They wish to say, “What wins on Sunday sells on Monday!” Was it true? Based mostly on the racing success of the Mercury Cyclone, presumably not, because the Cyclone was at all times within the shadow of FoMoCo’s different fashions. Certainly one of these NASCAR-inspired fashions is our Decide of the Day, a 1969 Mercury Cyclone. It’s listed on the market on ClassicCars.com by a dealership in Philadelphia. (Click on the hyperlink to view the itemizing)

Mercury launched the Cyclone for the 1964 Comet sequence. It was a sporty small-block compact, however America was demanding big-block efficiency automobiles. The Comet was redesigned in 1966 and moved as much as a mid-size platform, bringing the Cyclone with it. A companion Cyclone GT got here normal with a 335-horsepower 390. A 427 turned out there in 1967 however was method too uncommon to make an impression. For 1968, the Cyclone and Cyclone GT have been out there as a hardtop and new fastback, with a regular 302 two-barrel and choices as much as the 390 and, come mid-year, the brand new 428 Cobra Jet.

For 1969, Mercury discontinued the hardtop, leaving the fastback as the one physique fashion. Moreover, Mercury shuffled the Cyclone sequence a bit. First off, there have been two Cyclone fashions: Cyclone and Cyclone CJ, the latter being Mercury’s reply to the Plymouth Street Runner. The GT continued, but it surely had been decreased to an look bundle. After which, mid-year, Mercury launched the Spoiler bundle.

Reality be advised, earlier than the Spoiler was launched, Mercury constructed a small batch of white and purple Cyclones that invoked Cale Yarborough’s race automobile (often known as “colour code” automobiles). All carried a clean paint code (signifying a special-order) and have been constructed earlier than January 1, 1969. These automobiles have been found to be constructed on each the Cyclone and Cyclone CJ fashions.

These served because the prototype for the Cyclone Spoiler, which was launched in January 1969 for the bottom Cyclone mannequin. The white and purple automobiles have been now branded because the Cale Yarborough Particular, whereas a white and blue model was branded because the Dan Gurney Particular. Normal engine was an improve from the Cyclone’s 302, a 351 Windsor 4V rated at 290 horsepower; optionally available was the 390 and the 428 Cobra Jet. Different Spoiler tools included facet stripes, black-out grille, black hood scoop and stripes, hood pins and, after all, rear spoiler. The Cyclone Spoiler served as the idea for what’s often known as the Spoiler II, which was the NASCAR homologation particular that was solely out there with the 351 4V.

Based mostly on the info plate of this 1969 Mercury Cyclone, this Cyclone seems to be a Cyclone CJ (physique code 16) with a clean colour code, six-digit DSO (which means a special-order), and December construct date. That might counsel that this can be a colour code Cyclone that somebody has dressed up as a Cale Yarborough Spoiler. The spoiler, and Cale and Spoiler decals appear to have been added, however what else? But, all issues being equal, the 2 automobiles look largely the identical and have rarity on their respective sides. “The automobile comes outfitted with energy brakes and energy steering,” says the vendor. Choices embody the Cobra Jet with out ram air (engine code “Q”), purple bench seat, column-shifted computerized, and AM/FM radio. What this automobile actually wants is a Marti Report back to know precisely the way it was ordered . . . and if our concept on being a colour code automobile is appropriate.

However at the same time as a straight Cyclone CJ, this car could be fairly fascinating, so maybe the $66,000 asking worth wouldn’t be out of line? Solely you’ll know, so pony up for the Marti and discover out!

To view this itemizing on ClassicCars.com, see Decide of the Day.