1966 Mercury Comet-Cyclone Resources

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• Cyclone GT
• Cyclone
• Caliente
• Capri
• Comet 202

1966 Mercury Comet-Cyclone Facts – Body Paint Color Mix Codes

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1966 Comet-Cyclone

1966 Mercury Comet-Cyclone Facts and Specifications

General Year Information – 1966 Mercury Comet-Cyclone

Beginning in 1966, the Comet grew from a compact to become a mid-sized car. Also, the 1966 Comet and Cyclone models received a major styling change. The body now had sculptured sides that ran the length of the car. The look was shared by the sister Ford Fairlane. The Comet Capri replaced the previous Comet 404 and the Comet Voyager four-door station wagon replaced the previous Comet 404 station wagon. The Comet 202 four-door station wagon was discontinued. The Comet wagon introduced a Dual-Action tailgate, able to both fold down or swing aside, an idea soon copied by the major U.S. manufacturers.

The new top-of-the-line series was the Comet Cyclone GT. For Comets, there were two 390 CID “FE” V-8s now available – a 265 HP and 275 HP. The Cyclone was now called “Cyclone GT” and received a 390 CID version with with a four-barrel carburetor and 335 HP as standard. There was no other engine available with the Cyclone. The GT featured lower body stripes, a fiberglass hood with two air scoops as visual distinction. On the interior the dashboard was blacked out, and a full length console was fitted. The Cyclone GT when equipped with an automatic transmission was referred to as the Cyclone GTA. The 335 HP V-8 was optional on other models.

Cyclone Paces the Indy 500
A Cyclone GT convertible was the pace car for the 1966 Indianapolis 500.

Historical
72 percent of Comets and Cyclones had automatic transmissions. A V-8 engine was ordered in 63.7 percent of these cars. The millionth Comet built was a Caliente four-door sedan.

1966 Mercury Comet-Cyclone Facts – Powertrains

• Transmission Ratios
  
• • • Three-Speed Manual Transmission (Floor Shift on GT Models Only):
      • I-6: First: 2.76:1, Second: 1.69:1, Third 1:1. Reverse: 3.17:1.
      • 289 V-8: First: 2.99:1, Second: 1.75:1, Third 1:1. Reverse: 3.17:1.
      • 390 V-8: First: 2.42:1, Second: 1.61:1, Third 1:1. Reverse: 2.33:1.
    • Four-Speed Manual Transmission:
      • 289 CID V-8: First: 2.78:1, Second: 1.93:1, Third 1.36:1, Fourth: 1:1. Reverse: 2.78:1 (N/A Station  Wagons).
      • 390 CID 2-barrel V-8: First: 2.32:1, Second: 1.69:1, Third: 1.29:1, Fourth: 1:1. Reverse: 2.32:1.
      • 390 CID 4-barrel V-8: First: 2.78:1, Second: 1.93:1, Third: 1.36:1, Fourth: 1:1. Reverse: 2.78:1.
    • Three-Speed Automatic Transmission:
      • All: Low: 2.46:1, Second: 1.46:1, Direct 1.00:1. Reverse: 2.18:1.
• Rear Axle Ratios
• • • I-6:
      • Three Speed Manual: Sedans: 3.25:1; Hardtops & Wagons: 3.25:1; Optional 3.50:1.
      • Automatic: 2.80:1; Wagons 3.25:1; Optional 3.50:1.
    • 289 V-8:
      • Three Speed Manual: 2.80:1 Wagons 3.25:1.
      • Four-speed: 3.25:1.
      • Automatic: 2.80:1 Wagons 3.00:1.
    • 390 V-8:
      • Three Speed: 3.00:1.
      • Four-speed: 3.00:1.
      • Automatic: 3.00:1.
    • 390 GT V-8 Transmissions:
      • Three Speed: 3.25:1; Optional 3.00:1.
      • Four-speed: 3.25:1; Optional 3.00:1.
      • Automatic: 3.25:1; Optional 3.00:1.

1966 Mercury Comet-Cyclone Powertrain Options

• Engines
• • 200 cubic inch I-6 standard on all Comet and Capri  models).
  • 289 cubic inch V-8 engine (standard on Cyclone Hardtop and Convertible, optional all others – not available on Cyclone GT/GTA).
  • 390 cubic inch 2-barrel V-8 engine (optional Comet, all Capri, all Cyclone – not available on GT/GTA). NOTE: The 265 HP version only available with manual transmission; the 275 HP version only available with automatic transmission.
  • 390 cubic inch 4-barrel V-8 engine (standard on Cyclone GT/GTA, not available Comet, Capri, Cyclone).
• Transmissions
• • Three-Speed Manual Transmission Standard.
  • Four-Speed Manual Transmission: Optional.
  • Automatic Transmission: Optional.

1966 Mercury Comet-Cyclone Significant Options

• • Air conditioner ($257.50).
  • Back­ up lights ($10.70).
  • Caliente hardtop convertible front bucket seats with console ($131.30).
  • Courtesy light group ($14.80).
  • Curb molding ($16.10).
  • Elapsed-time clock ($20).
  • Emergency flasher ($12.80).
  • Front bucket seats – only in two-doors,  ($79.80).
  • 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 transmission.
  • Heavy-duty battery ($7.60).
  • Padded dash ($18.40).
  • Padded visors ($4.50).
  • Positive traction axle
  • Power brakes ($43.20).
  • Power steering ($86.30).
  • Power tailgate window ($29.75).
  • Radio, AM ($58.50).
  • Radio, AM/FM ($129.30).
  • Rally Pac, in Cyclone ($40); in other models ($83).
  • Remote-control outside rear view mirror ($12).
  • Remote-control trunk lid release ($11).
  • Retractable front seat belts ($7.10).
  • Station wagon luggage rack ($64.35).
  • Tachometer ($43.10).
  • Tinted glass ($27.10).
  • Tinted windshield ($18.10).
  • Two-tone paint ($19.40).
  • Vacuum gauge ($20).
  • Vinyl roof on hardtops ($75.80).
  • Wheel covers ($19.20).
  • Whitewall tires Size 6.95 x 14.
  • Windshield washer and wipers ($21.80).
  • Wire Wheel covers in Cyclone ($43.20); in other ($64.40).