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The “Strip Teaser” legacy started when Mr. Bob Thomas of Ellijay, GA took delivery of one of Ford’s 100 Thunderbolts at Dearborn Steel and Tubing on March, 1964. The car was later “delivered” to Bob through Gilmer Ford of Ellijay, GA.
The car was originally driven by Mr. Thomas, until he had an unforeseen “event” and dented the dashboard with his head. After this, he passed driving duties to his close friend Mr. Howard Neal. After his success with the Thunderbolt in 1964, Bob Thomas was awarded on of (we believe) four (4) 1965 Falcon “Dollar Cars” by Jac Passino of Ford Special Vehicles. The car was “purchased” through Gilmer Ford and once again sold by Harold Simmons. Bob took the car apart and lightened it and took the 427 “hi riser” motor from the Thunderbolt and placed it in the Falcon. Bob later worked directly and over the phone with hand drawings with Gene Adams from Hilborn, and created the first fuel injected Ford ever. The “Strip Teaser II” A/FX Falcon was the biggest money maker for Thomas and Neal. They match raced across the South and lost very few events. They were extremely savvy in setting up the car as a complete system, fully understanding the integration of engine, transmission and rear end gears. They were also on of the firsts to “tinker” with the crude electronics to continue to get the most out of the “hi riser” power plants throughout the RPM range. They also used a little nitromethane in the fuel when needed. Greg Sullivan had been in the process of having the car restored for over three years. Finally, in the summer of 2006 he took delivery of the car. Not long after he purchased the car, “Strip Teaser II” headed home to Ellijay, GA to visit its roots. Bob Thomas, Harold Simmons and the original tuner/engineer Larry Davis eyes watered as the car was pulled off the trailer by NHRA Funny Car driver Cory Lee. The car had been changed several times since it ran as “Strip Teaser II”. The car was authenticated by Bob Thomas and Larry Davis. Towards the end of the visit, Bob gave the Greg Sullivan a gift of the original “Certificate of Origin” of the car. The car was fired up by Cory and Larry Davis and grins were seen from ear-to-ear by everyone. “Just like it used to sound when I used tuned it”, stated Davis. |
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| Copyright © Greg Sullivan, Flagler Beach, FL | |||||
