1977 Mercury Comet

The Mercury Comet began life devoid of any divisional badging, with just 'Comet' badges, in 1960 and sold through Mercury-Comet dealers, although they were not branded as a Mercury Comet until 1962. They were based on the compact Ford Falcon and produced through 1969, and then on the intermediate Ford Fairlane in 1971. By the time production ended in 1977, it had moved to the compact Ford Maverick line. Ford intended to replace the Comet and its Ford Maverick counterpart for the 1975 model year with redesigned models that would continue to wear the Comet and Maverick nameplates. Instead, they decided that the updated versions would be built alongside the original Maverick and Comet. They used the same basic chassis as the Maverick and Comet, and were called the Ford Granada and the Mercury Monarch, offering more standard and optional equipment than their siblings and considered 'luxury compacts.'

Going into its final year of production, the Mercury Comet received only minor changes, with new interior and body colors, and two new vinyl roof colors. The simulated wire wheel covers were a new option, along with two-tone paint, high-altitude emissions, new Decor Groups, and four-way manual bucket seats.

The standard three-engines dating back to the early 1970s were carried over into 1977, with modifications made to all, including a new Dura-Spark ignition and improved-response throttle linkage. They were backed by a new wide-ratio three-speed manual shift transmission, while the 302 V8 engines had a more efficient torque converter. The base engine was an inline-six with overhead valves, a cast-iron block and head, a 200 cubic-inch displacement, seven main bearings, hydraulic valve lifters, 8.5:1 compression, and delivering 96 horsepower at 4,400 RPM and 151 lb-ft of torque. The larger and optional inline-6 with 250 CID displacement had only slightly more power and torque, rated at 98 horsepower and 182 lb-ft. The optional 302 V8 with overhead valves, five main bearings, hydraulic valve lifters, and 8.4:1 compression delivered approximately 130 horsepower and 242 lb-ft of torque.

The Comet came standard with hubcaps with C78x14 blackwall tires, European-type armrests and door handles, dome light, glove box, and lighted front ashtray. A vinyl roof, whitewall tires, full-length molding with color-keyed vinyl inserts, and tinted glass were part of the Custom option package (priced at $609), along with bodyside paint stripes, reclining front bucket seats, and leather-wrapped sports steering wheel. Other option groups included the Bumper group, Protection group, Sports accent group, Interior decor group, Exterior decor group, and Sports instrument/handling group.

The front grille had a middle section that protruded forward slightly and was comprised of thin horizontal bars with a larger horizontal bar in the center and full-width lower grille molding. The middle-section was flanked on either side by clear rectangular park/signal lenses and outer round headlamps at their outer edges. The headlamps were positioned within blackout frames with argent beads. In the back, the taillamps had two separate oval pods. Styling features included rocker panel moldings, bright upper bodyside and drip rail moldings, and front and rear wheel lip moldings. The four-door body style had roll-down back door windows, and the two-door versions had front-hinged rear quarter windows.

Production of the Mercury Comet ended in 1977 to make way for the new Mercury Zephyr introduced for the 1978 model year.

By Daniel Vaughan | Jan 2021