R code 67 Cyclone project coming up for auction

[70bosscat]

Does anyone know anything about the history on this car? One of 19 produced?

https://rmsothebys.com/en/auctions/0321/open-roads--march/lots/r0021-1967-mercury-comet-cyclone-r-code/1053891

[brettco]

 Incredible car. A similar green farilane was on eBay a few months back. Could Ford have made the shock towers any bigger and in the way?

[thatdarncat]

Per Kevin Marti there were a total of 60 1967 427 Comets built, both R code 2-4V and W code 4V, and all body styles. Here’s the breakdown:

[thatdarncat]

Nothing to do with the car up for auction, but I’ve been lucky enough to see a handful of the ‘67 427 Comets. Here’s a picture of one about 5 years ago in the Bob Marvin collection at “The Shed” in Warroad Minnesota. I’m not sure if he still has it.

[GerryP]

I was wondering how they got the pentroof covers to fit.  In subsequent photos, I see they didn't.  That car was rode hard and put up wet.

[fryedaddy]

i remember one in a local trading post back in 85 or so.they wanted 4000 for it back then, 427 ht 4 speed.i wanted it bad.i was a teen and i bought my 1966 390 4 speed caliente for 200 dollars. no way i had 4 grand as a teen.but im happy to own my 66 for 38 years.

[Joe-JDC]

It has got an eight inch rear axle assembly which is not R code stock.  Will cost a lot to restore this one if it is an original R code.  Joe-JDC

[428kidd]

That's what I'm wondering? What's the car worth done? Looks like all the paint work will need redone. Poor gaps through out. Lot of none original engine parts. Already at 37k , so done what's the car worth? There was a gold 202 years ago I think in Canada, guy on the old forum used to post it some.

[BruceS]

IMO the toughest part of that resto will be finding some '67 Cyclone-only parts such as missing moldings, etc.  A parts car will be needed!  On the other hand, there are knowledgeable R-Code folks out there who can help. If restored, the exhaust manifolds are unique to the R and W code cars. 

GerryP, a friend of mine has both '66 and '67 R-Code Fairlanes.  The '67 came with PBF valve covers.  The '66 with Pentroof. 

[GerryP]

The '66 used short pentroofs.  Not anywhere near as tall as those aluminum cast on the subject car.  You can see one of the photos where the brake booster/master is missing and the booster bracket has been removed and set aside to clear the valve covers.  This car seems a real mess. 

[cjshaker]

It has got an eight inch rear axle assembly which is not R code stock.  Will cost a lot to restore this one if it is an original R code.  Joe-JDC

In the only picture where it's visible, it looks like a 9" to me.

https://rmsothebys-cache.azureedge.net/1/f/0/3/a/a/1f03aae9ec442ca693c154cd1dbd19d6315db31c.jpg

You guys are being hard on the car, IMO. It looks super solid, with original floor pans and engine compartment panels. Panel fitment is not terrible, just some minor tweaking needed for alignment in a couple of areas. But all the panels look very solid and straight. Lots of spare parts that can be sold off or kept. Yes, lots of little stuff missing, but one parts car would take care of that, and I'm sure there are some guys who already have that stuff. Engine isn't original, but that is the norm on cars like this, not an exception. I'm not up on values, but I'd certainly think it'd go over $100k if done right. Looks like a great project to me, if you can afford the proper restoration. It'll be interesting to see what it sells for.

That car was rode hard and put up wet.

How so? I don't see any signs of abuse or damage. The underneath is as solid as it gets, so it most definitely was not "put up wet".

[Joe-JDC]

If it is a 9", then it is 28 splines which would not be correct.  Look at the axle flanges.  Joe-JDC

[JamesonRacing]

You're spot on Joe.  In one pic you can see the axle housing from the rear, and it looks like a 9 inch, but the axle ends are clearly 28-spline.

I can't figure how the economics of this car add up.  It looks like it would go north of 60k to get the cosmetic restoration done right, then the mechanical is going to be another 20k.  The car, perfectly restored, would probably not bring over 100k, so there's not much room for profit.  Perhaps as a labor of love, which is fine.  I don't see that any of the "restoration" that has been done would be good to go.  Would be a total strip down and rotisserie project.  Every bit of chrome and potmetal is deeply corroded.

[preaction]

The cookie cutter valve cover "caps" sell in the 1k range when available. I had a W code engine dated parts are far and few between.

[Yellow Truck]

For a resto-mod project this looks good. For a full restoration it seems problematic. The issues with trim, valve covers, and rear end have been covered, but what about the mill? It seems to be a non running vehicle, and even as a non-original engine the 427 has to be 1/4 the value of the car.

Who wants to take the bet that it is unmolested and in good shape?