Some classic cars are created more equal than others. Some will offer unrivaled luxury and comfort, while others will provide performance that can pin occupants in their seats when the pedal gets to the metal. The 1970 Mercury Cyclone Spoiler was capable of delivering on both fronts, and with a low build total, finding a good one today can be a challenge. Our feature car isn’t perfect, but it is an original and unmolested survivor that should make a straightforward and rewarding restoration project for the right person. If you think you could be that person, you will find the Spoiler located in Granite Falls, Washington, and listed for sale here on eBay. Solid bidding has pushed the price to $17,777, but this remains short of the reserve.

The years have taken a toll on the appearance of this Competition Blue Mercury, but it is a long way from being beyond the point of no return. A fresh coat of paint should have it returned to its stunning best, but the buyer will have a fair list of tasks spread before them to reach that point. The panels feature some repairable dings and dents, and there is evidence of some old Bondo in the passenger side front fender that would need investigating. There might also be some present in the lower rear quarter panel on the same side, so my crystal ball reveals much sanding and panel massaging in the future of the next owner. There are a few damaged trim pieces, but the grille and hideaway headlamps look pretty respectable. The original owner ordered the Cyclone with tinted glass, and while I believe that there might be a crack in the windshield in one lower corner, I can’t spot any significant issues with the rest. I haven’t been avoiding the question of rust, but the news is generally good. There’s no way of knowing for sure what might be hidden behind the Bondo that I previously mentioned, but what is visible seems to be relatively insignificant. There is plenty of surface corrosion for the buyer to tackle, but actual penetrating rust looks limited to some small spots in the lower quarters and rockers.

If the lack of exterior rust is a positive for anyone considering this Cyclone as a restoration project, the vehicle’s underside probably seals the deal. The floors and frame have accumulated some surface corrosion, but there are no obvious signs of significant penetrating rust. I think there could be a couple of small spots in the trunk pan and lower drop-offs, and there is one small area behind the rear seat. However, I don’t see the buyer facing mountains of cutting and welding with this classic. If I were to buy this car, I would probably treat the corrosion and apply a protective coating so that it can’t get its teeth into that factory steel in the future.

There’s no denying that this Cyclone’s interior is going to require plenty of work if it is to be returned to its former glory. Several pieces are damaged or worn, but there are also a surprising number of pieces that the buyer could reuse. The shopping list will include a dash pad, front seat upholstery, a carpet set, armrests, and a replacement rimblow wheel.  The door trims and the entire rear seat area look pretty good, as does the dash. This is probably a good thing because interior trim for the Cyclone can be on the expensive side. The original radio is missing, but the rest of the interior, including the distinctive gauges and 8,000rpm tach, are intact.

When buyers walked into their local Mercury dealer to order a new Cyclone Spoiler, even the most basic example offered plenty of performance potential. This car lives up to that hype, with its engine bay is occupied by a 429 Cobra Jet V8 that pumped out 370hp in its prime. The original owner also chose a 3-speed C6 transmission, a 3.25 Traction-Lok rear end, power steering, and power front disc brakes. Pointed at a ¼ mile, it should have been capable of despatching the journey in 14.7 seconds. For anyone considering tackling this as a restoration project, the news appears to be nothing but positive. It is a numbers-matching classic that runs and drives. The owner has recently installed a new master cylinder and wheel cylinders, but there are still a few tasks before the car could be considered roadworthy. He suggests replacing the brake hoses and repacking the wheel bearings. He also points out that the exhaust system doesn’t work effectively due to its similarity to Swiss cheese. None of these issues are likely to break the bank, and given the condition of the rest of the vehicle, it would seem viable for its next owner to get it roadworthy to enjoy as an original survivor.

The 1970 Mercury Cyclone Spoiler offered potential buyers an enticing combination of comfort and performance. They were not a particularly cheap car when new, which is one reason why they didn’t sell in huge numbers. By the time the 1970 model year drew to a close, a mere 1,631 cars had found their way to new homes. However, that relative rarity doesn’t necessarily equate to high potential values compared with similar models from the same year. I wouldn’t be surprised if the reserve is met by the time the bidding hits $25,000, and with only a short time left on this listing, it could be worth watching closely.