For Sale: 1970 Mercury Cyclone in Morgantown, Pennsylvania

1970 Mercury Cyclone Hardtop

"A major redesign and reshuffle shook things up in 1970; all models featured a unique gunsight grille. The base Cyclone played the role of the former Cyclone CJ, now available with a choice of two 429 engines: standard was the 360hp version and the 370 horse Cobra Jet was optional. With a transformed market open to cars with a performance look without the performance, the Cyclone GT was well positioned, but only 10,170 GTs-plus another 1695 Cyclones and 1631 Spoilers-left the factory." Hagerty.com

For consignment, a 1970 Mercury Cyclone hardtop showing 85,599 miles, but the true miles are unknown due to exemption. This car has been owned since 2012 by our consignor who purchased the car in Florida with professional restoration taking place in Maryland soon after.

Exterior
It is the front end that provides a captivating first look, deeply set quad headlights with upright marker lights that seem to pinch the middle, extruding that center gunsight grille, here with a Cobra emblem added. To make the most of oncoming air, a big front spoiler grabs from the ground and a hood scoop augments the grille intake, all for an aggressive look. A black stripe serves as the runway to the hood scoop and is surrounded in a sea of two stage Dark Ivy Green Metallic paint, contrasting with more black in the tail light bezels, side mirrors, and rear wing. The plain Jane Ford hubcaps give the car a sleeper profile, bolstered slightly with the white lettered tires, but dual exhaust in back tell a different story. Overall, the paint and trim is nice. Imperfections include a bent pinch weld behind a rear wheel, touched up chips, other chips including on the hood scoop, missing trim pieces ahead of the scoop, and a point of slightly misshapen window trim.

Interior
It's 1970, so saddle vinyl frequently gets called up to the big leagues for an appearance, here beginning on the door panels with a tri-panel design and a scratch or two on otherwise clean doors. The split bench is clean and flat and invites your shotgun rider to get closer and the rear bench resides in a monochromatic environment of brown vinyl in excellent condition. A wood rimmed steering wheel fronts a horizontal instrument cluster that shows some patina with some peeling woodgrain applique, discolored trim, and hazy plexiglass. The padded dash pad takes in a series of white faced gauges in coves and canted towards the driver. Tan loop carpet covers the floor along with Cyclone embroidered mats while up top, a stitched headliner presents in nice shape. The trunk is rust free and wears a period plaid vinyl cover.

Drivetrain
Now we're talking! Backing up that aggressive look is a 429ci V8 rated at 360 horsepower and fueled by a 4-barrel carburetor. It's mated to a C6 3-speed automatic that routes power the now legendary Ford 9" rear with 3.25 gears. Visually, the engine bay is clean and original looking.

Undercarriage
Clean and dry conditions are found underneath with some typical surface rust and metal oxidation. The dual exhaust runs through FlowMaster mufflers and exits through polished tips. Power disc brakes are up front, power drums in the back and the suspension is fairly standard with coil springs in front and leaf springs in back.

Drive-Ability
We slip into the slippery seat which is soft enough to conform and keep us in place, start the big V8, and move the column shifter into D. The exhaust note is nice, but we're also getting some exhaust leak noise. Meanwhile, the car has a notable miss but does have straight tracking, and responsive brakes. We note the horn and turn signals are not working but all other functions, including the AM/FM/Cassette player on board, work as they should. While Classic Auto Mall represents that these functions were working at the time of our test drive, we cannot guarantee these functions will be working at the time of your purchase.

What started with the 1964 Comet Cyclone, ended with the 1971 Cyclone with some Cobra Jet versions in the mix along the way. These are sinister looking muscle cars that are instantly recognizable but not all that common, and this is a very nice example. It's the car that also became the catalyst for GMC calling their now legendary truck the Syclone with an "S" as Ford still owned the Cyclone name in 1991.

0H15N530665

0-1970
H-Lorain, OH Assy Plant
15-Cyclone 2 Door Hardtop
N-429ci 4bbl V8
530665-Sequential Unit Number

Classic Auto Mall is home to more than 1,000 classic and collectible vehicles for sale via consignment in a climate controlled 336,000-square foot showroom (that's more than 8 acres!). The largest single location consignment dealer of classic and collectible vehicles in the country is located in Morgantown, Pennsylvania, just 1-hour west of Philadelphia off Exit 298 of the I-76 Pennsylvania Turnpike. For more information visit www.classicautomall.com or call us at (888) 227-0914. Contact us anytime for more information or to come see the vehicle in person. There is no guarantee of mileage. A $299 Dealer Administrative fee is not included in the advertised price.

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