Vehicle Description
1964 Mercury Comet Caliente Convertible
The Comet was originally planned as an Edsel model. Ford announced
the end of the Edsel program on November 19, 1959. However,
production of 1960 Edsels continued until late November. The Comet
was reassigned to the Lincoln-Mercury division to sell at Mercury
dealerships, where it was marketed as a stand-alone product for
1960 and 1961 as the Comet without any Mercury divisional badging.
Developed concurrently with the Ford Falcon, early pre-production
photographs of the sedan show a car remarkably close to the Comet
that emerged, but with a split grille following the pattern
established by Edsel models. Early Ford styling mules for the
station wagon model carried the Edsel name as well.
For consignment, a somewhat rare, (low production), car in the form
of a 1964 Mercury Caliente Comet convertible. Popular among street
rodders, most examples have been modified, however here we have a
slightly modified for performance original with straight steel,
well minded gaps, and beautiful chrome. A few minor faults at the
seams, and some chipping of the paint, but over-all an excellent
example of this midsize upscale grocery getter, a getaway for the
parents car firmly for the suburban crowd. And it's a
convertible!
Exterior
Bathed in deep blue almost black paint, which is in good rust free
condition, we note a few areas of chipping however no areas of
rust, even under the door jambs where it is frequently overlooked.
All gaps are well minded, and upfront with its distinct Mercury
outward V shaped fine mesh egg crate grill, and dual headlights
flanking on either side, bumper below all shined up, were looking
like the Comet. A nice smooth hood is flanked by good looking front
quarters, moving rearward to a single door with a shiny mirror
attached and clean chrome handles. Noted feature of these cars is
their swept black wheel wells which are particularly evident on the
rear quarters and are sporting small fins which tastefully angle
back and overshoot the trio of round taillights below. Noted the
stamped in, large spear with COMET badging on each rear quarter in
lieu of the actual adhered spears of yore. Between these taillights
is corresponding outward smaller V chrome trim, emulating the
grille and connecting the taillights. Below a nice bumper. A black
convertible top showing like new, (and it is, plus has a boot to
cover the mechanism when lowered), with a clear rear window covers
up if needed in bad weather. On all 4 corners are shiny dog dish
style wheels with trim rings wrapped by black wall radials.
Interior
With Mercury being the upscale model of the blue oval, door panels
have extra attention paid to the design and materials with black
vinyl tile shaped padded grid with numerous horizontal trimmings
and a rectangular frame of the thin trimming. Door handles and
cranks as well as the armrest/pull have some extra shine, and a
courtesy light in working condition is just below the armrest.
Crossing the shiny threshold, beautiful overstuffed low back two
tone buckets in front and a bench in back keep the hits coming.
These chairs have more rectangular tile stitched and white buttoned
black inserts and smooth white bolsters and a bevy of black piping
to keep you eye dancing over them. A small but effective black and
white center console is between these buckets and hides the hump
which disappears mostly due to being covered like the floors, in
black nice carpet. The original pristine dash is upfront and has a
black padded vinyl top and plenty of chrome/aluminum trimmings
surrounding the instruments and gauges. Shiny pulls and knobs are
onboard and share a border on the lower dash with the shiny metal
and black painted bottom of the dash. An Alpine stereo system with
Kenwood speakers has been added in. The original big steering wheel
is framed in black with some chrome rings and dual chromed supports
with a center hub and our Mercury God in profile, reminding you of
what you're driving. An overhead view of the interior with the
black tonneau and white piping shows a simply gorgeous designed
upscale interior. A shout to the trunk which has the plaid green
and white vinyl liner and a full size spare tire.
Drivetrain
A lift of the hood, and bling shouting loudly greets us. This 289ci
V8 has shine all around with a chromed air cleaner cover, and
chromed valve covers. It is a correct as built mill and includes a
new 2 barrel Holley carburetor atop with an electric choke. On back
is a C4 transmission in 3 speed automatic form, and a Ford 8 inch
rear axle is on back. Supple hoses and like new wires abound here
too. An alternator is within a generator case looking original but
it's an alternator!
Undercarriage
Solid unibody rust free construction keeps it simple underneath so
we can skip right to the suspension which is independent coil
springs for the front and leaf springs for the back. Power disc
brakes have been added to the front and in the rear are power drums
and a Turbo muffler exhaust is now installed.
Drive-Ability
I clamored to get into this mid century modern upscale 2 door, and
it was well worth it. It fired right up and on the test track
accelerated beautifully, came to a bias free panic stop, and
shifted smoothly. All this and working functions as well as looking
fabulous doing it!
A fine somewhat rare example of the Comet Caliente convertible all
buttoned up and looking just great, ready for your driveway, all
you have to do is agree on a fair price, and then turn the
key....it just does not get any easier.
4H25K537988
4-1964
H-Lorain, OH Assy Plant
25-2 Door Convertible, Caliente
K-289ci V8 4bbl 210hp
537988-Sequential Unit Number
Classic Auto Mall is a 336,000-square foot classic and special
interest automobile showroom, featuring over 650 vehicles for sale
with showroom space for up to 1,000 vehicles. Also, a 400 vehicle
barn find collection is on display.
This vehicle is located in our showroom in Morgantown,
Pennsylvania, conveniently located just 1-hour west of Philadelphia
on the I-76 Pennsylvania Turnpike. The website is
www.classicautomall.com and our phone number is (888) 227-0914.
Please contact us anytime for more information or to come see the
vehicle in person.
