Summary

Only 22 factory A/FX lightweight Comets were built. Powered by a 427/425hp V8 engine and 4-speed manual transmission and Ford 9-inch rear end. Has factory fiberglass body panels and Detroit Steel Tubing suspension. Sold on bonded title. Title in transit.

Details

This Comet originally wearing VIN number 4H23-541506 was originally delivered to Yankee Mercury in Seattle, WA. It was campaigned by the dealership for the 1964 season in the NHRA's A Factory Experimental class. These 22 A/FX Comets were powered by a 427/425hp High-Riser 2x4 engine backed by the lightweight aluminum T-10 4-speed transmission and Ford 9-inch rear end with 4.56 gears. The original Lightweight configuration features a fiberglass hood, fenders, front bumper, doors and lightweight glass. Dearborn Steel Tubing was tasked with modifying the Comets engine compartment to handle the massive 427ci engine. They also modified the rear suspension with hand-fabricated steel tubing traction bars mounted to the rear end housing and attaching to hand fabricated cross bracing at the rear torque box area. The interiors were fitted with lightweight bucket seats, radio and heater delete and dash mounted tachometer. The car was originally driven by Yankee Mercury's lead mechanic Leroy Strunk. After the '64 season, the dealership sold the car to Strunk. He continued to campaign the car privately and even turned the car into an altered wheelbase car, like many of the original A/FX cars were. This was done to keep up with the evolving highly competitive NHRA classes. In converting the car to an altered wheelbase the front aprons and shock towers were removed, thus taking the original born-with VIN numbers from the car. In the late '70s, Strunk wrecked the car at Arlington Dragway in Arlington, WA. The car was badly damaged but the shell of the car was salvageable. Photos of the car the day of the wreck were taken at the dragstrip by a man named Jack Willis and are included in the photo album with the car. A man named Matt Hillis acquired the car sometime after the wreck. Matt sold the car to James Howell in 1980 and the Bill of Sale is included to confirm that transaction. James Howell began the process of rebuilding the car with the help of a man named Larry Lorentzen. The decision was made to use a doner front aprons section from the firewall forward to return the car to its original configuration. Many photos of the rebuild process were taken including pictures of Howell standing with the car as it is returned to its former glory. Many of the original parts, including the drivetrain, interior and suspension were used during the reconstruction of the car. Due to the process of using a donor car for parts, the car currently wears another VIN but is not titled with that number. It was decided to use a state assigned VIN for this vintage race car. A copy of the 1980 title with VIN 4H23-541506 comes with the car. James Howell owned the car from 1980 until his passing in 2024 when the car was acquired from the estate.