What Makes a Spoiler a Spoiler?

Most of us know that Mercury built two versions of the Dan Gurney and Cale Yarborough Cyclone. In reality, there were four different cars: Cale Yarborough Spoiler and Cale Yarborough Spoiler II. There were also two versions of the Dan Gurney: the Dan Gurney Spoiler and the Dan Gurney Spoiler II. All Dan Gurney and Cale Yarborough Spoiler II cars were identical except for the paint schemes: blue and White for Gurney and Red and White for Cale. No options were available on the Spoiler II cars. However, two documented Spoiler II cars were different. One Dan Gurney and one Cale Yarborough car were built and delivered as heater delete cars. The Gurney is documented as being delivered to Hawaii. The Cale car is also believed to have been delivered to Hawaii.)

However, the Gurney and Yarborough Spoilers could be had in many different configurations. There was a basic Spoiler package, but then other Cyclone options could be added. Let’s look at what the Spoiler Package consisted of.

When looking for a Gurney or Yarborough Spoiler, be careful. A preproduction Cycone, or better known as the Color Code car, was built up to December 31, 1968. These were regular Cyclones built with a special Red/White Color Code paint scheme similar to the Yarborough Spoiler. The Data Plate for these cars will be blank in the color designation field. ALL real Yarborough Spoilers (and Spoiler IIs) were built after January 1, 1969. These cars will not have all the mandatory Spoiler options.

No such Dan Gurney Color Code cars are known to have been produced.

The Spoiler was an Option Package for the Mercury Cyclone. It included the following:

-351 4V 290 hp Windsor Engine with dual exhaust

-F70x14 Raised White Letter Goodyear Polly Tires

-Cyclone CJ grill blacked out

-3.25 8″ rear axle

-Red/White (Yarborough) or Blue/White (Gurney) paint

-Dual black hood stripes, tape

-Dual red or blue (to match the roof) side stripes, tape

-Argent steel wheels

-Hood Scoop, large but not functional except on 428 CJ Ram Air

-Hood pins

-Driver’s side remote control racing mirror

-Passenger’s side manual racing mirror

-Rear deck spoiler, delivered in trunk for dealer to install

-Yarborough or Gurney identification decals delivered in trunk for dealer to install

-Cyclone Spoiler identification decals delivered in trunk for dealer to install

-Black vinyl steering wheel cover, delivered in trunk for dealer to install

Notes:

1. Power Brakes and Power Steering were options on the Cyclone so it is possible a Spoiler could be delivered with manual drum brakes and manual steering.
2. It is believed that the 390 and 428 CJ engines were not available at the start of the Spoiler run.
   
3. Early cars were built for the Southern Region and the Los Angeles District but demand from other DSOs made them available in all areas.

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