Beskrivning
Description
1947 Ford V8 “Fairfax Special” – Ex-Billy Earl #88 Oval Race Car
Chassis / VIN: 799A-1547840 | * Original Engine: was a Ford Flathead V8 (now has a modern Ford V8) | Country of Origin: USA | Period Campaigned: 1950s – 2000s
Provenance
This striking single-seat oval racer is an authentic piece of post-war American dirt-track history.
Built in 1947 from genuine Ford components, chassis 799A-1547840 started life as a 1947 Ford passenger-car frame before being converted into a purpose-built “big-car” sprint special powered by Ford's legendary 239 cu in flathead V8.
From the early 1950s onward it was campaigned across Indiana and the Midwest by Billy Earl (Indianapolis, 1927 – 2007) – a well-known competitor on the region's “Kerosene Circuit.” Earl raced the car wearing number 88, the number he carried throughout much of his long career, on dirt ovals including Jungle Park, Winchester, Franklin, Mitchell, North Vernon, and Scottsburg. Surviving period photographs show Earl at the wheel, and his Indianapolis Star obituary confirms his lifelong involvement with Indiana oval racing.
The car remained in Earl's possession and under his care for decades, seeing continual refinement while retaining its 1940s spirit. In December 2004 he famously returned to Jungle Park Speedway for the historic reunion meeting, where this Ford #88 appeared and reportedly took a class win – a fitting swan-song for a driver who had raced there half a century earlier.
Following Earl's passing in 2007, the car was imported to the UK, where it appeared at the Goodwood Breakfast Club 100th Meeting and has since been maintained in running condition. It carries a UK registration and remains a crowd-pleasing exhibition or parade car.
** Please Note – this car holds a Valid V5 and is licenced for Road Use - Caution advised.
Specification
• 1947 Ford frame (VIN 799A-1547840)
• Originally had a Ford 239 cu in Flathead V8 (“99A” series)
* Now sports a more modern Ford 5. 0L V8
• Single-seat aluminium body shell in period oval-track style
• Custom stainless fuel tank, side exhausts, polished aluminium cockpit surround
* Dual S/ S exhaust silencers fitted to meet Goodwood's decibel requirements
• Period-type solid front axle and transverse leaf spring suspension
• Drum brakes front and rear
• Hand-painted race livery “#88” in the style used by Billy Earl
Supporting Documentation
• Copy of U. S. title / VIN documentation confirming 1947 Ford V8 origin
• Archive photographs of Billy Earl in the car #88
• Press material referencing Jungle Park Speedway reunion (Dec 2004)
• Champ Car Stats and obituary confirming Billy Earl's career and car number 88
A True Survivor Classic and Historical Race Proven Ford
Few surviving “home-built” American specials offer this depth of provenance. The #88 Ford V8 embodies the post-war grassroots ingenuity that fed directly into AAA and USAC competition. With verifiable links to a known Indiana driver and a chassis number consistent with 1947 Ford production, it's a tangible slice of American oval-racing heritage – ideal for museum display, vintage exhibitions, Goodwood events, or spirited demonstration runs.
Offered With
• History file with photographs and documentation
• UK road registration paperwork – V5 Present – registered for Road Use
• Recent mechanical inspection and fresh fluids – Invoices present
• Suitable for display or light use; easy maintenance with widely available Ford parts
• Or Pop into Tesco's – Best Parking Spot Guaranteed – and a crowd of admirers
Price
£22 500 – Serious enquiries only.
Worldwide shipping assistance available.
Provenance Addendum – Billy Earl #88 Ford V8 “Fairfax Special”
Verified USAC Silver Crown / Hoosier Hundred Entry
• Event: Hoosier Hundred – Indiana State Fairgrounds, Indianapolis, Indiana
• Date: September 12, 1981
• Sanction: United States Auto Club (USAC) – Silver Crown Division
• Driver: Billy Earl (Indianapolis, IN)
• Car: #88 “The Betsy” – Ford
• Result: Entered but did not start (DNS in feature)
• Source: USAC official results database & ChampCarStats. com
This entry confirms that Billy Earl continued to compete at the highest level of U. S. dirt-track competition well into the 1980s, campaigning car #88 under the USAC Silver Crown banner.
While later than the car's 1947 construction, the event ties directly to Earl's long-standing use of the number 88 and his Ford-powered “special.”
Indianapolis 500 Connection
• Year: 1950 Indianapolis 500
• Driver Entry: Billy Earl
• Status: Entered but did not qualify or start.
• Source: Indianapolis Motor Speedway entry records & Champ Car Stats database
Although Billy Earl was listed among the 1950 entrants – the 1950 Indianapolis 500 Entry shows - Did Not Qualify / Did Not Start.
The Indy 500 at that time required purpose-built “Champ Cars” meeting strict AAA specifications; Earl's flathead Ford single-seater was a short-track “big car,” not eligible for the 500-mile event.
The #88 special thus represents Earl's grassroots dirt-oval career, rather than an Indianapolis race machine.
Summary for Documentation
• Driver: Billy (William Russell) Earl — Indianapolis-born racer active 1940s–2000s
• Car: 1947 Ford Flathead V8 “Fairfax Special,” chassis VIN 799A1547840
* The car now has a more modern Ford V8 fitted
• Race Number: #88
• Period of Use: 1950s–2000s
• Some Notable Events:
o Multiple Indiana dirt ovals throughout the 1950s–60s
o 1950 Indianapolis 500 Entry - Did Not Qualify / Did Not Start
o Jungle Park Speedway Reunion, December 2004 (class win reported)
o USAC Silver Crown entry, Hoosier Hundred 1981
o Goodwood Breakfast Club 100th Meeting (UK, post-import)
The above information is not complete, and we urge you to verify any and all information in this write-up – we have a decent history file that does verify many of the listed points – however this car is sold as seen - as it is a 78 year old Special / Purpose built race car.
