There is no substitute for cubic inches. This 1970 Mercury Cyclone demonstrates the truth behind that statement. Its engine bay houses a 429ci V8, delivering a mountain of power and torque. It means that even the lightest tickle of the “loud” pedal produces excellent acceleration, a trait that many enthusiasts seek when assessing the relative worth of a classic. This Mercury presents acceptably as a driver-grade vehicle, although lifting its appearance would be relatively straightforward. I must say a big thank you to Barn Finder Curvette for spotting the Cyclone listed here on eBay in Morgantown, Pennsylvania. The seller set their BIN at $39,900 with the option to make an offer.
Mercury launched its Fourth Generation Cyclone in 1970 and, like its predecessor, it only graced showroom floors for two years. Our feature Cyclone rolled off the line in 1970, ordered by its first owner in Dark Ivy Green. The seller confirms that the current owner purchased the car in 2012 and immediately handed it to the appropriate people for a professional restoration. It still presents nicely, and the underside shots confirm it is rust-free. The paint shines, and the panels are very straight. Closer inspection reveals several cosmetic shortcomings, and while most are pretty hard to spot, the mismatched rear valance stands out a mile away. The seller doesn’t elaborate, but with the passenger-side lower rear quarter panel also showing a folded seam, I suspect this area may have encountered an immovable obstacle. A couple of trim pieces and the Shaker sport further physical damage, but the glass is clear.
Ah, cubic inches. Anyone seeking effortless performance will be drawn to this Cyclone and its 429ci V8. It delivers 360hp and 480 ft/lbs of torque to a 3.25 Ford 9″ rear end via a three-speed C6 automatic transmission. Throw in power steering and power front disc brakes, and the driver won’t raise a sweat behind the wheel of this classic. The engine bay looks clean, with no evidence of leaks or other problems. The seller states that the motor starts easily and that the car drives well. However, they identify an exhaust leak and report a misfire. It appears that no one has diagnosed the problem, which is disappointing for a vehicle in this price range. I would certainly ask questions and negotiate an in-person inspection before committing my hard-earned cash to this classic.
The Cyclone’s interior is quite tidy and is comfortably acceptable for buyers seeking a driver-grade classic. The Brown vinyl is free from significant damage, with only a few minor nicks and marks. The carpet is clean, and the headliner hasn’t ripped or split. There are shortcomings, and whether the buyer addresses them will depend on their desire for perfection. The factory gauge lenses are cloudy, and with the fascia also deteriorating, it is time for the buyer to source a replacement. The recesses in the dashpad house a brace of aftermarket gauges which look out of place. I would probably seek replacements with a more “factory” look, and might also consider swapping out the aftermarket radio/cassette player. However, that is a personal opinion, and you might find the interior acceptable as-is.
If taken purely at face value, this 1970 Mercury Cyclone is a promising classic. Its lack of rust and minor cosmetic shortcomings confirm that it has no immediate panel or paint needs. However, the engine misfire is a concern and deserves careful investigation. It might be something innocuous like a dud plug, but it could also be the most obvious sign of deeper problems that could quickly empty the buyer’s wallet. Do those thoughts deter you, or are you still tempted to reach out to the seller?
This is a strange one for sure.
It’s a modified Montego,All 1970 Cyclones had triple taillights.Also..that’s a Ford Torino shaker,the Cyclone never got the shaker.It got an integrated low profile scoop that could be Ram-Air or non.They did add a Cyclone dashboard and Cyclone grille and emblems…but..it’s a Montego…I still wouldnt kick it out of my garage cause it’s the ultimate two years of car(1970/71)
If potential buyers do their research and figure out it has the 429 Thunderjet passenger car engine and not a CJ that will make it a harder sale.
Steve R
If I’m honest, ThunderRob, I initially agreed with you. The taillights are wrong, even according to that year’s Mercury Model Overview Product Brochure, which shows rear shots of both a Montego MX Hardtop and a Cyclone. However, I decided to let the VIN dictate my approach, and I came back with the same result from every source that I tried. They each indicate that it is a Cyclone, so it could be a bit of a mystery machine. Your comment regarding the Shaker is also correct, but it simply adds to the intrigue created by a classic that also features a “Cyclone GT” badge on the dash (which it clearly isn’t). It’s cars like this that will ignite healthy debate, and I hope that you continue to enjoy our articles.
Guy may have had a parts car Cyclone and slapped selected still good parts and vin off it onto a Montego..ya never know.Also..just noticed it’s a 1971 Grille with the larger hole,the 70′ had a tiny hole..and he plopped a Cobra badge in it..lol.
Thanks. This thing had me scratching my bald head. 🤔
Nothing wrong with a tribute, but call it what it is and price it accordingly.
Way, WAY too many issues to be asking that kind of money. This is a a 20-footer.
I agree with Poncho. Build it the way you like it, enjoy driving it, but if you have to sell it, just be honest with people. I love Mercs, but there’s alot of other cars I could have for $39,000. How many people want a Montego with a bench seat and an automatic on the tree? And the colors, yuck. Reminds me of the last time I ate 5 burritos with Ripple chasers. I might pay $25,000 for something like this.
I’m a bit disappointed in you alls, I’ve made great strides in not caring about the prices, nobody here is going to buy this anyway, and on the advice of the Chief, let’s just enjoy the cars and the authors great writeups, I couldn’t give a dingle if the tail lights are correct, the 429 Cyclone was probably the most badaxx Ford to come down the pike. It just looks mean! As fierce as this setup was in say a Torino or Mustang, when in a Mercury, it had a bit more civilized zing. This car did 0-60 in just under 6 seconds, and the 1/4 mile in mid 13s, so not quite a CJ Mustang, but this was a car that would impress your future father in law or boss, and be right at home at the track. Cool find, awesome a car,,,
I didn’t get a ‘harumph’ out of that guy.
https://youtu.be/uTmfwklFM-M?si=B19H2V4ZB99Wv7ng
Thank you, Howard, Adam knows his stuff. There are always going to be those that can tell from their experiences that the generator adjustment bracket on a featured ‘64.5 Mustang was installed with a bolt from a ‘65 Falcon and the BF writer got it all wrong-but the critics aren’t publishing their finds here, now, are they?
“ “It is not the critic who counts… The credit belongs to the (one) who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood..” Theodore Roosevelt
Very well said Nevadahalfrack. I’d like to add that I am sure many of the authors spend several hours or more researching their write ups before actually even writing them up. And I appreciate that. Time is precious. Same goes with what Howard said too, I enjoy the cars. I don’t pay much attention to the prices. I enjoy learning something new on here all the time.
Now…….. About that 64.5 Mustang Generator bracket with the ’65 Falcon bolt in it….. ( That was funny, I needed a good laugh.)
Thank you Adam for the write up, and I like the Cyclone. Its unique.
-Dave
Classic Auto Mall is turning into the Gullwing Motors of our part of PA.
Rick, I have not been to Classic Auto Mall, but plan to visit in August. The Early Ford V-8 Club is not having an Eastern Meet this year, but we have a four-day cruise of the Amish country, meeting at the Sheraton Hotel next door. I did not know that the Sheraton owns the Mall property.
Yes, these car prices are inflated, but at least they often state honest positives as well as negatives. As stated, why would they ask a premium with some major issues such as an engine miss? If this is merely a tribute car, the owner should have stated so. The Mall did their part pointing our issues from the drive test. Anyway, entrance to the Mall is free and I am looking forward to that. I’m just about 50 miles away.
Could a Cyclone even be had with a bench seat? I imagine you could have special ordered it with one but certainly no dealer would have, for their normal stock.
The face only a mother could love.
I researched this a long time ago but revisiting it:
There were three models in the Cyclone series in 1970 (it was its own series that year, separate from Montego); Cyclone, Cyclone GT, and Cyclone Spoiler. The Cyclone and Cyclone GT had the two-pod tail lamps on each side, while the top-level Cyclone Spoiler had the three-pod tail lamps on each side.
The same distinction was used for the Montego series, as only the top-level Montego MX Brougham had the three-pod tail lamps on each side.
There’s a 1970 Mercury brochure online that shows the Spoiler with the three-pods and the base level Cyclone with the two-pods (and even dog dish hubcaps too!). I can’t find a brochure pic of the GT, but everything I’ve found indicates that these have the two-pods also.
The VIN does point to a base level Cyclone, nevermind what the dash says (I would suspect that was transferred into the car at some point). From the pics there are just too many issues with this car to justify the asking price.
Just a note that I was wrong about the Cyclone GT, that one had the three-pod tail lamps also. But again the base Cyclone had the two-pods.
Also interesting to note, that the base Cyclone and Cyclone Spoiler had exposed head lights, while the Cyclone GT came with hidden headlights.
There aren’t many of these left out there. However, if ya ever see a BONAFIDE real example of this classic treasure it. You’ll be melting like the wicked witch. It was simply overlooked back then. Mercury showed up to the party. I’ve only seen two at car shows.
This is obviously a mish-mash. That wouldn’t necessarily scare me off. The green paint and brown bench seat with column shift. Yeah. No. How much? Too much.
The sad thing is that I love these- parrot beak and all.
I love the gun site parrot beak. Cyclones are just plain cool.
Kind of ruined those gauge’s & the dash with those aftermarket ones. Those kind of make the interior on the original ones. They are a rare one year only item. I don’t know about “professional restorer ” because any guy worth his salt retoring this car would have source d original used gauge’s or had the originals rebuilt. At this price a personal inspection is in order as these are unibody & the underneath without good pictures is definitely needed on this vehicle at this price.
My two cents is it’s a good looking car. Got the right stuff under the hood. Well then there’s the dead hole? That could be a problem, anything from a bad camshaft to burnt valve. Or something as simple as an old plug wires. Come on your selling the car and it’s got a miss, nope that ain’t right! If you can’t fix it get it fixed. I only bought one car with a miss and I knew that ole wagon needed an engine and I put a replacement in and drove it everywhere.
The T-Bird 429 is no sissy, but it can easily be turned into a CJ with no problem. A rare find like this may just be worth the effort, but it still won’t get the $ a real Merc 429 Cyclone would bring. I’d still love to pull out in the street and nail the go pedal!
The possibilities of what this one really is are endless. But at that price there should be certainty. And there shouldn’t be a note about a misfire or an exhaust leak. Talk about shade tree.
Love a good running 429, operative word being ‘good’.
neat but it needs work ant the price is too high. that lower valance panel is a completely different shade of green from the car. least it’s got a 429
Just saw all the pics in the full ebay description. A bit of a mess for the money being asked in my opinion. Top side, inside, under the hood and underneath. And no clear picture of what it actually is, Cyclone? Montego?
Lots of questions. Buyer beware.
If it was a simple engine fix the owner would have done it. You don’t sell a car for 40K with a problem like that hanging over it.
$40,000 with a misfire? Does this dealer buy these cars outright, or do they act as a third party consigner?
They are consigner. As stated above, they do drive tests and try to state both positive as well as negative issues.
that misfire could be as easy as a spark plug or as serious as burnt valve. i agree that the consigner really should know what the issue is and price it appropriately or have the owner address it before they accept it. it would be good business
only 836 base cyclonesn429 with a c6 were made, yes they had 2 tail lights per side, thunderjet 360 hp engine, I have one in my shed, it also started life as a dark green with a bench seat, and the optional spoiler dash i have the martini report for it.