1967 Mercury Cyclone GT

In the early 1960s, Mercury was suffering from an identity crisis. After the Edsel debacle, the mid-level FoMoCo brand moved down-market for several years until it regained its footing. Around the same time, Ford instituted its “Total Performance” assault on global racing. With the arrival of the Comet Cyclone in 1964, Mercury was on its way to having a full-fledged performance model. More like a Mustang GT in sedan drag, the Cyclone didn't have the suds to make it in the scene until 1966, when the Comet was upgraded to midsize status. Despite good looks and being chosen to pace the Indy 500, the 335-horsepower 390 was no match for Tri-Power GTOs and solid-lifter Chevys, and Ford seemed to have trouble bringing the 427 to market to handle Hemis. The Cyclone suffered the same effects as the Mustang without the grace of being America's most popular sporty car: FoMoCo simply didn't “get” the performance market. Not until the introduction of the 428 Cobra Jet did Mercury have a performer truly on par with the competition. Dropping the Comet prefix, the 1967 Cyclone can easily be distinguished by its updated grille and taillights. Standard equipment was similar to the previous year's model, although the console was now optional.

There are award winners and then there are AWARD WINNERS. Gracing our Hallowed Halls and available on consignment is a member of the latter group. This 1967 Mercury Cyclone GT has not only won an AACA Junior, AACA Senior, AACA Grand National, AACA Grand National Senior, but also the coveted AACA James Melton Memorial Cup. Add in having a Marti report done as well as a copy of the original window sticker and an invitation to the Carlisle All Ford National to be part of a special display and we have a winner that stands out among the best of the best. Great paint, a beautiful interior, plenty of options, and an undercarriage so clean you can eat off of it make this Merc one of a kind in our plethora of inventory. Read on and prepare to be amazed!

Exterior
A 2 door hardtop version, all bathed in beautiful Cardinal Red paint, which presents as all rust free, straight steel with expertly minded gaps. Vertically stacked front headlights recessed into their own separate round housings flank a large egg crate shaped grille with shiny horizontal bars, and a shiny bumper resides below. Sitting above is a factory fiberglass hood with twin low scoop that shockingly lead to nowhere. A dramatic white stripe for some race accenting is seen just above the rockers on either side and checker inspired Cyclone emblems adron the front of the fenders. Moving back the swooping fender we note more chrome badging in GT form. The back of the car features vertical rectangular taillights outboard of a satin finish filler panel with a shiny bumper below. All chrome, brightwork, window trimmings and glass are pristine, matching the overall condition of this car. 14-inch styled steel wheels are wrapped in Firestone F70-14 thin whitewall rubber all around.

Interior
Attention to detail and all buttoned up are two phrases that come to mind when swinging the doors open. Low back buckets which use red vented vinyl for tuck and roll inserts for the seats and lower backs, and some shiny smooth red vinyl for the bolsters and upper backs. A chromed trimmed bar creates a tub for the seats. In the center, a console races from the back to the dash, and houses the long chrome handle shifter. This is within an aluminum curved tray which creates the optional console. In front is an original dash, with a litany of gauges including an optional tachometer all within a chrome ribbed black backed trim. This trim continues across the face of the dash and holds an AM/FM radio as well as the slides for the heater and defroster. A wood rimmed steering wheel fronts this dash, and the new for 1967 padded center steering wheel with the Cyclone badging and checkered flag. In the back is a bench in the same styling as the buckets, and above is a redheadliner in vinyl which is nice and tight. Red medium pile carpeting floods the floors and shows in very nice condition.

Drivetrain
An S code denotes 390ci V8, making a detuned for 1967 320hp. On top of the consignor stated original blue painted mill is a 4bbl carburetor and some chrome accenting in the form of the valve coverings and air cleaner lid. All of this presents as factory new and in some cases better than what was on the showroom floor in '67. On the back is a Toploader 4-speed manual transmission which is correct and vin stamped numbers matching for this car. Way back is a Ford 9-inch 3.25 geared rear axle.

Undercarriage
Well restored with no rust, and just nice black surfaces of straight rust-free steel. In front is manual steering and independent coil sprung suspension. Leaf springs are reserved for the back, and power disc brakes are upfront and power drums for the rear. This is a good thing as these heavy cars were noted for their poor braking with the all manual drums which proved to be not enough for the horsepower produced. One could call the undercarriage showroom quality all well done and looking good!

Drive-Ability
This car was an immediate hit with my crack decoder so he drove and I sat in the passenger's seat. It is good it's a stick shift, because despite his wealth of automotive knowledge, his mouth tends to get a touch sassy when he finds a muscle car without, as he calls it "the man pedal"…just sayin'! Anyway, I digress, off to the test track where it performed swimmingly with all functions operational and performance was much like taking a test drive back in good old 1967.

A great restoration, well done and attentive to detail. A 390ci V8, 4-speed Toploader transmission, a litany of major awards, snazzy interior, redone to original, pristine undercarriage, and sportier than standard exterior. A must see for the Mercury aficionado as it is truly one of the nicest examples of said car to ever grace our sacred halls of the Classic Auto Mall.

VIN DECODE
7H15S541105
7-1967
H-Lorain, OH Assy Plant
15-Comet Cyclone GT 2 Door Hardtop
S-390ci V8 4bbl 320hp
541105-Sequential Unit Number

WARRANTY TAG
BODY 63H-Comet Cyclone GT 2 Door Hardtop Bucket Seats
COLOR T-Cardinal Red
TRIM 8D-Red Vinyl
DATE 15B-February 15th Build
DSO 16-Philadelphia
AXLE 4-Ford 9" 3.25 Conventional
TRANS 5-4 Speed Manual

Classic Auto Mall is a 336,000-square foot classic and special interest automobile showroom, featuring over 650 vehicles for sale with showroom space for up to 1,000 vehicles. Also, a 400 vehicle barn find collection is on display.
This vehicle is located in our showroom in Morgantown, Pennsylvania, conveniently located just 1-hour west of Philadelphia on the I-76 Pennsylvania Turnpike. The website is www.classicautomall.com and our phone number is (888) 227-0914. Please contact us anytime for more information or to come see the vehicle in person.