In 1969, Mercury built two versions of the Spoiler. Both were to recognize famous racers, and both were built in limited numbers. The Cale Yarborough Spoiler was built in higher numbers, with 617 cars being produced. The other version, which is the production run from which our feature car comes, was the Dan Gurney Special. The owner of this car claims that there were 500 cars built. However, a check with the Talladega-Spoiler Registry confirms that this number was significantly lower, with only 352 cars built. Making this even more interesting is the fact that the Registry and Kevin Marti only shows 54 cars that are known to exist today. Barn Finder Patrick S located the Spoiler for us, so thank you for that Patrick. It is located in Tampa, Florida, and is listed for sale here on Craigslist. The asking price for the Spoiler has been set at $18,500.
The paint scheme on the Gurney Special was quite distinctive, being Presidential Blue over Wimbledon White. This one is painted correctly, but there are a few notable items missing. The first item is the Presidential Blue side stripes. Also missing are the Dan Gurney signature decals off the front fenders. However, these signature decals were a dealer installed item, so the original owner may have decided to not have them installed. The other notable missing items are the left and right-hand racing mirrors. It looks like these may have been removed at some point (are those the screw holes that are visible?), but it is hard to be 100% sure from the supplied photos. Adding this information together suggests that the Spoiler may have undergone a repaint at some point. There is also rust visible in the car. It seems to be confined to the lower extremities of the car, including lower quarters, doors, and fenders. The rockers actually look quite good, but the owner doesn’t supply any information on the state of the floors.
Unlike the Spoiler II, the Spoiler wasn’t tied to a single interior trim specification, and essentially any trim item that was available in a Cyclone could be fitted to a Spoiler. The original owner obviously didn’t load up this car with a heap of options, because it is all pretty standard fare. The dash pad and gauge cluster both appear to be in good condition, while the seats also look to be quite good. There is an aftermarket radio/cassette player fitted into the dash, and it looks like the dash has been cut to fit it. The rest of the interior is looking pretty tired and will require some restoration work.
Standard equipment under the hood of the Spoiler was a 290hp 351ci Windsor V8, a 3-speed automatic transmission, and a 3.25 ratio 9″ rear end. Other combinations were available, and that’s where this car is a bit special. The Marti Report confirms that this is 1-of-1 that was built with the 351 mated to a 4-speed manual transmission, while the car is also fitted with power steering and power brakes. It isn’t clear whether this is a numbers-matching car, but the owner says that the car runs and drives well. This photo is also the only one that we get that shows the engine in any way.
Prices on the 1969 Spoiler have been rising steadily over the past 3-years, but this is off the back of some pretty low sales volumes. A reasonable car can be found for around the $22,000 mark, while spotless examples can command prices in excess of $30,000. The fact that this is the only example that was built with this engine and transmission combination does make it special, and I suspect that it will probably sell fairly quickly.
Odd that there looks to pedal trim on the accelerator and brake pedals, but not on the clutch pedal.
@Kurt. Maybe that’s because it was the ONLY one that was fitted with a clutch pedal so they used anything that did the job.
The stainless trim on the pedals was held in place by some small tabs, it is easy to understand that the tabs failed and the trim fell off. The pedal pad itself has a relief in the rubber to accept the trim.
If this was a four speed car someone replaced the factory shift linkage with a Hurst Competition Plus unit- nothing wrong with that.
I see the engine has had a “rattle can rebuild” they should have left it as it was.
Interesting car, though I don’t know about the “1 of 1” statement.
If Marti says it’s a 1 of 1, it’s the only one on the planet!
Just like everyone get a trophy, every car is a one on one!
The marti report confirms its a 1 of 1
Like all cars.
This car has not undergone a Repaint, although it may have been Repainted at some point. Repaint is not a noun, and nothing can undergo one or be given one. If a car needs Repainting, you can Repaint it, and then you’re able to tell everyone it’s been Repainted.
The amount of rust is not mentioned in the craigslist ad. I guess the seller figures it’s the buyers job to find out how bad the rust is.
What a find, but it’d put me in fiscal dire straits as I’d want to find and by the other as well as a tribute to two great race drivers.
Inasmuch as Cale Yarborough was one of Stock Car Racing’s finest, very down-to-earth and entertaining (interviews:https://bangshift.com/bangshiftapex/cool-video-watch-cale-yarborough-get-launched-over-the-wall-at-darlington-in-1965-with-the-and-now-interviews/) Dan Gurney was a racer and engineer; he’s one of a incredibly select few to have competed and won races in Indy Cars, Stock Cars, Formula One, CanAm, TransAm and 24 Hours of Le Mans.
My neighbor has a 68 Cougar she bought new back in the day. It too is a Dan gurney special. The 67 got chrome valve covers and the sticker. The 68 just got the stickers!
They just don’t make em like this one anymore. 1 of 1 should put this car in a different tax bracket.
I have a one on one car also, because ever screw was tighten to the exact same position, making it a one of car. LOL one of one means nothing!
Reasonable price for a car that doesn’t require a full restoration to be drivable. Too bad it’s only 351W, they were basically low performance station wagon engines, not for muscle car motivation. The 4 speed adds some appeal, but a 351 Cleveland or a Boss 429 would better suit this car.
I agree about the Boss 429. I want a Jon Kaase built Boss engine.
pffft Marti reports. It’s probably 1 of 1 that has a blue roof with those wheels made on a Tuesday. In any case Dan Gurney Special Merc’s were Homologated cars for NASCAR same as the Ford Talladegas. They have a signifigant collectible value when restored properly. Provided this cars VIN is right it would be worth an investment but not at $18k.
The 351 4 barrel with automatic was not the standard configuration.
And 1 of 1? BFD. Every Ford built is 1 of 1.
That is one hell of an ugly car. Definitely a statement maker. It was a whole different world back then.
Where is the Marti Report that proves the car’s rarity? It is not in the ad.
Owner wants too much money.
Note that the seller said “Marty” Report. Marty is a next door neighbor, a self-appointed car expert, who scribbled his “report” down on a cocktail napkin.
Wasn’t the Gurney/ Yarborough thing an east-west sales market?
Interesting car in many ways.
All hunkered down low with big race tires and rims, big exhaust pipes sticking out the side, decaled up with stickers and the 429 looking to suck up every square inch of atmosphere these were B.A.D!!
That just didn’t crossover into the pedestrian versions being sold to the public. It’s not that it’s an ugly car which it is not, it just lacks something….maybe it’s those little wheels and tires that look kinda wimpy on that big ride….the lack of firepower under the hood seems out of character as well,
Still an interesting car, but it could have been so much better. Dang.
It’s a really cool car!! It’s also good to see something a little different that the typical chevelle or mustang!! If It’s a one off car then I’m sure the price tag will prove that!!!
Still a rare 1………
Ikey Hayman just made me spill my coffee ALL over my desk. VERY funny, sir!
Dan Gurney for President. This car is a golfers car. A paper tiger. I need to brush up on what the Mercury version of the Talladega was called. Mercury must have over bought Cougar Eliminator hood scoops, because they slapped them on other cars. More so than the 1968 Ford Mustang Cobra Jet bolt on with turn signals.
The Spoiler II is the NASCAR version. This is a Spoiler missing its stripes.