Have you ever looked at a classic car and struggled to determine what its strongest attribute is? That is the dilemma that we face with this 1967 Mercury Cyclone GT Convertible. Not only does it present superbly, but it features the desirable combination of a 390ci V8 and a 4-speed manual transmission. The photos suggest that this is a vehicle that needs nothing more than a new owner who will appreciate all that it has to offer. Located in Addison, Illinois, you will find the Cyclone listed for sale here on eBay. The owner has set the BIN at $31,900, but he has left the option open to make an offer.
This Mercury certainly makes the right initial impression. The seller indicates that the vehicle has received a recent repaint in its original shade of Cardinal Red, and the result is pretty stunning. It isn’t perfect because there are a few minor nicks and marks that are hard to pick. Complimenting the fresh paint is a new Black power top that functions exactly as it is supposed to. The panels are extremely straight, and the gaps are tight and consistent. The GT still features its factory fiberglass hood with the distinctive scoops. This remains in good condition, with no evidence of cracking or crazing. As part of the recent restoration process, many of the exterior trim pieces were replaced. This includes the bumpers and some of the badges. Items like the door handles and the trim at the bottom of the soft-top are original, and while they aren’t perfect, their condition is very acceptable for a driver-grade car. The glass is in good order, and there’s no evidence of any rust in the panels. That inevitably leads us to the question of how things look below the surface.
The owner admits that the Cyclone has had some prior professional repairs but is now structurally sound. He supplies some pretty decent photos of the vehicle’s underside, and I can’t spot anything that might cause concern. Everything looks clean and tidy, suggesting that this could be a rust-free classic.
Lifting the hood of this Mercury reveals another aspect of the vehicle that makes it pretty special. The car features its original S-Code 390ci V8 that is capable of producing 320hp. The original owner ordered this in combination with a 4-speed manual transmission, a 3.25 rear end, and power brakes. That made the GT a lively performer capable of demolishing the ¼ mile in 14.9 seconds. With the top down, that represents a rapid wind-in-the-hair motoring experience! While I haven’t confirmed his claim, the owner indicates that this car is 1-of-353 Cyclone GT Convertibles that Mercury produced in that model year with this drivetrain combination. It is feasible, and I suspect that potential buyers might want to investigate that claim further to verify it. The news here is as positive as you could hope for. The car rolls on new Goodyear tires, and the owner has recently installed a new dual exhaust. He supplies this YouTube video that provides a walk-around and allows us to hear the car running and driving. The 390 sounds as sweet as a nut, and the car seems to drive with no vices or problems.
I’ve said in the past that one of the potential problems with owning a classic convertible is that it is challenging to hide interior problems when the top is down. That is another area where this Cyclone comes into its own because its issues are minor. There is a crack in the wheel and some wrinkling on the door trims, but those appear to be the only worries. However, I think that the door trims could be stretched into shape, meaning that the buyer won’t need to spend a dime on them. The Black upholstery on the seats looks flawless, while the same is true of the matching carpet. There are no cracks in the dash pad, and the dash itself looks impressive. It comes with a full complement of factory gauges, with clear lenses and markings that look crisp. The original shifter for the 4-speed is intact, and the only aftermarket addition that I can spot is a radio/cassette player. The owner hasn’t cut the dash to fit this, so the buyer could easily replace it with a factory item.
This 1967 Mercury Cyclone 390 GT Convertible is a turn-key proposition that would seem to need very little to achieve perfect presentation. It is a guaranteed head-turner, and it should possess performance to match its good looks. The past 3-years have seen values climb steadily, and there is no indication that this trend will change soon. With spotless examples regularly changing hands for more than $40,000, that makes the BIN price on this car look pretty competitive. There are currently 101 people watching the listing, and it makes me wonder whether one of them might be preparing to hit that button. Of course, you might be tempted to beat them to the punch. If you do, I could hardly blame you.
I just saw the identical car for sale in Niles, Michigan online for $ 13,000.00. I suspect it is this same car. Sorry I missed it …….cool car.
The car’s weakest point is milquetoast styling. These poor things are utterly boring to look at. Cool though, especially for being unusual. My boss had a 427/4-speed 1966 in an even more boring tan, with brown vinyl top ! Even as a new car, I knew it was uber exotic. Neat one, for sure.
@Burger. Your use of the term “milquetoast” to describe the styling of the ‘67 Comets/Cyclones made me laugh. Thanks. It was a term my grandfather used to describe things and people as wimpy. I asked him once where it came from and he told me it was from a popular comic strip of many years ago. I think Casper Milquetoast. So if your opinion of the ‘67 Comet Cyclone, and I assume the ‘66 too, is wimpy what’s your idea of an aggressive big block intermediate size American car from the sixties?
I would vote for the 66-69 B-body Mopars, particularly the more sculpted Dodge Coronets and Chargers (68-69). Crisp, aesthetic lines that work from one end of the car to the other.
I would cite The 65 Cyclone as a perfect comparison, … sharp, angular lines that just scream “EAT ME!”. The 66-67 rear quarters and back panel just look kinda sanded off and rounded. Pointlessly unintigrated tail lights, bumpers that have no aesthetic shape or integration with the surrounding body. Up front, odd little razor projections at the edge emerge from an otherwise unrelated fender sculpting. The headlights are oddly placed and blunt to an overly flat facade. The uninspired grille just stuck in there to fill the space. Again, I would refer any critical comparison back to 65, as a high water mark for an aggressive, well-homogenized design that looks purposeful and “from one mind”.
Don’t get me wrong. I think this car is cool. But it gets 90% of that nod from NOT being another ordinary Ford or Chevy. It’s a Merc ! … and how many merc buyers were clicking the boxes for go-fast stuff ? Not many. This car is great. But the styling is less than exciting.
@Burger. Thank you. Very interesting and nicely expressed.
looks like a ’68 steering wheel
and ’68 wheels/trim rings too. Wondering what else is going on here?
I agree on the steering wheel, also the wheels are early 70’s? I had a 66 Capri with a 390, loved that car!
My 1968 Mustang GT had those same wheels. So did my 1968 Torino GT.
For $31K I would expect a much cleaner and dressed up engine bay. Slick car for sure. I owned a 66’ Cyclone hardtop 289/4spd in high school.
Oh my goodness…my heart skipped a beat! I would be looking for the correct cyclone wheels or wheel covers. Need an original radio, air cleaner and trunk liner. Seems to be a nice car otherwise. My grandparents owned a ’66 Caliente Coupe and my first car was a ’66 Fairlane 500 post coupe. Good cars. Loved the blue ‘Cold’ lamp that illuminated upon starting from cold.
I see no reason he shouldn’t get his asking price. Still, he might take a little less if it doesn’t sell right away. First it’s resale red, then it’s a drop top, now you’ve the biggest engine offered that year plus the best part the 4 speed manual transmission. It has new paint and top, the interior looks good. Then you have the stacked headlights which are very popular among collectors of Cyclone cars. I don’t see a down side.
If I could afford the asking price this car would be mine.
God bless America
love the straight lines & stacked hdlghts. Cyclone is dwn szed (best 2 me) as this model went both up’n dwn (depending on yr – dwn to comet/falcon up to fairlane, murader, montego). A vert is a plus in my book. But the 390 is a truck motor to me. Would want the WC T-5 in, or AOD. Lower it, discs up frnt, etc. Bring back a nice model/era correct paint? ~
If a 390 fits, so does a 427 I know believe me had a 66 blew up the 390 so slipped in a dual quad 427
I believe the hood is fiberglass from the factory?
This is indeed a rare Cyclone GT. Note that the ‘66-‘67 Cyclone GT’s came equipped with a fiberglass hood, dual simulated scoops. It looks like this ‘67 does have that hood as it should. A concern I would have before getting too serious about this car is the engine. The S code Fairlanes and Cyclones came with factory chrome dress up: Valve covers, air cleaner, and even the dipstick handle. Obviously this FE engine does not have these features. Also I’d like a picture of the carburetor. The S code 390’s came with a Holley 600 CFM unit. I have to respectfully disagree with @George’s opinion that the ‘66-‘67 Comets had milquetoast styling. I have always thought these Comets had outstanding styling. I still have a ‘66 Super Stock magazine feature where Fast Eddie Schartman put a new ‘66 Cyclone GT (all ‘66 GT’s had the 335 horsepower 390) with 4 speed, 4.11 rear gearing and a set of 7” slicks, through a drag test. Other than the slicks the Cyclone was stock. It ran 14.0’s! I thought it was the best looking car of 1966.
I like this ‘67 Cyclone GT a lot but the FE engine question needs to be addressed. And yes that ‘68 steering wheel needs to be replaced.
I bought this ‘66 Cyclone GT convert a couple of years ago for $8k when it was featured on Barn Finds: https://barnfinds.com/perfect-storm-1966-mercury-comet-cyclone-gt/. It’s bone stock, straight, rust free and has A/C and matching S Code 335HP 390 V8. Original Cyclone wheelcovers, and dash tach too. Wish it had a 4 speed, but the console mounted auto isn’t bad-
@Mark Mitchell. Yes! You bought a beautiful (non-milquetoast) ‘66 Cyclone GT drop-top. At a bargain price. I checked your link and I commented back then with my opinions and experiences with Fairlanes and Comet Cyclones. You shouldn’t regret that your Cyclone GT has the heavy duty C-6. The S code 390’s got an improved for performance C-6 with a special servo and internal parts that when under full acceleration the shift from 1st to 2nd would easily burn the standard F70x14” Firestone Super Sport tires. I drag raced both ‘66 GTA and ‘66 Cyclone a lot winning often against 4 speeds in C Pure Stock In the 60’s and again in bracket racing in the 70’s-90’s.
And @chrslful regarding your opinion that the 390 is a truck motor? You’re right. It’s one tough engine that currently has a strong following with many after market speed parts available. And that “truck motor” design? It is essentially the same motor, bored out to 4.23 but same stroke as the 390 that won Le Mans 1966-67.
In the late 70s, my boss who owned a body shop, had a 67 Cyclone Convertible, w a 390 and automatic white car and top, red gut, he used to like my 73 Luxury Lemans cause it was loaded and had cold A/C so we would swap, and I’d go to school w the Cyclone, and leave block long smoky burnouts, who knew how valuable it would be today, I think he sold it in 79 for 5000.00
What a great car! That drivetrain would make for a sweet cruiser. Funny, while the 68-69 wheels bug me, the 68 steering wheel doesn’t. Those 67 FoMoCo steering wheels are just so goofy looking.
Yep…..the factory styled chrome Mercury wheels would look a lot better and for that kind of money – he should find that lower transmission cover it’s missing.
My first car when I turned 16 was a 66 Comet Cyclone GT with the 390 335 h.p. and 4-speed. Even though my car was stock and in good shape it wasn’t fast. My buddy’s 70 383 Challenger would sure whip up on it ! I was unimpressed on the performance of that engine.
Methinks your poor engine was tired or out of tune. I am not a Ford fan, by any means, but a 390 *can* turn out some potent power. I had a 66 Galaxie ragtop …. bigger, heavier car, with 390 and 4-speed. It was an impressive performer.
Years ago I bought a 65 Gran Sport Skylark ragtop. 401 Nailhead with 2 fours and a 4-speed. The owner said it “had character”, referring to the fact that it barely got itself up hills. Yeah, … you know that whole timing chain and gears thing ? Um-Hmmm …. Yeah, got a new set and gave it a careful tune up ….. what a BEAST !
I like the styling. I have no idea why a convertible up for sale has no photo of the top dropped. Especially with the comments of “bland styling”.
I agree with Burger, great motors, love your story. nice cool cars.
Nice car, but a lot of changes made using 68-69 parts. Hurst didn’t offer a factory shifter until 1970 and it had the “T” handle, not the white knob over the counter shifter. Could use a bellhousing cover as well, which are now available from aftermarket vendors. The chrome engine dress up items would really state that it is a factory GT, but are not present. The 67 factory styled steel rims are nice, but owner has 68-69 ones on car. Would like to see a Marti Report to confirm what came on the car originally.
Wouldn’t this have come with a console? Both 66 and 67 Fairlane GT/GTA’s and 500XL’s came with them, it’s odd that a higher end Mercury wouldn’t have been so equipped. If it originally had one, but was missing it damaged the seller would be in the hole for approximately $1,000 to find a nice console and 4spd insert. If it came with one, but is now missing that raises questions as to whether or not corners were cut during the restoration. Considering the choice of wheels and steering wheel suggest that us a possibility.
Steve R
The console was an option on 4 speed ’67 Cyclone GT’s and ’67 Fairlane GT’s.
My old ’67 Cyclone GT 4 speed didn’t have a console.
Other things that are incorrect about the car is it’s missing the ‘Cyclone’ letters that should be inside the chrome trim between the tail lights. That area between the tail lights should also be painted black, not body color.
The upholstery is also not the correct pattern for a ’67 Cyclone GT.
Beautiful car. Except for that steering wheel. Rip that one out of there fast.
This car is starting to look more and more like an odd collection of parts….
Recalling a ’67 Fairlane 500 that sold locally several years back. Blue with blue interior, thinking it had the bench seat, 4 speed, PS, PB, factory a/c, dog dish hub caps, glass hood and an A code 427 (single 4bbl and hydraulic lifters). Recalling there were less than 100 427 installations into Fairlanes in 1967, including both R Code and A code.
The 427-4V was a Q code, not an A code.
Please share with us your knowledge of the ‘Q code'(?) 427….inquiring minds want to know.
The Q code 427 was a 410 HP version used in ’63-’64 full size cars.
The W code was an automatic only 390 HP version used in the ’68 Mercury Cougar GT-E.
An A code is a 2 barrel 289.
@ Joe Sewell. Sorry. The single 4V 427 rated at 410 hp was a -W- code. The -R- as mentioned is correct for the dual 4V 427 rated at 425 hp. There were actually quite a few ‘67 Fairlane 427’s produced. Definitely uncommon and rare but many more than 100. There was a limited production run of around 60 1966 Fairlane with dual 4V 427’s. They were standard 2 door hardtop Fairlane 500’s, all Wimbledon white with black interiors. They were for primarily for proven Ford drag racers.
Now as to the console questions the ‘66 Fairlane GT/GTA/XL and the Comet Cyclone GT did have a console as standard. For ‘67 the console became part of an interior decor group for the GT/GTA/Cyclone. The ‘67 Fairlane XL came with the console as standard. So it’s possible this particular Cyclone GT convertible didn’t have the console. Also the automatic transmission control for the GTA/Cyclone was on the column. If console equipped the C-6 had the floor control with the console.
Another strange thing is that the 289-2V became the standard engine for the GT/GTA’s. The 390-2V, 4V, and S code 390 became optional.
And the 427 was not available with the GT/GTA/Cyclone GT. But it was available in all 2 door body styles. These odd facts can go on and on. I’m a fan of Fords but was always perplexed by some of the things they were doing in ‘66-‘67. They kind of straightened things out for ‘68 with the introduction of the mid year 428 Cobra Jet.
z28th1s: I stand corrected. Instead of pulling numbers from my foggy memory, I went back and looked. ‘A code’ was indeed a 4bbl 289, C code was the 2bbl 289 – my bad.
Regarding the 427 motors, it gets complicated (1964-1968 Cammer (D&L) motors not included).
‘Q Code’ 427: 1963-1964. ‘M code’ 427: 1965. ‘R code’ 427: 1963-1967. ‘W code’ 427: 1966-1967 (solid lifters). ‘W code’ 427: 1968 (hydraulic lifters).
I learned something today, thanks.
@ z28th1s. Yes. The ‘68, Cougar GT-E with the hydraulic lifter cam, cast iron intake…. a much milder 427 with 390 horsepower was a W code. The true High Performance 427’s were gone for ‘68. Here’s where I hope @Burger won’t mind if I use the adjective “Milquetoast” he used to describe the Cyclone’s styling. The early ‘68 427/390 hp did deserve that description if it were to be compared to the ‘63-‘67 427. The ‘68 -W- code shared a lot with the S code 390. The block however was still the side oiler with cross-bolt main caps.
My 1st car was a 70 mercury cougar xr7,351c,good engine, was a parts car,but at 17,didn’t listen to my auto shop teacher, bought it for $100,and wrecked it within 2 weeks,lucky I didn’t get hurt or killed, only had rear brakes!,would love to have a nice 70 cougar now that I’m older, and semi-mature.