Original Survivor: 1968 Mercury Cyclone GT 390

Although it isn’t perfect, this 1968 Mercury Cyclone GT 390 is a solid survivor, allowing scope for its new owner to perform a relatively straightforward cosmetic restoration. However, since none of its issues are urgent, they could take their time deciding whether to follow that path or to preserve the car as an unmolested classic. Its V8 will deliver impressive performance that will satisfy most enthusiasts. I must say a big thank you to Barn Finder Curvette for spotting the Mercury listed here on eBay in Elkhart, Indiana. The seller set their BIN for this beauty at $30,000 OBO.

Initially launched as the performance variant of the Comet range in 1964, Mercury dropped the Comet name when it launched the Third Generation Cyclone in 1968. The seller claims that this first-year GT is an original survivor, ordered by the first owner in Polar White with contrasting Red stripes. The car presents nicely from a distance, with the paint holding a healthy shine, and the stripes appearing crisp and clean. However, closer inspection reveals paint cracks and a selection of chips and marks, which might motivate the new owner to perform at least a partial cosmetic restoration. The seller doesn’t mention any potential rust issues, and with no evidence of problems in the lower extremities, their claim that this garage-kept classic is solid sounds plausible. The trim and glass look comfortably acceptable for a survivor-grade vehicle, and the car rolls on its original GT wheels.

As the model designation suggests, lifting this GT’s hood reveals a 390ci V8. The 1968 Mercury Model Lineup Brochure quotes power and torque figures of 325hp and 427 ft/lbs, feeding to the road via a three-speed automatic transmission. This Cyclone also features power steering and power brakes. The vehicle might weigh more than 3,700 lbs, but with so much power and torque available, it would still deliver pretty impressive performance. The seller states that this Mercury is documented as a genuine survivor, suggesting that it retains its numbers-matching drivetrain. They protected its survivor status by recently rebuilding the original brake booster rather than opting for the easier route of bolting on a replacement. The Cyclone has always been properly maintained, and it appears to be a turnkey proposition.

Trimmed in Red vinyl, this Cyclone’s interior looks quite tidy for a vehicle of this vintage. It is unclear whether the seller has reattached the faux woodgrain to the glovebox door since they snapped the listing images, but that is one of the interior’s few weaknesses. The dashpad has discolored with age, which is pretty common, and the simulated chrome trim on the dash has worn. Otherwise, there is no evidence of vinyl rips or splits, and the carpet is surprisingly clean. The Cyclone features a factory tachometer, and the only non-functioning features are the right-hand turn signal and the fuel gauge.

Maybe I’m overly sentimental, but I always find it sad that companies that produced vehicles like this 1968 Mercury Cyclone GT 390 could disappear from the automotive landscape. This car combines genuine muscle with stunning good looks, and I would understand if the buyer decides to perform a cosmetic refresh to recapture its youthful appearance. Of course, with no apparent rust, they could take their time making that decision. It will be fascinating to gauge your response and to discover whether most of our Barn Finds readers would preserve or restore this classic.