HOME FORUM RULES CONTACT
     
   
   

Go Back   CLASS RACER FORUM > Class Racer Forums > Nostalgia Stock and Super Stock

Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
Old 10-25-2011, 10:57 AM   #1
Paul Ceasrine
VIP Member
 
Join Date: Apr 2009
Posts: 2,546
Likes: 0
Liked 10 Times in 10 Posts
Default Re: 1966 Mercury Comet Cyclone GT

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

Last edited by Paul Ceasrine; 10-27-2011 at 12:54 PM.
Paul Ceasrine is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-25-2011, 12:08 PM   #2
Paul Ceasrine
VIP Member
 
Join Date: Apr 2009
Posts: 2,546
Likes: 0
Liked 10 Times in 10 Posts
Default Re: 1966 Mercury Comet Cyclone GT

Car Life Magazine,,,,,,,,,,April 1966

Performance test of the 1966 Mercury Comet Cyclone GT,

390/335 HP, C-6 Automatic, with 3.25 Gears

Test was performed at Carlsbad Raceway Dragstrip, January 1966.
Editors Analysis;
* Plenty of usable torque on the low-end.
* Not much of a top-end performer.
* Restrictive valve passages in the cylinder head, hinder engine breathing.
* Valve size adequate (2.03" intake / 1.56" exhaust)
* Hydraulic-lifters limit attainable RPM.

* Performance results; 15.20 @ 90 MPH

Test was performed with 7.75 x 14" tires, and 3-speed console shifted automatic.
Shift points were 4800 RPM (1st to 2nd) and 4600 RPM (2nd to 3rd).

Note: The car came from the dealership, equipped with fabricated tubed headers,
with 3" dumps.

Last edited by Paul Ceasrine; 10-26-2011 at 11:52 AM.
Paul Ceasrine is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-25-2011, 04:57 PM   #3
Paul Ceasrine
VIP Member
 
Join Date: Apr 2009
Posts: 2,546
Likes: 0
Liked 10 Times in 10 Posts
Default Re: 1966 Mercury Comet Cyclone GT

1966 Indianapolis 500,,,,,,,,

Paul Ceasrine is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-25-2011, 05:30 PM   #4
jims5600
Member
 
Join Date: Oct 2011
Posts: 125
Likes: 47
Liked 21 Times in 9 Posts
Default Re: 1966 Mercury Comet Cyclone GT

Paul I remember when I was in high school and seen those Comet's at
the local Merc dealership. I always liked those and had a soft spot in my
heart for them and the Fairlane GT's
jims5600 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-25-2011, 06:48 PM   #5
Paul Ceasrine
VIP Member
 
Join Date: Apr 2009
Posts: 2,546
Likes: 0
Liked 10 Times in 10 Posts
Default Re: 1966 Mercury Comet Cyclone GT

The 1966 390/335 HP Comet Cyclone GT's hung around for awhile
1966 in C/S
1967 in B/S
With the National Records in 12.70 range.

But in 1968 (classed in D/S or D/SA) things got a little tough.
National Records;
D/S,,,,,,,12.39 @ 113.10 MPH
D/SA,,,,12.49 @ 112.50 MPH

pc
Paul Ceasrine is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-26-2011, 01:11 AM   #6
Geerhead55
VIP Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: Tacoma, Washington
Posts: 1,632
Likes: 0
Liked 5 Times in 5 Posts
Wink Re: 1966 Mercury Comet Cyclone GT

Its a shame they came with such a small carb. Even if they had the 735cfm Holley it would've helped, although I'm sure a 750 or 780 would've been better.
Danny Durham
Geerhead55 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-26-2011, 10:42 AM   #7
Paul Ceasrine
VIP Member
 
Join Date: Apr 2009
Posts: 2,546
Likes: 0
Liked 10 Times in 10 Posts
Default Re: 1966 Mercury Comet Cyclone GT

danny,

Correct on the 600 Holley, a bit undersized.

The #3778 700 CFM Holley, better suited for that engine,
With 1 11/16" primary and secondary throttle bore size openings,,,,,more GULP!!
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
In the April 1966 Super Stock Magazine,
the editors gave the 1966 Comet Cyclone GT the 'Performance Award'.

They tested the car at Daytona International Speedway.
A 4-Speed car with a wide-ratio transmission and 3.50 gears.

Performance Results: 14.40 @ 96 MPH

Last edited by Paul Ceasrine; 10-26-2011 at 11:30 AM.
Paul Ceasrine is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump


All times are GMT -4. The time now is 08:51 PM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2025, vBulletin Solutions Inc.
Copyright Class Racer.com. All Rights Reserved. Designated trademarks and brands are the property of their respective owners.