Cool Sleeper- 1979 Mercury Zephyr Wagon
A unique wagon—a 1979 Mercury Zephyr Wagon—is coming to us from Redford, MI. It has some nice upgrades and is listed on Facebook Marketplace for $9,300. Whether you want to take your family to the lake for a picnic or set up this wagon for some racing, this Zephyr is a blank canvas. Thank you to Bruce M for providing this tip!
Introduced as part of Mercury’s lineup in 1978, the Zephyr was Mercury’s compact offering for their arm of the Ford Motor Company. These cars introduced the Fox platform, one of the most versatile platforms ever manufactured. This platform was a significant advancement in automotive design and is known for its versatility and adaptability. Many cars were built on this platform, from the Mustang to the Fairmont to this Zephyr wagon, so the aftermarket is robust for these models. Looking at the Automobile Catalog website, we can see that just over 25k of these wagons were manufactured in 1979. This model is relatively rare compared to the Fairmont wagon, which had over 100k wagons manufactured that year. Plus, these cars were not very beloved by the car community, so these are not common to see cruising around town or at car shows.
Looking through the pictures of this wagon for sale, we see a very clean example. The seller states that this car was originally from Arizona and has no rust issues due to its life in the dry climate. The interior has newly recovered seats, a new aftermarket dash pad, and new carpet. There is mention of a vibration when going over 60 mph and steering wobble, so there is still some work to be completed on this rig. Of note are the 5-lug conversion and the Weld Prostar (or aftermarket equivalent) wheels installed on this car. Was this car in its early stages of getting built into a street sleeper?
Because of the versatility of this chassis and engine combination, there are myriad different ways this car could be modified. Keep it as is for a fun, affordable cruiser you don’t see too often, or add a cheap turbo kit with cheater slicks and turn this family wagon into a dragstrip ripper. Which direction would you take this wagon? Whichever way you go, this car is a great platform to start a fun build of a vehicle you don’t see around anymore, which is always a welcome sight, in my opinion! Thanks again to Bruce M. for sending over this tip. Check out this Zephyr here on Facebook Marketplace.
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Comments
Sleeper???
Hopefully, only for the passengers.
Needs entire drivetrain upgrade for that to be true. Right now it’s just a potential sleeper. To be honest, if it could be bought at the right price it could easily be turned into a great bracket car, especially for a street oriented class.
Steve R
Sleeper image said goodbye with the Prostars.
“Sleeper” implies performance, which doesn’t apply to this car. These often came with awful looking hubcaps on narrow 14” wheels, almost anything is an upgrade.
Steve R
I pray that someone doesn’t turn this in to a drag car. Too rare and in too good shape for Racer Boy Jimmy to gut it and then ruin it with an LS.
I agree. If it already came with a V8 engine, I’d upgrade it with fuel injection, but that’s about it. I’d keep what I can as stock original as possible.
It doesn’t seem like you’ve spent much time at a race track. Mildly modified cars populate the Wednesday night and lower bracket classes. They aren’t gutted, they just have mild modifications. A fresh late-80’s early-90’s roller 5.0 with an automatic an aftermarket 5.0 FI manifold and gears, small cam an AOD and 3.73’s would get this thing to run low-13’s, it could make hundreds of runs a year and never break. You’d wouldn’t need to touch the interior nor the AC.
It’s rare and kind of cool, but so what, if you bring it to a show someone will look at out once, out of curiosity, then forget about it within 30 feet.
There is no reason to make condescending statement if someone would do something different than you.
Steve R
Have you actually seen the Fairmonts these guys are running? The only thing stock on them is the body. And, disagreeing with with what some would do is not condescending. It’s called an opinion.
The reference Racer Boy Jimmy isn’t necessary to express an opinion.
The tracks in my area don’t cater to the type of car you describe. Those tend to be set up for grudge or heads up style “racing”, not bracket of NHRA style class racing. The two don’t mix well together and rarely share time at the same event.
No one would build the car you are referring to out of this wagon, there is no reason to start with an expensive example in good to excellent condition just to gut it. They tend to start with the car that blew up pushed to the side and was forgotten.
Steve R
LOL! Do you know Jimmy? Small world! And I’m sure his feelers aren’t hurt.
Nice looking car. I used to know a teacher when I was in elementary school who owned a Merc Zephyr. I think his was either a 4 door sedan or a station wagon.
Man, didn’t know these came factory with V8s? I’ve seen the sedans get V8 transplants but never seen a Zephyr/Fairmont come stock with a V8? Very cool! Wagons imo are underrated. They can carry all your stuff and handle like a passenger car.
There was a slightly later version of this body style that turned up on Reddit yesterday with the front-cap of a Fox-body Capri installed. It looked ace.
Hard pass. Had a Fairmont.
…. and SOLD!
I owned a 79 Fairmont wagon in the early 80’s. Possibly the worst car I ever had. Had a 6 cylinder that wouldn’t get out of it’s own way. Poor performing AC, and worse handling. Sold it very soon after, couldn’t wait to be rid of it. Pass on this one.
“If you hate it now”,,, Paint it green and apply lots of “wood” paneling,,,
Add a late model 5.0 powertrain 😲🏁💤
You mean like this, won’t go to this much trouble again. It’s my local ride, had it for 9 maybe 10 years now. Wagons are so handy, hauled everything from engine blocks to sod in it. Even towed a pair of jet skis for years with it. Later roller 5.0 with a 5 speed and 8.8 differential. AC out of later Mustang as well as the pedals for the clutch and brakes. Basically take a mess of Mustang parts that were cheap then and go after it. It will run 75 all day and pull like a goat with my cam choice. Stock with the six and auto it was terrible!
Nice car. Well thought out and executed.
Steve R
Nothing is mentioned of the drivetrain? Six? Eight? Four?
I wonder how many of these are still on the road?