Mercury Comet
Mercury's compact that surprised everyone on the drag strip.
The Mercury Comet began as a compact economy car but earned a performance reputation in the mid-1960s through its success in drag racing and the Cyclone GT performance variant. A factory A/FX drag racing program in 1964–65 put the Comet in the spotlight; the subsequent street performance Comets carried that credibility into the showroom. The Cyclone Spoiler II of 1969 is the aerodynamic NASCAR homologation version and the rarest Comet-family car.
History
Introduced for 1960 (as a delayed Falcon derivative), the Comet was a conventional compact. Ford's drag racing program transformed its image: factory Comets with 427 Thunderbolts ran A/FX at the drags in 1964–65, winning national events. The Cyclone GT of 1966–67 brought real street performance with the 390 and 427 big-block options. The 1969 Cyclone Spoiler and Spoiler II were built for NASCAR's superspeedways — the Spoiler II with its extended aerodynamic nose is one of the rarest Ford-family muscle cars.
Notable Versions
Cyclone GT 427 (1966–67)
Big-block Mercury compact — underrated and underpriced compared to Mustang equivalents.
Cyclone Spoiler II (1969)
NASCAR aero homologation car with extended nose. Approximately 519 produced; extremely rare.
What to Look for When Buying
Key inspection points from experienced collectors.
Spoiler II authentication requires specialist knowledge
The unique nose and rear trim of the Spoiler II are frequently faked on standard Cyclones. Verify with Mercury production records.
Ford parts interchange extensively
Cyclone-era cars share most mechanical components with Ford Torino and Fairlane. Parts support is reasonable.
Compact Comets are affordable entry points
A 289 or 302 Comet GT is an accessible and fun performance compact at prices well below Mustang equivalents.
Quick Specs
- Engine options (street)
- 200–250 I6, 289–429 V8
- Engine options (Cyclone GT)
- 390, 427, 428 CJ V8
- Wheelbase
- 109.5 in (compact), 116 in (Cyclone)
- Transmission
- 3/4-spd manual, C4/C6 automatic
Market Price Guide
Approximate USA asking prices
Mercury Comet For Sale
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