[Dr. Sivana]

Perhaps most surprising of all, given its popularity, is that “Fun Fun Fun” never made the UK chart.

The folks in the UK probably didn't identify with the lyrics. Most wouldn't even know what a T-Bird was. Many wouldn't know what an Indy 500 Race was.

[nickcarraway]

They don't have muscle cars in the U.K.?

They should know what a Roman chariot race is, since they were once part of the Roman Empire. (People from the U.S. had to hear about yellow matter custard.)

[Fiji Hill]

The folks in the UK probably didn't identify with the lyrics. Most wouldn't even know what a T-Bird was. Many wouldn't know what an Indy 500 Race was.

Perhaps the problem was that T-Bird is a brand name. The British used to frown on brand names being mentioned in song lyrics. George Hamilton had to redo his 1956 hit "A Rose and a Baby Ruth" for release in England, singing instead, "A Rose and a Candy Bar." Similarly, to pass muster in the UK, Johnny Bond had to redo his 1960 hit "Hot Rod Lincoln" as " Hot Rod Jalopy" with no mention of any brand names of cars. He also described the hot rod race in question as starting in Southampton, England instead of San Pedro, Calif.