Posted 3 years ago
dav2no1
(822 items)
Matchbox Monday
In this episode of matchbox Monday we feature the Mercury Cougar.
My boss and I drag raced for over 5 years together. We were racing his 1968 Mercury Cougar XR7. We won an NHRA wally in a Division 6 race in the early 90s. That's me in the black.. At that time the car had not been back halved(meaning not full tubbed, not full roll cage) and all steel. At that time we were running a highly modified 351 Windsor motor. The car was running the NHRA Super Pro class and would run consistent 11.50s in the 1/4 mile.
In the other pictures you can see the car is back halved with full tubs and 4 link. Now the car is front halved, back halved and has a full cage in full race trim. Also has fiberglass front end, doors and trunk lid. Running a 1000 hp big block Chevy and a Dedenbear glide with full race electronics, throttle stop, throttle launcher, transbrake etc. Runs on the throttle stop in the NHRA Super Street class(10.90 index). The car can easily dip into the high 8s without the stop on.
Cool dragster there. Looks similar to Pro stock. High 8s is pretty awesome. Been getting my funny cars together for a photo shoot.
Thanks..we had to goto a big block because when you go to tracks like Boise, its hot and the corrected altitude is around 5000 feet. Its hard to male power in those conditions.
Its easier to have more horsepower and dial it back. Easier on the motor.
Funny story..this picture was from early in the race career.
Tony had the dodge truck painted to match the race car. He just had it freshly painted and we were coming back from an Oregon race heading back to Washington. In Oregon you can't pump your own gas. We told the guy don't forget our gas cap(it was painted to match). At our next gas stop...it was gone! Guy forgot it..had to mail it back to us.
Everything changes..eventually he got rid of the flat bed trailer. Car had more money and better parts. Picked up a V10 dodge ram truck (green of course) and a 40 foot enclosed trailer. Tony still races and very competitive.