1966 Mercury Comet Cyclone GT

[Paul Ceasrine]

Dennis,

I believe the 66' Comet Cyclone convertible was the 'Official Indy Pace Car'
in 1966.

The car 'should' have had functional scoops in that fiberglass hood,
instead of the faux-units.

At the 66' NHRA Winternationals, the manufacturers and dealers used the
C/Stock class to promote their 'new and hottest street performance cars'.

Mercury, with '8' Comet Cyclone GT entries in class, were out in force to win
C/Stock.
Not an easy task, as a total of '27' cars were entered, including the dangerous
66' Oldsmobile 4-4-2 (400/360HP Tri-Power) and the 66' GTO (389/360 HP Tri-Power).

The Mercury contingent did not disappoint, as the Comet Cyclone GT's took
3 of the top 4 qualifying spots, plus 3 more spots in the Top 10

C/Stock qualifiers;
#1 Ken Casteel,,,,,,,,,,,12.95 @ 104.40 MPH
#2 Les Shockey,,,,,,,,,,13.05 @ 107.14 MPH
#4 Roger Gustin,,,,,,,,,,13.05 @ 105.00 MPH
#7 Billy Lagana,,,,,,,,,,,,13.09 @ 104.75 MPH
#9 Eddie Schartman,,,,,13.11 @ 104.03 MPH
#10 Tom Strunk,,,,,,,,,,,13.12 @ 105.05 MPH