1964-1965 Mercury Comet Cyclone

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Image of the 1964 Mercury Comet Cyclone.

The 1964-1965 Mercury Comet Cyclone marked a major shift for the Comet lineup. By introducing a small-block V-8 into the final first-generation Comet, Mercury set the stage for more powerful vehicles, aiming to build a reputation for producing serious muscle cars.

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The 1964 Comet lineup featured four distinct series, with only one, the Cyclone two-door hardtop, offering the upgraded 289-cid V-8 as standard. This model played a pivotal role in transforming the practical yet underpowered Comet-based lineup into one of the decade’s top-performing names.

Powered by a four-barrel carburetor, the 1964 Mercury Comet Cyclone's 289 engine generated 210 horsepower and 300 pounds/feet of torque. The car offered both three- and four-speed transmissions (the latter supplied by Warner Gear), and the Multi-Drive Merc-O-Matic replaced the previous two-speed automatic as an option.

Gradually, Mercury engineers started prioritizing performance. Other Comets, such as the new Caliente series, came with either a six-cylinder engine or the carryover 260-cid V-8, but buyers could also choose the 289.

The short-lived Meteor was discontinued due to weak sales. As a result, Comets became both the compact and mid-size models in Mercury's lineup. Styling updates included 14-inch tires, a broader stance, and several body modifications that gave the car a fresh personality. Quad headlights were arranged horizontally in a mesh grille, while subtle tailfins remained at the rear, and the bodysides featured distinct, tapered creaselines similar to those of the restyled Falcon.

Car Life praised the Comet's simplified body design, noting the removal of unnecessary spears and embellishments. While the editors weren't fond of the new fender cutout moldings, they still acknowledged that the redesign "represents a pinnacle of restraint for [Lincoln-Mercury] stylists." The wheel covers were crafted to resemble bare wheels with openings for chromed lug nuts.

The early Cyclone wasn’t a big hit at first, priced at $2,655, with only 7,454 units produced in its debut year. Car Life described the early model as a "spirited sprinting machine that should definitely attract the 'youth market' sought after by all manufacturers."

Discover what the 1965 Mercury Comet Cyclone had to offer on the following page.

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1965 Mercury Comet Cyclone

The 1965 Mercury Comet Cyclone received a subtle update to its body design, featuring cleaner lines, vertically stacked headlights, and a broad, simple rectangular grille with horizontal bars. Mercury called it an "enthusiast's dream car in every detail," and this claim was closer to reality than most similar promises.

The bucket seats were separated by a console and upholstered in pleated crinkle-grain vinyl, facing a woodtone three-spoke steering wheel. The chrome-plated wheel covers were fitted with bright lug nuts. The Cyclone’s standard 289-cid V-8 engine now delivered 225 bhp and 305 pounds/feet of torque, equipped with a four-barrel carburetor and a 10:1 compression ratio. Other Comet models used a two-barrel version, producing 200 horsepower.

Available options included a black or white vinyl roof, a performance handling package with upgraded steering, modified shocks, and higher-rate springs, as well as a "Rally-Pac" gauge cluster that added a vacuum gauge, elapsed-time clock, and tachometer to the dashboard.

A standard engine dress-up kit brightened up the rocker covers, air cleaner, dipstick, and radiator cap, while checkered flag insignias were placed on the rear fenders. All in all, the Mercury Comet Cyclone began to look and feel more like a performance car, with enhancements to match its newly improved performance.

Motor Trend recorded a 9.7-second 0-60 time for the 210-bhp 1964 Mercury Comet Cyclone hardtop with a four-speed transmission. The quarter-mile was completed in 16.2 seconds, reaching a speed of 80 mph. With an extra 15 horsepower in the 1965 version, the 0-60 time dropped to 8.8 seconds. Other testers had slower times, ranging up to 11.8 seconds for the 210-bhp model. Though these figures were not quite muscle-car territory, the Cyclone's performance was on the rise.

Production of the 1965 Mercury Comet Cyclone surged to 12,347 units. While this was a notable performance and an early indicator of its future success, it still represented only a small fraction of Mercury's overall production.

Much like the SC/Rambler, the early Cyclones were considered "sleepers" in the muscle car world, overshadowed by the GTOs, Hemis, and Super Sports that were stealing the spotlight. However, Comets and Cyclones were already proving their worth in various competitions.

Four virtually stock Cyclones equipped with 271-bhp 289 engines raced at Daytona, completing 100,000 miles while averaging over 105 mph. Meanwhile, a team of Comets participated in the tough East African Safari. Despite fewer than 20,000 Cyclones being produced in two years, the model had already made its mark, and a new generation was on the horizon.

Check out the detailed specifications for the 1964 and 1965 Mercury Comet Cyclone on the next page.

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1964-1965 Mercury Comet Cyclone Specifications

Photo of the 1964 Mercury Comet Cyclone.

The 1964 Mercury Comet Cyclone stood out from regular Comets with its "chrome" wheels, which were actually chrome wheel covers. The 1965 redesign brought vertical headlights, horizontal taillights, and twin hood scoops to further distinguish the Cyclone from standard Comets.