Stillwater, OK (6/16/15)- Unseen for over 50 years, a rare celestial body will soon light up the night in Las Vegas.  As thousands of visitors arrive for the annual SEMA Show, Comet RDR5P62 makes its first public appearance as a Featured Vehicle at the 2015 SEMA Show. Unlike the space-travelling frozen balls of ice, this Comet is packing heat.

Built by Red Dirt Rodz, the shop that created the 1969 Road Runner “Evil Betty” (Top Five Mopar of 2013 SEMA), and “Sinister”, a 1966 Corvette Coupe (Top Ten Hottest Hot Rods of SEMA 2014), Comet RDR5P62 is a 1962 Mercury Comet Wagon with a serious attitude and a hunger for eating asphalt. Powered by a Ford 347 stroker featuring two 58mm ball-bearing turbos from Precision Turbo and Engine feeding a Holley twin-throttle body EFI system, this Comet will leave a white tail of smoke everywhere it goes. Air supply is handled through Burns Stainless tubing. An Aeromotive fuel system pumps the hi-octane fuel from the Summit Racing fuel cell. Inside the 347 cubic-inch engine is a set of forged SRP pistons, Scat forged H-beam rods and crank. The camshaft is a Comp Cams roller piece, driving the Magnum roller rockers bolted onto the RHS Pro Action heads. An Edelbrock dual-carb intake tops off the motor along with a set of custom PRW valve covers.

Funneling all that horsepower to the ground is a paddle-shifted TCI 6X 6-speed automatic transmission, spinning a Dynotech Engineering driveshaft to the custom IRS in the rear. The Red Dirt Rodz crew used a Factory Five Racing pin-drive IRS cradle (MKIV chassis), and modified it to work under the Comet. This IRS uses a Ford 8.8 differential, which has been built with an Eaton TrueTrac LSD and Yukon 3.73 gears for grip in the turns through the Weld Racing S76 rims wrapped with BF Goodrich tires.

 

The front suspension utilizes Global West tubular control arms with Addco sway bars and QA1 coil-over shocks provide optimum control and tuning for track conditions. Braking is handled through a Power Brake Service Hydroboost (mounted under the dash), powering the Baer 6-pistons calipers fitted over 14-inch front rotors, and the Ford 11-inch discs in the rear. A modified rack and pinion steering system from Speed Direct ensures responsive steering through the Ididit column.

 

Exterior modifications include RDR-fabricated door handles, custom grill and bumpers, shaved trim, rear wing window-delete, Lexan door windows, and custom taillights. The main body wears Axalta semi-gloss black paint, with Hot Hues Midori Sour green and Lil Daddy Roth Bong Water Green metal flake on the roof.  The bumpers and chrome trim has all been treated to gloss black powder coating for that aggressive look.

 

The interior of Comet RDR5P62 is all about the driving experience. Because this is a street-driven track car, the high-back front seats from Summit Racing feature 5-point harnesses mounted to a custom low-profile chassis-stiffening roll bar system. The Auto Meter Street Dash gauge package monitors the engine vitals, while the custom-built AC system keeps the occupants cool whether on the track or cruising Main Street. The interior hardware is from Lokar Performance Products, including the pedals, e-brake, and interior door handles. The build features Painless Performance wiring throughout, along with restoration-quality trim components from Dearborn Classics. To keep road noise and heat at bay, the interior, along with all of the exhaust components, have been treated with Heatshield Products materials. An Optima battery is mounted in a hidden compartment in the rear of the wagon, along with a custom stereo system.

 

RDR5P62’s 5 year build has been featured in several magazines, including Street Tech Magazine, Modified Mustang and Ford, Power Block TV, and Mustang Enthusiast. The culmination of this project is sure to be a crowd pleaser at shows and a trophy winner on the track.

 

Red Dirt Rodz would like to thank all of the manufacturers that helped make RDR5P62 a reality-

Precision Turbo & Engine, JE Pistons, Scat, Federal-Mogul, MSD Ignition, Edelbrock, PRW Industries, Professional Products, QA1, Addco, Axalta, Ididit, Eaton, Yukon Gear and Axle, Lokar Performance Products, Optima Batteries, Power Brake Service, ARP Fasteners, Royal Purple, Dynotech Engineering, Heatshield Products,  Holley Performance Products, Miller Electric Welders, Weld Racing, Summit Racing Equipment, COMP Cams, Dearborn Classics Falcon & Comet Parts, Speed Direct, TCI Automotive, Factory Five Racing, BFGoodrich Tires, Global West Suspension, The Eastwood Company, Burns Stainless LLC, Painless Performance Products, Aeromotive Fuel Systems, Auto Meter Products, Mothers Polish, Baer Brakes