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This 1966 Mercury Cyclone Was an All-You-Can-Eat Buffet, Barely Survived in a Barn

1966 Mercury Cyclone 21 photos
Photo: eBay seller jetwayron
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The Cyclone, part of the Comet lineup, underwent several big changes in 1966, starting with the redesigned body and the longer wheelbase. The Comet lineup included three versions: Caliente, Cyclone, and Cyclone GT.
As anyone can guess, the GT was the icing on the cake, getting a new engine that delivered stunning performance. The Ford FE 390 V8 unit joined the Cyclone lineup with 265 horsepower in the standard version, but customers could also pay extra to upgrade the power to 275 and 335 horsepower.

However, Mercury continued to offer lazier mills for people not necessarily interested in the performance under the hood. The standard unit was a 200ci straight-six unit with 120 horsepower, and the Cyclone came standard with a 289 rated at 200 horsepower.

The Mercury Cyclone convertible in these photos was fitted with a 390 V8 engine, but the car spent so many years in storage that the mill now requires major work. eBay seller jetwayron didn't share many specifics on the barn part, but it's clear the Cyclone has been struggling with tough conditions off the road.

The owner says the car turned into an "all-you-can-eat buffet" for varmints, so the convertible top and the cabin exhibit a rough shape.

As anyone can expect, the car doesn't come in tip-top shape from a metal perspective. The floors are rough and need to be replaced, and the owner says "complete new pans are available for under $500."

Now, let's talk engines.

The 390 V8, which was a fantastic choice for the Cyclone, is still in the car in promising shape. It "cranks over good," the owner says, but the engine no longer starts. It's paired with an automatic transmission, and while the owner didn't share other specifics, it's safe to assume this is the original drivetrain – you should still inspect everything in person or order a third-party inspection if you believe this Cyclone is worth your money and restoration work.

It's also unclear how original and complete the car continues to be today, but you should be able to decipher more information during a complete inspection.

The Cyclone landed on eBay earlier this week, and it already caught the attention of many people interested in a restoration. However, the owner also configured a reserve, and the top offer, which already exceeds $1,000, couldn't unlock it. The seller didn't share other specifics on the reserve, but it's likely significantly higher, so it'll be interesting to see if someone triggers the reserve by the time the auction ends.

The car is parked in Liberty, Illinois, and you'll need a trailer to take it home, considering the engine doesn't start and the car is not in a road-worthy condition.
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About the author: Bogdan Popa
Bogdan Popa profile photo

Bogdan keeps an eye on how technology is taking over the car world. His long-term goals are buying an 18-wheeler because he needs more space for his kid’s toys, and convincing Google and Apple that Android Auto and CarPlay deserve at least as much attention as their phones.
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