1965 Mercury Cyclone Hardtop- Pics added Jan 5

[Ron Hamilton]

I recently picked up the Mobieus '65 Mercury Cyclone kit, and started work on it. Sorry, I have not photographed I yet, as I wanted to get it up on its wheels to see how it sits out of the box. In going over the kit, I noticed the few foibles mentioned by Bill and Steve concerning the side windows, but I decided to leave that area alone on my build.

I wanted to see how it compares with the AMT annual '64, which I have under a restoration construction. The new kit is a shade wider and longer than the old kit, but it is not a deal breaker to me. While I am not an expert on the car, I am approaching this build as if I were buying a new '65 Cyclone. I plan to make a few modifications to some of the kit parts for a better looking car in my opinion. Back in the early 1970's one of my best friend's Mom had a '65 Caliente convertible, which I thought was a very nice looking car. I have several Comets in my collection being restored, including a '62 Sedan, a '63 S22 Convertible

, two '64 Caliente Hardtops, one an original annual, a '66 Cyclone Hardtop which is under construction with the chassis and engine from the latest tool '66 Ford Fairlane,  and 2 '67 Cyclone Hardtops, both annual kits to be restored. I have to decide on the interior color on the yellow '66, which will probably be black so that I can finish it to go along with the '65.

At this time, I cleaned up the body, and interior, and assembled some of the assemblies to see how it looks up on is wheels. I have noticed a few things about the kit so far. In following the instructions, the ride height is a little higher than what I wanted, so I flipped the front spindles, which at least got it to a ride height that looks like a factory car from that era.  I have heard some comments about the engine, that it is not as well detailed as the engine in the '67 Mustang kit. While that may be true, once the kit engine is assembled, painted, detailed, and installed in the chassis, it will be fine, and besides it fits perfectly. I an going to dress my engine up as a 289/271 with a chrome open element air cleaner, and chrome valve covers, along with a better 4 barrel Holley Carb and distributor in resin.

In the interior assembly, the door opening lines have to be scribed in, and there is no Tachometer for the top of the dash, which is standard equipment for the '65 Cyclone, according to the '65 Mercury Sales brochure. Curiously, there is a flashed over hole on the top of the dash to fit a dashboard mounted Tachometer. Also in the '65 Mercury Sales brochure, the only interior colors offered in the '65 Cyclone are Red, Black, White and Saddle to coordinate with the exterior colors, as well as a black or white vinyl roof, which I may apply on my build.

 I am considering Yellow on the '65 too, as I have some more yellow paint. A Black vinyl roof and interior would look pretty good, and can tie into the '66. A trade up if you will. I hope to photograph the build as I go in the next day or so.

Edited January 5, 2017 by Ron Hamilton

[Ron Hamilton]

I did a little work on it tonight to see what it looks like up on the wheels.

I flipped the front spindles and made the holes larger in the lower A arms to get the nose down some. The rear suspension was left alone, so it has a bit of a Cowboy Rake" I want to get it down about another 1/4" or so to get it more level. I also did a little work to the roof to sharpen up the edges, but I am going to leave the side windows alone. The glass fits pretty good as you can see. The bumpers sits nice, but I want to make up a more positive attachment points to the body for them, as they are quit fiddly to attach to t car. I have always liked this car since I was a kid with the whitewalls and wheel covers. It seems to be going together pretty easy so far

[Mr Stock]

Looks good with your subtle mods Ron. When I saw the green built up version on the forum (the one thats on the side of the box) I noticed then that the ride height was way too high, flipping the spindles has cured the front issue hopefully the rear can be adjusted just as easy. My kits on the water as we speak, really looking forward to getting it.

[espo]

I just picked up this same kit yesterday. Like you pointed out about the front suspension, it sits very high out of the box. Others have mentioned a forth coming Drag version and that may account for the front end set to high. I also am going the K code engine type build. The kit has some very nice finned aluminum valve covers included on the chrome tree. These would be a FoMoCo parts counter special and not stock, but I'm inclined to use them. The air cleaner is for the more standard 289 so an air cleaner would have to be procured some where. I like your Yellow idea, they had a very nice soft Yellow that looked good with the black interior or the light saddle interior. Look forward to following your build.

[DumpyDan]

NICE!

[Reeves Racing]

Nice to see others jumping in on this kit. I'm looking forward to seeing your paint work.

[JTalmage]

I picked one up the other day. Looks very AMT '66 Fairlane-ish... which to me is a great thing because I love that kit. Lots of positive locator pins too

[Ron Hamilton]

I just picked up this same kit yesterday. Like you pointed out about the front suspension, it sits very high out of the box. Others have mentioned a forth coming Drag version and that may account for the front end set to high. I also am going the K code engine type build. The kit has some very nice finned aluminum valve covers included on the chrome tree. These would be a FoMoCo parts counter special and not stock, but I'm inclined to use them. The air cleaner is for the more standard 289 so an air cleaner would have to be procured some where. I like your Yellow idea, they had a very nice soft Yellow that looked good with the black interior or the light saddle interior. Look forward to following your build.

I just bought the Mobieus 72 Ford F100, which has the same engine block, and a set of smooth Chrome Valve covers, which I swapped for this build. I have a much better detailed distributor cap and carb n resin from Replicas an Miniature of MD, and I will find a Ford Open Element Air Cleaner in my parts box. I can probably fab up a better set of Manifolds out of plastic tubing, as well as a beefier exhaust system.

[espo]

I just bought the Mobieus 72 Ford F100, which has the same engine block, and a set of smooth Chrome Valve covers, which I swapped for this build. I have a much better detailed distributor cap and carb n resin from Replicas an Miniature of MD, and I will find a Ford Open Element Air Cleaner in my parts box. I can probably fab up a better set of Manifolds out of plastic tubing, as well as a beefier exhaust system.

The basic Comet kit has a set of smooth valve covers that you could paint or in the case of the K engine they were chromed. In the past I have used Alclad spray chrome and have used Bare-Metal foil that worked just as well. I think just about any of the optional air cleaners from any other kit would work. As I recall the open air cleaner was very slim because of the low hood. I think you could just trim the bottom of the open air cleaner until it looks correct, and clears the hood.

[Rodent]

The 271 HP exhaust manifolds were different, at least in a Mustang. The outlets pointed more at the ground than the standard versions. The later 351W manifolds had a similar shape, (Pic shamelessly stolen from e-Bay)

[Ron Hamilton]

The basic Comet kit has a set of smooth valve covers that you could paint or in the case of the K engine they were chromed. In the past I have used Alclad spray chrome and have used Bare-Metal foil that worked just as well. I think just about any of the optional air cleaners from any other kit would work. As I recall the open air cleaner was very slim because of the low hood. I think you could just trim the bottom of the open air cleaner until it looks correct, and clears the hood.

The valve cover swap I am doing is going to work out good for me. The Mobieus '72 Ford Sport Custom has a small block Ford engine with chromed Valve covers, which are wrong for the application. However they fit the '65 Cyclone perfectly, so I did the swap since I have both kits , otherwise, I would have either chroming the kit valve covers, or using the optional finned covers in the kit, which also looks pretty nice.

As far as the air cleaner goes, I have several AMT '65-'66 Mustang kits, which has the part I am looking for, so that too should work out fine. I found some nice pictures of a 289/271 equipped '65 Cyclone in one of Hemmings' Muscle Magazine's website.

The 271 HP exhaust manifolds were different, at least in a Mustang. The outlets pointed more at the ground than the standard versions. The later 351W manifolds had a similar shape, (Pic shamelessly stolen from e-Bay)

Thanks  Steve Andrews for the picture of the 289/271 exhaust manifolds. The 289/271 engine on the car in the article had tubular headers, which I may do. They look pretty good. The shock tower detail that was mentioned by Mitch Reeves is also shown in the photo, as well as other under hood items not included in the kit.

I bought a can of Testors' Phoenician Yellow paint for this build, but I may go to another color, as I had done a yellow car earlier this year, and the '66 Cyclone I have to finish is Testors' Phoenician Yellow, so I may go with another color. It's too cold to paint anyway, since I paint outside, and as I write this, the temperature outside my house is 28 degrees. I have other paint colors that will look good, and  have yet to decide if I am going to go with the vinyl roof, which will be Black.

Well, back to the bench. I want to lower the rear of this car tonight. More pics will be forthcoming.

[Rodent]

The valve cover swap I am doing is going to work out good for me. The Mobieus '72 Ford Sport Custom has a small block Ford engine with chromed Valve covers, which are wrong for the application. However they fit the '65 Cyclone perfectly, so I did the swap since I have both kits , otherwise, I would have either chroming the kit valve covers, or using the optional finned covers in the kit, which also looks pretty nice.

As far as the air cleaner goes, I have several AMT '65-'66 Mustang kits, which has the part I am looking for, so that too should work out fine. I found some nice pictures of a 289/271 equipped '65 Cyclone in one of Hemmings' Muscle Magazine's website.

Thanks  Steve Andrews for the picture of the 289/271 exhaust manifolds. The 289/271 engine on the car in the article had tubular headers, which I may do. They look pretty good. The shock tower detail that was mentioned by Mitch Reeves is also shown in the photo, as well as other under hood items not included in the kit.

I bought a can of Testors' Phoenician Yellow paint for this build, but I may go to another color, as I had done a yellow car earlier this year, and the '66 Cyclone I have to finish is Testors' Phoenician Yellow, so I may go with another color. It's too cold to paint anyway, since I paint outside, and as I write this, the temperature outside my house is 28 degrees. I have other paint colors that will look good, and  have yet to decide if I am going to go with the vinyl roof, which will be Black.

Well, back to the bench. I want to lower the rear of this car tonight. More pics will be forthcoming.

Tube headers is probably what I would do too. Hurst shifter, aftermarket tach, Polyglas tires on Torque Thrust wheels. Like the proud second owner would have had it around 1970-71.

[Ron Hamilton]

I worked on the build last night. I fashioned a set of lowering blocks to get the rear end down, and it worked out pretty good. I have to get some batteries for my camera so that I can take the pictures of the new stance. I centered the rear wheel hub with the top of the rocker panels, which brought the car down a bit.

I heard references to the roof contour being wrong on the car, so I looked at some of my reference photos, and reworked the area on the rear part of the roof over the rear side windows and the rear backlight, re-contouring the roof in this area and sharpened the creases on the roof while I was fixing the area on the upper rear fenders where the few and far between mould lines are.

Everything is moving right along, but I still am not going to get out to paint anything as we got some snow today, and it is bitterly cold outside. I hope to root through my parts boxes for some goodies to enhance this build, and I may re-visit the '66 Cyclone, as there is not much to do to that one to finish it other than some trim painting and final assembly.

[RancheroSteve]

Thanks  Steve Andrews for the picture of the 289/271 exhaust manifolds. The 289/271 engine on the car in the article had tubular headers, which I may do. They look pretty good. The shock tower detail that was mentioned by Mitch Reeves is also shown in the photo, as well as other under hood items not included in the kit.

OK, I'm about to go into way more detail than anyone here probably wants, but since it sorta came up . . .

While you could order a HiPo in a '65 Comet, very few have been documented. A great deal of confusion abounds because Mercury often used a different lettering code than Ford. While "K" was the engine code used for a HiPo in a Ford, it wasn't always so in the Mercury. In 1964 a "K" code Comet was the regular 289 (remember, the 260 was also still available in '64). Although "K" was supposed to be used in '65 for the HiPo, the '65 Comets found with HiPos are apparently "A" code cars that were converted by special order. A lot of this info comes from Bob Mannel's excellent book "Mustang & Ford Small Block V8 1962-1969".

Moving on, the cast iron HiPo exhaust manifolds pictured in the post above were originally tooled for the '63 Fairlane (where the HiPo first appeared), then later re-tooled to fit the Mustang. However, they won't fit a Falcon or Comet due to the narrower engine bay and the location of the steering box (ask anyone who's tried).

The exhaust manifolds that came on all V8 Falcons and Comets from '63 to '65 looked like this, only less rusty initially (photo from EBay via Google Images):

The passenger side was identical to the (non-HiPo) Fairlane manifold and the driver's side manifold was Falcon/Comet specific. A pipe ran from the driver's side manifold under the oil pan and joined the pipe from the passenger side manifold. All Falcons and Comets had single exhausts. I doubt anybody ordering HiPo Comet left those manifolds on for too long - most likely they'd be replaced with tube headers.

It wasn't until much later (late 80s- early 90s?) that the aftermarket stepped up and modified the HiPo manifolds to fit the Falcon/Comet chassis. Here's a shot showing a comparison between the stock driver's side manifold and the modified Falcon?Comet HiPo style manifold:

Alright, that's all I've got for the moment. Any questions or contradictions?

Edited January 8, 2017 by RancheroSteve

[Ron Hamilton]

Works for me. I need all of the information I can get and I appreciate your input.

[RancheroSteve]

Sure Ron - not trying to hijack your thread here!

[Ron Hamilton]

Sure Ron - not trying to hijack your thread here!

I welcome any comparison, comment, or suggestion from anyone, as long as it is relevant to the subject matter. I consider you an expert on the subject matter Steve, and I appreciate your comments. I like Comets.

[Vietnam Vet67]

Thought I would throw in something from the original brochure.

[Ron Hamilton]

Thought I would throw in something from the original brochure

.

Isn't that a sharp Red one with the Black Vinyl Roof and Interior Ed? I have the actual brochure that I bought to do an AMT '65 Mercury Park Lane I have in my collection. I plan to whack off the roof, and make a convertible out of it. It started out as a beat up promo, so I am not hurting a valuable, un-built, annual kit. By the way, I have one of those too, which will end up as a Triple Black Park Lane Hardtop with a vinyl roof. I grew up around '60's Mercurys, as a matter of fact, I took my driver's test in a 1966 Mercury hardtop, 44 years ago.

Edited January 8, 2017 by Ron Hamilton

[RancheroSteve]

Thought I would throw in something from the original brochure.

Thanks for posting this, Ed. It's interesting to see what the standard and optional Cyclone features were - apart from the 4V 289 and tach, it was essentially a trim package that could be upgraded with more performance options.

I've seen it stated (apparently mistakenly) that all Cyclones had vinyl roofs, but according to this brochure that's not the case.

[Ron Hamilton]

I did a little more work to my build to upgrade, and personalize the build.

I felt that the rear suspension was too high, so I fashioned a set of lowering blocks to get the back end down.

I think I got the stance pretty much correct for a factory stock '65 Comet.

Also, I recontoured the rear part of the roof and sail panels, rounding over the edge, and sharpening the sculpture on the sides of the top, and across the back of the roof above the rear window, and as well as cutting in the door opening line into the upper door.

I have not decided on whether or not I am going with a vinyl roof on my build, as I tend to like the car better with the slick roof, but these cars did look good with the vinyl top.

Working on the interior, I scribed the door opening lines in the side panels,

and deepened the soft stitching on the upper seat backs as well as adding a separation line between the seat back and the cushion.

I plan to use cloth seat belt material and photoetched buckles for the seat belts. Also, I may remove the window cranks, and make a more detailed set with better definition.

As far as the engine goes, I am going to dress it up like a 289/271 hi-po engine, by adding  an open element air cleaner from an AMT Mustang, and the chrome valve covers from the Mobieus 1972 Ford Pickup. They fit perfectly.

I plan to add one of Replicas and Miniatures Distributors, and Holley carburetor, since the detail is much better than the kit pieces, and I have them I also cut in the fender to cowl separation lines. I have a set of AMT exhaust manifolds, which are beefier than the Mobieus pieces, but I may not use them, as I do not want to get into any more fitment issues. I do not plan to do any engine plumbing and wiring, as I have a slew of projects to get to,

I have a couple of cans of paint that should work well on this build, even though I have not made the final decision on the color combination, but I have narrowed it down.

I appreciate the comments on this build, as well as I am looking at the work done by other builders of this kit to make my build more satisfying to me..

 

 

[RancheroSteve]

Very effective and subtle improvements, Ron. It's interesting to see where different builders have focused their attentions - I think that shows that this was a desired kit and that while not perfect, it's a good launching point for a variety of builds.

[MrObsessive]

Ron, that stance is about perfect! That's how that car should sit.

[br67]

Hi Ron, for interest sake what glue do you use when mocking the cars up like this?

[afx]

Coming along nicely Ron.