Car Craft – November 2019

50 CAR CRAFT NOVEMBER 2019

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been doing extensive legwork to

acquire critical parts for the resto,

including a correct 427 Tunnel Port, the

original set of Gebler headers, proper

Cure Ride drag shocks, Air Lift airbags

for the rear suspension, and much

more.

Sam describes performance of the

427 Tunnel Port as somewhere

between a 427 High Riser and SOHC—

both of which Sam had considerable

experience with. The Mercury valve

covers are correct for the build, having

been used in 1969 since the team had

leftover parts from their earlier A/FX

Comets.

Today, the Sam Auxier Jr. ’69 is a

spitting image of its former self and

features a considerable amount of orig-

inal components, including the very

same tilt front end. When first finished

in 2008, Sam even made some

wheels-up launches at South Mountain

Dragway near Carlisle to the delight of

onlookers. Admittedly, it was some-

what short of the 8,000-rpm hole-

shots, speed shifts, and 10-second e.t.’s

the car was known for in its day, but it

sure beats sitting on static display!