1964 Mercury Comet Cyclone: The Inaugural Year for a Muscle Car Icon

The year 1964 marked a significant milestone in the history of the Mercury Comet, with the introduction of the highly anticipated Cyclone model. This particular 1964 Mercury Comet Cyclone stands out as a true classic, boasting a remarkable nut-and-bolt rotisserie restoration that has seen approximately 380 miles since completion. Let's take a closer look at the impressive features that make this Cyclone a standout in the world of muscle cars.

High-Performance Heart:

Under the hood lies a potent 289-cubic inch V8 engine, meticulously built to HiPo (High Performance) 289/271 HP specifications. This powerhouse is a testament to the Cyclone's commitment to performance and speed, making it a formidable presence on the road.

Transmission and Drivetrain:

Shifting gears is a joy with the Toploader 4-speed transmission, complemented by a Centerforce dual friction clutch for smooth and precise control. Power is delivered to the road through a Ford 8-inch 3.55 Traction-Lok rear end, ensuring a thrilling driving experience.

Striking Color Combination:

The exterior of this Cyclone is a sight to behold, finished in a captivating Peacock Turquoise that immediately catches the eye. Paired with a pristine White interior, this color combination exudes a timeless elegance and sporty appeal.

Interior Comfort and Features:

Inside the cabin, you'll find bucket seats with a console, offering both comfort and style. A special headliner and a dash-mounted tachometer add to the interior's unique charm. The Rally-style steering wheel and a push-button AM radio complete the vintage driving experience.

Distinctive Design:

The Cyclone's design is distinctive, earning it the nickname "Little Lincoln." This moniker is attributed to its grille and tail panel, which bear a striking resemblance to the 1964 Continental, adding a touch of luxury to its muscular persona.

Finishing Touches:

To top it off, this Cyclone features chrome engine dress-up and chrome wheel covers, enhancing its visual appeal. The BF Goodrich Silvertown Whitewall tires provide both style and grip for an authentic period look.

In summary, the 1964 Mercury Comet Cyclone represents the birth of a true muscle car legend. With its high-performance engine, classic design, and attention to detail, this Cyclone encapsulates the spirit of an era when American muscle cars were born. Whether you're a collector or an enthusiast, this Cyclone is a testament to the timeless allure of vintage muscle cars, offering a thrilling driving experience that will stand the test of time.

THE STORY

The ill-fated Edsel Division finally met its destiny when it was folded into the Lincoln-Mercury Division in 1958. Production finally ceased on November 19, 1959, but a seed had been planted along the way that would grow into a new model with a solid, admirable history: the Comet. Early photos showed a prototype with an Edsel-style vertical grille insert, and later on slanted quad headlights. Its early development alongside the Ford Falcon nudged it away from its Edsel beginnings and towards a mini-Fairlane identity, and in 1964 the Comet was elevated from its economy compact position to the intermediate category with a full facelift, more power and luxury and a new performance model, the Cyclone. Suddenly the Comet was Lincoln-Mercury’s entrant into the fast-growing muscle-car market, with engine choices ranging all the way up to the fire-breathing full-race 427 CI V-8 (built by Detroit Steel Tubing for A/FX drag racing). This 1964 Comet Cyclone from the Rick Baker Ford Collection is the perfect example of a performance-tuned street machine of the era. Its 289 CI four-barrel V-8 is built to Hi-Po 271-horsepower specifications and teamed with a Centerforce dual-plate clutch, Borg-Warner Toploader 4-speed and 8-inch Traction-Lok differential with 3.55:1 gearing and Strange Engineering axles. Commonly referred to as a "Little Lincoln" because of its grille and tail panel resemblance to the 1964 Continental, the Cyclone’s crisp styling is enhanced with sharp Turquoise paint and chromed wheel covers with period-correct BF Goodrich Silvertown Whitewall tires. The White-on-Black interior is a sporty affair featuring bucket seats, a center console, floor shifter, push-button AM radio, dash-mounted Cyclone tach and Rally-style steering wheel. Clean and well detailed, this racy first-year Comet Cyclone is entirely worthy of its name.

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Topics: classic car vintage classiccar