19_Chevelle_69
06-20-2006, 03:03 AM
Comets of the mid-1960s were available with Ford's highest performance muscle car engines of the day. During this era the performance version was known as the Cyclone, while the luxury variant was the Caliente. Lower trim versions were known as the 202 and 404. Station wagons and convertibles also were produced in the mid-1960s; the top-line wagon was known as the Villager, and a Cyclone GT convertible was the pace car for the 1966 Indianapolis 500.
In 1964, Ford produced about 50 ultra-high performance lightweight Comet Cyclones, equipped with their racing two carburetor 427 engine, similar to their cousin, the Ford Thunderbolt. In order not to compete with each other, the Thunderbolts ran in Super Stock on 7 in tires, but the Cyclones were modified to run in A/FX on 10 in tires, where they were as dominant as the Thunderbolts were in Super Stock.
For 1968 and 1969, the Comet name was eclipsed by the new Mercury Montego, a variant of the also-new Ford Torino, replacing the Ford Fairlane. The Comet name was then relegated to low-line models.
1971-1977
There was no Comet for 1970, although the Cyclone continued through 1971 as a Montego model.
In 1964, Ford produced about 50 ultra-high performance lightweight Comet Cyclones, equipped with their racing two carburetor 427 engine, similar to their cousin, the Ford Thunderbolt. In order not to compete with each other, the Thunderbolts ran in Super Stock on 7 in tires, but the Cyclones were modified to run in A/FX on 10 in tires, where they were as dominant as the Thunderbolts were in Super Stock.
For 1968 and 1969, the Comet name was eclipsed by the new Mercury Montego, a variant of the also-new Ford Torino, replacing the Ford Fairlane. The Comet name was then relegated to low-line models.
1971-1977
There was no Comet for 1970, although the Cyclone continued through 1971 as a Montego model.