Fairmonts Weren’t Fast, Until This Guy Put An Australian Barra Turbo Into One
Sharing the same structure as the Fox-chassis Mustang, Ford Fairmonts have started to become more commonplace in both the street and racing world. We’ve highlighted a few others this year, from a blow-through pushrod Ford engine to a Godzilla-swapped version.
And as equally cool as they are, the 1979 Fairmont you see here is sporting a unique powerplant; in fact, we might even call it a Sick-ishly Freaky one.
Fonzie Novelo is no stranger to the drag-and-drive way of life, as he’s already been on the Midwest Drags twice. “I was a copilot for Tim Flanders at the 2021 Midwest Drags,” Fonzie said. “And I was copilot again in 2022 at Midwest Drags with Andrew Hiestand, as I fell a little short in finishing my car.”
All it took was that first experience to set the hook. “My first drag-and-drive experience was in 2021, and I was instantly hooked,” said Fonzie. That set the wheels in motion for a car of his own to participate.
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The ’79 Fairmont he picked was purchased from the family of the original owner, and Fonzie got the Ford with a scant 36,000 miles on the clock. Then he set in motion the plan to power it with an unusual choice for an engine: the Barra straight 6-cylinder Ford.
Fonzie assembled the engine with custom Ross pistons on Manley I-beam connecting rods, but kept the stock cams. A 6boost turbo manifold feeds a Forced Inductions 80-millimeter turbocharger through a Plazaman intake.
Behind the engine is a Turbo 400 3-speed transmission with a Hughes custom converter in the bellhousing, and Fonzie backed it with a Gear Vendors Overdrive to keep the revs down on the street.
To keep the interior in synch with the exterior, Fonzie kept as much factory appearing as possible, but made upgrades where necessary. “The car has a custom 8.50-spec roll cage that blends in with full interior,” said Fonzie. “The only hint of not being stock is the FuelTech dash and the Motion Raceworks shifter.”
Thanks to his engine choice, Fonzie will make his debut with the car known as ‘Barramont’ in the Sick Freaks class at Sick Summer Presented by TBM Brakes. “My goals are to try and win both the fastest 6 cylinder and over all class winner,” Fonzie admitted. “We all can dream right?”
And Fonzie plans to possibly hit up another drag-and-drive event in 2023. “They’re quite a few popping up and I’d love to find a shorter one to attend towards the end of the season,” he said.
Fonzie’s adventure will be a little bit better because his co-pilot is his father-in-law, Andy LaBo. “He always volunteers to come with my on my crazy cross-country adventures,” said Fonzie. “So, once I told him I was thinking of doing this event, he didn’t even give me the option. We are more than excited.”
Fonzie started testing the car a few weeks ago, and will be doing a full test run this week to try out the trailer, and all the winter updates. “I can’t wait,” said Fonzie. “The people, atmosphere, experience was unlike anything I’ve ever experienced in any other racing. I still talk about the stories regularly.”
Written by Derek Putnam. Photos courtesy of Fonzie Novelo.
If you have thoughts / feedback / ideas, please e-mail us at derek@sickthemagazine.com