Are you familiar with the 1967 Mercury Comet Voyager? I wasn’t, but it turns out it was a one-year plain mid-size wagon that was a step down from the Villager with its faux woodgrain paneling. Fewer than 5,000 copies were produced, and this example was turned into an NHRA Super Stock champion. Sporting a rebuilt 427 cubic inch V8 with twin 4-barrel carburetors, this one-of-a-kind wagon (probably) is in Fowlerville, Michigan, and is available here on eBay. The opening unmet bid is $30,000, and a reserve will apply if activity begins.
This wagon was known as “The Collector” on the drag racing circuit (after also campaigning as the “Border Bandit”). It is a well-documented competitor that appears to largely have been restored to its 1960s and 1970s glory. Its glory days were with Canadian drag racer Barrie Poole behind the steering wheel. More recently, it was restored and has a mere eight miles on the odometer, so it has largely been trailered from one car show to another.
Some of the car’s achievements included taking second place at the 1967 NHRA Spring Nationals and first place at the 1968 NHRA Winternationals. Its success is attributable, at least in part, to the FE block 427 with all sorts of upgrades to hold up under race conditions. Some of its parts are shared with a 428 FE, too. A 4-speed Toploader transmission is on board with a Hurst shifter.
Besides the car itself, the buyer will get an original Marti Report, NHRA paperwork (some of which questioned the legality of the wagon in its competitive class), an autographed glove box, and decals on the machine that match its 1967 racing season. Since this wagon’s racing days are long past in the rearview mirror, this Mercury’s future is the car show tour. Does that fit your plans?
I can’t say WOW! enough on this. Wagons don’t really thrill me, but this is mean.
What a cool piece of racing history and a great looking wagon first time seeing one.
I can’t read the Marti Report, but the VIN is listed in the ad. The ad states the engine (5th digit) is C, which would indicate 289 2bbl. There is nothing unusual about swapping engines in order to make a car fit into a specific class. If the documentation is real and verifiable, which it more than likely is, the car is a great deal at its opening bid. Granted, it’s not something you race in a competitive class today, but it would be more than welcome at any nostalgia race, either making exhibition runs or parked in the paddock. This car would draw a crowd at any car show based on its merits.
Hopefully it finds a nice home.
Steve R
“…competitive class today…”
we race 50 y/o ford bronks (’66 – ’77) in the Baja Classic (older, not “old”) class down San Philipe every (sorta) Thanksgiving.
There’s left hand turn (circle racers) doing cars even older than that.
‘50s Alphas in le mans style, etc, etc.
ALL the GOOD stuff~
“…nostalgia race…”
“Why I oudda m^!^:as Ya!” as Curley would say “Nayuk, yuk, yuk.”; “Pick 2”
I was thinkin the ’64 or 5 comet was one of the 1st (during the ‘muscle’ era) to have the stacked headlights. A style I really like.
I don’t recall ever seeing one. I do have some memory of a faux woody virsion but, even that memory is mixed with what was possibly the Fairlane or Falcon offerings.
I’m guessing this might’ve been a Canada-only model.
You would be guessing incorrectly.
1 wicked wagon here. i love it. i would think the base for these race wagons is small but who knows. you will never see these again. great piece of history.
Its drag racing days are not necessarily behind it. The are vintage drag racing associations where it could easily be run.
Correct – there is a Hemi Challenge for the factory equipped Mopars still being run to this dat.
Awesome wagon! Interestingly, the Villager is rarer than the Voyager. Just over 3000 Villagers, almost 5000 Voyagers, as the author stated.
What a piece of history! I remember when this car ran NHRA. It is refreshing to see it has not been updated to today’s rule book.
Hopefully the new owner will not lock it away in some collection and will instead share it with the world.
Ive always loved the SD 63 Pontiac wagons, this is damn near as cool!!!!
Super cool !
John Elliot from Chatham, Ontario won the A/SA class in [email protected] mph, in a Mercury- 1968 NHRA WinterNationals
The current record for A/SA is 9.65 @ 136.30. I love vintage race cars, that survived in their “as raced” condition, they are a testament to a specific point in time. Technology has really changed in the nearly 60 years.
Steve R
Tire technology alone has made a tremendous difference. Trying to get a car to “hook up” in the 1960s was a real challenge.
Top Loader stick in this wagon is icing on the cake 👍🏁
The Speeding Ticket Collector 😏
This is a 289 car and NOT an original 427 car as really makes NO sense as why would Sandy’s dealership would have NOT ordered an original 427 car as there was no advantage to a 289 car
You might not have been able to order the wagon with the engine and transmission they wanted, even if they could time constraints could be an issue. Drag racing associations run on their own schedule as do the automobile manufacturers, even if they would build the combination the dealer wanted it might not have been produced and delivered in time to get the car prepped for the track. Another possibility, dealership could have taken a wagon that had been sitting on the lot for an extended period and converted it.
Steve R
Bidding ended on Sun, Aug 30 at 6:16 AM.