Vehicle Description
1960 Mercury Comet 2 Door Sedan
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 Edsel's continued until late November. The Comet
was reassigned to the Lincoln-Mercury division to sell at
Mercury-Comet dealerships, where it was marketed as a stand alone
product for 1960 and 1961 as the Comet without any Mercury
divisional badging. The "comet" name was trademarked to
Cotner-Bevington as the Comet Coach Company, building ambulance and
hearse commercial vehicles. Ford bought the name in 1959.
Not the most powerful optioned Comet in the offerings of 1960, but
certainly a respectable grocery getter that remains in very
original condition save for some radial tires and newer exhaust.
This car is ready, willing, and able to serve you well, but is in
need of a little TLC. A difficult at best car to find in this
condition, and for some nostalgia, and it has unbelievably low
69,190 miles, however we cannot verify them as actual as the title
reads Mileage Exempt. From its batmobile-esque small tail fins, to
its rocket cone like rear stop lights, lets usher in the very
beginnings of the jet age, in style..."put some records on while I
pour".
Exterior
What could possibly be the original Sultana White paint, we note
some dull spotting in the finish along with chip offs, crazing and
a few small areas of rust bubbling reserved for the lowers, but
again these areas are small. Overall things remain amazingly
original with good condition straight steel, all minding their
gaps, and staying in line. Opening and closing the doors, this car
literally has the Mercedes thud, with no after closing vibrating
jiggle sounds, just a cold hard thud...which speaks to fit and
finish on this 64 year old car. Noted is a nicely placed chrome
trim spear going from fore to aft at the belt line, capping the
tail fin and it attracts attention at just the right places for
one's eye to follow the early 1960's line of this car. Plenty of
other chromed trim work around all windows and drip moldings as
well as highlighting the B pillar add some dress up. The grille
sports a pattern that reminds us of an electric shaver and is
flanked by dual headlights and some front fender toppings looking
like mini fins with gunsight standoff emblems. Standard turbine
style dog dish wheel covers are wrapped by thin whites in 13-inch
format, with good tread showing on all. In keeping up the
traditional Mercury look, the rear shows the canted to match the
fins oval tail lights protruding above on the rear quarters.
Interior
A swing of the doors and we can see the original door panels in
black and white, and the vinyl has staining as well as slight wear
to the interior door pulls. The front split bench seat is covered
in vinyl with smooth white bolsters and black tuck and roll
inserts. The dash is original and shows some slight corrosion and
damage on trim work. A large white plastic wheel fronts the chrome
and silver trimmed gauge cluster and in the center of the dash is a
Comet badge and the original AM radio. A band of chrome knobs and
pulls dress the bottom of the dash and slightly worn and color
faded black carpeting flooring floats this Jet-Age interior. Above,
the headliner is tight and shows minimal staining of the white
vinyl.
Drivetrain
A 144ciinline 6 cylinder, most likely original to this car, sits in
an unrestored original engine bay. It runs well and has a yellow
valve cover and air cleaner on, which is factory correct. This
inline 6 cylinder is attached to a 2-speed Comet Drive,
(Ford-O-Matic), automatic transmission that sends power rearward to
a 3.56 geared axle.
Undercarriage
Very little surface rust with the unibody remaining sound, but not
without some areas of very light surface rust on the original
flooring,suspension and rockers. Providing the ride is an
independent coil sprung front suspension, and leaf spring rear
suspension as well as drum brakes all around being noted. A stock
style single exhaust system is on to handle the exhale with
ease.
Drive-Ability
Sitting inside it feels like a trip back in time and with a turn of
the key this car fired right up, and ran like a dream. No creaks or
squeaks, it handled well with just a little roll on sharper turns.
The brakes are strong, and the transmission shifted smoothly. A
nice cruiser where I noted all things working as they should,
although our consignor notes the car may need a new generator or
battery. While Classic Auto Mall represents that these functions
were working at the time of our test drive, we cannot guarantee
these functions will be working at the time of your purchase.
A first year example of the Comet, still taking some of its styling
cues from Edsel, and mixing them in with Mercury designs. Ready to
be enjoyed as is or take this one to the next level and wow them
all on the show field....Comet, the better compact car!
0H01S892344
0-1960
H-Lorain, OH Assy Plant
01-Comet 2 Door Sedan
S-144ci 90hp I6
892344-Sequential Unit Number
WARRANTY PLATE
BODY 62A-Comet 2 Door Sedan
COLOR M-Sultana White
TRIM 56-Black & White Vinyl
DATE 05H-August 5th
TRANS 3-2 Speed Comet Drive
AXLE 1-3.56 Conventional
Classic Auto Mall is home to more than 1,000 classic and
collectible vehicles for sale via consignment in a climate
controlled 336,000-square foot showroom (that's more than 8
acres!). The largest single location consignment dealer of classic
and collectible vehicles in the country is located in Morgantown,
Pennsylvania, just 1-hour west of Philadelphia off Exit 298 of the
I-76 Pennsylvania Turnpike. For more information visit
www.classicautomall.com or call us at (888) 227-0914. Contact us
anytime for more information or to come see the vehicle in person.
There is no guarantee of mileage. A $299 Dealer Administrative fee
is not included in the advertised price.
With so many great cars, you know we have a lot to talk about, and
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