1966 Indianapolis 500 – Mercury Comet Cyclone GT
www.caranddriver.com/features/g15086450/leaders-of-the-pa...
Conceived as an Edsel, orphaned at birth, and officially adopted at the age of two by Mercury (1960 and ’61 model years were sold only as the Comet, without any branding), the Comet emerged from its 1966 redesign with a kind of well-toned sharp-edged physique that people today refer to as “cut.” Based on Ford Fairlane underpinnings, the Comet was arguably more handsome than its main-market cousin as a coupe, and in top-of-the-line convertible Cyclone GT guise it was no contest. Anxious to share it with the public at large, Mercury put the 1966 Comet Cyclone GT convertible into service as the pace car for the 50th running of the Indy 500.
Powered by a 390-cubic-inch FE engine producing 335 horsepower (gross), the pace car included twin hood scoops, dual exhaust, and a limited-slip rear differential. Although reports vary, most experts agree that 100 “tribute” cars were made, with 33 of these being commissioned for parade duty. Unfortunately, the race was tarnished by a major accident on the first lap that took out 11 of the 33 starters; rookie Graham Hill took the checkered flag with only four cars completing the entire 500-mile distance. —Andrew Wendler
1966 Indianapolis 500 – Mercury Comet Cyclone GT
www.caranddriver.com/features/g15086450/leaders-of-the-pa...
Conceived as an Edsel, orphaned at birth, and officially adopted at the age of two by Mercury (1960 and ’61 model years were sold only as the Comet, without any branding), the Comet emerged from its 1966 redesign with a kind of well-toned sharp-edged physique that people today refer to as “cut.” Based on Ford Fairlane underpinnings, the Comet was arguably more handsome than its main-market cousin as a coupe, and in top-of-the-line convertible Cyclone GT guise it was no contest. Anxious to share it with the public at large, Mercury put the 1966 Comet Cyclone GT convertible into service as the pace car for the 50th running of the Indy 500.
Powered by a 390-cubic-inch FE engine producing 335 horsepower (gross), the pace car included twin hood scoops, dual exhaust, and a limited-slip rear differential. Although reports vary, most experts agree that 100 “tribute” cars were made, with 33 of these being commissioned for parade duty. Unfortunately, the race was tarnished by a major accident on the first lap that took out 11 of the 33 starters; rookie Graham Hill took the checkered flag with only four cars completing the entire 500-mile distance. —Andrew Wendler