1965 Mercury Cyclone

The two-door hardtop coupe Mercury Cyclone sold for $2,630 and 12,347 examples were produced in 1965. Power was from an overhead-valve, two-barrel carburetor V-8 engine which displaced 289 CID and offered 200 horsepower. Inside were bucket seats with a console and tachometer. The Cyclone emblems and checkered flag were moved to the rear fenders. Upfront was vertical headlights that were similar in design to those found on Fords. Other distinguishable features included a vinyl roof, two hood scoops, chrome wheels, and curb moldings.

1965 was the second year of the Cyclone, and it would remain part of the Mercury line through 1971. At the time of its introduction in 1964, it was known as the Mercury Comet Cyclone and served as a replacement for the S-22, assuming the performance-oriented option of the Mercury Comet. It would not become its own distinct nameplate model until the 1968 model year.

The Comet Cyclone occupied a unique niche within the Mercury line, positioned between the Cougar pony car and the full-size two-door models (the Marquis and Marauder). While the Cougar received much of the attention and notoriety, the Cyclone represented the Mercury marque in racing competition.

The 1964 Cyclone was equipped with a 289 cubic-inch engine with 210 horsepower, a spoked steering wheel, and bucket seats. Some of the engine components were chromed. They wore fender nameplates, vinyl roof coverings, full-length lower body moldings, and 'chrome wheel look' wheel covers.

The 1965 Cyclone received a four-barrel carbureted version of the 289 CID V8 but offered 200 horsepower. Performance options included a handling package, a 'power transfer' rear axle, and a special fan. They had a black-out, stand-up grille, a center console, bucket seats with sewn-through pleats, unique nameplates and insignias, a vinyl roof in black or white, a 'Power-Pac' gauge cluster, and chrome-plated wheel covers with lug nuts.

The 1966 Mercury Cyclone with given all-new styling that was based on the body of the Ford Fairlane. New engine options included the 390 Y code (390 cubic-inch) V8 with a two-barrel carburetor and developing 265 horsepower. The 390 H code version used a four-barrel carburetor and produced 275 horsepower. A GT option came with the 390 S code which used a 390 cubic-inch engine with four-barrel carburetion and produced 335 horsepower. The GT versions wore a fiberglass hood with dual air scoops and unique car stripes.

The styling introduced for 1966 would carry through to 1967. New styling was introduced in 1968 and would continue through 1969. 1968 was the year the 'Comet' portion of the name was dropped. When production of the Cyclone came to an end after 1971, it did not have a direct replacement.

by Dan Vaughan

Advertised as the vehicle that was 'Born for Action - Racy' the 1965 Comet Cyclone hit the market with a bang. 'Help stamp out dull driving' was the catchphrase used to promote this new model.

Beginning as an option for the '64 Comet, the Mercury Cyclone was originally introduced to the automobile market in 1964. For the next three years, it continued as a Mercury Comet Cyclone. Remaining in production until 1972, the Cyclone featured an available 289 V8 that was rated at 210 hp. From 1968 on, the Mercury Montego applied the name Cyclone.

During its first year of production, a total of 7,454 units of the Mercury Cyclone were produced. A total of 12,347 Comet Cyclones were produced in the 1965 model year. This amazing selling potential was most likely due to the range of available features that included custom options like Multi-Drive Merc-O-Matic, or four-on-the-floor.

The Comet Cyclone was made available standard with bucket seats, tachometer, 3 spoke steering wheels, console, 'chrome look' wheel covers, and many more features. Rated at 210 hp, and featuring an optional HiPo 281 hp version of the 289 V8, the 'Cyclone Super 289 V8' was the standard engine with a four-barrel carburetor.

In 1965, all-new styling was featured. Both the Cyclone emblems and the checkered flag were moved to rear fenders and vertical headlights were added. The very popular stainless steel 'chrome simulated' wheel covers remained the same on the Cyclone for this year. A standard option for this year was a 195 hp version of the 289 V8 with a two-barrel carburetor. An available option was a four-barrel carburetor 225 hp 289 V8 engine. One other optional feature was an available hood with twin air scoops that were constructed of fiberglass. These models began at a base price of $2625.00.

For the 1966 model year, a total of 6,889 Hardtop models and 1,305 Convertibles of the Comet Cyclone model were produced.

Made available for the 289 V8 engine, a line of 'Cobra' high-performance equipment was featured. This line offered an innovative 271 hp version of the 289 V8 and included a Cobra heavy-duty clutch, special carburetors, air cleaners, and valve covers. Featured by Mercury, in 1967 a Cyclone GT was made available and was powered by a 335 hp 390 V8. A 427 was made available with 425 hp the following year.

by Jessican Donaldson