A 1969 Mercury Cyclone Spoiler Dan Gurney Special, trapped in a basement since 1980, is now fully restored and back on the road.
A rare 1969 Mercury Cyclone Spoiler, forgotten in a basement for over 40 years, has been fully restored to its original condition after being rescued in 2021. The highly collectible Dan Gurney Special edition is now turning heads once again thanks to a meticulous rotisserie restoration.
Originally purchased new in 1969, the car was driven sparingly before being parked in 1980 and subsequently forgotten. Its remarkable story came to light in a recent episode on Lou Costabile’s YouTube channel, where car restorer Everett Rutledge and current owner Steve Breedlove detailed the car’s decades-long disappearance and stunning revival.
Breedlove acquired the vehicle after locating it in the basement of a private residence, where it had remained undisturbed since the Carter administration. The Cyclone’s confinement may have preserved its integrity: the car was discovered in extremely low-mileage condition, retaining its original 5.8-liter (351 cubic-inch) Windsor V8 engine.
Only 1,025 Cyclone Spoilers were produced in 1969, and just 131 of them were Dan Gurney Special editions, named for the American racing legend. Even fewer—only 114—came equipped with the same interior/exterior color combination and factory AM radio, making this example one of the rarest surviving Cyclone Spoilers.
Following a comprehensive frame-off restoration, the Mercury was returned to its original showroom appearance, complete with factory-correct details and paintwork. From its signature red-white-blue livery to its preserved drivetrain, the Cyclone now stands as a rolling tribute to late-1960s NASCAR-inspired muscle.
“It’s an incredible piece of Ford performance history,” said Rutledge, who helped oversee the restoration. “To find one this original and this rare—especially with such low mileage—is almost unheard of.”
The story of this Cyclone’s resurrection is not just about preserving a rare car, but about honoring the legacy of American muscle and the enthusiasts who bring it back to life.
