Ford purchased the rights to the name Comet from the Comet Coach Company, a manufacturer of funeral cars. The model was originally slated to fall under the Edsel marque, but plans shifted the car to the Lincoln-Mercury division when Ford decided to fold the Edsel program in November of 1959. The Comet was introduced in 1960, as its own brand sold through Lincoln-Mercury dealerships. For the 1962 model year the Comet became an official Mercury model.

The third generation Mercury Comet was introduced in 1966, now based on the Ford Fairlane, the car made the jump from compact to mid-sized car. For 1967 the Comet range expanded to include the base Comet 202, Capri, Caliente, Cyclone, and Cyclone GT along with the Villager and Voyager station wagons. Like other Fords of the era the Comet could be ordered with the engine of your choosing. While the standard was the 390 cu. in. V-8, some opted for the more powerful big blocks including the high-performance 427 cu. in. ‘R-Code’ with dual four-barrel carburetors, a legendary engine that dominated drag racing in the late 1960s.

This Mercury Comet Cyclone was ordered through the Washington District Sales Office on 28 March 1967. It was built less than a month later at Ford’s Lorain plant, finished in Caspian Blue over blue. Powering the Comet Cyclone was the legendary ‘R-Code’ 427 cu. in. V-8, backed by a four-speed manual transmission which sent power to a 3.89:1 conventional rear axle. The Comet Cyclone was further equipped with courtesy light group, electric clock, AM radio, rear seat speaker, tinted glass, and F70-14 Wide Oval white sidewall Nylon tires. Upon completion it was shipped to MacGregor Motors in Charlottesville, Virginia. At the time, MacGregor Motors proudly held the title of being Virginia’s oldest Lincoln-Mercury dealer. It was sold on 6 May 1967.

This Comet Cyclone has been stored in a barn for the last 30 years. A restoration was undertaken but not completed. As such, a significant number of parts accompany the car, please see the photos for reference. It should be noted the red interior seats are not fastened to the car itself, merely set in the car for mockup purposes. The Cyclone does retain an engine, transmission, and rear end. Upon further inspection of the engine it has been determined that it is a replacement 427 cu. in. block which date codes to 1964. Lastly, a fiberglass hood is now installed on the car, a popular weight reduction measure in period.

With its desirable factory specification this 1967 Mercury Comet Cyclone deserves to be fully restored and once again campaigned at the drag strip.