Vehicle Description
The Ford Falcon's more sophisticated cousin was the Mercury Comet,
and this 1965 Mercury Comet Caliente convertible offers a neat
alternative to the blue oval machines that were so popular in the
early '60s. With a timeless triple black color combination, an
appealing upscale interior, and a thrifty drivetrain, it's a hobby
car you can enjoy without guilt.
The idea of the small car isn't a new one, and even upscale Mercury
was getting in on the act with the Comet. It offers styling cues
taken from the full-sized machines sitting next to it in the
showroom, but thanks to compact proportions, it was easy to drive
and remarkably quick, even when equipped with a six-cylinder
engine. This one shows good straight bodywork thanks to a lifetime
in the south, and dressing it up in black makes it look bigger and
more upscale than you'd expect. Dramatically carved sheetmetal was
all-new in 1965, making it look more like its big brothers and less
like an economy car, and most folks won't recognize it when they
first see it. Chrome and trim are quite good, and even on the
budget-oriented Comet, there's quite a bit of it, including the big
bumpers and ornate grille up front. The stainless trim on the front
fenders and ornate fluted taillight lenses give the Comet a lot of
visual pizzazz that make it look more expensive than it is.
The attractive black interior is another way in which the Comet
looks like it should cost way more than it does. One look at the
tasteful black vinyl and cloth upholstery with its square stitching
instantly reminds you of the other more expensive cars in the
Mercury lineup, and that's completely on purpose. The cloth inserts
make the interior comfortable even on warm days with the top down,
and while it's not totally correct, it certainly looks right.
Matching door panels are stylish for a basic car, and we're
guessing they were restored when the seats were upgraded. The
instrument panel is a handsome and functional design that includes
wood appliques for warmth a full set of gauges that are remarkably
complete for such an affordable machine. The original AM radio is
in the center of the dash, although it's probably due for an
upgrade, and the trunk comes complete with a full-sized spare and
jack assembly. A luxurious black canvas convertible top was
recently installed, and includes a crystal clear rear window and
matching black boot.
Ford's trusty 200 cubic inch inline fits neatly with the Comet's
economy-based mission. It appears to be the original engine, but in
1965, Ford Motor Company wasn't stamping numbers on blocks, so it's
impossible to say. It delivers bright performance in the
lightweight Mercury and you'll recall that the 1965 Mustang was
based on this same platform. Bright red paint on the valve cover
and air cleaner makes the machinery stand out against the satin
black engine bay, and while it's not detailed for show, it does
have a factory look that helps give it camouflage. It starts easily
and has a bit of a gruff voice thanks to a single exhaust system.
With highway-friendly 3.20 gears out back, the smooth six pulls the
car around with confidence and the Dual Range 3-speed automatic
transmission is a nice travel partner. Brightly polished Weld
wheels carry staggered 225/60/15 front and 235/60/15 rear radials
that give it an aggressive stance.
Unusual yet eminently practical for today's times, this Comet is a
great entry-level hobby car that won't cost you much now or down
the road. Call today!
