The 1966 Mercury Cyclone GT Convertible served as the official pace
car for the Indianapolis 500, marking the only time a Mercury led
the race, with about 100 special convertibles built in Cardinal Red
with white interiors, featuring unique fiberglass hoods, 390 V8
power, C6 automatics, and handling packages, serving as rare
collector's items that are hard to definitively identify but
possess specific VIN codes and features like styled steel wheels,
power steering/brakes, and dash tachometers. Key Characteristics
Engine: 390 cubic inch big-block V8 (335 hp). Transmission: C6
Sport Shift Merc-O-Matic automatic. Color Scheme: Cardinal Red
exterior with a white interior and white convertible top. Exterior
Features: Twin-scoop fiberglass hood, GT badging, dual upper body
stripes, and redline tires on styled steel wheels. Interior
Features: Rally-Pac gauges (including dash-mounted tach), center
console, wood-rimmed wheel, power steering, and power brakes.
Special Identification: Often carry a unique "SH28" VIN prefix and
were built in April 1966. Production & Rarity Around 100 units were
built as pace car replicas for the 1966 Indy 500. A smaller subset
(around 33) were used for parade details by celebrities. Due to a
lack of formal Ford records, definitive identification can be
difficult, but specific factory options and VINs help identify
them. Why it Was Chosen The 1966 season marked Mercury's first
involvement as an Indy 500 pace car in modern history, showcasing
the performance-oriented Cyclone GT. Only about 100 of these
special pace car editions were produced, making them very rare. An
even smaller subset, believed to be around 33 cars, were used as
official parade cars driven by celebrities and dignitaries at the
Indianapolis Motor Speedway during May 1966. "WE OFFER COMPETITIVE
RATE FINANCING AND NATIONWIDE SHIPPING"
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