The Cyclone was introduced in 1964 as the performance arm of the Mercury Comet. It was the equivalent of the Ford Falcon Sprint, and both quickly came into competition with the new Mustang, getting their doors blown off in the sales department. The seller has a nice (but not perfect) 1964 Cyclone that is largely a survivor and would be fine as-is as a daily driver. Located in Lynnwood, Washington, this red Mercury is available here on craigslist for $17,995.
In Comet circles, the Cyclone replaced the S-22 model (what did that stand for?). It was a compact for 1964 and 1965, migrating to a mid-size platform in 1966. Nearly 7,500 Cyclones were produced in their first outing, a drop in the bucket compared to the Mustang, which arrived midway through the 1964 calendar. Like the Falcon Sprint, it came with a V8 engine and offered a bucket seat interior. The option may have initially come with a 260 cubic inch V8, replaced by the 289 later in the year (such is the case with the seller’s car).
This Cyclone is roadworthy thanks to some recent work done on the vehicle. That stuff includes new brakes, tires, power steering parts, the windshield, and a rework of the matching vinyl interior. Mechanically, the car relies on a K-code 289 V8 (221 hp), C4 automatic transmission, and power steering to make transgressing parking lots a lot easier. The engine compartment is the least attractive part of the car, showing every bit of its 85,000 miles.
As this Merc originated in California, rust has never been an issue. If you were to take a magnet to the sheet metal, you won’t find any filler. We’re told the red paint is original, and only a couple of minor dents and dings keep it from looking nearly perfect. Besides a genuine Cyclone tachometer, the Comet comes with California black/yellow and blue license plates. The only thing you need to swap out is the exhaust (we’re guessing it may be worn out). Our tip source: Curvette!
The exterior & under hood look like as different as
day & night.Cool car otherwise.
“The option may have initially come with a 260 cubic inch V8, replaced by the 289 later in the year (such is the case with the seller’s car).”
The Cyclone never had the 260 — the 289 was standard from the beginning. You may be thinking of the ’64 Caliente, which initially offered the 260 but got the 289 option later in the model year. Mercury’s K-code 289 in the Cyclone was the same as the D-code in the “1964.5” Mustangs: 210, not 221, (gross) hp.
Cool car.
It even has the original hubcaps which got lost almost immediately. But the right side has some nasty dents. Still a super solid car.
It would look nice with some moonies on those chrome wheels. Nice car. I like it
Those “chrome wheels” were actually full wheel covers over the stock steel wheels. They were available on both the 64 and 65 Cyclones as (I’m pretty sure) standard equipment.
1964 was the premier year for the Cyclone model, it was mid year introduction with a total production of 7,454 units. The Cyclones option included a “K” code 289, (NOT the same “K” code as the Mustang 271/289!) a four barrel carburetor, single exhaust, engine dress up package, bucket seat interior, dash mounted tachometer, and faux chrome wheel hubcaps. There were many color combinations available as well as power steering, brakes, vinyl top, and choice of automatic or manual transmissions. A Borg Warner 4 speed was optional. Depending on manufacturing location there were some subtle differences, headliners differed as well as trim along the trailing edge of the roof.
My father was a Lincoln Mercury dealer so I remember these cars when they were new, I purchased my ‘64 Cyclone in 1968 and still own it today in 2026.
My cousin bought a 65 Cyclone new in late 64 or sometime in 65 (can’t remember, I was 11). It had the A code 289 and 4 spd. At that age, I thought that was the coolest car and vowed to have one. I found mine in 71. Same as my cousins, A code, 4 spd. It has the rally pac three guage set up on the dash. Still have it.
I like the 64’s but biased toward the 65’s.
My best friend’s mom bought one of these. She let him drive it whenever he wanted, which was just about always. It had the 289/271hp motor with a 4-speed. We ran the wheels off that sucker, and it begged for more. One of the best cars I ever saw back in high school.
Are you positive it had the 271hp 289? In 1964 it was not readily available, rumor has it the engine was offered but like the white whale some have claimed to see one but no one has documented proof. (In 1965 the engine was available and on the normal option list)
They did build a series of durability cars that ran 100,000 miles at Daytona, and some cars for the African Safari, with the 289/271hp but those cars were not factory production vehicles. The A/FX drag race cars were also non production units that had 427 wedge engines, those cars were modified at Dearborn Steel Tube after they left the normal production line at Ford.
Now that you mention it, it was purchased in late ’64, so I imagine it was a 65.
if its original paint it looks pretty good for 60+ yrs. it been a long time since i have seen 1 on the road
Cool car.
But too much red for me. What are we thinking Ferraris? Too bad it’s not a 4 spd. Could almost live with the red with a stick, almost. But, horrors, I’d probably paint it black before long …
Cool Merc.
Nice Comet. My first car was a 1963, black with red interior, 260 V8, four speed. My Dad got it off a coworker. I was happy as Harry to have it. If I remember correctly I think he paid $500 for it in the spring of ‘69. I was required to pay him back at $25/month and had to agree to let my Mom use it when his car was not available to her. Two life lessons learned from this. The old man was teaching me responsibility and I didn’t even know it at the time. Great memories. Thanks BF.
It looks as though this may have been the first time the person ever opened the hood. It is disgusting.
Great shape for a rare car you don’t see much – the later years yes but the first year no. Think this should be a BUY at that price.
“…power steering to make transgressing parking lots a lot easier.” (?) You just sit down and shut your mouth, you bad, bad asphalt! Maybe TRAVERSING?
In around mid-1962, Ford introduced the 500XL, as a counter to the Chubby SS; Mercury’s version was the S-55, don’t know why. When the fancy bucket seat Comet was introduced, it was dubbed the S-22. When the mid-size Meteor debuted in ’62, its fancy version was called the S-33. Not sure about those dates.