|
| |
|
| |
Buy with confidence!
If for any reason
you're not
completely satisfied
with an item, simply
return it within 7
days and the
purchase price will
be refunded.
|
|
|
|
| |
|
| |
We ship world wide.
All international
orders must be paid
online. Checks or
money orders drawn
on non-US banks will
not be accepted.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Ford of Canada Presents
|
|
|
 |
|
|
|
For the 1969 season, Barrie Poole fielded a Cobra
Jet Mustang with the coupe-style body. Purported
not to be as good as the fastback-style body, the
“Border Bandit” proved them wrong by cleaning
house with the coupe. (Barrie Poole)
The other half of the “Border Bandits,” John Elliott,
drove the more conventional fastback Cobra Jet
Mustang. The familiar bumblebee-stripe paint
scheme was being called “invasion stripes” by U.S.
racers. (Barrie Poole)
|
|
|
|
|
In the 1960s, Ford of Canada operated independently of the parent company in Dearborn and as a
result a number of unique product variations appeared north of the border.
Although our Canadian cousins got a late start in the performance arena, they made up ground
quickly and delivered a number of Ford’s all-time best drag cars and drivers. Transplanted from his
Prince Edward Island birthplace to Toronto, young Barrie Poole began to make a name for himself
preparing and driving George Masicotte’s big red B/Stock 1964 Galaxie 427. A successful season
and a Canadian National Record for Poole drew the attention of Sandy Elliott, the owner of
Canada's largest Ford/Lincoln-Mercury franchise. Elliott sought out Poole via Ford of Canada and
brought him to Chatham, Ontario, as performance advisor for the dealership.
|
|
|
At about the same time, Rankin Ford of London, Ontario, had taken delivery of an extremely rare
vehicle that would later go on to win wide acclaim on both sides of the border. The 271-hp
high-performance 289, initially introduced as an option for the 1963 Fairlane, was never offered in
Falcons built stateside, but a limited number of high-performance Falcons were produced by Ford
of Canada in 1965. Longtime racers and employees of Rankin Ford Ev Rouse and John McIntyre
joined forces to campaign one of these rare birds with dealer backing. Dubbed Wild Child, the
Falcon was fitted with class-legal fiberglass body components and initially ran in the B/FX class with
its small-block powerplant topped off with four Weber 2-barrel carburetors.
|
|
|
 |
|
|
|
The restored Rankin Ford Wild
Child A/FX Falcon arrives at
Carlisle, Pennsylvania, in 2004.
Note the period-correct 1965
F-100 tow vehicle.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Consistent 11-second elapsed times at 117 mph made the Falcon competitive on both sides of the
border. A notable match race in 1965 pitted the Wild Child against the London, Ontario-based Top
Fuel dragster of Scott Wilson. With the power of a supercharged SOHC 427 Ford engine, Wilson
held the title of Canada’s fastest fuel dragster, having recorded times in the low 7s at over 210
mph. Given a considerable handicap start, the little Falcon held on for the win against the dragster.
For the 1966 season, the Wild Child underwent further modifications and received a 427 Wedge
engine in place of the 289. This was later followed by the addition of a SOHC 427 and the alteration
of the car’s wheelbase as the competition grew stiffer.
|
|
|
Also in 1966, Barrie Poole fielded his first Sandy Elliott-sponsored machine in the form of a 1966
Comet Cyclone convertible dubbed The Collector. Powered by the 335-hp 390-ci engine and
backed up by the newly introduced C-6 automatic transmission, the Comet fit into the D/Stock
Automatic class in NHRA competition. While contemporary accounts consistently disparage the 390
Comets and Fairlanes as no competition for the General Motors middleweights, apparently
someone forgot to inform Mr. Poole as The Collector collected 34 class wins, a Top Stock
Eliminator trophy, and a semi-final round appearance at the NHRA Nationals. This car was followed
early in 1967 by a 427-powered 1966 Fairlane. After a few disappointing outings with the new car,
Poole received some helpful hints from successful American Ford racer Dave Lyall. Shortly
thereafter Poole set the MPH record in A/Stock with the Fairlane.
|
|
|
 |
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
Here is Barrie Poole with his first Sandy Elliott-
sponsored racecar. This 1966 Comet Cyclone
competed in C/SA and launched Poole’s
successful drag-racing career. (Barrie Poole)
|
|
Barrie Poole followed up the 1966 Comet with
this 427-powered Fairlane. With some pointers
provided by Dave Lyall, Poole soon had the
Fairlane running under the class index. (Barrie
Poole)
|
|
|
|
Warning: The account of how Barrie Poole’s next race vehicle came to be may not be suitable for
certain readers. This is particularly true for those who appreciate the rarity and current value of a
427 Comet 202.
The Sandy Elliott team decided to mount an assault on the newly established Super Stock
Eliminator classes of the NHRA for 1967. As it turned out a non-factory-available, but class-
allowable, 427-powered Comet station wagon would fit quite nicely into SS/C. So, if you are Ford of
Canada’s largest Ford/Lincoln-Mercury dealer how do you make a vehicle that the factory says
does not exist appear? Simple, all you have to do is remove the drivetrain from one genuine 427
Comet 202 sedan that you just happen to have in your inventory and mate it with your standard
small-block grocery getter. Thus The Collector II came to be. As for the performance of the hybrid
wagon, Poole posted the quickest SS/C time at the 1967 NHRA Spring Nationals and garnered a
runner-up spot losing a close race to Bill Jenkins in the final.
|
|
|
1967 brought a new addition to the team. Sandy’s son John came on board with a 427 Comet of his
own and promptly copped A/SA class honors at the NHRA Winternationals. At 17 years old, Elliott
became the first Canadian to win a stock class at a major U.S. meet. John went on to set both ends
of the A/SA record, win the NHRA Division 3 points championship, and qualify for the World Finals.
At that event Elliott took the class win, reset his own record, and lost only after reaching the Top
Stock Eliminator semi-final round.
The introduction of the 428 Cobra Jet Mustang in 1968 found Barrie Poole right in the thick of
things with his radio station CHYR-sponsored SS/EA fastback. The competition had little to “CHYR”
about as Poole proceeded to blitz the existing NHRA class national record, lowering it to 11.87
seconds. He followed this up with an NHRA Division Points Meet victory at Indianapolis Raceway
Park. For the season-ending Nationals, the car was converted to a 4-speed transmission and Poole
promptly posted the quickest time in SS/E at 11.82. A third-place finish in the NHRA World
Championship points series then qualified Poole for the World Finals in Tulsa, Oklahoma.
|
|
|
Ford fans at the 1969 Winternationals in Pomona, California, saw Poole wheel the 1968 Mustang to
an 11.16 elapsed time and the SS/G class victory. Shortly thereafter a 1969 Mustang coupe
replaced the fastback and the SS/I and SS/J class records went home to Canada with the Sandy
Elliott team. At the NHRA Spring Nationals, Poole took on all comers and advanced to a runner-up
finish to Ronnie Sox in the Super Stock Eliminator final. At this same event John Elliott claimed a
class win with his 1969 Mustang fastback. The two cars, painted with their signature black-and-
white bumblebee stripes, had become both fan and photographer favorites. By this time the lads
from Canada were being called the “Border Bandits,” due to their propensity to raid U.S. drag strips
and carry their numerous trophies back home.
A report in Ford of Canada’s Racing News dated June 16, 1969, gave proof that the Border Bandits
were not the only Canadian Ford racers making incursions into the lower 48 and taking home gold.
The team of Valt and Dixon brought their screaming H/SA Mercury Cougar to New York’s Niagara
International Raceway for the New York State Spring Nationals. With the ability to run more than a
tenth of a second under the existing class record of 13.18, the Canadian Cougar carried off the title
of Top Stock Eliminator from the meet. The previous weekend at Cayuga, Canada, saw Barrie
Poole win the Super Stock Eliminator title over Ev Rouse in the Rankin Ford Cobra Jet Fairlane.
John Elliott came home third to complete the Ford sweep.
|
|
|
Previous
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
This has been a sample page from
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
Total Performers: Ford Drag Racing
in the 1960s
by Charles Morris
|
|
|
|
|
The 1960s was arguably the most important decade for
drag racing. It had exciting cars, thrilling races, and most
importantly, factory participation. Among the best high-
performance cars and engines were those coming from
Dearborn, Michigan. Ford Motor Company’s “Total
Performance Years” saw a breakthrough as drag racing
helped the younger, performance- and style- conscious
consumer to begin receiving some recognition.
|
|
|
|
|
Factory participation in drag racing pushed the
envelope for high performance developments. Ford's
FE-series engine, Police Interceptor, GT 390, Single
Overhead Cam, Cobra Jet, and Boss 429 are all
covered in detail. See the cars and the drivers that
made them famous – Dick Brannan’s Goldfinger, Bill
Lawton’s Mystery Mustang, “Dyno Don” Nicholson’s
Eliminator Comet, Gas Ronda’s stretched Mustang, Al
Joenic’s Batcar, and more.
|
|
|
Click here to view sample pages from
each chapter.
|
|
|
|
Chap. 1 - 1960 Fords in Drag Racing
Chap. 2 - 1961 Fords in Drag Racing
Chap. 3 - 1962 Fords in Drag Racing
Chap. 4 - 1963 Fords in Drag Racing
Chap. 5 - 1964 Fords in Drag Racing
Chap. 6 - 1965 Fords in Drag Racing
Chap. 7 - 1966 Fords in Drag Racing
Chap. 8 - 1967 Fords in Drag Racing
Chap. 9 - 1968 Fords in Drag Racing
Chap. 10 - 1969 Fords in Drag Racing
Chap. 11 - 1970 Fords in Drag Racing
Chap 12 - Ford of Canada Drag Racing
|
|
|
|
Accomplished journalist and life-long Ford aficionado
Charles Morris takes you back to the Total
Performance Years through first-hand accounts as well
as over 400 rare photographs. A drag racer since
1966, Morris has run cars in both Stock and Super
Stock classes. He is currently the owner of the original
Norristown Ford 1963 _ lightweight Galaxie and races
the car in Nostalgia Super Stock as part of the 422
Motorsports Drag Racing Team. This book is a must
read for all drag racing fans, not just Ford enthusiasts.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Hardbound
10 x 10"
192 pages
130 color & 290 b/w photos
Item # CT407
Price: $Discontinued
|
|
Click here to buy now!
|
|
This is a great book any Ford
enthusiast will love!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
Other items you might be interested in
|
|
|
|
|
|
Gasser Wars: Drag Racing's Street Classes: 1955 to 1968
Author Larry Davis combined his own image archive with many rare,
never-published images from racers, fans, and track photographers all
over the country. He also did extensive research and interviews with
former drag racers. The result is a comprehensive, entertaining, and
nostalgic look at drag racing history.
|
|
|
 |
|
|
Price:
$22.95
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Factory Lightweights: Detroit's Drag Racing Specials of the '60s
Among racers it has never been a secret that a lighter car is a faster
car—particularly in drag racing. When Detroit’s automakers got
involved in organized drag racing, they paid heed to this principle,
issuing a series of rare race-only cars that became legends in their
own time. Factory Lightweights: Detroit’s Drag Racing Specials of the
‘60s chronicles these rare cars that still inspire admirers and imitators
today, like the Ford Fairlane 427 Thunderbolt.
|
|
|
 |
|
|
Price:
$22.95
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
Ford Galaxie & LTD Gold Portfolio 1960--1976
Contemporary road and comparison tests, specification and technical
data, driver's reports, long-term tests, new model introductions. 176
pages, 475 pictures and illustrations. Softbound.
|
|
Price:
$29.95
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Mercury Comet & Cyclone Limited Edition Extra 1960-1975
This portfolio encompasses the first decade and a half of the Lincoln-
Mercury Division’s Comet and Cyclone. The models featured include
Comet S-22, GT, Caliente, Cyclone-GT, Cobra Jet & Montego,
Convertible, and Wagon. 128 pages, 200 b/w illustrations. Sftbd.
|
|
|
 |
|
|
Price:
$22.95
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Shipping is combined and discounted for multiple item purchases!
Buy more and save on shipping!
We ship Worldwide! See International Shipping for more information!
|
|
|
Search Our Store for More Great Ford, Lincoln & Mercury Items!
|
|
|
FAST AND EFFICIENT SERVICE
We believe customer service and online retail can coexist. Our policy is to treat customers the way
we would like to be to treated. We strive to describe all items correctly. You have many options
online, but we believe our service is the best. We work around the clock to fill orders and ship items
within one business day. It is our goal to serve the customer before, during and after the checkout
process. Why gamble with your money and purchase from other sellers? We look forward to doing
business with you now and in the future.
|
|
|
FAST SHIPPING
Items usually ship within one business day of receipt of payment! We keep large quantities on hand
and have a state of the art inventory management system to ensure your items are in stock and
ready to ship.
|
|
|
YES, WE HAVE A RETURN POLICY
Satisfaction is guaranteed. Our store has a NO HASSLE RETURN POLICY within 7 days of
purchase. Your exchange will be processed upon receipt. If you are not satisfied with your
purchase, our knowledgeable team will do their best to make sure you get what you are looking for.
|
|
|
QUALITY AND AFFORDABILITY
Why pay retail when you can save money and benefit from our purchasing power? We stock large
quantities to get you the best prices and assure the item you order will be in stock and ready to
ship. We have a COMBINED SHIPPING incentive whereby each additional item adds $1.95 to the
s/h. The more you buy, the more you can save!
|
|
|
SHIPPING
Standard shipping is a flat rate of $4.95 to anywhere in the United States with USPS Media Mail.
Priority Mail shipping is available for an additional $3.00, or $7.95 shipping. Shipping is combined
and discounted for multiple items purchases as follows: first item regular price shipping, add $1.95
for each additional item.
INTERNATIONAL SHIPPING
We ship to Canada and Mexico with Priority Mail International for $10.95, and to most locations in
Europe, Australia, Asia, Japan and South America for $14.95. Shipping is combined and discounted
for multiple items purchases as follows: first item regular price shipping, add $1.95 for each
additional item. All international orders must be ordered and paid online, as we can no longer
accept checks or money orders drawn on non-US banks.
|
|
|
PAYMENT & SALES TAX
We accept Paypal, Visa, Mastercard, Checks and Money orders. Paypal is the preferred form of
payment. Our online shopping cart system is powered by PayPal, the most secure way to send
payment online. Iowa residents must add 7% sales tax.
|
|
|
If you have any questions or comments please feel free to contact us. We look forward to serving
you and fulfilling your needs.
|
|
|
Thanks for your business!
|
|
|
MRE
PO Box 47
Grinnell, IA 50112
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
