Look Who Will be at Keeneland Concours d’Elegance 2014; Part 2
Here is our second participant for our 45th Anniversary exhibit at the 2014 Keeneland Concours d’Elegance in Lexington KY July 19 2014. If you want to be part of this event you can still attend and bring your Ford/Mercury Aero Car to a special Coral style parking are. Please let me know well ahead of time. You may also want to stay at our groups hotel. Most of us will be staying at the Fairfield Inn & Suites Lexington Keeneland Airport by Marriott at 3050 Lakecrest Circle, Lexington, KY 40513. Phone 859-224-3338. Because the hotel will sell out I encourage you to book early. Rates are $119 or $114 with AAA membership.
We have been invited to display one of every model of the 1969 Ford Aero Cars. Our second car to be announced is owned by Marty Burke of Leonard TX and is a 1969 Mercury Cyclone Spoiler II Dan Gurney Special. Here is what will appear on Marty’s Display Board.
During 1969 Nascar season the Aero war between Ford Motor Company & Chrysler Motors was at its height . Both companies realized the “Win on Sunday, Sell on Monday” mentality. In order for the special aero cars to compete in Nascar, they must first be approved by making these cars available to the public to purchase. This 1969 Cyclone Spoiler II Dan Gurney edition is one of the 218 created for the public so the Ford’s Mercury division could race this type of car.
The Spoiler II differs from its Spoiler brother in several ways. The most recognizable features is the nose has been extended and has a slight downturn. This along with the flush mount grille & front bumper {cut & welded in three place from an actual rear bumper} gave the Spoiler II a huge aerodynamic advantage over a stock Mercury Spoiler. What one may not notice is that the rocker panels on the Spoiler II have been rolled under, so that in race trim the cars body could be set lower thus enabling the car to cut through the wind better & thus faster.
While the Cyclone Spoilers came with a wide variety of options, the Spoiler II’s did not get any. They all came from the Lorain Ohio factory with the 351-4V Windsor motor & column shift FMX automatic transmission along with a AM radio. Total production of the Spoiler II project is said to be 503 units with the remaining 285 cars being red & designated Cale Yarborough Specials”
