CARSPOTTING: THE OTHER FOUR-MOTOR FUNNY CAR

Tommy Ivo demonstrated the impracticality of a four-engined, four-wheel-drive drag car in 1961 with an overweight slingshot that hopelessly broke traction at low rpm and barely broke into the nine-second zone. It also proved hugely profitable and durable as exhibition entertainment, commanding top appearance money while absorbing none of the operating costs of legitimate race cars. After second-owner Tom McCourry successfully refreshed the old act as a 1966 Buick-based Funny Car, Gary Weckesser started planning an all-Ford challenger. The resulting 1969 Mustang is as different as can be: Whereas Ivo’s powertrain effectively operated as two side-by-side, dual-engined dragsters each driving one end, Weckesser’s fed all four 351s through a single clutch to both its International 4WD front differential and a Chrysler rearend. The reliable DragList.com has verified nothing quicker or faster than a 10.74-second, 115.53 -mph match-race win over a 10-year-old Wagon Master (10.97/110.66) in 1971. Unpredictable handling caused at least two crashes and led to early retirement to the Galpin Ford collection, wherein the Mach IV lives alongside the original Backup Pickup that the dealership also sponsored in its day. 

Photographers: Dave Wallace (color); unknown (B&W)

Dates:  January 2014 (color); early 1970s (B&W crash)

Locations: Grand National Roadster Show/ L.A. Fairplex, Pomona, California (color) unknown drag strip (B&W)

Source:  Wallace Family Archive

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2026-01-17T18:17:18Z