Author Topic: Cobra jet Cyclone  (Read 8104 times)

Offline CCP

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Cobra jet Cyclone
« 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.
1969 Fairlane Cobra formal roof drag pack
1968 Shelby GT500KR
6F08A-GT,a/c,4-sp.,ps,build date 16A. DSO 24 Jacksonville

Offline krelboyne

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Re: Cobra jet Cyclone
« Reply #1 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.
Scott Behncke - Carcheaologist
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1968 GT/CS 302-4V San Jose 05B
1968 Cougar XR7 Dearborn 09A

Offline J_Speegle

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Re: Cobra jet Cyclone
« Reply #2 on: May 03, 2016, 06:05:08 PM »
Sounds like a parts car for someone. Original parts have to come from somewhere  ::)
Jeff Speegle

Anything worth doing is worth doing concours ;)

Offline CCP

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Re: Cobra jet Cyclone
« Reply #3 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. :-\
1969 Fairlane Cobra formal roof drag pack
1968 Shelby GT500KR
6F08A-GT,a/c,4-sp.,ps,build date 16A. DSO 24 Jacksonville

Offline WT8095

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Re: Cobra jet Cyclone
« Reply #4 on: May 04, 2016, 10:08:58 AM »
Can you post some pics?
Dave Z.

'68 fastback, S-code + C6. Special Paint (Rainbow promotion), DSO 710784. Actual build date 2/7/1968, San Jose.
'69 Cougar convertible, 351W-2V + FMX, Meadowlark Yellow.

Offline CCP

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Re: Cobra jet Cyclone
« Reply #5 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.
1969 Fairlane Cobra formal roof drag pack
1968 Shelby GT500KR
6F08A-GT,a/c,4-sp.,ps,build date 16A. DSO 24 Jacksonville

Offline J_Speegle

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Re: Cobra jet Cyclone
« Reply #6 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
« Last Edit: May 04, 2016, 06:24:09 PM by J_Speegle »
Jeff Speegle

Anything worth doing is worth doing concours ;)

Offline CCP

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Re: Cobra jet Cyclone
« Reply #7 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.
1969 Fairlane Cobra formal roof drag pack
1968 Shelby GT500KR
6F08A-GT,a/c,4-sp.,ps,build date 16A. DSO 24 Jacksonville

Offline sportyworty

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Re: Cobra jet Cyclone
« Reply #8 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

Offline WT8095

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Re: Cobra jet Cyclone
« Reply #9 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.
« Last Edit: May 08, 2016, 09:18:37 PM by WT8095 »
Dave Z.

'68 fastback, S-code + C6. Special Paint (Rainbow promotion), DSO 710784. Actual build date 2/7/1968, San Jose.
'69 Cougar convertible, 351W-2V + FMX, Meadowlark Yellow.

Offline CCP

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Re: Cobra jet Cyclone
« Reply #10 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.
1969 Fairlane Cobra formal roof drag pack
1968 Shelby GT500KR
6F08A-GT,a/c,4-sp.,ps,build date 16A. DSO 24 Jacksonville

Offline WT8095

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Re: Cobra jet Cyclone
« Reply #11 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.
« Last Edit: May 09, 2016, 09:55:33 AM by WT8095 »
Dave Z.

'68 fastback, S-code + C6. Special Paint (Rainbow promotion), DSO 710784. Actual build date 2/7/1968, San Jose.
'69 Cougar convertible, 351W-2V + FMX, Meadowlark Yellow.

Offline sportyworty

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Re: Cobra jet Cyclone
« Reply #12 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
« Last Edit: May 09, 2016, 09:58:09 AM by sportyworty »

Offline CCP

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Re: Cobra jet Cyclone
« Reply #13 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.
1969 Fairlane Cobra formal roof drag pack
1968 Shelby GT500KR
6F08A-GT,a/c,4-sp.,ps,build date 16A. DSO 24 Jacksonville

Offline WT8095

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Re: Cobra jet Cyclone
« Reply #14 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.
Dave Z.

'68 fastback, S-code + C6. Special Paint (Rainbow promotion), DSO 710784. Actual build date 2/7/1968, San Jose.
'69 Cougar convertible, 351W-2V + FMX, Meadowlark Yellow.