A Mercury Zephyr Wagon: The Bacon Strip at LS Fest

Caecey Killian June 3, 2025 2 min read 0

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Some folks show up to LS Fest with track-ready Camaros and polished drag cars. Michael Schulz rolled up in a turbo LS-swapped, family-hauling 1981 Mercury Zephyr wagon—and Holley played a big part in making it happen. Nicknamed “Bacon Strip” thanks to its woodgrain sides, the Schulz wagon doesn’t take itself too seriously—until you hear the whistle of the 78/75 turbo.

Holley Power Under the Hood

“We built it to cruise, not race,” Michael says. “But it’s been down the track before. The last motor—a 6.0-liter—ran a 7.19 in the eighth.” The current setup features a cammed 5.3-liter, the third engine to live in the wagon.

After the car caught fire last year, Michael and his wife, Jessica Schulz, pulled the 6.0-liter overnight and had the new 5.3 in and running by morning. “We wouldn’t have gotten it back together that quickly without the Holley Terminator X Max system,” Michael adds.

The Holley Terminator X Max provides full control over the turbocharged LS, with its 7-inch digital dash keeping tabs on boost, temperature, and vital stats. The system’s easy-to-use interface and reliable tuning make it a favorite among LS swappers. There’s no dress-up under the hood here, it’s all business.

A Family Cruiser with Attitude

Michael estimates he has maybe $15,000 in the whole project: three engines, a turbo kit, and suspension—a fun little cruiser at heart. The wagon runs coilovers up front, Strange 10-ways in the rear, and a Fox-body 8.8-inch rearend—a perfect match since nearly everything under the Zephyr is Mustang-compatible.

Inside, it’s cleaner than you’d expect. Corbeau seats, a full interior, and a surprisingly tidy custom dash wrapped by a buddy complete the package.

Built with Heart—and Holley’s Help

Michael found the car in Wolf City, Texas, and bought it from an older gentleman who was going through a tough time. “His son was in the hospital, and I ended up giving him double what he asked—just wanted to help him out,” Michael says. “Now we just cruise. Me, Jess, and the kids.”

With Holley’s support, the Bacon Strip isn’t just a wagon—it’s a family cruiser that’s ready for whatever adventure comes next.

AboutCaecey Killian

Caecey Killian covers builds, installs, and product features for Car Junkie Magazine. He has spent years on the floor of the garage chasing horsepower across SBC, LS, and modern muscle platforms, and that shop time runs through every article he writes. His current CJM project is Project Street Reaper, a 1976 Camaro built around a fresh SBC 350. He is also known for Project Mighty Mouse, a 1977 Chevy Nova running a 1962 small-journal 327 SBC, with build coverage published across multiple online automotive magazines. His media background spans long-form build documentation, install coverage, and product features across the magazine and the Car Junkie Magazine YouTube channel. He writes the way he wrenches: specific, honest about the mistakes, and grounded in real garage work.