Mercury Cyclone

Last updated
Mercury (Comet) Cyclone
1971 Mercury Cyclone.jpg
1971 Mercury Cyclone GT
Overview
Manufacturer Mercury (Ford)
Model years 1964–1971
Body and chassis
Class Muscle car
Body style 2-door coupe
2-door convertible
Layout FR layout
Related Mercury Comet
Ford Fairlane
Mercury Montego
Ford Torino Talladega
Chronology
Predecessor Mercury S-22
Successor Mercury Cougar XR-7 (indirect)

The Mercury Cyclone is an automobile that was marketed by the Mercury division of Ford from 1964 to 1971. Introduced in 1964 as the Mercury Comet Cyclone, the Cyclone replaced the S-22 as the performance-oriented version of the Mercury Comet model line. The Cyclone became a distinct nameplate for the 1968 model year, as the Mercury Montego was phased in to replace the Comet. [1]

Contents

Within Mercury, the Cyclone was positioned between the Cougar pony car and the Marquis/Marauder full-size two-doors. Though largely overshadowed by the Cougar, the Cyclone was positioned as a muscle car, representing the Mercury brand in racing and was a clone of the Ford Fairlane Thunderbolt.

Four generations of the Cyclone were produced, with production ending after the 1971 model year. For the 1972 model year, the Cyclone returned as an option package for the Montego; only 30 examples were produced. Within the Mercury line, the Cyclone was not directly replaced. The Cougar XR7 was repackaged as a personal luxury version of the Montego for 1974.

First generation (1964-1965)

1964

1964 Mercury Comet Cyclone 1964 Mercury Comet Cyclone (35574336244).jpg
1964 Mercury Comet Cyclone

The Cyclone started as an option for the 1964 Mercury Comet. It featured a 289 cu in (4,736 cc), 210 hp (156.6 kW) engine and a sporty look. It had a spoked steering wheel and bucket seats. Some of the engine parts were chromed.

1965

1965 Mercury Comet Cyclone 1965 Mercury Comet Cyclone 2-Door Hardtop, front right (2023 ARMCO Park Wheels of Steel Car Cruise).jpg
1965 Mercury Comet Cyclone

In the 1965 models, the engine was updated to the four-barrel carbureted version of the 289 cu in (4,736 cc) unit, but generated 200 hp (149.1 kW). This model had a few performance options, which included a handling package, a special fan, and a "power transfer" rear axle. Special features included a black-out, stand-up grille, bucket seats with sewn-through pleats, center console, chrome-plated wheel covers with lug nuts, engine "dress up kit", unique insignias, a vinyl roof in black or white and a "Power-Pac" gauge cluster for the heavily padded instrument panel. [2]

Second generation (1966-1967)

1966

1966 Comet Cyclone 1966 Mercury Comet Cyclone.jpg
1966 Comet Cyclone

The 1966 models underwent a major styling change. The body received "sculpturing" that ran the length of the car, and was based on the body of the Ford Fairlane. The models introduced new engines. The 390 Y code was a 390 cu in (6,391 cc) engine with a two-barrel carburetor and 265 hp (198 kW). The 390 H code had a four-barrel carburetor and 275 hp (205 kW).

The GT option used a 390 S code engine which was a 390 cu in (6,391 cc) engine with a four-barrel carburetor and 335 hp (250 kW). The GT featured car stripes, a fiberglass hood (bonnet) with two air scoops and several other performance options.

1967

The 1967 model was produced with several engine options. The standard engine was the 289 cu in (4,736 cc) V8 with 200 hp (149 kW). The GT's engine was 390 cu in (6,391 cc), but was quoted with 15 fewer horses at 320 hp (239 kW).

Neither the 1966 Cyclone nor the 1967 Cyclone used the 427 cu in (6,997 cc) Ford FE engine that went into the standard Comet officially from the factory. For Comet Cyclones that were modified by Andy Hotton of Dearborn Steel Tubing with the optional 427 Ford FE 410 hp (306 kW) engine there were no changes to the body work similar to the Ford Fairlane Thunderbolt. Only a small, chromed badge with the designation '427' located on each front fender reflected the larger displacement engine under the hood (bonnet).

Third generation (1968-1969)

1968

1968 Cyclone Blue 1968 Mercury Cyclone.jpg
1968 Cyclone

The 1968 models dropped "Comet" from their name. The Cyclones had a mid tire level body tape stripe. The Cyclone GT's had an upper level body stripe, buckets, wide whitewall tires, special wheel covers, all vinyl interior, and the special handling package. It was named the fastest car of that year,[ how? ] because it set a world record speed of 189.22 mph (304.52 km/h) at Daytona.[ clarification needed ]

Several engines were available for the Cyclones:

The 302 cu in (4,949 cc) standard engine was available as either the two-barrel carburetor, which generated 210 hp (157 kW), or the four-barrel carburetor, which generated 230 hp (172 kW).

The 390 cu in (6,391 cc) optional engine (standard for GT) was available as either the two-barrel carburetor, which generated 265 hp (198 kW), or the four-barrel carburetor, which generated 325 hp (242 kW).

The limited production 428CJ became available mid year and was rated 335hp

1969

1969 Cyclone GT interior 1969 Mercury Cyclone GT interior (5895934601).jpg
1969 Cyclone GT interior

In 1969, the Cyclones had several engine options:

Spoiler

There was also a Cyclone Spoiler with a 390 Improved Performance "S" code engine that made 325Hp with the 735cfm Holley Carb

Spoiler II

1969 Mercury Cyclone Spoiler II Mercury Cyclone Spoiler II Dan Gurney.jpg
1969 Mercury Cyclone Spoiler II

Mercury produced a version of the Cyclone for NASCAR called the Cyclone Spoiler II. The model was available in two flavors. The street version featured a 351 cu in (5,752 cc) Windsor block, and was used to enter into the NASCAR business. The racing version featured a 429 cu in (7,030 cc) Boss block, which was the same engine as the one in the 1969 Boss Mustang.

Cobra Jet

1969 Mercury Cyclone Cobra Jet 1969 Mercury Cyclone Cobra Jet.jpg
1969 Mercury Cyclone Cobra Jet

Mercury also added a new model to the Cyclone line: the Cobra Jet (CJ). The Cobra Jet's engine was a 428 cu in (7,014 cc) which generated 335 hp (250 kW). The engine had a Ram Air option, a 735 CFM Holley four-barrel carburetor [3] although the option showed no quoted difference in horsepower rating.

The Mercury Cyclone CJ had the following enhancements over the Cyclone and Cyclone GT: it had a blacked-out grille; dual exhausts; 3:50:1 axle ratio; engine dress-up kit (chromed parts); hood (bonnet) stripes; and a competition handling package.

Fourth generation (1970-1971)

1970

A 1970 Cyclone GT (429 Cobra Jet) 1970 Mercury Cyclone GT.jpg
A 1970 Cyclone GT (429 Cobra Jet)

The CJ model was dropped from the Cyclone lineup, and applied to some of the engine names in the series. Mercury thus featured the Cyclone, Cyclone Spoiler and Cyclone GT. The Cyclones consisted of 351 cid V8s and 429 cid V8 engines.

The standard engine for the base Cyclone was the 429 cu in (7,030 cc) four-barrel with dual exhaust that was rated at 360 hp (268 kW) SAE gross (250 hp (186 kW) net). It was the standard engine in the 1970 Mercury Marauder X-100 and was available in other full-size models. It featured a 575 CFM carburetor.

Two optional engines were available for the Cyclone. The 429 Cobra Jet was the 429 cu in (7,030 cc) four-barrel with dual exhaust but without the Ram Air induction. It was rated at 370 hp (276 kW) SAE gross (305 hp (227 kW) net) and had a 720 CFM Rochester Quadrajet 4 BBL carburetor. The 429 Super Cobra Jet, which was part of a Drag Pack option, was a 429 cu in (7,030 cc) four-barrel with dual exhaust and Ram Air induction, but it was rated at 375 hp (280 kW) SAE gross (335 hp (250 kW) net), and had a 780 CFM Holley 4 BBL carburetor.

1970 Cyclone Spoiler

1970 Mercury Cyclone Spoiler II (1 built) 1970 Mercury Cyclone Spoiler II.jpg
1970 Mercury Cyclone Spoiler II (1 built)

The Cyclone Spoiler was for the performance-minded with front and rear spoilers, black or white racing stripes that went from front to the rear of the car, an integrated functional hood scoop for ram air induction, 140 mph speedometer with a four-gauge suite including an 8,000 rpm tachometer with adjustable red line, vinyl bucket seats, dual racing mirrors and a competition suspension package. The 429 Cobra Jet with Ram Air was the standard engine for the Cyclone Spoiler, with the 429 Super Cobra Jet with Drag Pak and Super Drag Pak optional. The Super Cobra Jet upgraded the block to four main bolts and provided a mechanical flat-tappet camshaft, and the carburetor was changed from a 720 cfm Rochester QuadraJet to a 780 cfm Holley. Standard with the SCJ was the Drag Pack, this package added a front-mounted engine oil cooler and a 3.91 ratio gear, while the Super Drag Pack offered a 4.30 ratio gear and a Detroit "no spin" locker differential. Colors for the Spoiler were limited to Competition Yellow, Competition Blue, pastel blue, Competition Gold, Competition Green and Competition Orange but for a premium Ford included the 'color of your dreams' program, and 31 buyers took advantage.

Ford had intended to continue the Spoiler II option for 1970 with an even more aggressive nose profile. One prototype was built. [4]

1970 Cyclone GT

For the sporting gentleman that placed more emphasis in style than speed, there was the Cyclone GT. The basic package offered comfort weave bucket seats, full-length console, twin racing mirrors, integrated hood scoop that could be made functional for optional ram air induction, hide-away headlights, three pod tail lights and unique lower-body line trim. The cost of all of this style was the having a small block 351 Cleveland with 2-barrel carburetor and a three-speed manual transmission as standard fare. However, there were options, and they were good ones. The 4-barrel version of the Cleveland small block followed by a set of 429 cid big blocks up to the Super Cobra Jet and the Drag Pak plus a four-speed transmission and a selection of automatics. Although early sales literature shows the BOSS 429 as an option, none were actually built. An oddity with the GT was the Action Special Package, for which 933 buyers pulled the trigger. Most notable about the package was the loss of the comfort weave buckets in favor of a spectrum stripe bench seat.

1971

In 1971, the Cyclone had some minor styling updates; most noticeable was center section of the grill received a larger ring in the gun site with the GT receiving a unique badge. The Spoiler received a revised stripe package, and the rear spoiler was painted flat black, and the Base Cyclone now had the integrated hood scoop like the GT and Spoiler. Under the hood things were different as well. Gone was the Super Cobra Jet and Drag Pak options, and the base engine for the Base and Spoiler became the M code 351 Cleveland with 4-barrel carburetor. For the Spoiler, Ram Air also became option as opposed to part of the package for 1970. Beyond minor changes in the color palette and available options, the 1971 Cyclone line was a carry over from 1970. The Cyclone competed for buyers at Lincoln-Mercury dealerships in the performance coupe segment when it was decided to offer the De Tomaso Pantera exotic sports car beginning in 1971.

Fifth generation (1972)

1972

For 1972, the Mercury Montego was fully redesigned with body-on-frame construction, front and rear coil spring suspension, and a new shorter 114-inch wheelbase for two-door models. The Cyclone was reverted to a performance option package available on Mercury Montego, Mercury Montego MX two-door, and the Mercury Montego GT. The package included one of two engines, the 351 cu in (5,752 cc) Q-code 4-barrel Cleveland Cobra Jet small block engine rated at 248 hp (185 kW) SAE net or the 429 cu in (7,030 cc) N-code 4-barrel rated at 205 hp (153 kW) SAE net. The Cyclone option group included a functional Ram Air induction through twin integrated hood scoops, Traction-Lok (limited slip) differential, F70-14 for 351 cu in (5,752 cc) cars, and G70-14 tires for 429 cu in (7,030 cc) powered cars, hub caps and trim rings, body striping and identification, three-spoke steering wheel and dual racing mirrors. The 351 cu in (5,752 cc) was available with either a 4-speed manual transmission or 3-speed automatic, while the 429 cu in (7,030 cc) was only sold with an automatic transmission. [5]

Early Mercury factory literature showed this option available, while later editions did not have any information on the Cyclone package. Only 30 1972 Cyclone package cars were produced, 29 Montego GT's and one Montego MX. Twenty of these Cyclones were equipped with the 429 cu in (7,030 cc) engine. [6]

Use in motorsport

1971 Cyclone driven by A. J. Foyt and David Pearson Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum in 2017 - A.J. Foyt, A Legendary Exhibition - 34.jpg
1971 Cyclone driven by A. J. Foyt and David Pearson

During its production, the Mercury (Comet) Cyclone represented the brand in motorsport. Initially gaining use in drag racing, the Cyclone was raced in NASCAR alongside the Fairlane and its Torino successor, with the fourth-generation Cyclone becoming one of the most dominant body styles ever used in Winston Cup racing. In the 1968 Daytona 500, the Cyclone took both first and second place. The Wood Brothers Racing #21 1971 Cyclone still holds a NASCAR record, for 18 wins out of 32 races. For the 1972 Daytona 500, 12 of the 40 cars in the race were Cyclones.

The dominance of the Cyclone would lead to the development of the "Aero Warriors", body styles of production muscle cars aerodynamically optimized for Winston Cup racing (following their homologation). Alongside the Ford Torino Talladega, the Cyclone Spoiler II was introduced to compete with Dodge Charger Daytona and Plymouth Superbird. Although a redesigned Spoiler II was developed in 1970, only a single prototype was produced (alongside three Torino King Cobra counterparts).

For 1971, NASCAR changed its rules to end the production of aerodynamically-optimized cars, increasing their homologation requirements and restricting their engine displacement.

Following the shift of the Cougar from the Mustang to the Montego chassis, Mercury-body NASCAR teams phased out the Cyclone in favor of the Cougar XR7, introduced in 1974.

Production

Mercury (Comet) Cyclone production (1964-1972)
Model yearProduction
(all versions)
Notes
19647,454 [1]
196512,347 [1]
19668,194 [1]
19676,910 [1] 809 convertibles
196813,628 [1] 6,439 Spoilers [1]
19699,143 [7] 5,882 Cyclones [7] + 3,261 Cyclone CJs [7]
19701,695 Cyclones, 10,170 GTs, 1,631 Spoilers [1]
1971444 Cyclones, 2,287 GTs, 353 Spoilers [1]
197230 Cyclones

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mercury Comet</span> Motor vehicle

The Mercury Comet is an automobile that was produced by Mercury from 1960–1969 and 1971–1977 — variously as either a compact or an intermediate car. In its first two years, it was marketed as the "Comet" and from 1962 as the "Mercury Comet".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Plymouth Road Runner</span> Type of muscle car manufactured by Plymouth

The Plymouth Road Runner is a mid-size car with a focus on performance built by Plymouth in the United States between 1968 and 1980. By 1968, some of the original muscle cars were moving away from their roots as relatively cheap, fast cars as they gained features and increased in price. Plymouth developed the Road Runner to market a lower-priced, basic trim model to its upscale GTX.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Plymouth Superbird</span> Automobile made by Plymouth Motor Company

The Plymouth Superbird is a highly modified, short-lived version of the Plymouth Road Runner with applied graphic images as well as a distinctive horn sound both referencing the popular Looney Tunes cartoon character the Road Runner. It was the factory's follow-up stock car racing design, for the 1970 season, to the Dodge Charger Daytona of 1969, and incorporated many engineering changes and modifications garnered from the Daytona's season in competition.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ford Torino</span> Ford mid-size car produced 1968–1976

The Ford Torino is an automobile that was produced by Ford for the North American market between 1968 and 1976. It was a competitor in the intermediate market segment and essentially a twin to the Mercury Montego line.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ford FE engine</span> Reciprocating internal combustion engine

The Ford FE engine is a Ford V8 engine used in vehicles sold in the North American market between 1958 and 1976. The FE was introduced to replace the short-lived Ford Y-block engine, which American cars and trucks were outgrowing. It was designed with room to be significantly expanded, and manufactured both as a top-oiler and side-oiler, and in displacements between 332 cu in (5.4 L) and 428 cu in (7.0 L).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ford 385 engine</span> Reciprocating internal combustion engine

The Ford 385 engine family is a series of big-block V8 engines designed and manufactured by Ford Motor Company. The family derives its name from the 3.85-inch (98 mm) crankshaft stroke of the 460 cubic-inch V8 introduced in 1968. A 429 cu in (7.0 L) version was also introduced the same year, with a 370 cu in (6.1 L) variant appearing in 1977.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pontiac Grand Prix</span> Automobile model made by Pontiac

The Grand Prix is a line of automobiles produced by the Pontiac Division of General Motors from 1962 until 2002 as coupes and from 1989 through 2008 model years as four-door sedans.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mercury Cougar</span> Ford Motor Company car model

Mercury Cougar is a nameplate applied to a diverse series of automobiles sold by the Mercury division of Ford from 1967 until 1997 and from 1999 through 2002 model years. While the nameplate is associated with two-door coupes, at various times during its production, the Cougar was also marketed as a convertible, four-door sedan, station wagon, and a hatchback.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ford 335 engine</span> Reciprocating internal combustion engine

The Ford 335 engine family was a group of engines built by the Ford Motor Company between 1969 and 1982. The "335" designation reflected Ford management's decision to produce an engine of that size with room for expansion during its development. This engine family began production in late 1969 with a 351 cu in (5.8 L) engine, commonly called the 351C. It later expanded to include a 400 cu in (6.6 L) engine which used a taller version of the engine block, commonly referred to as a tall deck engine block, a 351 cu in (5.8 L) tall deck variant, called the 351M, and a 302 cu in (4.9 L) engine which was exclusive to Australia.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Plymouth Barracuda</span> Car model built by Chrysler Corporation

The Plymouth Barracuda is a two-door pony car that was manufactured by Chrysler Corporation from 1964 through 1974 model years.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ford small block engine</span> Reciprocating internal combustion engine

The Ford small-block is a series of 90° overhead valve small-block V8 automobile engines manufactured by the Ford Motor Company from July 1961 to December 2000.

The Y-block engine is a family of overhead valve V8 automobile engines produced by Ford Motor Company. The engine is well known and named for its deep skirting, which causes the engine block to resemble a Y. It was introduced in 1954 as a more modern replacement for the outdated side-valved Ford Flathead V8 and was used in a variety of Ford vehicles through 1964.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ford Pinto engine</span> Reciprocating internal combustion engine

The Ford Pinto engine was the unofficial name for a four-cylinder internal combustion engine built by Ford Europe. In Ford sales literature, it was referred to as the EAO or OHC engine and because it was designed to the metric system, it was sometimes called the "metric engine". The internal Ford codename for the unit was the T88-series engine. European Ford service literature refers to it as the Taunus In-Line engine. In North America it was known as the Lima In-Line (LL), or simply the Lima engine due to its being manufactured at Lima Engine in Lima, Ohio.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Shelby Mustang</span> Motor vehicle

The Shelby Mustang is a high-performance variant of the Ford Mustang built by Shelby American from 1965 to 1967 and by the Ford Motor Company from 1968 to 1970.

The Ford Motor Company produced straight-six engines from 1906 until 1908 and from 1941 until 2016. In 1906, the first Ford straight-six was introduced in the Model K. The next was introduced in the 1941 Ford. Ford continued producing straight-six engines for use in its North American vehicles until 1996, when they were discontinued in favor of more compact V6 designs.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ford Mustang Mach 1</span> Motor vehicle

The Ford Mustang Mach 1 is a performance-oriented option package of the Ford Mustang muscle car, originally introduced in August 1968 for the 1969 model year. It was available until 1978, returned briefly in 2003, 2004, and most recently in 2021.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ford Escort (North America)</span> Car model

The North American version of the Ford Escort is a range of cars that was sold by Ford from the 1981 to 2003 model years. The direct successor of the Ford Pinto, the Escort also largely overtook the role of the European-imported Ford Fiesta as the smallest vehicle in the Ford model line in North America. Produced across three generations, the first generation was a subcompact; the latter two generations were compact cars. Becoming highly successful in the marketplace, the Escort became the best-selling car in the United States after 1982, a position it would hold for much of the 1980s.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ford Fairlane (Americas)</span> Motor vehicle

The Ford Fairlane is an automobile model that was sold between the 1955 and 1970 model years by Ford in North America. Taking its name from the Dearborn, Michigan estate of Henry Ford, the Fairlane nameplate was used for seven different generations of vehicles. Through its production, the model line would be marketed in a wide variety of body styles, including two-door and four-door sedans, two-door and four-door hardtops, station wagons, and both traditional and retractable-hardtop convertibles.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ford Mustang (first generation)</span> Motor vehicle

The first-generation Ford Mustang was manufactured by Ford from March 1964 until 1973. The introduction of the Mustang created a new class of automobiles known as pony cars. The Mustang's styling, with its long hood and short deck, proved wildly popular and inspired a host of competition.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ford Mustang (third generation)</span> Motor vehicle

The third-generation Mustang was produced by Ford from 1979 until 1993. Built on Ford's Fox platform, it is commonly referred to as the Fox body Mustang. It evolved through several sub-models, trim levels, and drivetrain combinations during its production life. It underwent updates for the 1987 model year and seemed destined for replacement with a front-wheel drive Mazda platform. However, company executives were swayed by consumer opinion and the rear-wheel drive Mustang stayed, while the front-wheel drive version was renamed the Ford Probe. Enthusiasts group the generation into two segments: the 1979–1986 cars, with their quad headlight arrangement, and the 1987–1993 cars, with their aerodynamic composite headlamps and front fascia styling. Production ended with the introduction of the fourth-generation Mustang (SN-95) for the 1994 model year.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Holder, Bill; Kunz, Phil. Ford Muscle. F+W Publications, Inc. 2004, p. 83-90. ISBN   0-87349-835-6
  2. Mays, James C. "1965 Mercury Comet". www.OldCarsCanada.com. Retrieved 27 February 2013.
  3. Shea, Terry (August 2012). "1969 Mercury Cyclone CJ". Hemmings Muscle Machines. Hemmings Motor News. Retrieved 14 February 2018.
  4. 1970 Mercury Cyclone Spoiler II at supercars.net
  5. Matthew Litwin (2013-02-01). "1972-'73 Mercury Montego GT". Hemmings Motor News. Retrieved 2014-04-25.
  6. Matthew Litwin (2013-02-01). "1972-'73 Mercury Montego GT". Hemmings Motor News. Retrieved 2014-04-25.
  7. 1 2 3 John Gunnell, Standard Catalog of American Cars 1946-1975, Revised 4th Edition, page 533