My Cyclone Project

[Tennessee Whiskey]

Thought y'all might like to see a few pics of where all my time has been going the past few months (probably not ). My father and I have been doing a amateur restoration on a 1966 Mercury Cyclone GT. The car was given to me in '76 by the original owner. The body is at the paint shop and I'm cleaning, rebuilding, and restoring everything that has been removed. We are hoping to be close to a Christmas time completion. It's kind of been fun, but, I sure have missed the modeling and yes Jo, I have kept the castings for the Red Wing laying where I have to look at them everyday (keeps me focused ). Well, here's a few pics.

E







A couple for George and Steve

[Ian S C]

Lovely car, when I saw the title of the thread I thought he's building a big round 9 cylinder one by Wright, but that's OK. 

[Don1966]

She's coming around some since I saw it last my brother. Nice looking car bud and I bet your dad is enjoying it as well. Keep posting your progression I want to see the final piccy's.

Don

[b.lindsey]

Nice little project you have going on there Whiskey!  It's looking really good too...that real axle looks brand new!!  Please keep posting pictures so we can see the progress.

Bill

[Roger B]

Looks a great project    For us non US members can you tell us a bit about the car, engine size, power, transmission etc?

[steamer]

OOOOOH Red on white....Sweeeet!


My brother in law has a 70 Chevelle  SS   396 automatic with limited slip rear end...."Cherry Black" which is a VERY deep maroon and white leather interior....very sexy.

Dave

[steamer]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chevrolet_Chevelle#mediaviewer/File:70_Chevelle_SS396.jpg

Like this....though he ordered it without the hood stripe, and it has the 396 in it.   ( Actually 402 cu in)

Dave

[Tennessee Whiskey]

Thanks guys for looking in.  The biggest thrill I'm getting out of this project is getting to work with my dad on an old car.  We've been doing it off and on for about 50 years and I'm only about to turn 55. Never had a problem with fractions in school,  just thought of them as wrench or drill sizes . Roger, the engine is a 390 cubic inch, 335 horsepower,  big block Ford. Its designated as a GT motor due to the 10.5:1 compression ratio and the head design.  Trans is known as a "toploader four speed" and the rear end is a 9" Ford (like George Britnell and Steve Huck modeled). The body style was only made for 2 years and was very much the same as the Fairlane GT that wore the Ford badge. It has a fiberglass hood and "power nothing"i.E steering or brakes . The rear package tray and hood was the only thing insulated was Motor Trend magazines' car of the year in '66 and the convertible was the Indy 500 pace car. I think around 13000 were made in those two years and only about 3000 in the color and option that I have.  It's kind of funny,  the cars don't bring a lot at auction.  Dave , as we say down here, sweet SheeeVell.  It'll bring double or more at auction than my car and I bet the production numbers are a lot higher.  It's the fickle old car market.  I'll keep y'all posted

Cletus

[b.lindsey]

Cletus, I see the seats sitting there too. Are you going to reupholster them or are they good as is?

Bill

[sshire]

That is looking spectacular. Cant wait to see it finished. Working with your Dad is a gift.

[b.lindsey]

Um....you may better keep the tutu pic from Dad though Cletus 

Bill

[Tennessee Whiskey]

Stan, it is a special gift at this stage in my life.  Some of the old hot rodding stories I've heard forever,  some I actually remember happening, and now they will be with me for the rest of my life.  Bill, after this many years and being his only child (and the 70's ) I don't think much would surprise him Oh yeah, the upholstery was done new about 20 years ago and has very little butt time, I'm hoping it cleans up.

Rev. Cletus

[Dave Otto]

Cool project and nice work!

Looking forward to seeing more progress on this Eric.

Dave

[AussieJimG]

It's a lovely car Eric, and worth the effort you are putting in.

Thanks for the photos.

Jim

[metalmad]

Hi Eric
I did a bolt by bolt resto of a 2 door Monaro with a 350 years ago.
It really is a labour of love, something like this
Pete