Vehicle Description
The NASCAR Hall of Fame is home to many great names that have graced Stock Car racing. Each name brings its own history and memories of achievement. Bud Moore achieved his Hall of Fame status over an illustrious career as both a crew chief and team owner, with his rise starting in the 1960s. One of the more well-known cars from his career is this 1966 Mercury Comet Cyclone. What started off life as a truly “stock” car became one of the more iconic sights on the track in the late 1960s.
Driven by Darel Dieringer for the 1966 season, it took the checkered flag in the Darlington “Southern 500” and the “Western North Carolina 500.” It was the first mid-sized Ford product to win a NASCAR race, and one of the last to use a truly stock chassis. Since retiring from racing, the car has been rebuilt using an original 1966 race car chassis, as well as a combination of original Chassis #6H26S574214 parts and parts purchased directly from Bud Moore. It has an authentic 1966 Mercury 410ci engine with a period-correct low-rise intake and air cleaner backed by a 4-speed Toploader transmission; the original 1966 NASCAR aluminum radiator is still in the car as well. It retains the original 8.15x15 Holman Moody/Firestone “Double Center” stock wheels wrapped with NOS Goodyear Blue Streak stock car special tires.
The car was featured at the NASCAR Hall of Fame in the display honoring Bud Moore upon his induction in 2011. In 2012 it was prepared as a running car to be featured in several Concours d’Elegance events to honor the Dieringer family and NASCAR Grand National Stock Car Racing. In 2016 the car was further prepared to include additional original parts and details. Although in its current setup the car is not prepared to run at high speeds or race, under professional preparation it could be brought back to competition standards. The car comes with a Marti Report documenting the vehicle data plate, as well as a Kevin Marti-obtained document showing the build order and delivery information for Bud Moore Engineering. Additionally the car comes with numerous historic photos, slides, and print documentation that it accumulated throughout its life, and it has been approved and certified by Bud Moore himself.
