For the 1964 model year, Mercury made major changes in the Comet. Gone was the economy car image that the 1960 to 1963 models were based upon. Styling was changed to make the Comet look bigger and new V-8 engine selections were added for better performance. There were two 6 cylinder engines, 170 c.i. and 200 c.i. and two V-8s, 260 c.i. and 289 c.i.
In order to prove the endurance of the new Comets, in September of 1963, 5 specially equipped Comet Calientes ran an endurance test at Daytona International Speedway. They averaged 105 mph for over 100,000 miles and only required a few minor repairs.
After results of this endurance run were publicized, sales of the new Comets began to increase dramatically.
On January 17, 1964, Mercury announced a new mid-year model for the Comet. This new model was called the Cyclone. The Cyclone was available in only one body style, the 2 door hardtop. It came with special exterior trim; it was devoid of trim on the side except for wheel well moldings, a rocker panel molding and the letters C-O-M-E-T on the rear fin. A special insignia with the word "Cyclone" and a checkered flag adorned the lower section of the front fenders. The wheel covers were stainless steel covers that gave the appearance of chrome wheels.
A special interior was also included as part of the package. Bucket seats with a console were standard on the Cyclone. A tachometer was included on the dash, and the dash panels had special black vinyl inserts in place of the wood grained inserts found on the Caliente models. A wood grained three spoke steering wheel was also standard.
Interior colors were black, red and palomino; or, in white with color-keyed appointments.
The standard Cyclone engine was the "Cyclone Super 289 V-8" with a four-barrel carburetor rated at 210 hp. Engine appointments included chrome valve covers, chrome air cleaner top insert, chrome oil filler cap, chrome oil dip stick and chrome radiator cap.
Mercury dealers offered a line of "Cobra" high performance equipment available for the 289 V-8 engine. A special 271 hp version of the 289 V-8 was offered, a Cobra heavy-duty clutch, special carburetors, air cleaners, valve covers and many other performance related items were offered under this special Cobra line.
The standard transmission was a three-speed manual and optional transmissions included a four-speed manual transmission and the new Multi-Drive Merc-O-Matic transmission.
In the 1964 model year, Mercury sold 7,454 Cyclones.
In 1965, Mercury continued the Cyclone model, but made several changes. It was still only available in the 2 door hardtop body style. Styling was changed for 1965, and the Cyclone and checkered flag emblems were moved to the rear fenders. The stainless steel wheel covers remained the same. The upholstery design was changed and a different tachometer was used.
The standard engine for 1965 was a 195 hp version of the 289 V-8 with a two-barrel carburetor. An optional engine was the 225 hp 289 V-8 that had a four-barrel carburetor. The same engine dress-up chrome appointments were retained for the 1965 Cyclone. An optional hood sported twin air scoops and was made of fiberglass.
In the 1965 model year, Mercury sold 12,347 Cyclones.
In April of 1964, I purchased my first new car; a white Comet Cyclone with red interior. It had the 210 hp 289 V-8, four-speed manual transmission and power steering. The car was fun to drive and had enough power to be considered a "cool" car to have. When my roommate saw the new Comet, he bought one like it; the only difference was the exterior color which was black instead of white.
After about 10,000 miles, the clutches in both of these cars began to slip. Replacement with the Cobra heavy-duty clutch fixed the problem permanently. Other that the clutch, these cars were very reliable.
A couple of years later, I traded in the Cyclone on a Pontiac 2+2 with the 421 c.i. motor. However, I frequently missed the Cyclone and wished that I had kept it. In 1992, I began to look for another Cyclone. I found that 1964 Cyclones were few and far between. About a year later, I found one in New York that was owned by a 1964 Comet collector. The Cyclone had come from California and was a good solid rust-free car that had been repainted and the engine had been rebuilt. The car was white with white interior and palomino trim. It was also in my price range.
Needless to say, this Cyclone now has a home in my garage. It
gets used almost every weekend in the good-weather months of the
year. It is very presentable and goes to a number of car shows
each year.
John Howell
June, 1996