This 1961 Ford Fairlane 500 with a 428 Cobra Jet by Holman Moody is the Perfect Moonshine Runner

00:00 Start
00:07 Night drive
00:41 Idling, front
00:48 Startup, rear
01:10 Introduction, weather, Mecum, annoying people
04:40 Start of car review, introduction
05:22 Overview of Ford Fairlkane as a model
09:19 History of moonshining and bootlegging
15:40 Getting in to this specific car, styling
19:02 Getting in to the trunk
20:10 A bit about Holman Moody
20:27 Under the hood
21:56 Back to Holman Moody
24:27 A look inside
25:22 Interior, dash, controls
27:45 Fire it up, go for a drive
Full review and test drive of a 1961 Ford Fairlane 500 Club Sedan, themed as a moonshine runner and powered by a 428 Cobra Jet V8
Car owned by Penelope, review by Bill of Curious Cars

[@eddiethetruhead]

Life just isn’t the same without a steady dose of Curious Cars. I truly look forward to these reviews. Not just for the interesting variety of automobiles, but for Bill’s unique curmudgeonly style, knowledge and perspectives. Definitely one of my fav people on KZbin. Missed you Uncle Bill. Keep these vids a comin.👏

[@joycerichardson1810]

Bill is the best!

[@Tonyk24]

Oh thank god for Bill for coming through on this god awful cold Canadian day.

[@eddiethetruhead]

I hear you Bro. Here in Winnipeg it’s been a deep freeze this past week.🥶

[@vidsbychazzle2056]

Do you guys feel like you might be chipper in the back seat of that thing?Just seemed like a good question.

[@iroc-z50bmg34]

Right!? It's cold as hell in Barrie today

[@eddiethetruhead]

I’m more of a driver than a backseat passenger, but yeah I’d be mighty chipper in that old classic bench seat. Especially if I had a pretty Gal back there with me eh.😉

[@bobjohnson1587]

@@eddiethetruhead Warming up come Monday! :)

[@BillofRights1951]

Bill you NEVER have to apologize for ANYTHING...We love you man, and every posting is an EVENT, and much appreciated.

[@rosendodominguez-dw4rt]

THEIS CAR WOR BEOLT BATOR THEAN MARSADAS. VILIVIT ORNAT NAT THE AMARECAN CARR AT ONE PONT THE WOR ONS OF THE BAST IIN THE 🌎🌎🌍

[@jamesmurmurzancone4532]

Great to have you back Bill, that Doug DeMuro guy as been pìssing me off lately.

[@JZ_Cars]

F*&$ Douggy Demurzo

[@CM-st1dl]

I stopped listening to DeMuro when he hit the 10,000 mark with the word QUIRKY (5 videos or so)

[@paulie-Gualtieri.]

Doug is reviewing too many electric cars and it's sickening to see him getting excited over them.

[@JayMalone26]

Doug's an ass clown. "Look how quirky this is...cloth interior!!!"

[@studebricker2845]

Ugh, that guy...

[@don7680]

An all time Bill classic, "ah God, if there's two things I hate in the world it's charities and children." Hilarious 😂

[@chevken1831]

It was really getting ridicurous!

[@edwardallan197]

Bill's jaded disgust is priceless. Sends me rolling.....😂

[@drivedb7]

Bill’s back! Was starting to wonder if the goats had finally gotten him…

[@Your.Uncle.AngMoh]

1961 was the year I was born. It’s good to see this old girl still on the road and going well.

[@paulie-Gualtieri.]

Glad to see you are still alive Bill how the hell are you

[@JollyGreen79]

I love the videos where you start with a nice early morning drive in the dark. So many of the vintage cars look so cool with the dash all lit up. What an awesome car!! Sleepers are my favorites!

[@Jack_Stafford]

Ford NEEDS to bring back round afterburner taillights! It would help differentiate their generic SUVs from all the rest of the generic SUVs. Better yet, start building nice cars again since gas is NEVER returning to pre-demic levels. Give us stylish cars that actually are comfortable and look distinctive.

[@discerningmind]

Yes, yes, yes, I've been saying that for years. I'm glad to read that you feel the same.

[@sporkfindus4777]

Thank god you're back, Bill!!! I was worried that Dalton had finally got his revenge. I wouldn't have been able to cope with that after losing the great Jeff Beck already this year. We need people who speak their minds, unfiltered. Bollocks to minding one's p's and q's

[@bradford_shaun_murray]

4:09 👀

[@captaincrunch8333]

@@bradford_shaun_murray That wasn't a backfire there Billy. It was most definitely the Magic School Bus Kamala cackle.

[@discerningmind]

Thank you for commenting. I had to look-up, Bollocks. Now I'm one-word smarter than I was before.

[@bobstuckrath1805]

Just plain beautiful.

[@hansgroenewold8116]

Good to see you back Bill. Fond memories on this one. My father had a 1961 Galaxy 500 4 door very similar to this when I was 7 years old.

[@literallyshaking8019]

Those gauges at night are a thing of beauty. What a car.

[@gfighter2400]

Bill, you’re back! I was worried about you! Being a Ford guy, it was so nice that you did A beautiful Fairlane with a427. Keep ‘em coming!

[@nickzobel9922]

428*

[@markreisen7038]

Yep, and the 61 Fairlane's had 292's, the 289 did not come out until 1963...

[@jerryparks6123]

Wrong 428 !

[@jerryparks6123]

@@markreisen7038 289 ? I watched the video, listened to the guy enjoying hearing himself TALK for 15 minutes, he still didn't show the Engine! , but the Caption said 428 not 289 ! 428s didn't co me out till 66 or 67 !

[@jerryparks6123]

@@markreisen7038 Well buddy YOU might be Surprised! The 61 Fords that body style full sized had 352 and 390 Engines TOO FAIRLANEs Galaxies , STARLINERs If YOU don't know what the HELL YOUR talking about z don't post comments!

[@MarinCipollina]

Welcome back, Bill ! Thanks for this one, I remember when I was a lot younger in 1964 or so, my neighbor across the sreet had the four door version of that car, but as a Galaxie.. We had a 1961 Cadillac, my next door neighbor had a 1962 Buick Electra.. But there were still cars from the 1950s everywhere, and cars from the 1940s weren't uncommon back then. It was a more optimistic era..

[@richardmorris7063]

Born in 57, my dad had a turquoise 61 LeSabre ( which we loved) & my neighbor had a Lt green 62 Grand Prix which was meticulously kept & was the talk of the neighborhood complete w/ 8 lug wheels & curb feelers!Remember them?

[@MarinCipollina]

@@richardmorris7063 Yeah, I always thought those curb feelers were silly and they look tacky.

[@BruceHorton]

yes, it was. That's why when I'm feeling blue I look back at these old cars and relive fawned memories of a better past. My parents took me and my siblings on a road trip in '64 in our Ford Galaxy Country Squire from CA. to North Dakota. It was believe ;it or not a fun trip.

[@tripyramidpictures9224]

We all appreciate you taking the time to make such fun videos Thanks!!!

[@THROTTLEPOWER]

😍Wow, that is one NICE Fairlane!!!!!!! 👍

[@robertdiehl9003]

-26° with 45 mph winds here today in Monticello, N.Y. ... Sure wish I was enjoying Florida weather as Bill describes.

[@allencollins6031]

Hellyeah

[@simonvancoevorden295]

I reckon this is the best of a long line of brilliant vids . Had everything, history lesson , humor & profanity!!

[@peatyxxjxxx1494]

The best birthday present I could receive. Thanks for the video Bill.

[@ajay-xjs]

What a beautiful car, the roof canopy has some lovely lines, the fins are subtle and the interior is great. I love it!

[@RandyGBH]

Bill because of your e93 review years ago I stumbled upon just recently has really pushed me into purchasing one. So thank you for honest real reviews and your banter is amazing. Much love man

[@colinrickatson6320]

Friday afternoon + Bill + Beer = a nice close to the week :D

[@tedwalker1370]

Nice history lesson Bill. Good job.

[@Andrew-zs5tc]

Great to hear you hired Dalton. I have always followed the rule: have the best professionals possible working for you. Dalton, with his professionalism, attention to details, and his patience will be a huge contribution to your future success.

[@richardmorris7063]

And coming to Daltons rescue,I've detailed a few cars in my day & Windows are impossible to get perfect!

[@Andrew-zs5tc]

@@richardmorris7063 I respect Bill's opinions about cars. Everything else is comedic extreme which I admit is as fun to watch as the car information. I suspect Dalton (if he exists) is likely an incredible detailer or Bill would not have worked with him for so long. Dalton should start his own channel like Hoovie's Car Wizard.

[@hertzair1186]

@@Andrew-zs5tc…oh, he exists…just ask Naples police

[@Kmzhr]

We all missed you, Bill! Thank God there’s a new video from you!

[@shannonireland9057]

Great to see you back again with another video!!!

[@douggoding8431]

"Two things I can't stand are charities and children". I have stolen that line. Love your work!

[@tylernewton7217]

What about charities FOR children? That’s really gotta piss em off!

[@Rene67]

Thank you Mr. Bill, you perform magic!

[@danf321]

“There’s nothing I hate more than Charities and Children”.🤣🤣🤣🤣. Classic Bill quote.

[@darkko1969]

Best quote ever!

[@markreisen7038]

Nothing I hate more than is a guy doing a cool Ford Fairlane 500 video with a big old turdtha in the back grond..

[@frankie2806]

the man the myth the legend is back

[@MrGilstorf]

Yes, it’s a lovely -2F here in Ont Canada today. Thankfully I’m good tho since I’ve got my fix of Bill now. Withdrawal symptoms had been progressively worsening these past 4 weeks without a video. God bless you Bill!

[@cashkenterprises5584]

BILL WHERE THE HELL HAVE YOUR BEEN? I THOUGHT THE GOATS GOT YOU OR SOMETHING

[@danf321]

Bill doesn’t just give us a car review, he gives us a history lesson too!

[@aramos811]

Interesting Ford from the good old days. Truly a piece of history and thank Bill for the bootleggers/moonshine stories. Can't wait for the next curious car.

[@joe6096]

My life has been feeling empty for a while then I realized why: haven't seen a video from Bill! Now my life can move forward again!

[@joelyons3713]

Good description on the optimism of these old cars and the depressing nature of new cars.

[@curbozerboomer1773]

Bill sounded kinda depressed, when talking about the last three weeks...this car was the antidote.

[@curbozerboomer1773]

The only problem with these older cars...just not safe, compared to modern, blah-styled vehicles.

[@pd4104lang]

My kind of car! Two door lo post with steel wheels, poverty caps and plenty of steam under the hood! Holman & Moody power is era appropriate! 😍

[@johnmills2134]

As a Canadian kid in high school I took a course on American history. We took a bus south, studied Gettysburgh, were cut loose inside the Pentagon and even took in a play at Ford's Theatre ( on the way home we chipped in for the driver's speeding ticket ). All I can say is that if Bill was the teacher at hand I likely would now have my PhD on everything more America.

[@MK-fc2hn]

Lol.. Real history versus classroom history..

[@av8bvma513]

The Creaking and Groaning and Sproinging of the Clutch Pedal Return Spring is Epic!

[@MrA123skid]

Bills taught me alot about car brands and the history behind them. Was never a fan of European cars like Mercedes, Bmw until i watched his videos. Also CADILLAC and LINCOLN! Dude gets me so excited when he reviews one of those 80s town cars, or the Caddy Broughams! Thanks bill for the entertainment

[@robertwbingo]

You outdid yourself with this one, Bill! Awesome!

[@brandonsmisek]

the door handle into the tailfin is awesome.

[@simonvancoevorden295]

Thank goodness he’s back !

[@DanCohoon]

I graduated in 1994....he graduated four or five years before me. I totally thought he was a boomer. I love him btw. I would watch him talk about animals and weather.

[@thethomasj1795]

I have to be honest this video has been coming up in my feed and I had no desire to watch it because the car really doesn't do anything for me. But, as I was working at my desk today I needed something in the background so I put it on. I have to say Bill does it again! He took a car that I had no interest in and made me interested in it. What a great presentation. Great job! Thank you, Bill!

[@christopherkraft1327]

There is absolutely no better way to start the weekend than a video from Bill & Curious Cars!!! I hope that you are doing well. If I remember correctly this Ford that you're showcasing today was originally owned by & was the personal car of the mayor of Mayberry!!! If that backseat could talk it would tell you stories about the mayor & Aunt Bee that would knock your socks off!!! Thanks for sharing this exciting video & welcome back!!! 🙄

[@edwartvonfectonia4362]

Finally, sir!! You woke up and made a new episode. I thought you retired.

[@tylernewton7217]

Oh thank god you’re back Bill! I was beginning to think dreadful thoughts! You gotta at least let us know you didn’t die in a ditch somewhere from time to time if you don’t have a car to talk about for a month! Haha.

[@josephvaldora49]

I am certainly grateful to see Bill producing some entertaining content again. Rewatching his reviews of early 2000’s Mercedes at auto Europa got kind of old. Especially the videos that had the music overdubbing his reviews! Anyway, this Ford is a pretty nice piece. I don’t think it was running moonshine or did any serious racing. The fact that it still exists in a decent state tends to support that notion. Still, the 428 CJ is worth the price of admission alone. They were seriously underrated in the horsepower department, getting just 10 more HP than the 390. They routinely got over 400 on the dyno in stock form. This one, with two carbs should be closer to 415, when it’s properly tuned. The CJ wasn’t a motor that was difficult to live with, like some. It was a great everyday driver, albeit a thirsty one. When you pushed the loud pedal down, all hell would break loose! This Ford is in nice shape and has some very desirable pieces. Best of luck with it and I’m not really looking forward to the Renault video. But I’m sure it will still be entertaining! Thanks, Bill!

[@discerningmind]

I'm more interested in hearing the history that was going on at the time, when the AMC-Renault vid is released.

[@chiefbigstick2299]

Never been happier to see Bill's new video!

[@one4uf]

Really glad to see you back. Been waiting. Great video! Saw that Renault at Mecum. Really looking forward to seeing that video.

[@nickbruni8041]

1 helluva car . 1 helluva guy . Rock on Bill !🤙🏼🍻🥃

[@krislarson7538]

Bill glad your back keep em coming we love the videos

[@robertvance1873]

Good to see you back 👍

[@besterstern666]

Cool history background, tx Bill, I really like your videos with all the historic side stories, keep goin'

[@rossbright1123]

The best notification to pop up in quite some time!

[@beko9175]

Glad you are back!

[@darylrigney6872]

Always makes my day with these fabulous and great videos Bill. Glad to see you back! I'd like to ask if you would try to do a video on a first generation Pontiac Firebird - I have a '67 Firebird Convertible. I've had it since 1971 when my late Dad purchased it.

[@wilsixone]

Hi Bill: This one is fascinating! In the first segment with you on the road, wow, looks like Hollywood steering haha 😆 So much play/slop in the front end, but that's how they were - also a function of the tires I'm sure. They look like they're probably bias-ply, not radials(?)... Anyway the good stuff - that 428 is amazing! The sound wwwwow. Thanks for a great and informative video. PS this is dual exhaust tips done properly so they don't look like something out of a plumbing supply warehouse or old school sillyness you see people do on a lot of vehicles. Beautifully done car! B.

[@robertchristie9434]

Great review, Bill. Because of the '58 recession poor new car sales & ornate designs, the bean counters began to clamp down on excess trim & do-dads. Accounting gained more corporate influence over design. Thank goodness for the horsepower race.

[@gtjgtj8334]

Thanks Bill...good to see you are back!!

[@pathfinderdiscovery9395]

Dam!!!! I love the fairlane 500 , the blue works an even the wheels work for me an she sounds so tuff , I love it Bill

[@timgraddy2418]

Thank goodness it’s Bill my day just got awesome!!!

[@htcathomas]

I am glad to see you are back..!!! Hopefully you are well and in good health!!

[@jasonrackawack9369]

Sweet car love the that color, the body color steel wheels, the engine, the body style....wow!😉👍

[@jamestucker6055]

I retired from Galpin Ford and thank you for showing a sleeper. The effort you are making to give snowflakes and ALL of us factual information on important historical car/society facts is just awesome. The younger generation is interested, we just have to show them. Great cars, watch your health and the women.... LW300, I know you're a wagon Man. Mahalo Bill 👏🏿👏🏿🤙🏿

[@mowowie]

Glad to see you back Bill!

[@roberthampton8682]

Hot dog! A 1961 Fairlane! Thanks for bringing back memories! In 1969, I bought my first car, a 1961 Galaxy Stationwagon with a 352. I paid all of $200. I only had for a couple of months, but it was a fun car!

[@dannywoody5497]

When I was in Palatka Florida back in the early 60s they were running white lightning and I remember a 62 Chevy Biscayne four-door that had the big for 27 in it. It look like grandma’s car. What a magnificent Ford.

[@darrellborland119]

Pretty awesome...love that aggressive idle.

[@alanlouis389]

Glad to have you back bro!

[@gkstanfield]

Hey, Bill…I greatly admire all the research on the backstory of each car you showcase; it’s important history to know, and you are very, very good at it..! I love this ‘61 Fairlane 500…but maybe it’s too perfect to enjoy, other than car shows… I’d love to find one of these as a running survivor with a proven history, battle-scars and all…now THAT would be fun..!

[@watchingitallhere]

Holy balls Bill. Excellent car. You are the man dude.

[@jamesmcgrath3841]

"Oh Gawd if there's two things in the world I hate it's charities and children"!!!!!!!😂 Can't believe I was checking for Bill's uploads and worried about Bill that nothing was coming.... Thanks Bill!!

[@discerningmind]

Bill, good seeing you again! I'd love a five-minute follow-up on this car once it's fixed. I really want to see it run out.

[@npet6842]

I was concerned you'd kicked the bucket . Good to see you again !

[@a.s.4914]

Bill, glad your back with a vid. Was worried, thought you ran off to Colorado or something. Nice car, love it. Be good.

[@mickchafer9446]

Thank god Bill is back. Missed you Bill x

[@jasonthejawman5442]

Welcome back, happy your back

[@bobbygermano9926]

My dad had one, bought new. The stance on that car was ahead of its time

[@rickwhite3181]

Glad you're back Bill

[@johnballish3016]

Love ya Bill love it!! Don't ever stop!!

[@aviation3530]

Love it, beautiful car. The clutch pedal reminds me of the same sound that the garage door made every time we opened it as a kid.

[@BrianLarson1326]

Beautiful, thanks Bill.

[@corefreeman5804]

Totally fun video.. Thank you Bill. You are great historian..so much stuff I never knew ...great car!

[@PizzaDave802]

The weather was perfect for you here in Vermont yesterday it was -50 with the wind chill 😁

[@orwellknew9112]

You are absolutely right about the optimism of the ‘50’s and ‘60’s. You can see it in their car designs and their amazing colours. Plus you can hear it in their “time or era accents”, meaning obvious accents that instead of being geography based, are time/era based. That’s why I listen to the old radio programs. It’s just so uplifting to hear those voices, so confident and full of certainty. These day certainty and confidence have all but disappeared. We have a crooked old President that finds it nearly impossible to tell the truth. To be honest, he finds it almost impossible to say anything at all. The man struggles to string two sentences together, even with the help of a teleprompter. It leaves everyone who wasn’t born yesterday wondering, “How the heck did we get here?” It’s like we’re living in an episode of “The Twilight Zone.” I can hear Rod Serling’s voice right now, “You are about to enter the twilight zone. A future world where reason and logic have been abandoned. Where feelings have replaced facts, up is down, right is wrong and everyone wants to be a victim, in a race to the bottom. Where no one is certain about anything. Imagine a world where even a female United States Judge is incapable of defining a simple word like “woman”. This is not a joke, nor is it an exaggeration as you are about to find out, in The Twilight Zone.”

[@sparky6086]

My aunt had a 1961 Ford Fairlane in that color, when I was growing up, but it had 3 on the tree & a straight 6. It was a reliable car.

[@peterfoley2559]

Holy shit, so glad you're back Bill, Bravo! Too Effin Funny My MAN!

[@joeseeking3572]

Always liked the 61 Ford - the slightly bulbous front end not so much (grille itself is ok), but the rest of it really appeals to me, especially the Galaxie, and not just the Starliner - even the 4dr sedan with the T-bird roofline. Very cool vestigial fins blending into the door handles.... As people have no doubt pointed out by now - there was a base Fairlane, this car is a slight step up - and it got you that side chrome rub strip, among other bits and bobs.

[@jiji1946]

"Very cool vestigial fins blending into the door handles.... " yes. very very tasty!

[@JoJoJoker]

Painted wheels are a beautiful, mostly lost, design feature. Thank you for keeping it alive, Porsche.

[@curtiszzzchicago]

Beautiful Ines, color is sweet, sounds mean as hell. Kick ass ride Bill.

[@mikemoxley9477]

Another fun video, was a little worried about you. Long time for you to buy more cars which is a good thing!! LOVE the Fairlane!!!!

[@randybills3848]

Wow now thats my kinda hot rod good shit and by the way bout damn time you showed back up lmao

[@nobullshoot]

Love that car! my 1965 falcon was that same color.

[@giarc888]

It's nice to see those lighted dash shots at the start of the video, I'm a dashboard buff,thanks great job.

[@dailyreader506]

When you said how you enjoyed the cool snap in the air I immediately thought ‘he’s been holding out, he’s a fellow hoser’. You were quite ‘chipper’ about it. 😂. Oh, and, that car is a real gem.

[@chrisb2844]

Welcome back it seems its been forever Bill!! Don't you leave us this long again!