I have heard different variations of this same basic story several times… I wish all the wrecks in my yard could tell their stories. Just thought I would share one of my customers stories with you all.
Don, When I purchased the 1970 Cougar, all I had was a Cougar brochure that I got at the Army Exchange store at Danang…the Medium Gold Metallic with Ginger Vinyl top and matching interior was on the centerfold…looked so sporty, I fell in love with it. There were salesmen there with deals to buy there and pick up at returning port in US but before I went to Nam, returning guys were saying you could get a better deal stateside at your local dealer…
So, I wrote a letter to my mother home in the Bronx NYC. I described the car and all info from the brochure to her. She then looked up Dursi Lincoln Mercury in the Bronx across the street from Fordham University. Took a bus ride there and spoke with a salesman and showed him my letter… they did a great job taking care of me. I mailed Mom a check for $500 down payment ($3800 total cost) and day after I returned from Nam, I was at the dealer’s door and got to see it in a basement garage…picked it up the next day and it was an awesome ride, so luxurious… I didn’t get AC in it, just figured it was something else to rob gas mileage…
It never failed me in 177,000 miles, never broke down! Had carb replaced twice, one water pump but never any major engine problems (351 Cleveland, 2 Barrel carb, I’ve only seen Clevelands listed as 4 bbl in Eliminators. So, it may be unique there.) NEVER a tranny problem, always had it serviced every 50K miles… Oh ! Rear axle had to be replaced once, mechanic got the ham from a Maverick after 100K miles…
So that’s my cat…can’t say when I’ll get back to you but I will…
Us old timers frequently called the center section a “ham”, look at the shape of a Ford center section.
As for as a Maverick wit a 9", you’d be surprised at the number that came with a 302.
Here is another original owner story, also from a Viet Nam vet.
Back in October I came across this awesome vintage photo on Facebook, and after exchanging a few messages with the owner I had the privilege of actually speaking with Leonard Yourth and learning the story of his '69 Eliminator…
Leonard and his brother had gone to check out muscle cars at other dealerships. A week later his brother showed up at his house with a copy of Hot Rod magazine with an orange '69 Eliminator on the cover. The two of them looked through it while hiding it from the wife behind the door of the refrigerator!
When Leonard and his wife went shopping at Dana Lincoln on Castleton ave, in Staten Island, NY, the dealer had no idea what an Eliminator was. Leonard and his wife placed an order for their '69 Eliminator: he chose the blue paint color because he wanted a “normal” color and didn’t like the “loud” colors (like yellow or orange). His wife suggested the white interior because she thought it would look nice. They chose an automatic transmission so that the wife could drive it. The 3.91 rear axle ratio was chosen in order to trigger the Drag Pak option, and Leonard would still be able to drive around with it - the 4.30’s were deemed too much for normal driving.
Leonard paid cash for the car, using money that his wife had saved up while he was serving in Viet Nam. They had also purchased a home for $1 down using a GI Loan. Priorities!
Leonard pulled the smog first thing, and threw it all in the trash - “because that’s what you did back then”. He laughed about it now, knowing how much people pay for those parts. Leonard also says he “tore that car apart”, installing a solid lifter 427 cam, 700cfm sideways mounted solid rail double-pumper dual quads, and eventually 5.14 gears. All of which resulted in a best of 11.8 sec at 123mph!
He used to race it “all over the place”, and the only cars that were a challenge were the Hemi’s and 454’s. He also said that his Eliminator was the only one in his area - he never saw another one.
In 1973 Leonard had to sell his car due to increased family responsibilities. After that, he heard that it had been wrapped around a tree and totalled.
In all his travels and various car shows since, he has seen a few Eliminator tribute cars but he has still never seen another real Eliminator in person.
I have heard different variations of this same basic story several times…
Ain’t that the truth and I’m sure you have heard it way more then the rest of us. The best one I have to tell is a coworker his brother and buddy all bought Boss 302 cars after returning from nam. First Larry bought his 69 Boss 302 Mustang then Beaford (my ex co worker) bought a Blue 69 Boss 302 Eliminator. Then when his brother returned he liked the Eliminator so much he trade in his Torino for a white 69 Boss 302 Eliminator.
Picture of Larry at a local shooting range with his new Boss and favorite coon dog. PuffBoss.pdf (151 KB)
Great stories for sure. The best part of each story is that they served our country and were able to “live the American dream” by purchasing the cars that we all cherish.
Steven
