Mercury’s 1964 Comet Super Cyclone was a unique creation designed for the ’60s custom car show circuit. Let’s dive into the fascinating backstory of this wild factory custom.
The 1964 Comet Super Cyclone, an extravagant fastback show car by Mercury, was never intended for production. However, it remains intriguing to imagine what could have been. Constructed by Dearborn Steel Tubing (DST), a Ford contractor known for their extraordinary projects like the Fairlane Thunderbolts and the Thunderbird Itelien concept, the Super Cyclone was the brainchild of Ford advanced stylist David L. Ash and his team.
Design and Construction
To bring the Super Cyclone to life, renowned designer-fabricator Vince Gardner and his associate Paul Shedlik, working under DST, began with a stock 1964 Comet Cyclone hardtop equipped with a 289 CID V8 engine and a Borg-Warner four-speed transmission. After stripping away a significant portion of the factory sheet metal behind the A-pillars, they meticulously modeled and fabricated a new outer skin using fiberglass. The revised design featured rear wheel openings that were seamlessly integrated with the front and a dramatically sloped roofline to support a large, wraparound rear glass.
Interestingly, the backlite bore a striking resemblance to the one found on the original 1964 Plymouth Barracuda, which was just entering production at the time. While it’s likely a mere coincidence, the similarity between the two is notable. The Super Cyclone boasted other custom features, including a complete interior upholstered in white naugahyde, Astro custom wheels with bolt-on knockoffs, and teardrop racing mirrors. The front end received a unique treatment with a custom grille adorned with fine vertical teeth and French Cibie headlights. Although rectangular lamps were popular within the custom car scene of the ’60s, they weren’t technically street legal in the United States.
Custom Features
The Super Cyclone made its grand debut at the Chicago Auto Show held from February 8 to 15, 1964. One can only wonder what the Plymouth team thought when they first laid eyes on this exceptional vehicle. The fastback also became a regular highlight of the Lincoln-Mercury Caravan of Stars, a traveling exhibition featured on the hot rod show circuit. Additionally, in the April 1964 issue of Rod & Custom magazine, the Super Cyclone shared the cover with Ed Roth’s latest show rod, The Road Agent. Although information about its fate remains unknown, considering the typical destiny of show cars and concepts, it is likely that the Super Cyclone was destroyed once its show career came to an end.
The Fate of the Super Cyclone
Sadly, there have been no sightings of the Super Cyclone for decades, suggesting that it has vanished from existence. This fate is all too common for show cars and concept vehicles, often meeting their demise once their time in the spotlight concludes. The absence of this extraordinary creation leaves car enthusiasts to marvel at the photographs and stories that have preserved the memory of the 1964 Comet Super Cyclone.
In conclusion, the 1964 Comet Super Cyclone stands as a testament to the creative and boundary-pushing spirit of the ’60s custom car show circuit. While it may not have been destined for production, this one-of-a-kind factory custom continues to captivate the imaginations of automotive enthusiasts who appreciate its unique design and the craftsmanship involved in its creation.
