Back in the ’60s, NASCAR stock cars were actually more everyday car than they were racers. Sure, for Grand National competition they were heavily modified but their DNA was production car-based. And the NASCAR mantra of “Win on Sunday, Sell on Monday” rang true as manufacturers like Mercury made streetable versions of both Dan Gurney’s and Cale Yarborough’s Grand National rides. Based on the Mercury Cyclone, the “Spoiler II”, was a one-year-only, 1969 edition. And today, for your review, we have a Yarborough edition that is located in Binghampton, New York and is available, here on eBay for a current bid of  $10,101, reserve not yet met.

The seller claims that this is one of 617 Spoiler II cars produced in ’69 and according to Talledega Spoiler Registry that number is true for the Cale Yarborough version but there were also another 352 in Dan Gurney livery making a total volume of 969. But here’s where things get weird, the Cyclone Spoiler II is supposed to have a six-inch extended front end with an installed Torino Cobra grille and this example clearly doesn’t. The story goes that Mercury couldn’t meet the initial 500 examples that NASCAR required for acceptance, so they mixed some standard Cyclone models in with the Spoiler II’s, hiding the non-retrofitted versions behind those with the elongated proboscis. Nevertheless, the paint application, engine/powertrain, and interior are the same and these “W” nosed versions are considered genuine – they are also rarer than the correct extended nose variety. The VIN and Marti report clear this one as real.

The first observation is the hood scoop which doesn’t appear to be original. I could find no reference for it or another Spoiler II example wearing one. A peculiar aspect of this Cyclone Spoiler II is that it has no spoiler! Apparently, it came unattached and in the trunk, requiring installation by the dealership if so desired by the purchaser. There appear to be no bolt holes in this Cyclone’s decklid so the spoiler was probably never installed. The paint is considered to be original, other than the gray primer slathered across the poorly repaired quarters. The fender legs are showing signs of rot and there are contusions and surface rust showing here and there. The seller makes mention of the dry-rotted tires, they are some very old bias-ply Goodyear Rally GTs.

Power is provided by a 290 HO, 351 CI “Windsor” V8 engine that is claimed to be, “just back from the machine shop with a complete rebuild…. 30 over, valve job, new gaskets, etc over 2K invested in the motor“. It honestly is a bit suspicious looking for an engine just back from the shop. I’m not doubting the claim per se, but it just looks like it has been more than recently; I’d want to see receipts with dates. All Spoiler II’s came equipped with a three-speed automatic transmission and this example is no exception. The seller claims that this Mercury, “drives and brakes“.

The black interior is unusual as most Yarborough examples had red innards to compliment the red-trimmed exterior, but the trim tag correctly states this one as black. There is nothing particularly performance-oriented looking about this bench seat/steering column gear selector environment. A thorough cleaning is certainly in order and, oh yeah, the driver’s and passenger side floors have pretty well fallen out.

There are those that opine about the Cyclone Spoiler II/Ford Tallageda values and how they seem underappreciated. And the comparison ends up falling back to the Dodge Daytona/Plymouth Superbird – it’s a pretty hard comparison to make; it’s the right church but the wrong pew. That said, the Cyclone Spoiler provides a fond memory of that short period of time, long ago, when aero-wars ruled on NASCAR’s high-banks, and manufacturers were still required to homologate their racing designs. And best of all, we the car consumers were the benefactors of all their labor.