Incredible build. Ford Motorsports Boss 302 V8 with Tri-Power, 5-speed manual, disc brakes, incredible paint and interior. Fast, beautiful, rare Comet ready to rock!
The build reportedly cost more than $90,000 and one glance down the arrow-straight black flanks shows you where they spent a big chunk of that budget. It appears to be 100% original sheetmetal, as well, including the quarters, floors, and trunk extensions, so while it was built in Michigan, it must have lived most of its life in warm, dry Atlanta, which is the DSO to which it was originally delivered. A bare-metal repaint ensures that everything underneath is just as good as you’d hope and the two-stage PPG urethane paint should last practically forever. All the original trim was retained in the build, including the wonderfully ornate grille, which consists of four groups of four thin strips of stainless trim, a theme that is echoed in the taillights and the trim pieces on the rear deck below the window. The stainless window surrounds were polished, and since you know there are no reproduction trim bits for these cars, things like the taillights, rocker trim, and bumpers are excellent.
The interior was originally light blue cloth, but during the restoration it was treated to all-new upholstery in basic black, which not only matches the bodywork, but gives it a formal look. That also means that everything that is black inside this car is new, including the correct door panels with vertical pleats, the carpets, and the awesome-looking seat covers. I don’t know if the gorgeous woodgrained wheel is original equipment, but it looks spectacular, and if you’re a Mustang fan, you’ll probably recognize the gauge arrangement. However, only the speedometer is original-issue, with the auxiliary gauges being modern Auto Meter dials cleverly hidden in the original bezels so they’re a lot more accurate. There’s also a vintage Sun tach up high on the dash, right where Ol’ Shel put it in the GT350s. This was apparently a radio delete car, and the original block-off plate was just too cool to discard, so the modern AM/FM/CD stereo system was discreetly tucked under the dash to provide entertainment. The trunk is beautifully finished with a correct mat with lots of sound-deadening material underneath, as well as a full-sized spare with cover and a relocated battery.
This car was indeed an original V8 car, coming from the factory with a C-code 289, but in its place today you’ll find a Boss 302 crate motor from Ford Racing. Using the same 4-bolt main block as the legendary Boss, it’s built for combat and now grunts out a dyno-verified 385 horsepower. There are forged internals, a set of aluminum cylinder heads, and a very trick Tri-Power setup using three Holley 2-barrel carbs to really deliver some snap. A Mallory Unilite electronic ignition system lights the fires and a set of gorgeous ceramic-coated long-tube headers feed a custom 2.5-inch stainless steel exhaust system with TIG welds that border on art. A giant aluminum radiator ensures that it never gets hot or fussy and all the wiring, plumbing, lines, and hoses are new. And just take a moment to admire the engine bay, which uses finned valve covers, matching air cleaners, and a lot of polished stainless hardware to make a statement.
The aforementioned Tremec 5-speed manual gearbox is a neat fit in the Comet, almost as if it was designed to be there. It’s linked by a heavy-duty clutch to a custom driveshaft and a rugged 8-inch rear end with 3.55 gears inside, so it’s plenty punchy around town but with the towering overdrive, it cruises at 2200 RPM at 70 MPH. The front suspension is stock, but the steering is now a Uni-Steer rack-and-pinion unit that is so effortless that power assist is completely unnecessary. Out back, new springs are assisted by adjustable Cal-Track traction bars that really do help nail down the power as well as a set of air shocks that allow you to adjust the ride height. Subframe connectors were welded into the tub to really reinforce it in a way that you can feel in the seat of your pants. Of course the floors are in excellent condition and have been treated to a light dusting of undercoating, but not so heavy as to hide the details—it’s just protection. SSBC front disc brakes were added to handle the added performance and all the lines underneath are stainless. And for just the right vintage performance look, traditional Torque Thrust wheels and staggered BFG radials add some rake.
We’ve never seen a nicer Comet than this, and given the way the last one had three guys fighting over it and ultimately sold for full asking price, we’re pretty sure this one won’t be around long, either. It’s just beautifully built, insanely fast yet very usable, and it’s just a well-thought-out machine. Call today!
For more details and photos, please visit www.HarwoodMotors.com
