The Cyclone became a distinct nameplate for the 1968 model year, as the Mercury Montego was phased in to replace the Comet.

Though largely overshadowed by the Cougar, the Cyclone was positioned as a muscle car, representing the Mercury brand in racing as a clone of the Ford Fairlane Thunderbolt.

In the 1965 models, the engine was updated to the four-barrel carbureted version of the 289 cu in (4,736 cc) unit, but generated 200 hp (149.1 kW).

This model had a few performance options, which included a handling package, a special fan, and a "power transfer" rear axle.

Special features included a black-out, stand-up grille, bucket seats with sewn-through pleats, center console, chrome-plated wheel covers with lug nuts, engine "dress up kit", unique insignias, a vinyl roof in black or white and a "Power-Pac" gauge cluster for the heavily padded instrument panel.

The GT featured car stripes, a fiberglass hood (bonnet) with two air scoops and several other performance options.

Only a small, chromed badge with the designation '427' located on each front fender reflected the larger displacement engine under the hood (bonnet).

The 429 Super Cobra Jet, which was part of a Drag Pack option, was a 429 cu in (7,030 cc) four-barrel with dual exhaust and Ram Air induction, but it was rated at 375 hp (280 kW) SAE gross (335 hp (250 kW) net), and had a 780 CFM Holley 4 BBL carburetor.

The Cyclone Spoiler was for the performance-minded with front and rear spoilers, black or white racing stripes that went from front to the rear of the car, an integrated functional hood scoop for ram air induction, 140 mph speedometer with a four-gauge suite including an 8,000 rpm tachometer with adjustable red line, vinyl bucket seats, dual racing mirrors and a competition suspension package.

The basic package offered comfort weave bucket seats, full-length console, twin racing mirrors, integrated hood scoop that could be made functional for optional ram air induction, hide-away headlights, three pod tail lights and unique lower-body line trim.

The cost of all of this style was the having a small block 351 Cleveland with 2-barrel carburetor and a three-speed manual transmission as standard fare.

The Cyclone competed for buyers at Lincoln-Mercury dealerships in the performance coupe segment when it was decided to offer the De Tomaso Pantera exotic sports car beginning in 1971.

For 1972, the Mercury Montego was fully redesigned with body-on-frame construction, front and rear coil spring suspension, and a new shorter 114-inch wheelbase for two-door models.

The package included one of two engines, the 351 cu in (5,752 cc) Q-code 4-barrel Cleveland Cobra Jet small block engine rated at 248 hp (185 kW) SAE net or the 429 cu in (7,030 cc) N-code 4-barrel rated at 205 hp (153 kW) SAE net.

The Cyclone option group included a functional Ram Air induction through twin integrated hood scoops, Traction-Lok (limited slip) differential, F70-14 for 351 cu in (5,752 cc) cars, and G70-14 tires for 429 cu in (7,030 cc) powered cars, hub caps and trim rings, body striping and identification, three-spoke steering wheel and dual racing mirrors.

The dominance of the Cyclone would lead to the development of the "Aero Warriors", body styles of production muscle cars aerodynamically optimized for Winston Cup racing (following their homologation).

Alongside the Ford Torino Talladega, the Cyclone Spoiler II was introduced to compete with Dodge Charger Daytona and Plymouth Superbird.

Although a redesigned Spoiler II was developed in 1970, only a single prototype was produced (alongside three Torino King Cobra counterparts).

For 1971, NASCAR changed its rules to end the production of aerodynamically-optimized cars, increasing their homologation requirements and restricting their engine displacement.