For those familiar with the Mercury Comet, then you probably know about the performance version called the Comet Cyclone. The Comet Cyclone shared a lot with its sister cars from Ford. In the early years, 1964 through 1966 the Fairlane and the Comet Cyclone shared lines; in 1967 “Comet” and “Cyclone” were their own models, both sharing lines with the Fairlane.
1968 through 1971 Cyclones shared lines with the Torino, and then in 1972 the Cyclone was simply an option package for the Mercury Montego. In addition to the Cyclone, the Cyclone GT was a popular variant as well. So the Cyclone had quite a strange mix throughout the years.
When “Comet” was dropped from the Cyclone in 1967, the Comet still shared lines with the Fairlane, but in 1970 the Comet was Mercury’s version of the Maverick, a much smaller car, and continued through 1972. The Cyclone was a bit of a mystery novel through the years with so many twists and turns, but still one of the more sought out Mercurys from that era.
While cruising through eBay, we came across a pair of 1966 Mercury Comet Cyclone Pace Car convertibles that aren’t in bad shape, and priced at a Buy it Now figure of just under $20,000. While they do need a bit of work, they are not a bad beginning to a pair of cool project cars.
Due to the power and torque of the 427 engine, no 427 Mercurys, Fairlanes, or Galaxies were ever produced with automatic transmissions.
The 390 car is a roller only, so the engine and trans are missing from the car, but the 427 does have the correct date-coded GT390 heads, intake, and carburetor; it also has the dash mounted tachometer, which is always a cool little treat on a classic such as this. Both are said to be very solid and 90% rust free, but we’re not exactly sure how that can be measured.
The 427 car is stated to be one of three factory experimental cars to exist. The seller, Jim, stated, “Due to the power and torque of the 427 engine, no 427 Mercurys, Fairlanes, or Galaxies were ever produced with automatic transmissions. Online research shows three factory experimental 427 4-speed Cyclone convertible Pace Cars where built to start the 1966 Indianapolis 500 Race.”
If you’re a nostalgia or history buff, you might like that the 427 car, a one-of-three, was produced just 98 miles from Indianapolis, and just 34 days prior to the 1966 Indianapolis 500 race. Of course, if you want to see what it can become, we did a feature on one of our favorite 1966 Mercury Cyclones from the SEMA show this year.
Between the pair of cars you won’t find more than 90,000 miles, with the 427 showing just 27,000 miles on the clock. Both cars come with complete interiors and are looking for a new forever home to be restored and brought back to life. Are you going to be the new owner? If so, you’ve got just a couple of days left to pick a pair of possibly perfect Pace Cars. Try to say that five times fast.