where three inches of the body were removed.
The Ford 289 HiPO
A Sun tachometer transmitter
A GM aluminum 4-speed transmission! In 1962 Ford did not have one in aluminum.
The ignition is left of the steering column. This was standard for the Ford Thunderbird from 1955 to 1963, In 1964, Ford relocated the ignition switch to the right of the column.
Twin mounted fuel tanks, each holding 18 gallons.
The unique gas tank cap.
The Holman & Moody modified leaf spring
Comments
The early 1960s was a very interesting time for Ford Motor Company. Lots of dollars for racing. I missed most of it being in the Army in the Pacific until 1965. Nice to catch up.
As with the Beast I’m already hoping some company will deliver a diecast of this incredible historic Falcon!
Regarding the left handed ignition switch: I recall reading (very long ago) that a Ford executive was driving with his family and his child reached over and shut off the ignition while they were going down the highway. So as a safety feature it was decided that henceforth all Ford ignition switches would be placed out of reach on the left side. Keep in mind that at one time most cars had bench seats and no one worried about putting children in the center of the front seat.
However, a quick Google search didn’t confirm my memory. Does anyone else share my memory?
The ignition for my 62 T bird was on the left! Loved that placement.
Reply to Robert B. Allen: I’ll be 73 in a couple of weeks. Of course you remember correctly. Cars were death traps, although no one thought of them that way.
intriguing about the ignition switch, so I tried looking it up.
all i found was about the same as you remember, at https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1008351-ignition-switch-is-on-the-left-why.html ... scroll down to item #30, posted by fordtoyz on 12/7/2010:
“... An oft repeated story around Ford enthusiasts back in the year was that Henry Ford IIs young child or grandchild had reached over from the passenger side and started the parked vehicle… Mr. Ford then mandated that all Ford vehicles have the switch to the left of the column…”
Sorry couldn’t find anything more, but at least someone else remembers the same thing!
I added a link from automobilemileposts.com concerning classic car ignition switch locations. https://automotivemileposts.com/autobrevity/ignitionkey.html
Interesting, I had never heard the story about why Fords had their ignition switches on the left side. I was always intrigued by it. I know that on the full-size Fords, the ignition switch moved back to the right side with the 1964 models.
On 1969-70 Galaxies, the RADIO controls were on the left side. “I’m the driver, I get to choose what’s on the radio!”
Our 1963 Studebaker Hawk also has the ignition in the left corner of the dash I remember quite a few cars had left side switches
36 gallons of fuel! Never heard such capacity except on semi trucks. I’m imagining drum brakes all around will remain to keep the racer original. Haven’t seen a Sun tachometer since childhood; hoping this racer’s tach brings back memories. Restoration progress is looking great!
Perhaps this 1962 style tachometer was fitted with the racer.
Those large gas tanks were normally set up for cars that were for road racing or 24 hour racing. Most vintage racers use fuel cells now [ much safer
Ford put the ignition switch on the left until 1964. I have not been able to find out why they moved it to the right…
Tim, Most drivers are right handed ?