When Mopar introduced its winged warriors, the Plymouth Superbird and Dodge Daytona, it generated some discussion about speeds and vehicle design. With the 426 Hemi and the dramatic aerodynamics, the Mopars were ruling the roost and will always be recognized as the cars that changed NASCAR.

But there were other cars that were brought to the table and made an impact on the sport. However, they didn’t leave quite the same mark as the winged Mopars. Ford and Mercury brought out their own aerocoupes to racing with the Torino Talledega and the Cyclone, and although they weren’t laden with the high rear wing or the front nose cone of the Mopars, they did possess modified front ends designed to cheat the wind a little more.

In a recent eBay listing, we saw one such example that – despite being a rare and immaculate representative of years gone by – didn’t meet the reserve, with bidding barely eclipsing the $35,000 mark. This example – a Dan Gurney Special 1969 Mercury Cyclone Spoiler II – is a one-family owned rarity of which only 35 are known to exist today. The seller has the original title which he acquired from his father, who acquired the car from the seller’s grandfather, who bought it new in June of 1969.

In order to make these cars a bit more aerodynamic, Mercury did a little surgery on the front end to extend it and also to smooth out any rough areas around the bumper to make the car a little more slipstream. There were a couple of different variations on the Cyclone Spoiler, as illustrated in the Talledega/Cyclone registry. Though this car had the 351 Windsor, the only engine available in the Spoiler II, the Spoiler could be optioned with the 428 Cobra Jet engine with ram air.

While NASCAR mandated that 500 Cyclone Spoiler IIs be built for homologation rules, the controversy surrounding the actual number is rumored to be a deception played out by Mercury. According to the registry page, the rumored 351 cars were parked among 152 regular “W” nose Cyclone Spoilers, and they were not detected.

So what do you think? Do these cars deserve the same recognition as the winged warriors that are getting high six-figure bids at auction? Or do you think the Talledega and Cyclone Spoiler cars didn’t hold a candle to the Mopars?