History 64/65 Comets old drag cars lets see pictures

Roy

You dont know how bad I wanted that 9 second slip.They had one more qualifying Run that night,The air was perfect and was starting to cool down.I know I would've had it for sure.But No Big Stick became Broke shaft in two seconds.Makes me want to come out to Bakersfield to get it done.I talked to Todd the other day Talking to him about his 65,I heard rumours about a certain blue 65 that might just get a FE .I better keep an Eye on those California guys.Some Bad Ass Comets sneaking up on me.

 

Ken, keep the videos of your 64 coming and you'll get that 9 sec slip. I'm thinking I should get serious and get another FE. Where did you get the Mercury Head for your aircleaner?
Roger

 

Thanks,I was wondering if I was putting too many on here.The Air cleaner emblem came from crites.It's not in the catalog you have to ask over the phone.

 

MercuryJunky: Sorry we couldn't see one another in the Denver area.

My 65 Caliente HT has only 55,000 miles when I stored it in 1972 in Michigan. It's now seen it's first 8 days of sunlight in Denver since 72.

I'm planning a dropped tube axle & a FE in about a year. I'll post some travelling photos when I get back to Oregon.

Just too many projects.

Movin/on

 

I wish I would've caught your PM sooner.I really wanted to see your car.Keep us posted on the pics.Pm anytime for advice.Safe travels back

 

Ken;I'm seriously considering a FE!! Todd has a 511" based on an iron Pond block that he wants to sell.I went down to his place,about 3 hour drive,it has some nice pieces but has only 10 to 1 compression.I would need at least 700HP to make it worth the expense and trouble to do the swap.He is trying to set up a dyno session for the engine as it has never been run.The problem about the CHRR is I think it is sold out and even if not you would only get two runs,one Friday,one Saturday,then Sunday eliminations if you make the show!!You have 9s in that combo,just need to get everything right at the same time11 ROY.

 

Here- I'm just gettin started, and Roy here is already talking about jumping off the small block bandwagon... I keep thinking about that little fish swimming in the big pond!!!

Dale

 

Dale;a FE has always been an idea for my Comet.I LOVE having a baddassed small block but a FE is such a cool engine.I know it will require a ton of work to install,a lot depends on the horsepower and price of the engine whether or not the swap happens.I also have the foundation,block,crank and rods,for a 418"-351W based engine. ROY.

 

Pardon my interruption, I would like to first off say that I am highly pleased I stumbled across this thread and these forums. It's been a several years since I've ran an internet search on this topic.

Here's my story...

I am located in Ashland Kentucky and have always heard Dad and Uncle tell stories of this 64 A/FX Comet that come from California that they use to have. My uncle Benny bought this 64 A/FX Comet from a gentleman in Ironton OH that owned the Mercury/Lincoln Garage over there, I believe his name was Jimmy Lawson. The car was purchased from Jack Chrisman back in '65 (these dates may be off a year or so, so forgive me). Roger Gustin, a popular jet car driver from this area drove that car for Jimmy.
It wasnt long after that, maybe not even a year and then my uncle Benny purchased the car from Jimmy Lawson. He drove it for a few years under the name of Benny-Be Gone and The Kentucky Kolonel. My Dad then purchased it from my uncle somewhere around '66 - '67. Dad remembers calling Jack Chrisman to get some specs for the new engine (which I think they blew several) and actually talking to Jack's young son and the son actually had very good knowledge of that car and engine. Dad says the boy was very young; "around 13 years of age" he says, but Dad is now 73 and maybe his memory is fading.
Dad ended up selling it somewhere around '68 for like $3200 - $3800!! Gasp! lol. Sold it to some guy in the eastern KY area that use to race over in Virginia all the time. Dad couldnt remember his name but he said they guy talked about always getting beat by a T-Bolt over there but not after getting the Comet! He finally beat that T-Bold with the Comet and even on 7 cylinders!! The story ends there unfortunately.
I would love to find out the name of the guy that bought it; to see if its still around or what.

I apologize for the rushed story.
Here is the only picture I have of that Comet.

 

Hope you find it.Thats one cool story.....

 

Christian Bros.;I think the stories got mixed up somewhere over the years. Jack Chrisman's 64 Comet became a 65 by replacing body panels and changing from white to candy apple red,not a new car.The 64 car was never an altered wheelbase car,it was to become a blown fuel 427 wedge then with the engine moved back behind the firewall a blown fuel 427 SOHC,both were direct drive.The car as a 64 was sponsored by Sachs and Sons Lincoln Mercury and was originally an A/FX car.There are plenty of pictures on this thread of the Comet over the years,it has been owned by Jim Barrillaro for many years. ROY.

 

Roy

I'm thinking this might be the second Sachs and Sons 64 comet.It looked just like The SuperCharged version but wasnt.I believe Bill swrewsberry drove it.Heres a pic from Indy 64.

 

That is an awesome pic. thanks for posting, Would love to see more

 

For all us "young uns", its so great to have you guys share the stories, and help fill in gaps with the history of these cool Comets!
Thanks for sharing the stories, and helping with history!!

 

Ken;I could be wrong,but I believe they are the same car.Bill Shrewsberry had the Chrisman car first,had a"misunderstanding"with Mercury and the Comet went to Chrisman.I'm just repeating stories told to me by a few of the old Ford and Mercury owners and drivers,sooooo,who knows,most of those guys are even older than me!! What broke on your Comet? ROY.

 

I agree with tedisnoke - thank you so much for your "filling of the gaps", seriously. This is something near and dear to my heart and I cant thank you all enough.

Also, I kinda had the idea of it being a Sox & Martin car as well, just from looking at all the pictures. My Dad did say it was either Sox & Martin / Sachs & Sons... maybe some wires are crossed there. Oh, he also did say it was originally White and Red. I need to get on the phone again with him today, maybe even call up my uncle and see what those old rednecks can recall.

I have also been trying to use the good old internet to find a contact for that Roger Gustin fellow, to ask him if he remembers driving that car! I found a page on Facebook that was all about a now defunct raceway that Roger drove at and someone even made a comment about his first time driving a '64 A/FX Comet there (which i believe may have been one of the first cars he drove ever) and it scared the crap out of him because it was so fast!!!! Same car! All of this just gets me so excited, i want to get to the bottom of this!

I really, really appreciate everyone's input!

Mercuryjunky, sorry I wish so much i had more pictures, I'm going to ask the old folk to see if they have any more, but in my lifetime that is the only one i remember; and i love your videos on here man! That car is done so well! I cant wait to show my dad! If he only had internet at his house... haha.

 

Roy, could you elaborate for me on your story to Ken about Bill Shrewsberry having a car then Mercury gave it to Chrisman? sorry, as my avatar says 'FNG' here.

 

I'd like to give a big public 'thanks' to the guys up at Flowmaster, in Santa Rosa. After bolting on my collector mufflers I fabbed up, and realizing they completely clogged the exhaust flow, I made a phone call, and explained my situation to a couple of their people. I had a very certain criteria, about sound, and heat control, as there is 'no' insulation in the car. Once they found out the car would be on display at this years SEMA, they overnighted their new HP series Hushpower mufflers. I know of no one who has these on a car, at Irwindale or elsewhere, and I'm excited to try them. They look like they really have good sound control, and flow well. I'll get pics today, of what I"m taking off, and what I'll be putting on. The Comet thrash continues on.....

 

Christian Bros;what I have is a story in an old magazine that talks about the early A/FX cars and the drivers hopping from one manufacturer to another depending on what was in it for them.I also had the great fortune to spend time with Jack Chrisman's family [thanks to my Comet]and talk about the era.I also spent some time with Jim Barrillaro and picked his brain on the history of the Chrisman Comets.I don't consider myself as an expert but I have done a lot of research on 64-65 Comets,and as you stated,many years have rolled by since then!! I have had mine for over 43 years,been fortunate to take it around the country.Ken has a lot of info and photos on the Sox and Martin 64 Comet. ROY

 

Roy

I dont think so, I believe there was two cars.That Shrewsberry photo is At Indy and there are all sorts of footage of Jack running his car there also at Indy with the supercharger.I think for the first time as a B/FD



I looked up the results and they say that Shrewsberry fouled out in his merc to eventual winner Dave Strickler in his new Dodge in the A/FX Class.

It says that Jack ran a best was low 10's @ 156 But lost out to Harry Hovis out of st louis which won the B/FD class with a 9.40 @ 154

 

Am I seeing things,or is that a single exhaust coming out of the right rear...

 

Hey Dale

Where you going to try and have the Rocket ready for the Hot Rod Reunion?

Ernie is trying to get me out there But I havent fixed the car yet, So I dont know yet but its not looking good.March Meet is a better chance for me.

Are you for sure going to make SEMA,I'll try and go if there is going to be cool Comets there.

 

Hey 64Cyclone are you still watching?

Analog Dog that does look like single exhaust.One of these days I'm going to have to come over a state and visit.

 

Love the responses and all the great information.
So it may be a lost Sach's and Sons?

Keep it up guys - we have to find out where this car came from
I'm confident from the amount of knowledge you all have (which is quite amazing, I'm in awe) we can do it!

 

Do you know Jack?Roy and him are buds.Jack has some really cool cars.Nice guy too...Even though I'm primarily a Ford guy,I'm learning alot about 1964-65 Mopars from him.

 

Its no 64 or 65 comet, but this 66 comet is legendary. I doubt i have to tell a good lot of the people on here it was one of (if not the first) flip-top funny car. I saw it recently on the barrett jackson auctions and sold for $176,000

 

Just something else I found - makes you think...

The one story of Dad calling Jack about some engine specs and Jack telling my dad that his young son could tell him what he needed to know about that Comet because he had one just like it they were building.

This was the "unblown" Comet, and my dad also has said it had some kind of record at the time.

Like piecing together a 100,000 piece jigsaw puzzle!




http://www.nhra.net/insidedragster.asp?Page=9&Display=5

 

It won't make the Reunion, but we'll be there in force at the March Meet. Ernie and I are going to try a dual pit set-up, with both cars. Bakersfield is tough, when you pit. They like the classes all together in one group. I won't run his, or your numbers, so they'll try and push me out, but hopes are they won't put me out in that dirt field, a quarter mile past the finishline. That sucked for me a few couple years ago. No place for an altered wheelbase Dart. My savior was that Mickey Thompson tire guys let me park the Dart in their area, and I got to leave it there. Its a dirty, dusty place for sure, so be a bit ready for that. We'll have a hell of a great time, though. We'll be at SEMA, so please look for me on the main floor, down the stairs from that great big blue oval!!!!

 

Christian Bros;I had not seen that article,have seen the picture.It does appear that there was two Sachs and Sons cars,so it looks like the info I have was wrong,or time got things mixed up,or both !!The cars running A/FX and most other door slammer classes had to run exhaust all the way back,most ran a single as that was all that was required.The Comets,Fairlanes and Falcons only had single exhaust from the factory. I ran Stock for years and had the single pipe on my Comet,I think around 68-69 they got rid of the rule. ROY.

 

Ken;after going over tons of pictures I have to agree there was two Sachs and Sons Comets.The A/FX was #833 and Jack's was #33,so my info appears to be wrong[not the first time]! The Comet appears to be a well built altered wheelbase conversion,not some hack job that was done to too many cars just to stay competitive!! Where did all those cool old cars go? ROY.