ConcoursMustang Forums

Non-Mustang Ford & Mercury Models => Mercury Models 1965-73 => Topic started by: CCP on May 03, 2016, 09:35:16 AM

Title: Cobra jet Cyclone
Post by: CCP on May 03, 2016, 09:35:16 AM
Just like to get some opinions.
 I have a '68 Cyclone Cobra Jet formal hardtop. It's missing the original motor, but the rest of the car is fairly complete.This car is really, and I mean really rusted out. Is it worth trying to save?  It would be a shame to scrap it.
                                    Pete.
Title: Re: Cobra jet Cyclone
Post by: krelboyne on May 03, 2016, 03:10:50 PM
Someone might save it. For most folks it doesn't pencil out, even if it was free and with free shipping.
Title: Re: Cobra jet Cyclone
Post by: J_Speegle on May 03, 2016, 06:05:08 PM
Sounds like a parts car for someone. Original parts have to come from somewhere  ::)
Title: Re: Cobra jet Cyclone
Post by: CCP on May 04, 2016, 09:35:34 AM
The ironic thing is that I bought it as a parts car for my 69 Cobra, then decided to do a little research. According to Kevin Marti, it is one of only 13! And I don't mean the usual Marti breakdown of options, there were only 13 cars built, period. That is why I am reluctant to send it to the crusher. :-\
Title: Re: Cobra jet Cyclone
Post by: WT8095 on May 04, 2016, 10:08:58 AM
Can you post some pics?
Title: Re: Cobra jet Cyclone
Post by: CCP on May 04, 2016, 02:05:13 PM
I've owned this car for a long time and i'm sure I have some pictures somewhere. Will post when I find them.
 It's an R code, automatic, red on black,deluxe comfortweave buckets with console shift and power windows, brakes and steering, tach. I had no idea when I bought it that the '68 Cyclone was offered in a formal hardtop.
                         Pete.
Title: Re: Cobra jet Cyclone
Post by: J_Speegle on May 04, 2016, 06:15:21 PM
I've owned this car for a long time and i'm sure I have some pictures somewhere. Will post when I find them.
 It's an R code, automatic, red on black,deluxe comfortweave buckets with console shift and power windows, brakes and steering, tach. I had no idea when I bought it that the '68 Cyclone was offered in a formal hardtop.         

Original power windows on a 68. Don't recall every seeing one. Guess you've gotten a Marti report on the car. Sure its a one of one - not that one of one is the goal

Sounds like a very neat car originally
Title: Re: Cobra jet Cyclone
Post by: CCP on May 05, 2016, 09:37:10 AM
According to the Marti report, the car was sold new by a dealership in Toronto. I can post the Marti report if anyone is interested. Quite honestly however, the car is a total basket case. Hence my dilemma, and why i have kept it this long.
                        Pete.
Title: Re: Cobra jet Cyclone
Post by: sportyworty on May 08, 2016, 12:19:20 PM
The windows were a stand alone option and not included in any packages

Power rear window (Wagon)  $ 31.62
Power Windows                   $100.10
Title: Re: Cobra jet Cyclone
Post by: WT8095 on May 08, 2016, 01:46:19 PM
The '75 L-M MPC lists the following Series (Col. 1) and Type (Col. 2) codes for '68 Cyclones. Note, there are a few other years included in this part of the list.
Title: Re: Cobra jet Cyclone
Post by: CCP on May 09, 2016, 09:22:16 AM
Wow, it seems as if I have started quite an interesting post. As posted earlier, I am from Chatham Ont. the home of the former high performance dealership Sandy Elliott motors. Chatham is also home to Barrie Poole, and John Elliott still works in Chatham ( the 'Border Bandits').
 In the late 60's Sandy Elliott performance center sold a great number of Cobra Jet cars, many of which survive to this day and are still in the area! 8)
  I guess, getting back to my original post question, is this Cyclone worth saving?
                               Pete.
Title: Re: Cobra jet Cyclone
Post by: WT8095 on May 09, 2016, 09:47:47 AM
I guess, getting back to my original post question, is this Cyclone worth saving?

It's not possible to answer that question without determining exactly what you've got, and what it would take to restore it. Photos would be very helpful, as well as door tag information. For example, you've described it as a "Cyclone Cobra Jet", but according to the documents and web sites I've looked at, the only year Ford produced a MODEL specifically named "Cyclone CJ" was in 1969. In 1968 there were Cyclones and Cyclone GTs, some of which apparently received 428 CJ engines.

"Worth" is also very subjective. Worth saving strictly as a monetary investment? From what others have stated, almost certainly not. Worth saving as an uncommon or rare piece of Ford history? Probably. Worth saving because you love it and can't bear to part it out? That's entirely based on how attached you are to it. Also depends on the level of restoration that's done, of course.

First three images are the '68 brochure, last one is '69.
Title: Re: Cobra jet Cyclone
Post by: sportyworty on May 09, 2016, 09:55:50 AM
even restored the midsize cars struggle over 40K
automatic transmission muscle cars are far less in demand
prior condition history and location are a factor with educated buyers
restoration costs are the only thing that have gone up in the last decade with some exceptions

I sent you a PM Pete

Kerry
Title: Re: Cobra jet Cyclone
Post by: CCP on May 09, 2016, 10:04:40 AM
Sorry.
 To be more specific,it is a 1968 Mercury Cyclone GT, 2 door formal hardtop, R code 428 Cobra Jet.
 I did buy it as a parts car, and am not that attached to it. I just feel that it would be a shame to crush it. The car is, as I stated earlier, very rusted and would require a TOTAL  restoration. I will post some photos and can post the Marti report if anyone is interested.
                         Pete.
Title: Re: Cobra jet Cyclone
Post by: WT8095 on May 09, 2016, 11:45:14 AM
I just feel that it would be a shame to crush it.

I agree completely - a huge shame. Not an easy decision to make either way.
Title: Re: Cobra jet Cyclone
Post by: krelboyne on May 09, 2016, 12:37:44 PM
even restored the midsize cars struggle over 40K
automatic transmission muscle cars are far less in demand
prior condition history and location are a factor with educated buyers
restoration costs are the only thing that have gone up in the last decade with some exceptions

I sent you a PM Pete

Kerry

Cannot agree more. Look at the price of Talladega's / Spoiler / Spoiler II's.
Title: Re: Cobra jet Cyclone
Post by: CCP on May 09, 2016, 02:23:16 PM
Will dig out the Marti report when I get home and post some photos too.
                     Pete.
Title: Re: Cobra jet Cyclone
Post by: CCP on May 09, 2016, 02:28:56 PM
.Thought you guys might like to see pics of my brothers pair of 68 Cobra Jets.
Title: Re: Cobra jet Cyclone
Post by: krelboyne on May 09, 2016, 04:03:26 PM
I bought and sold a 1968 Cyclone GT, S code, that had power windows.
Title: Re: Cobra jet Cyclone
Post by: CCP on May 13, 2016, 09:38:27 AM
Here is the door tag info: 8H17R######
                                      BODY      65H
                                      COLOR   T
                                      TRIM      8A
                                      DATE     20E
                                      DSO      A1
                                      AXLE     X
                                      TRANS  U
           Pete.
Title: Re: Cobra jet Cyclone
Post by: sportyworty on May 17, 2016, 10:41:22 AM
Pete you just know what that 4.30 automatic was ordered for  8)
Of the 13 Formal Roof Cyclone cars your is one of the 8 that were GT optioned

Here is a super rare midsize 68 R code. Cyclone GT 500 Charlotte 600 batch of 60 cars of which 45 were R codes. These cars were along side of the rare Cougar 500 cars at the speedway. You took delivery of your pre paid car at the track and got to drive around it before the race.
Title: Re: Cobra jet Cyclone
Post by: CCP on May 17, 2016, 11:26:54 AM
How cool would that be. I'm sure more than one new owner dipped into the secondaries!
                              Pete.
Title: Re: Cobra jet Cyclone
Post by: CCP on May 17, 2016, 05:22:51 PM
You got me thinking. Got out my Marti rerport, and it shows the 'X' axle code as 3.91 traction-lok.
                      Pete.
Title: Re: Cobra jet Cyclone
Post by: sportyworty on May 17, 2016, 07:10:31 PM
I meant to say 3.91 not 4.30. Yup you have a border bandit special so to speak :) those gears with a C6 are for limited useage

The 68 R cars had their own designation for 4.30 letter Y. This of course changed to W by 69' production.
Some of the early Marti Reports incorrectly showed letter Y as 4.11 for the 68 R cars.
Title: Re: Cobra jet Cyclone
Post by: CCP on May 18, 2016, 09:09:38 AM
Interesting that you mention the 'Border Bandits'. My earlier post, reply #17, shows my brother's pair of 68 R code cars that were sold new at Sandy Elliott Motors in our home town of Chatham Ontario, home of the Border Bandit drag racing team. The Cyclone is an X code 3.91 gear, and the Mustang is a Y code 4.30 gear with a 4 speed. My Cyclone was sold through Yorktown Mercury Sales Ltd. in Toronto.
 Amazing that these  cars have survived all these years!
                           Pete.