Who amongst us doesn’t, deep down, really want to own and drive a Funny Car? And better yet, who doesn’t want a historic old-school flopper from the days when Funny Cars were still Funny Cars and not bubble-top slot cars? Well such opportunities don’t come along every day, so when they do, you’ve got to seize it.

Car owner Michael Deustch shared with us that he’s placed the original 1970 Martindale-Hancock Tonka Mustang Funny Car up for auction on eBay this week, with a no reserve selling price, meaning this drag racing artifact will undoubtedly go to a new home. The Mustang, which sits atop a real Logghe chassis, was last campaigned in Virginia in 1983 by Bobby Martindale and Tex Hancock. Before the duo acquired it, Tommy Grove owned and raced the car.

According to Deutsch, the body is entirely authentic and is the only surviving part of the Groves’ 1970 race car, as identified and confirmed by Bob Gibson and Grove himself. As the story goes, Grove blew the top of the body off at Capitol Raceway in the 70’s, at which point he took the roof section to Ron Pellegrini in Chicago to have it repaired. Because they didn’t ave time to wait foe the repair, Pellegrini gave Grove a new body. But in 1971, Grove’s entire rig was destroyed in a fire, at which point he acquired a new chassis and body.

And thus, that’s how Martindale came to own the repaired ’70 body, buying it from Pellegrini and mounting it on his chassis with Chrysler power. Martindale named the car Tonka and painted it in a burgundy and gold scheme. The chassis has since been media blasted and powdercoated, but features all of the original tinwork. Housed underneath is an Hurst Airheart master cylinder, BFG front tires, Strange axles, California ring & pinion (4.10) and spool, chrome-moly heim joints throughout, Koni shocks with Carrera springs — all brand new — as well as the  oiginal aluminum seat, aluminum hood scoop, aluminum rear spoiler, steering box, and magnesium front motor mounts. ApPair of body prop rods are also part of the package.

In the bling department, the Olds/Pontiac Differential housing was re-chromed, as was the complete front end, ladder bars and the original wheelie bars. The wheelie bars were re-built with brand new, correct casters. No expense has been spared.

The famed Tonka is being offered as a roller of sorts — a chassis and body with some of the drivetrain, but no wheels — with a current high bid of $5,100 as of press time.