Ever look at a car you really want, only to sigh and turn away because it was just a touch too rough for you? I’ve done that once. I had found a 1969 Dodge Charger that was pretty bad off, but was whole…fenders, quarters, dash, grille, headlights and taillights, a 318/automatic providing power, one front seat, a set of old Turbines on it, and a “For Sale” sign asking $2,900. It wasn’t what I could see that made me walk away, it was what wasn’t there and what the car needed. I know the car sold quickly and either it’s still in pieces in a garage somewhere or it’s a show car now. Who knows. But that’s why I, and many others out there hunting a project car down, are gun-shy about a rough car – you can see the damage just fine, but if you are on any kind of budget, getting a car put together can wipe that budget out faster than you jaw can hit the floor at cost.
While hunting for something neat and inspiring through the Dallas-area Craigslist, we located this 1971 Mercury Cyclone GT. The Torino’s kissing cousin, the Cyclone has love-it-or-hate-it styling, isn’t common even for a mid-sized Ford, and when done right, are polarizing. You won’t lack for attention driving one, but this particular car might be a step too far. That’s your call to make, but let’s take a quick look at what you can acquire with the five grand that is burning a hole in your pocket:
Off the bat, things look ok: it’s a 351/automatic car and it runs and drives. There is no mention of how well, but it moves under it’s own power, so that’s a plus. It’s got hideaway headlights and the strangest gauge pack deal I’ve ever seen in any muscle car, ever. That’s a real-deal gauge pack, that’s the way Cyclones came. That’s the good part…the bad you can see if you have eyes: rust, interior repair, a science project in the front floorboard and enough cleaning and brightening projects to fill up a decade if you do one item at a time. When done, this Mercury will be a bitchin’ ride, and in the meantime, as rough and as ragged as it is, the patina guys will be going nuts. But the investment into this Cyclone might blow your wallet away with a gust of wind. It’s not impossible, but is it worth it?
Craigslist Link: 1971 Mercury Cyclone GT
This would be a great one to restore! The last year of the Cyclone GT, only about 2200 made. The price is not bad, but the body and interior would take 5000 if done by yourself 15,000 if done by a shop. that does not include freshining up the drive line. I would pass, to many irons in the fire right now, but it is interesting
The same car as my Montego. That’s going to be a hard decision to restore or use as a parts car. If done right you’ll never get your money back, has to be done out of love. That grill alone is worth $1,500 bucks. The sad thing is these cars still don’t get any respect from the muscle car crowd even though they’re just as fast as a Torino.
Welp. that might be ruff for you dry weather/climate areas.. but snow belters are like,, that aint ruff..
Factory A/C car.
I’ll take it!!!
I still love these cars, all this needs is a Toploader and a freshening. Freiburger you listening?……
When I see these 71 Cyclones, All that comes to mind is the ’71 Wood Bros #21 Cyclone driven by David Pearson. This would be a driver that would be set up like that for the street..
My buddy Stu had one of these in the 80s, it was Competition Blue (same as Grabber Blue) … when he and his brother had the car repainted, they left most of the emblems off except “Cyclone GT”. Hardly anybody knew what it was (especially the GM guys). Guesses were GTO or Charger usually. His was similar to this, 351C with auto trans, had a 2.76 axle so not a drag strip stormer but a great highway cruiser.