1966 · Mercury · United States
1966 Mercury Cyclone
The Comet moved to the larger Fairlane-based body, and the Cyclone GT brought the 335-hp 390 with twin hood scoops, bucket seats and a heavy-duty suspension.
United States · researched through 2026-09-22
For 1966 the Comet moved to the larger Fairlane-based body, and a new Cyclone GT option brought the 335-hp 390 four-barrel with twin hood scoops, bucket seats, and heavy-duty suspension; ordered with an automatic, the GT was designated GTA. Over-Drive Magazine's compilation gives 13,812 Cyclone GT hardtops, 2,158 Cyclone GT convertibles, 6,882 Cyclone hardtops, and 1,305 Cyclone convertibles, while Wikipedia's own relay of Holder and Kunz gives only 8,194 for the Cyclone with its scope unstated; this record carries both without resolving the gap, noting that the Wikipedia figure may cover only part of the line. For context, an Over-Drive Magazine mid-size table gives 170,426 for the whole 1966 Mercury mid-size line, against conceptcarz's separate total of 158,951 for 1966 Comets that conceptcarz itself states excludes wagons; the two are not reconciled.1,2,3
A second, narrower production dispute sits inside the first: the fact sheet's own 6,882 non-GT Cyclone hardtops does not match a table figure of 6,889 for the same body from two other sources. The 6,889 figure happens to make the non-GT rows sum exactly to the disputed 8,194 Cyclone total, while the fact sheet's own 6,882 does not, so this record shows both without treating the arithmetic coincidence as proof that 6,889 is correct.1,3,4
The optional 289 two-barrel is rated 200 hp at 4,400 rpm and 282 lb-ft at 2,400 rpm; the optional 390 two-barrel is rated 265 hp at 4,400 rpm and 401 lb-ft at 2,600 rpm with a manual, rising to 275 hp and 405 lb-ft with the automatic. The 390 GT four-barrel, standard in the Cyclone GT/GTA, is rated 335 hp at 4,800 rpm and 427 lb-ft at 3,200 rpm, all four ratings SAE gross. A 3-speed manual was standard, with a 4-speed manual or an automatic optional; the automatic combination is what earns the GTA designation specifically, and no separate horsepower figure is given for the 390 GT paired with the automatic the way the plain 390 two-barrel's rating changes with it.1
The GT option itself, per the fact sheet's own wording, bundled a blacked-out dashboard, bucket seats, a console with shifter, twin hood scoops, body stripes, a distinctive grille, special emblems, heavy-duty suspension, the 390 four-barrel, a power booster fan, a chrome engine dress-up kit, and dual exhaust as one package rather than as separable line items. Among priced options, the Rally Pac ran $40 in the Cyclone against $83 in other models, and wire wheel covers ran $43.20 in the Cyclone against $64.40 elsewhere; air conditioning was $257.50, power steering $86.30, a vinyl roof $75.80, and a tachometer $43.10.1
Fourteen exterior colors were charted, each carrying both a single-character brochure code and a Ford paint-code number, from Sheffield Silver (M1901) and Jamaican Yellow (M1955) through Burgundy (M1632) and Sage Gold (M1915). Interior trim code 27 (hardtop) and code 29 (convertible) both describe standard all-vinyl bucket seats in Blue, Red, Black, Parchment, or White. The Cyclone measured a 116.0-inch wheelbase (113.0 in for wagons) and 73.8 in wide, with 7.75-14 tires on the 390 GT and a 3.25 standard rear axle ratio on the GT (3.00 optional); shipping weight ran 3,074/3,321 lb for the Cyclone hardtop/convertible and 3,315/3,595 lb for the Cyclone GT hardtop/convertible.1,3
Fact sheet · 1966 · United States
The numbers
1966 Mercury Cyclone — The Comet moved to the larger Fairlane-based body, and the Cyclone GT brought the 335-hp 390 with twin hood scoops, bucket seats and a heavy-duty suspension.
Coverage: Partial — researched sections are shown; missing ones are not yet sourced. Researched through 2026-09-22.
Every figure is labeled with how sure we are. Reported means a manufacturer, registry, or reference figure we cite but have not reconciled against factory records ourselves. Disputed means credible sources disagree and both are shown. Rows are separately scoped; don't add them together unless the note says they make up a total.
Key facts
- Cyclone GT hardtop 13,812; GT convertible 2,158 (GT and GTA combined).1
Production
| What was counted | Count | Basis | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cyclone GT 2-door hardtop1 Cyclone GT/GTA · 2-door hardtop · 390 4-bbl 335 hp · as published | 13,812 | built, model-year | Reported |
| Cyclone GT convertible1 Cyclone GT/GTA · convertible · 390 4-bbl 335 hp · as published | 2,158 | sold, model-year | Reported |
| Cyclone 2-door hardtop1 Cyclone · 2-door hardtop · as published | 6,882 | sold, model-year | Reported |
| Cyclone convertible1 Cyclone · convertible · as published | 1,305 | built, model-year | Reported |
| What was counted | Count | Basis | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cyclone (scope unstated)2 Cyclone · unstated · as published Far below the compiled body rows; see conflicts. | 8,194 | built, model-year | Disputed |
| What was counted | Count | Basis | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| All 1966 Mercury mid-size cars (context)3 all series of the host line · as published conceptcarz gives 158,951 for 1966 Comets without the wagons it omits; not reconciled. | 170,426 | built, model-year | Reported |
Rows are separately scoped; do not add them unless a note says they partition a total.
1966 values come from one summarizing read of the fact sheet; a verbatim re-check was refused by the site in this pass.
Prices when new
| Model | Price | Basis |
|---|---|---|
| Cyclone 2-door hardtop (63C)3 | $2,700 | factory price as tabulated by Over-Drive Magazine (Standard Catalog-style table; basis not stated), 1966 model year |
| Cyclone convertible (76B)3 | $2,961 | factory price as tabulated by Over-Drive Magazine (Standard Catalog-style table; basis not stated), 1966 model year |
| Cyclone GT 2-door hardtop (63H)3 | $2,891 | factory price as tabulated by Over-Drive Magazine (Standard Catalog-style table; basis not stated), 1966 model year |
| Cyclone GT convertible (76H)3 | $3,152 | factory price as tabulated by Over-Drive Magazine (Standard Catalog-style table; basis not stated), 1966 model year |
Prices are the nominal dollars of the day, not adjusted for inflation.
Engines
| Engine | Factory rating | Availability | Built |
|---|---|---|---|
| 289 V8 2-bbl1 289 cu in · 2-barrel | 200 hp @ 4,400, 282 lb-ft @ 2,400 (SAE gross) | optional | Not yet sourced |
| 390 V8 2-bbl1 390 cu in · 2-barrel | 265 hp @ 4,400, 401 lb-ft @ 2,600 (SAE gross) | optional; 275 hp / 405 lb-ft with automatic | Not yet sourced |
| 390 GT V8 4-bbl1 390 cu in · 4-barrel | 335 hp @ 4,800, 427 lb-ft @ 3,200 (SAE gross) | standard in Cyclone GT/GTA | Not yet sourced |
Ratings are the manufacturer's advertised figures under the standard shown (SAE gross before 1972, SAE net after). They are not dyno results, and gross and net ratings can't be compared directly.
Transmissions
| Transmission | Availability | Built |
|---|---|---|
| 3-speed manual, 4-speed manual, automatic (GTA)1 | 3-speed standard; others optional | Not yet sourced |
Options and packages
| Code | Option | Price | Installed |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Air conditioner1 | $257.50 | Not yet sourced |
|
Power steering1 | $86.30 | Not yet sourced |
|
Power brakes1 | $43.20 | Not yet sourced |
|
Rally Pac (Cyclone)1 | $40 | Not yet sourced |
|
AM/FM radio1 | $129.30 | Not yet sourced |
|
Vinyl roof1 | $75.80 | Not yet sourced |
|
Back up lights1 | $10.70 | Not yet sourced |
|
Caliente hardtop convertible front bucket seats with console1 | $131.30 | Not yet sourced |
|
Courtesy light group1 | $14.80 | Not yet sourced |
|
Curb molding1 | $16.10 | Not yet sourced |
|
Elapsed-time clock1 | $20 | Not yet sourced |
|
Emergency flasher1 | $12.80 | Not yet sourced |
|
Front bucket seats - only in two-doors,1 | $79.80 | Not yet sourced |
|
GT option: includes blacked out dashboard, bucket seats, console with shifter, twin hood scoops, body strips, distinctive grille, special emblems, heavy-duty suspension, 390 CID 335 HP V-8, power booster fan, chrome engine dress up kit, and dual exhaust. This option is “GTA” if ordered with an automatic transmission1 | — | Not yet sourced |
|
Heavy-duty battery1 | $7.60 | Not yet sourced |
|
Padded dash1 | $18.40 | Not yet sourced |
|
Padded visors1 | $4.50 | Not yet sourced |
|
Positive traction axle1 | — | Not yet sourced |
|
Radio, AM1 | $58.50 | Not yet sourced |
|
Radio, AM/FM1 | $129.30 | Not yet sourced |
|
Rally Pac, in Cyclone ($40); in other models ($83)1 | $40 | Not yet sourced |
|
Remote-control outside rear view mirror1 | $12 | Not yet sourced |
|
Remote-control trunk lid release1 | $11 | Not yet sourced |
|
Retractable front seat belts1 | $7.10 | Not yet sourced |
|
Tachometer1 | $43.10 | Not yet sourced |
|
Tinted glass1 | $27.10 | Not yet sourced |
|
Tinted windshield1 | $18.10 | Not yet sourced |
|
Two-tone paint1 | $19.40 | Not yet sourced |
|
Vacuum gauge1 | $20 | Not yet sourced |
|
Wheel covers1 | $19.20 | Not yet sourced |
|
Whitewall tires Size 6.95 x 141 | — | Not yet sourced |
|
Windshield washer and wipers1 | $21.80 | Not yet sourced |
|
Wire Wheel covers in Cyclone ($43.20); in other ($64.40)1 | $43.20 | Not yet sourced |
Paint
| Code | Color | Built |
|---|---|---|
4 |
Sheffield Silver (M1901)1 | Not yet sourced |
8 |
Jamaican Yellow (M1955)1 | Not yet sourced |
A |
Onyx (M1724)1 | Not yet sourced |
F |
Tiffany Blue (M1226)1 | Not yet sourced |
H |
Sandstone (M1912)1 | Not yet sourced |
K |
Caspian Blue (M1903)1 | Not yet sourced |
M |
Polar White (M1619)1 | Not yet sourced |
P |
Bronze (M1910)1 | Not yet sourced |
R |
Olive Mist (M1879)1 | Not yet sourced |
T |
Cardinal Red (M2008)1 | Not yet sourced |
U |
Turquoise Frost (M1070)1 | Not yet sourced |
V |
Emberglo (M1921)1 | Not yet sourced |
X |
Burgundy (M1632)1 | Not yet sourced |
Y |
Blue Ice (M1269)1 | Not yet sourced |
Z |
Sage Gold (M1915)1 | Not yet sourced |
Color names are the factory's. We don't show color swatches, because a screen color is no guide for a restoration.
Interiors
| Code | Trim | Built |
|---|---|---|
27 |
Cyclone 2-door hardtop, all-vinyl bucket seats (standard): Blue, Red, Black, Parchment or White (Cyclone GT option also available) | Not yet sourced |
29 |
Cyclone 2-door convertible, all-vinyl bucket seats (standard): Blue, Red, Black, Parchment or White | Not yet sourced |
Specifications
| Measure | Value | Applies to |
|---|---|---|
| Wheelbase1 | 116 in | all except wagons (113.0) |
| Overall width1 | 73.8 in | all |
| Tires, 390 335 hp1 | 7.75-14 size | 390 GT |
| Rear axle ratio, GT1 | 3.25 ratio | GT standard; 3.00 optional |
| Shipping weight, Cyclone hardtop / convertible3 | 3,074 / 3,321 lb | Over-Drive table |
| Shipping weight, Cyclone GT hardtop / convertible3 | 3,315 / 3,595 lb | Over-Drive table |
Where the sources disagree
Identification
Read a 1966 Mercury VIN
The VIN decoder runs in your browser and never sends the VIN anywhere. How the factory numbered this year's cars:
Same model year
Also in 1966
- Buick Riviera A longer, heavier new body on the same X-frame; 5,718 of 45,348 carried the GS option, and the dual-quad Super Wildcat went from dealer add-on to factory MZ engine in March 1966.
- Buick Skylark Gran Sport, GS and GSX The Gran Sport became its own Skylark series (44600) on the restyled body, still with the 401 at 325 hp; 13,816 are tabulated.
- Buick Wildcat The one-year Wildcat Gran Sport: 1,244 built, 242 convertibles, 22 Super Wildcats.
- Chevrolet Chevelle and Malibu SS The first full year of the SS 396 as its own series, with a 396 V8 in every car: 66,843 sport coupes and 5,429 convertibles.
- Chevrolet Chevy II and Nova The source engine table lists the 327 L79 at 350 gross hp. Enthusiast-compiled production: 172,485 cars; Super Sport 20,986.
- Chevrolet El Camino SS No factory Super Sport El Camino is documented for this year; the record carries the host El Camino production as context.
- Chevrolet Impala SS Impala SS falls to 119,314 as the 427 arrives; 3,247 full-size Chevrolets got the 390-hp L36.
- Dodge Charger Dodge's first Charger, a fastback on the Coronet platform introduced on 1 January 1966, built 37,344 times, 468 of them with the new Street Hemi.
- Dodge Coronet R/T and Super Bee The first year the 426 Hemi was sold as a street engine; in the Coronet it was an option on ordinary sedans, hardtops and convertibles, before any R/T package existed.
- Ford Fairlane A new, wider Fairlane could take the 390 big-block for the first time, bringing the Fairlane 500 GT and GTA, and a small run of R-code 427 hardtops was built for Super Stock racing.
- Ford Galaxie The 428 became the big-car performance engine and gave its name to the Galaxie 500 7-Litre hardtop and convertible, with the 427 still available.
- Ford Thunderbird A 345-hp 428 became a $64.77 option, and the Town Landau outsold every other body combined.
- Mercury Marauder and S-55 The S-55 returned as its own line, a hardtop and convertible with the 345 hp 428 'Super Marauder' V8.
- Oldsmobile Cutlass, 4-4-2 and Hurst/Olds The 4-4-2 package gained the L69 three-two-barrel 'Tri-Carb' option at 360 hp, and a handful of factory W-30 forced-air cars were built for drag racing.
- Oldsmobile Starfire The last Starfire of the 1960s: coupe only, moved downmarket, 13,019 sold.
- Plymouth Barracuda and 'Cuda The last glassback-era year: one fastback body, the 273 Commando as the top engine, and production that fell to 38,029.
- Plymouth GTX, Belvedere and Satellite The 426 Street Hemi reached showrooms in the Belvedere and Satellite, and 1,546 were built into Plymouth intermediates.
- Pontiac Catalina 2+2 and Super Duty The 2+2 was listed as its own model for the only time, and production fell to 6,383.
- Pontiac GTO The GTO becomes its own Pontiac series and has its biggest year: 96,946 built.
- Pontiac Grand Prix Production fell to 36,757 as the GTO and 2+2 drew performance buyers.
- Pontiac Tempest and LeMans Pontiac's overhead-cam six and the Sprint package arrive beside the 326 HO.
- Rambler and AMC Marlin The Marlin's second year: production fell to 4,547, less than half the 1965 figure.