For Sale: 1966 Mercury Comet in Lutz, Florida

Originally planned as an Edsel model, the Comet was reassigned to the Mercury division of Ford, and created in conjunction with the Falcon. This particular 1966 model is a third-generation Comet that comes in the highly desirable two-door Caliente convertible trim. The repainted red and white exterior trim is complemented by the cleanly redone white interior that features a power top, air conditioning, and a modern stereo tucked away under the original. Sink into the plush white vinyl bucket front seats, and eventually, you'll notice the original five-pod dashboard sitting just beyond the two-spoke Cyclone steering wheel.

Despite having a somewhat confusing history of ping-ponging between being listed as a compact and intermediate-sized car from year to year, whatever its classification, under the hood, is where this particular car has no problem with its identity. A factory-correct 390 cubic inch Ford V-8 sits, topped by a single two-barrel carburetor, designating this as a 265-horsepower variant. Power is routed from that big block engine to a C6 three-speed automatic transmission and on the stock rear end.

The double grill works with the double-stacked headlight setup to give the Comet Caliente a style unlike anything else on the road before or since. Riding on a stock suspension that sits on 14-inch wheels draped in 195/75R-14 rubber. Unlike so many Ford Mustangs that have seen significant jumps in resale prices as of late, the Comet Caliente convertible offers a sporty, less expensive alternative to the more Blue Oval that also happens to be a bit more family-friendly to boot.

Also unlike the massively produced Ford Mustang, there were only about 4,000 of these particular cars built, making them extremely collectible and valuable to the right buyer. Add the fact that this car also comes with the original owner's manual, service manual, and maintenance records to verify its life experience, and suddenly this Caliente convertible just got a lot hotter than anyone expected.

*Collectible Caliente convertible model
*390 CID V8
*Two barrel carb
*265 hp
*C6 three speed auto
*Fresh paint
*Double stacked headlights
*Double stacked grill
*Modern stereo
*Clean white interior
*Newer tires
*Chrome hubcaps
*1 of approx 4000 made