The Ford Mustang gets all the glory — and rightfully so — but it isn't the only nameplate from the Ford family tree worth obsessing over. For enthusiasts willing to dig a little deeper, the Mercury brand's back catalog is a goldmine of forgotten performance machines that rival the Mustang in rarity, engineering ambition, and sheer cool factor.

While the Mustang has cemented Ford's place in car history, along with several other models produced under the main Ford brand, some of Mercury's cars deserve a place in the spotlight too. With a history that goes back to 1939, the Mercury sub-brand once occupied an important place in the Ford family. It was created to fill a gap between Ford itself and the more upmarket Lincoln. Mercury grew rapidly in the mid-century period, and even spawned a European sub-brand of its own (Merkur) in the 1980s; however, from the turn of the millennium onwards, it began to face severe struggles and was eventually killed off in 2011. The final Mercury, a Grand Marquis, was manufactured in Canada in January that year.

Although best known for offering affordable, everyday cars, Mercury also produced some genuinely high-performance models that can hold their own alongside a vintage Mustang in any serious enthusiast's garage. In this list, we have selected five of the rarest Mercury coupes ever produced, from limited-edition models to cars with optional features chosen by only a handful of customers. Here's a closer look at these hidden gems from the Mercury lineup, and what makes them so special.

1967 Comet Capri

The oldest car on our list is the 1967 Comet Capri, a model that sported the Capri nameplate a few years before it was also used for a standalone Mercury model in 1970 (as well as several other Fords, including the much-maligned modern EV). The Capri was, at this point in time, a trim level for the Comet that replaced the outgoing Comet 404 in 1966.

For the 1967 model year, one particular variant of the Comet Capri is rare enough to sit in single-digit production territory: the one powered by the "427" (7.0-liter) V8 engine. This powerplant was well-known in the world of motorsports, including NASCAR and drag racing.

Two different versions of the 427 V8 were available. The R-Code engine, which produced 425 hp, was installed in six examples of the 1967 Comet Capri. The W-Code engine, which produced 410 hp, was installed in just one single car that year, making it one of the rarest Mercurys to roll off the production line.

The W-Code V8 used one four-barrel carburetor, rather than two like its R-Code sibling. It was an available engine choice for customers seeking better fuel economy, and despite its slightly lower power output it actually delivered performance comparable to that of the R-Code cars.

1968 Cougar GT-E

Another ultra-rare Mercury that sports a 427 engine is the 1968 Cougar GT-E. Although the Cougar model itself was introduced for the 1967 model year, the GT-E trim did not join the lineup until 1968, slotting above the GT. It was only produced for that single model year, making it one of the rarest Cougar variants in existence.

The Cougar GT-E was initially made available with the 427 engine, which produced 390 hp. A total of 357 Cougar GT-Es were produced with this engine on board. Later in the year, however, the 427 was replaced by a different, less powerful engine: the 428 Cobra Jet V8, which produced 335 hp. Just 37 Cougar GT-Es were built with the Cobra Jet engine. For context, a total of 113,720 Cougars were produced for the 1968 model year.

The GT and GT-E variants of the Cougar were dropped in the latter years of the model's first generation, with the Eliminator trim being introduced instead for 1969 and 1970. The Cougar itself remained on the market for a further seven generations, enjoying a long lifespan that only came to an end in 2002.

1969 Cyclone Spoiler II

The Cyclone Spoiler II was a high-performance variant of the third-generation Cyclone, built to compete in the world of NASCAR. To meet homologation requirements, 503 units were sold to the public during the 1969 model year.

The model was based on the Cyclone's Sportsroof (fastback two-door hardtop) body style, and was available in two different trims. The first, the Cale Yarborough Special, was named after NASCAR driver Cale Yarborough and featured a white paint job with red interior and exterior trim. The second, the Dan Gurney Special, was named after racing driver Dan Gurney, who competed in Formula 1, NASCAR, and the legendary "Cannonball Run" among other races. This version was also finished in white, but wore a blue interior and blue exterior trim.

Although the racing version of the model was equipped with a variety of engines, including the 427 V8 and the Boss 429 V8, the homologation cars were fitted with the 351 (5.8-liter) Windsor V8 engine, which produced 290 hp.

An equivalent vehicle to Mercury's Cyclone Spoiler II was sold under the main Ford brand: the Torino Talladega, also built in 1969. That model was named after the legendary racing circuit of the same name, which had only opened one year earlier.

1969 Marauder X-100

The Marauder X-100 was a high-performance version of the second-generation Marauder, which was on the market for two years between 1969 and 1970. While the standard Marauder was fitted with a 390 (6.4-liter) V8 producing 265 hp, the Marauder X-100 stepped up to a larger and more potent engine. The 429 (7.0-liter) V8 produced 360 hp and was exclusively paired with a three-speed automatic transmission. The standard Marauder, by contrast, was also available with a three-speed manual.

Aside from its engine, the Marauder X-100 also offered several cosmetic upgrades that set it apart from the standard model. These included a choice of seating configurations (bench seats, twin comfort lounge seats, or bucket seats), rear fender skirts, and upgraded wheels. Mechanical enhancements rounded out the package, including upgraded shocks and Goodyear tires.

A total of 8,281 examples of the Marauder were built: 5,635 for the 1969 model year, and 2,646 for 1970. The Marauder nameplate was retired with the end of the second generation, and would not return until decades later, for a short-lived third generation in 2003 and 2004.

1972 Montego Cyclone

The most recent car on our list owes its origins to a shift in Mercury's lineup. The Cyclone, which had been marketed as a standalone model between 1964 and 1971, was turned into an option package for a different model, the Montego, in 1972. This arrangement, however, would only last a single year, with just 30 examples of the Montego Cyclone being produced before the option package was phased out.

Of these 30 units, 29 belonged to the GT trim. All were powered by larger engines than the 302 (5.0-liter) V8 found in the standard GT, which produced a modest 140 hp. Twenty Cyclones were fitted with a 429 (7.0-liter) V8 producing 208 hp, while a further nine received the 351 (5.8-liter) Cobra Jet V8, which produced 248 hp.

The last of the 30 Montego Cyclones, however, is the rarest of all. This car did not belong to the GT trim, but to the MX trim, and is the only one of its kind. That particular customer chose to install the Cobra Jet engine, creating a truly unique muscle car.

The Cyclone package did not limit itself to mechanical enhancements, but was also rich in design details that set Cyclone cars apart. These included unique stripes, Cyclone badging, dual racing mirrors, and a sportier three-spoke steering wheel not found on other members of the lineup.

Sources: Ford, HotRod, MercuryStuff, OldRide, Hagerty, Hemmings