#20 - 1966 Mercury Comet Cyclone GT 2-Door Hardtop, VIN 6J26S512013
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 4 ส.ค. 2024
- Hello, and welcome back to the “Yours in old FoMoCo iron” TH-cam channel! My name is Adrian Clements, and today in video #20 we’re going to have a close look at a beautiful 1966 Mercury Comet Cyclone GT 2-door hardtop. We’ll see photos of the car, review a full decode of its VIN and production data, and cover the 1966 Mercury intermediate production numbers. Next, we’ll have a look at some press photos, newspaper articles and advertisements, and magazine ads. Finally, we’ll see relevant period FoMoCo literature and talk a bit about the Official Pace Car for the 1966 Indianapolis 500. Let’s get started!
Yours in old FoMoCo iron,
Adrian
Chapters:
0:00 Introduction
0:47 1966 Mercury Comet Cyclone GT 2-Door Hardtop, VIN 6J26S512013
6:24 VIN & Production Data Decode
9:22 1966 Mercury Intermediate Production Numbers
10:32 1966 Mercury Intermediate Press Photos
11:32 Newspaper Articles & Advertisements
13:26 Magazine Advertisements
15:28 Sales Catalog
16:11 “1966 Mercury Product Data Book”
20:57 “1966 Mercury Color-Upholstery Selections” Book
23:09 Mercury Drag Racing
23:57 1966 Indianapolis 500 Pace Cars
26:18 Close-Out
Very beautiful 66 Mercury Comet Cyclone GT 390 brother.
My second car that I paid for myself was a 66 Cyclone Gt- 390-4 speed- I bought it new when I was only 16 at the Motordrome Lincoln- Mercury in Sheffield Al. My salesman was Renfroe Longcrier.
My Favorite Ford product!
When I was 17 I bought a low mileage 66 GT from a friend who bought it new ! Loved the car did many modifications, cam headers 750 dbl pumper 3.50 gears after I blew the spider gears . Very fast for cars of that time period !…….
I had one of the 66 Cyclone GT in the yellow with black interior and a S code 390 hp ,c-6 automatic and the factory fiberglass hood. Bought it in 1982 for $600.00 and drove it for 2 years as a daily driver. Just loved the car. I wish I would have kept it but traded it in for a 83 5.0 GT Mustang. I should have kept the Cyclone GT, it was faster than the 5.0 and more comfortable!
@dougsguitarlounge7927, your old Jamaican Yellow 1966 Cyclone GT with a black interior must have looked SHARP! Thanks for watching, and Happy Holidays, Doug!
Yours in old FoMoCo iron,
Adrian
I have a 66 red, 390 and 4 speed. I pulled the motor and stroked it to 445, trick flow heads and while the engine was out I put power steering in it. red bucket seats with black dash, I love it and I've never owned a faster car.
Beautiful, My brother has 67 Gt cyclone, and, back in the day, our family had 66 comet wagon, It was beige, and had the 289, that's all I remember about it.
They were hansom cars, at the time. I still love them.
She’s a beauty!
The 66-67 Comets are now so rare they have their own aura...but I think for once, the Fairlanes had the slightest edge in styling. I love them both, and am working on restoring my grandmothers 67 Fairlane sedan with 390 4V and factory a/c which I inherited!
I like the Ford styling better than Mercury throughout the whole lineup during that era.
I never was crazy about the 65 because it kept much of the same body but stacked the headlights (prefer the falcon nose that year). It’s the slight coke bottle styling at the rear that makes me appreciate the 66-67.
These were not common when they were new. What timeless styling.
I think it doesn't get any better than this one
You haven't seen mine!
@@scrapplepig we're bringing on I'd love to see your cyclone! I'm sure there's a number of guys that would love to put it on their channel. And you're right I'm not seeing your cyclone GT but with a buildup like that I'd love to!
Very nice , i have a 67 mustang rag top 390 3 speed gear drive 3.00 rear gears , nice car , fun to drive . Well done on this video , and details
Great Videos! Just found your channel. Quick story. Way back in 1966 as a young kid I would often go to a local corner drug store that had racks of current racing comic books. One day I spotted a comic with a 1966 Cyclone on the cover & it was love at first sight. It was just something about the style and especially the Cyclone grille. Told myself some day I will have one of those especially the GT. Forward 57 yrs and earlier this year found a prime example as it was my "retirement" year. What i found was a 1966 Cyclone GT 390 in Burgundy with Parchment Interior in total unrestored condition and a documented 56k miles with a absolute treasure trove of original documents from the Original California Title/Pink slip to window sticker, all registrations from date of purchase which was July 27th 1966, The original California Black plate still with car, Owners Manual plus dealer service invoices and so much more. Not to mention so original untouched it retains it's original paint, chrome, trim, interior, 2nd set of what looks like unused keys, Owners Card, Extended warranty card with letters from Lincoln Mercury along with full drivetrain never messed with. Body paint has a few chips scratches and a couple door dings but is incredible paint being 57yrs old. Interior still looks nearly new with no real flaws.
Quick fact: Most people see a side view of the '66 Cyclone over it's Fairlane cousin and wonder why it looks sleeker. That reason is the Comet Hardtops and convertibles are 7" longer than the Fairlane Cousin! Any family that has had 427 Comets? The name seems so familiar to me. I have actually owned 3 427 Comets and 3 427 Fairlanes but my prize now is this total original Cyclone GT. I drive it a LOT! Oh, I forgot to mention I still have that comic book along with others with '66 comets and a well worn Cyclone ad from way back when.
@randyrestoration, thank you kindly - I'm so glad that you like my content! Congratulations on the purchase of your Burgundy 1966 Mercury Cyclone GT! Let's talk about making a video about it.
Thanks for watching, and Happy Holidays, Randy!
Yours in old FoMoCo iron,
Adrian
@@adrianclements8916do you still have my contact info?
@@randysrestoration, I do not - please feel free to email them to me at adrian.clements@me.com. Thank you, Randy.
Yours in old FoMoCo iron,
Adrian
owned many.i have a real rare 66 comet owned 40 years,but rare does not always mean valuable..i have a 66 caliente. it came with 390,4 speed ,buckets,tach, factory comet mags. black with white vinyl top,black dash and carpet,white seats and headliner.if you dont think its rare,see how many 66 calientes you can find with,390,4 speed,buckets.
Thanks, WOW, RARE surely….Interestingly,I bought a super nice 1966 GALAXIE 500 XL/4 speed/352 / 4\BBL, DERP BU4G@NDY/ BKACK DELUXE INT./wheel Covers (* always rattled) in 1967: getting rid of “ Junky” 1961 Ford GALAXIE Convertible 352/auto……..Oddly, a local Chrysler/ Plymouth Dealer had the 66 GALAXIE, only Manuel Trans on lots..etc. Anyways, i was pleasantly surprised, GALAXIE easy to improve …For instance ,the “”Ford ‘s COOLANT RECOVERY System Conversions , had to orders& pick up at my local FORD PERFORMANCE DEALER( 1968 then in AUTO stores, other Mfgrs,??)..also, standard Braking atrocious, so had my Mechanic fit/Bal@nce out METALLIC BRAKES ( unfortunately also no Front Disc brakes either)..
I used to have a 66 Caliente hardtop 390/4 speed . Red with white painted top, red buckets and console. Also was dealer swapped to a 4 barrel (Calientes only had a 2v carb) I bought it from the original owner who swore it came that way. Years after selling it a guy from that dealer told me all two door 390 Comets that weren't Cyclones got the intake, carb and valve covers changed to GT stuff to compete with Pontiac and Dodge dealers next to them. Nobody wanted a two barrel "musclecar" and he remembers they called Mercury about that several times.
i heard that same story,when i bought mine it had all them goodies on it and it seemed to be original or dealer installed,i saw one listed a few years ago,but it was just a hull in a junk yard,i did hear that only about 1300 of the calientes had buckets,and 95 percent of the calientes were 6 cyl or 289
@@tomp1612
So my big brother had a 1966 Comet Caliente convertible originally spring yellow with a 390 Cid 4 spd, white interior, The motor went on it so he put in a 428 CJ and painted it in a medium blue metal flake. what a cool beast . Thit car led me to my own interest to big block ford's which I still own today.
I used to have a 1964 cyclone with a four speed. It was a fun car and enjoyable to drive. Always liked the lines of the ‘66 too, but never cared for the front end. Love the sides and the rear end design, just not as much the front.
Another great video, Adrian. I really enjoy these cars and was happy to see you feature one.
@DSP1968, thank you kindly - I'm so glad you enjoyed video #20! Thanks for watching, and Happy Holidays!
Yours in old FoMoCo iron,
Adrian
This is so funny: I build models here and there and use U-tube as background noise when building. The model I'm working on as I watch this is "close," it's a 66 Fairlane 427 -- basically a Ford version of the Mercury Comet. 1965 Comet kits are easy to find but not 66 kits. Thanks for your time, work and posting......
@jetsons101, that's a funny coincidence! Thanks for watching and Happy Holidays, Mike!
Yours in old FoMoCo iron,
Adrian
I've never seen that version of style steel wheel on a Mercury, they instead got the same wheel with the holes between the spokes, rather than in them - but that could have been starting in '67. In any case, a big part of the Cyclone trim package was the stainless steel wheel covers that were made to look like chrome open wheels - I had these on my '64, '65, and '67 Cyclones, I still own the '65.
that is a sharp car
Keep up the good work your investigation into these cars are killer. Thanks for taking the time. I had three friends that bought these cars when they were new, One was blue with Black interior, One was Yellow and the other was red. All their cars were 4 speed. My buddy with the yellow car had 3.89 gears installed by the Dealer, this made his car a real stormer.
Another thing about the yellow Cyclone Gy was We installed Headers on this car and it took us all day Saturday and Sunday.
@mylanmiller9656, thank you for your kind words - I'm so glad that you enjoyed video #20! That's pretty amazing that you knew three people that bought '66 Mercury Cyclone GTs brand new! According to the literature, the 1966 Cyclone GT was available with either a 3.00:1 or a 3.25:1 non-locking rear axle, so your friend having 3.89:1 rear gears installed by the dealership makes sense.
Thanks for watching, and Happy Holidays, Mylan!
Yours in old FoMoCo iron,
Adrian
@@mylanmiller9656, no wonder it took two days - that would be a TIGHT fit to get headers on an FE engine in one of these 1966 intermediate unit-body cars!
Yours in old FoMoCo iron,
Adrian
@@adrianclements8916 We had gone to the dealers to look at new cars, the Cyclone was the one that really stood out.
Gerry ordered his car that same day, that was the blue one, then when he got his car both Barry and Brent Ordered their cars. The reason they ordered the Cyclones, They liked the interments cluster over the Fairlane.
@@adrianclements8916 I absolutely love the 66-67Cyclone. And the comment on putting headers on an FE equipped Fairlane/ Cyclone, I finally figured out that Crites and MadDog piece together headers are the best, you can set your pipes in and put sealer/ anti- seize on the slip in pipes and put them together, be patient and put the collectors on
and every join there should be bolts and I pin drill each bolt flange and bolt them up the way you want them and put safety wire, air craft quality and use a sleeve winder to evenly wind the safety wire tightly without hinking. Also most collectors on these headers are short. I would add a 24-30 in extension the diameter of the collector mine is 3.5 and reduces to 3 inches and attach zmyX pipe with a resonator between the extension and X pipe a have a 3 inch straight through 6 inch cherry bomb and that with the 3 inch Flowmaster center in and out with 3 inches pipes exiting where you like I ran mine out in front of the rear tires , and keep over the back axle and out the back. Either sound heavenly on an FE. I have a fairly snotty solid cam and it is pleasant and comfortable.
Headers were tough but man they woke up! The 750 3310 really woke it up, and a 410 hp 427 solid cam gave them stupid power. Ford missed the boat. The cam would have made the most difference. Exhaust just wants out. Dual 2.5 exhaust would have got it up to 375 hp.
I had a 66 390 4 speed red red interior car was white from factory 428 370 rear sold it to a guy in Redding California 2003 on e bay
Mercury division must have spent a ton of money on Comet development during the '65-'67 model years: I had a '65 Comet Caliente 4-door sedan, which featured almost as much chrome as a '58 Buick, a longer wheelbase than the '64 sedan, and a one year only roof panel and rear window. The next year everything changed and sales went up! I'd actually love to find a '66 or '67 Caliente 4-door with a 390, if such a thing ever existed...😊
All Comets from 1960-65 had a 114" wheelbase.
This is exactly like my Cyclone GT except mine was white with red interior and I believe it had a limited slip 3.25 . I blew the spider gears out when I put a set of Casler recap slicks on and popped the clutch to many times !…. Thanks for the memories !…….
In general, during this time period, until mid 1968 (1968 1/2) Ford / Mercury didn't offer limited slip with big block engines, but did with smaller engines. Halfway into the 1968 model year, with introduction of the 428 CJ engine, Ford had developed a heavy duty limited slip that was made available with the big block engines. Police cars may have had less gear ratio and may have been available with limited slip, but the regular limited slip was considered not strong enough with high performance big block engines, until 1968 1/2. The heavy duty limited slip that cam out in late 68 had two additional spider gears, compared to the standard duty version.
@thomasdaum1927, a 3.25:1 Power Transfer Axle (locking differential) was an available option for the 1966 Mercury Cyclone GT, so your recollection could be right on the money. Thanks for watching, and Happy Holidays, Thomas!
Yours in old FoMoCo iron,
Adrian
@@BrandonLeeBrown, I disagree with your statement that in general Ford and Mercury didn't offer locking differentials with big block engines until mid 1968. This WAS true for the 427 engines, but the 352-4V, 390-2V, 390-4V, 390GT-4V, 410-4V, and 428-4V V-8 engines were all available with locking differentials as Regular Production Options (RPOs).
The stronger locking differential design made available with the 428 Cobra Jet V-8 engine partway through the 1968 model year that you mention were Axle Code "X" (3.91:1 Traction-Lok) and "Y" (4.30:1 Traction-Lok). This was the first use of the term "Traction-Lok" by FoMoCo, which replaced "Limited Slip" on Fords and "Power Transfer Axle" on Mercurys; Lincoln continued using the term "Directed Power Differential for their locking differentials.
Thanks for watching, and Happy Holidays, Brandon!
Yours in old FoMoCo iron,
Adrian
@@adrianclements8916 I haven't seen factory limited slip in 66, 67 and early 68 390 GT cars. I did see dealer installed Detroit Locker in a 66 Cyclone GT with dealer installed 4.11 gears and that was in late 65. It had the 335hp engine with Holley carb, but an early 66 Fairlane GT I saw had the standard 390 4 barrel, with a Ford carb, but it was California emissions. I was told it had that engine because it was early production. Now with the Internet, people claim both engines were available Fairlane GT in 66, but not in the 66 Cyclone GT. No limited slip with big block PERFORMANCE engines until 68 1/2 is what I meant. From 68 1/2 that became the limited slip for all gear ratios with the 428 CJ and 390 GT engines, or they didn't have limited slip. I haven't seen anything they has said that the heavy duty limited slip was 428CJ only and only with certain gear ratios. It became the performance limited slip option with performance engines, regardless of gear ratio from what I can see.
@@adrianclements8916 I saw an early 66 Cyclone GT with a Detroit Locker in late 65 and assumed it was dealer installed, but maybe not. It was not a standard limited slip rear. Was The Power Transfer Axle a Detroit Locker?
Some odd stuff in that product changes bulletin. Why a close-ratio 4-speed only for the 390-2V?
Why "fade-resistant" brake linings only on convertibles? Did convert drivers use their brakes more?
@roger628, according to the literature printed at the beginning of the model year, the Toploader 4-speed manual transmission used with the C-code 289-2V 200 hp V-8, Y-code 390-2V 265 hp V-8, and S-code 390GT-4V 335 hp V-8 engines in the 1966 Mercury Comet lineup was the wide-ratio version with a 2.78:1 first gear. The "Highlights of New Product Developments" update you reference was published in December 1965, by which time Mercury had decided that the Y-code 390-2V 265 hp V-8 engine was better paired with a close-ratio Toploader 4-speed manual transmission with a 2.32:1 first gear.
As for the fade-resistant brake linings on convertibles, it may have been implemented because the convertible models weighed between 150-250 lbs more than their 2-door hardtop counterparts and perhaps Mercury found that that extra weight was too much for the standard non-fade-resistant brake linings?
Thanks for watching, and Happy Holidays, Roger!
Yours in old FoMoCo iron,
Adrian
I saw a Caspian Blue Cyclone, and black interior I’m not sure it was a 66-or67, but I was a kid but I think it had a 427 with the 3 stripe emblem. The engine was out.
This interior carries from the exterior - but would look awkward if the exterior had a white strip or even whitewalls
I had the chance to to get a white cyclone GT but alas it slipped through my fingers!Sad
Did any of them have a 427?
From what I read you had to special order a 427 in 1966. It was offered as an optional engine in 1967
@@williamgrimes668 Oh man I was just 13 when I saw that car and I have never forgotten it. I likely fantasized about cars more than girls, well there was a red haired girl named Norma that I had some naughty seconds of thought sometimes 😂
@XTT162, I have never heard of nor seen documentation for a factory 427 in a 1966 Mercury Cyclone. Thanks for watching, and Happy Holidays!
Yours in old FoMoCo iron,
Adrian
@@adrianclements8916 Thank you. Did the 1967 models offer the 427 as an option? I fell in love with a 67 Cyclone when I was younger and helping my Dad with yard maintenance at the University he worked at. There was a 66-67 Cyclone in a Silver Blue color that had the 3 diagonal bars with a 427 above. The Hood was off and the engine and 4 speed was out. It had a console and a 4 speed shifter. Was the 427 offered in 1967 either. Those lines were so beautiful. Yours also in FoMoCo iron.
@@Bbbbad724, yes - certain models of the 1967 Mercury intermediates were available with either the W-code 427-4V 410 hp V-8 engine or the R-code 427-8V 425 hp V-8 engine. The eligible models were as follows:
1. Comet 202 2-door sedan (Body Serial Code "01" & Body Style Code "62A")
2. Capri 2-door hardtop (Body Serial Code "07" & Body Style Code "63B")
3. Caliente 2-door hardtop (Body Serial Code "11" & Body Style Code "63D")
4. Cyclone 2-door hardtop (Body Serial Code "15" & Body Style Code "63E")
5. Cyclone GT 2-door hardtop (Body Serial Code "15" & Body Style Code "63H")
The Cyclone you saw was most likely a 1967, as they had the all-red "427" flags on the leading edges of the front fenders when the car was factory-built with either of the 427 engines.
Yours in old FoMoCo iron,
Adrian
Can this car be purchased ?
@jeffschwartz5199, I have no idea; you'd have to track down the current owner from the Bring-A-Trailer auction. Thanks for watching, and Happy Holidays, Jeff!
Yours in old FoMoCo iron,
Adrian
Beautiful car but the 390 was a boat anchor compared to the rest of Detroit
Sorry but my 66 Cyclone GT 390 4 sp embraced lots of GTOs , 442 s and Chevells not to mention some Road Runners back in the late 60s and early 70s !…….
The engineers at Ford were candyasses A 390 properly built and tuned were as tough as nails. They really didn’t get it on the street. Iacocca wanted 6 cylinder engines in his sporty little Mustangs and Henry was really pissed that the Mustang was a wimpy little car. And Iacocca declared war on the intermediate cars by making them unibody and too narrow for a headers and most had 2 V engines. A good tune on the 10.5:1 X 390 wasn’t offered in the Fairlane and with all of the racing intakes they had, you had to buy one and have the Ford Dealership install it, and headers were aftermarket but could be installed at the Ford Dealership without affecting their warranty. Henry was led to believe that the 65-69s would be clipped front and rear suspension simply like a 65 Galaxie, which would have been easily done, mounting the engine and trans and lifting it up to the cowl and the rocker panel mounts. They went into production as a 66 Mustang chassis. He was really upset According to his biography. Holman Moody built a car to his specs with a 427 and 4 speed and took it to Woodward and was undefeated. They put an X code with the 410 hp solid cam and 2x4 on a 10.5:1 CR and he took it back out and essentially did the same thing with the 390. He was out voted by the board on changing the 67 up. I got this information from his Biography. The 390 was able with the 427 cam 2x4 intake and carbs and 65 Galaxie iron headers and full exhaust and 4 speed to beat the Street Hemi. But it was not to be. He hated Iacocca for that. Winning Lemans and seeing his cars getting waxed on Woodward really pissed him off.Then Bunkie came in and called Henry’s pet engine “a tractor engine “ really got him going, he took Bunkie out with his X code conversion with the 410 hp solid, 2x4 dual plane with iron headers for a few laps around the test track. The 429 CJ had blown up on the first lap in a test 69 Mustang. They had posted a couple of laps the day before. The driver complained that it didn’t accelerate worth a damn. On paper it looked like a monster. But HII went out himself with the 390 and it ran really good and one of test drivers wanted a go. This is a Fairlane vs a Mustang. The test driver was grinning ear to ear, and was reportedly saying, why are we trying to invent the wheel here? That is a street racer’s dream. But the jig was up. The 428 CJ was faster than the 429CJ. The FE is light and it is still a loved engine. I have a barn full of FE parts. A 65 Galaxie that I built back in 1999 and it is still full of piss and vinegar. It has set out, but dump the stale gas from the fuel cell and put in 7 gallons of fresh 93 octane. Run the electric fuel pump a few seconds. Poor a splash down the primaries and hit it and hold it at 2500 and the oil pressure leaps to 85 psig and let it down to 900 rpm and no smoke, blow by or noise from it. Back out in the street, put it in D and whack it and it will lay down 2 solid stripes the full length of the block do a burn out spin and head back like normal car to applause on both sides of the street. Tell tale on the tach 7300 rpm. Park it and have my neighbors come by and talk about the cars they used to have. I lost my vision to the point I had to give up my license. I am 63 now and I miss it so much. A 10.5:1 394 ci FE , C6 and 4.33 gears. Boat Anchor? Hardly.