The 1970 and 1971 Mercury Cyclones.  Based off the newly designed "formal roof" Montego these mid-sized cars are huge by today's standard.  FoMoCo used this body shell for only two years.  They were smooth, comfortable, expensive (fully equipped at $5600, about $31,775 in 2012 dollars), and rare enough that many a stoplight racer had no idea what just tromped them.  In top-of-the-line Spoiler trim, only a few over 1631 were built in 1970 and only 353 in 1971.  That makes the 1971 Cyclone Spoiler one of the very rarest regular production muscle cars ever assembled.  

Rumor is that power was way down for muscle cars after 1970.   True when you look at the compression ratio changes in GM and Chrysler, not so for the Ford family with the 429 Cobra Jet.   (See:  http://429mustangcougarinfo.50megs.com/  )  They soldiered on, even though in 1971 the Cyclone Spoiler was regularly equipped with a 351 and the 429 became optional...making the '71 Cyclone 429 even more unlikely to find today. 

Today the Mercury Montego, Cyclone, Cyclone GT, and Cyclone Spoiler is rarely seen on the street or in car shows.  Original parts are scarce and in high demand.  Reproductions are hard to find although many mechanical parts from Torinos and some Mustangs are interchangeable.

The hot list of unobtanium parts for a Cyclone Spoiler Includes:
1.  Original Trunk Prop Rod
2.  Battery Heat Shield
3.  Rear Wheel Opening trim
4.  Front Wheel trim
5.  Eggcrate for center of taillight panel
6.  Oil cooler adapter, grommets, and lines
7.  Center gunsight grille ('71 is different from '70)
8.  Correctly colored comfort weave vinyl upholestry
9.  Parcel shelf (fiberglass weave or some such material)
10.  AM/FM radio with correct Montego script
11.  Four speed console plate
12.  Ram air intake plate, seal, flapper motor, or anything related
13.  14x7 rally wheels with correct center cap and trim rings
Some previously impossible to find parts have been repoduced, like: 4 speed Hurst shift handle, fuel tanks, trunk boards, tailight protectors, front and rear spoilers, carpet with correct style (but not color) inserts, limited run of taillamp egg crates, window seals and weatherstrip.



A brief note on engines for the Cyclone:

A Cyclone or a Cyclone GT may be equipped with a 351 or a 429 Thunder Jet. (The Thunder Jet had lots of torque but lacked the top end breathing of a Cobra Jet,)  Neither of these models were listed as available with the 429 Cobra Jet or 429 Super Cobra Jet in factory promotional material, but I've been told that Marti reports list 19 C Code, non-ram air cars built.


The 1970 Spoiler featured a 429 Cobra Jet (CJ) or a 429 Super Cobra Jet (SCJ).  The SCJ had stronger lower internals, a mechanical solid lifter cam, a big Holley carb, and a remote oil cooler. The quickest way to visually identify a SCJ is the PCV hose routing to air cleaner, different fuel lines, and the remote oil cooler.  Of course, all these things can be changed to fake the appearance. 

The CJ and SCJ were dressed from the factory with aluminum valve covers that included internal oil drip rails, a chrome dipstick, and a chrome oil filler cap.  These things can also be added to any big block Ford to make you wonder.

In 1971 the 351 was the standard engine in the Cyclone Spoiler.  The 429CJ was optional, with some of the bottom end upgrades of the '70 SCJ.  However, the SCJ was not available for the '71 model year.


In addition, there is no proof that a 429 Boss motor was ever put in a Mercury Cyclone Spoiler by the factory, even though some early 1970 factory literature showed it as an option.  Literature also stated there was an additional hood scoop over the master cylinder...which may have been necessary when the reservoir was re-located to clear the Boss valve covers.  Cars have been built by individuals with the Boss motor, and there may have been some test mules...

Please enjoy the photos and stop back regularly for updates.

Note:  This is a non-commercial website with no intention of copyright infringement. Notify me if any material is copyrighted as presented, and the material will be removed.

Bob's Hot Rods!

For local infomation go to http://www.countscarclub.com


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