Godzilla-Powered Mercury Zephyr Is The Patron Saint Of Sleepers

Godzilla-Powered Mercury Zephyr Is The Patron Saint Of Sleepers

A soccer mom classic gets a high-octane makeover for those ultra-quick grocery runs.

The Mercury Zephyr Station Wagon is the epitome of ’80s family vehicles. Still, tuners will tell you otherwise and prove there’s more to the stereotypical “soccer mom” car with the proper modifications.

Kevin Schweizer is one of those capable tuners, turning his long-roof Zephyr into a drag-strip hero. Now boasting over 1,000 horsepower, it can complete the quarter mile in the mid-8-second range. Yes, it’s quicker than a modified McLaren 765LT Spider.

So, how did Kevin accomplish this tall order? His journey has been four years in the making with a bold vision and one key ingredient: a 7.3-liter Ford V8 crate engine. Designed to power the Ford F-250 Super Duty, the Godzilla engine churns out 430 horsepower and 475 lb-ft of torque in its stock form. But those numbers weren’t enough for Kevin and other bonkers tuners.

With the spirit of a mad scientist, Kevin threw a smorgasbord of high-performance components into his automotive cauldron. He upgraded to aftermarket rods and pistons, bolted on a Brian Tooley racing intake manifold, crowned it with a Holley Dominator, and 2,000 cc injectors. But the pièce de résistance was the installation of Comp camshafts and the unholy alliance of twin 72 mm turbochargers that force-feed this mechanical monster.

However, an engine alone isn’t enough to tame this track titan. Kevin coupled his powerhouse creation with a Powerglide transmission and a Ford 9-inch differential sporting a 3.50 gear ratio. The suspension was equally beefed up, with AFCO shock absorbers keeping the beast in check, a UPR front end to maintain control, and a rear 4-link setup for maximum traction. Putting the power to the ground is a set of RC Components wheels while halting duties go to Bear Brakes.

The result? A station wagon turned supercar slayer that now flexes its muscles with a staggering 1,151 hp delivered to the rear wheels. Achieved with 24 psi of boost and 16 degrees of timing on E85 fuel, this fire-breathing wagon can outpace many traditional sports cars and go side-by-side with ultra-powerful modern EVs like the Rimac Nevera.

But here’s the kicker: this sleeper Mercury Zephyr Station Wagon retains its road-legal car credentials, sipping fuel at an acceptable rate of 9 miles per gallon. It’s the juxtaposition of everyday practicality and drag-strip-ready ferocity that’s genuinely mind-boggling.

Kevin Schweizer isn’t done, though. While he currently settles for an impressive 8.82-second quarter-mile time, he harbors dreams of dipping into the elusive 7-second range. With the way he’s transformed this humble station wagon, it’s clear that there are more insane modifications lurking in its future.