1969 Mercury Cyclone Spoiler II

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©2007 Publications International, Ltd. The 1969 Mercury Cyclone Spoiler II emerged as a vibrant addition to the muscle car lineage. Designed with a sleek, aerodynamic profile, production models were crafted to meet the requirements for high-speed stock-car racing. Explore more muscle car images.

The 1969 Mercury Cyclone Spoiler II was a muscle car developed to meet production standards for competitive racing.

Its origins trace back to the 1969-70 NASCAR season, a period marked by intense rivalry between Ford and Chrysler. This fierce competition led to iconic models like the 1969 Dodge Charger 500 and Charger Daytona, the 1970 Plymouth Superbird, the 1969 Ford Talladega, and the elusive Cyclone Spoiler II, the rarest of the aerodynamic contenders.

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Mercury's venture into the aerodynamic car competition featured a sleek adaptation of its fastback Cyclone intermediate. The Cyclone Spoiler II shared the same design philosophy as the 1969 Ford Torino Talladega: both cars utilized an elongated, tapered front end and a smooth grille to optimize aerodynamics for high-speed racing.

On the racetrack, the NASCAR Cyclone Spoiler race cars outperformed their Talladega counterparts by a few mph, thanks to their slightly longer frames and refined aerodynamic tweaks. However, the street versions were less powerful; the Mercurys were equipped with a 290-bhp 351-cid V-8 paired with an FMX three-speed automatic transmission, whereas the Talladegas boasted a 428 Cobra Jet/C6 three-speed automatic setup.

Visually, the Mercury stood out more than the Ford. The Cyclone Spoilers were available in two distinct paint schemes, named after Mercury's top NASCAR drivers. The Dan Gurney Specials featured Presidental Blue over Wimbledon White with blue vinyl interiors, while the Cale Yarborough Specials showcased Candyapple Red roofs and red vinyl interiors.

©2007 Publications International, Ltd. The street-legal Cyclone Spoiler II models were powered by a 290-bhp 351-cid V-8, with an optional 335-bhp 429 engine. The NASCAR versions, however, were equipped with Ford's high-performance 427 and 429 engines.

To comply with NASCAR homologation requirements, Mercury had to manufacture Cyclone Spoiler IIs for public sale. While exact figures are uncertain, production is estimated to have ranged between 300 and 500 units. Converting a standard Cyclone into a Spoiler II was a meticulous process. Custom extensions were welded onto existing Montego/Cyclone front fenders, and the front bumper was crafted from a modified Ford Fairlane rear bumper, reshaped into a subtle vee design.

The rocker panels were modified by being "re-rolled," lifting them one inch to allow the race cars to sit lower without breaching NASCAR's ride height regulations. Despite the extensive work, Mercury launched the cars with little publicity. Adding to the confusion, Mercury also produced standard-nose models featuring the same Gurney and Yarborough designs, labeling them Cyclone Spoilers, while the elongated-nose versions were designated Cyclone Spoiler IIs.

©2007 Publications International, Ltd. The Cyclone Spoiler II closely resembled the Ford Talladega, but its nose was longer and slightly more streamlined. Pictured here is the blue and white Dan Gurney replica model, while the Cale Yarborough editions came in red and white.

Looking back, it's astonishing that Ford and Chrysler invested so heavily in creating specialized, low-volume vehicles that were essentially unprofitable in dealerships. Their strategy was driven by a widely repeated mantra, far more relevant in the 1960s than today: "Win on Sunday, sell on Monday."

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The 1969 Mercury Cyclone Spoiler II

Specifications

Wheelbase, inches: 116

Weight, lbs: 3,580

Number built: 300-500

Base price: $3,800

Standard Engine

Type: ohv V-8

Displacement, cid: 351

Fuel system: 1 x 4bbl.

Compression ratio: 10.6:1

Horsepower @ rpm: 290 @ 4800