Q: Hi, Greg. I own a 1970 Mercury Cyclone 429-360 horse with a C-6 automatic and 3:50 rear end gears. Only 1,695 of these models were made. I had an "easy" restore in 1999 because the car was so nice and complete. The car is 90-percent original, and has a full gauge package and a rear spoiler. I have the build sheet and all paper on the car. What is it worth? It only has 56,000 miles, never been rebuilt. I paid $5,250 for it in '98, and it still has the original FoMoCo headlights, too. I've seen pricing from $7,500 to $11,000, so what do you think?
D.A., Canton, Ohio.
A: Dave, take a bow. Your car is really, really nice! Now, for the good news for you and Judith. The car you have is worth a heck of a lot more than you paid for it. With roots that date back to NASCAR and the heyday of the Mercury Cyclones winning races with the Wood Brothers, the Cyclone, GT and Spoiler V-8 editions are worth from $10,000 to $20,000 for the Spoiler 370 horse edition. It seems that because your car is equipped with the 429 V8, and has the GT and spoiler package, you add another 40-percent to the price. That equates to an additional $2,640 on the low side to $4,620 on the high side. Thus, if I were you, I'd ask a minimum of $16,500 in its present condition. Then again, if I were you, I wouldn't think of selling the car, as the only way for this extremely fast and rare Mercury to go is higher. Good luck, and you'll be pleased to know I envy you and your excellent purchase. Like the adage goes, he who hesitates is lost, and you cashed in on a beauty! Let me know if you sell. In ending, Ford built this car as a return "statement" to Chrysler when the latter built the 426 Hemi Plymouth Superbird and Dodge Daytona.