Chicagoland Lincoln Mercury Dealers 341
Summary
A rarity among even the limited number of current Nostalgia Super Stock race cars, the Chicagoland Lincoln Mercury Dealers 1964 Mercury Comet replica features meticulous workmanship and a detail level that grabs attention and sparks conversion.
“Many race fans have never seen a ’64 Comet before, much less a ’64 Comet race car,” said owner and driver Ken Kleiner. “It’s a real crowd-pleaser.”
Owners and Sponsors
The team of Ken Kleiner (father) and Keith Kleiner (son) of Downers Grove, Ill. / The Kleiners cover all expenses for both their NSS cars, an unnamed 1963 Chevrolet Biscayne and the Chicagoland Lincoln Mercury Dealers 1964 Comet.
Driver
A long-time racer, Ken Kleiner is also president of a real estate company that does construction business throughout the United States.
History
Back in the day, Ken Kleiner had owned a 1963 409 Chevrolet and later the Kleiners had raced two Chevrolets. However, despite their strong connection to General Motors, change was coming. “When we decided to start running with Nostalgia Super Stock Inc., our thought was to try to do something a little different,” said Ken Kleiner.
Ford’s Lincoln-Mercury Division fielded just 11 Super Stock cars for the 1964 racing season. And consistent with that level of rarity, the Kleiner’s inspiration for a new NSS car went back just as far, to one of the most famous of all Super Stock racers. “I had gone to the US Nationals in 1964 and was most impressed with (‘Dyno’) Don Nicholson’s Comet,” Ken Kleiner said. Nicholson had raced Chevrolets for several years before that.
After taking some time for research, the Kleiners finally located an original Super Stock Comet, one which had been built by the Dearborn Iron and Tube Co. for Mercury, resting in an Arizona museum. This car had been built for the Chicagoland Lincoln Mercury Dealers to be driven by Ed Rachanski, who was president of the United Drag Racers Association in 1966 and also drove a Mercury Comet named Marauder.
“We tried to build our own car as close to the original as possible,” said Ken Kleiner. “There were also several former Ford employees eager to help with information and advice.”
Technical
Ford FE 427 cubic inch motor, 425 horsepower / Edelbrock aluminum heads / original Ford aluminum mid-rise intake manifold / Holley carburetion / Ford C6 automatic transmission by TSI Inc. / Ford 9-inch rear member / 4.57 ratio / Strange rear gears and axles
Performance
For ¼-mile, consistently runs on NSS/B 10.50 index
Results/Achievements
Various car show awards, including World of Wheels