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1965 Mercury Comet

The Comet debuted in March 1960 as a semi-independent model and was initially intended as a compact series for the Edsel line. When Edsel was abruptly terminated early in the 1960 model year, the Comet became associated with Mercury.

1965 Mercury Comet photo
Caliente Convertible
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The 1965 Mercury Comet was the entry-level model priced at just over $2,100. It received a restyling for 1965 highlighted by vertical headlights that brought its appearance more line with other Ford and Mercury products. The grille had horizontal bars and the use of chrome was minimal, limited to the roof quarter panel and on the front fenders. The Comet 404 Series was positioned just above the entry-level Comet 202 Series and came with additional bodyside chrome and side window moldings. Body styles were the same and included a 2- and 4-door sedan, and a 6-passenger station wagon. The 404 Series added a Villager station wagon which had a base price of $2,700. The Villager was a name sourced from the then defunct high-level Edsel wagon series and was introduced to the Comet line in 1962 where it continued to represent the premium level of trim. It wore simulated wood trim, a power tailgate window, standard eight-cylinder power, and more amenities than the station wagon on the Comet 202 trim level.

The most popular body style was the 2-door Sedan which found 32,425 willing buyers on the 202 Series. The 202 Series 4-door sedan had 23,501 sales. The 404 line added 18,628 4-door sedans and 10,900 of the 2-door sedan. A total of 4,814 examples of the station wagon were built on the Comet 202 trim level and a mere 1,592 of the Villager station wagon, making the Villager Wagon rarer than most Mercury's including the Cyclone and the Caliente Convertible.

Standard equipment included front seat belts, defroster, heater, and front and rear armrests. Power was from an overhead-valve six-cylinder engine displacing 200 cubic inches and delivering 120 horsepower at 4400 RPM. Optional equipment included a heavy-duty battery, remote-control trunk lid, emergency flashers, AM/FM radio, push-button AM radio, power brakes, padded dash, and remote-control outside rear-view mirror (among others). A three-speed manual transmission was standard, and a four-speed manual and Multi-Drive automatic were optional. A 289 CID Cyclone two-barrel V8 was also available, as was a 289 CID Super Cyclone 4-barrel V8 engine with 225 horsepower.

Above the 202 and 404 Series was the Caliente Series representing the most luxurious and best equipped of the Comet line. The interiors received a padded dash, door courtesy lights, and deep-loop carpeting. The exteriors were distinguished via a horizontal chrome bar taillight treatment incorporated into the rear deck panel. Body styles included a sedan priced at $2,320, a hardtop coupe at $2,350, and a convertible at $2,600. The most popular was the hardtop coupe with 29,247 examples built, followed by 20,337 of the sedan and 6,035 of the convertible.

The performance version of the Comet was known as the Cyclone, having taken over those duties from the previous S-22 in 1964. The Cyclone came with chrome wheels, a distinctive grille design, two hood scoops, a vinyl roof, and curb moldings. The interiors had bucket seats with console and a tachometer. Beneath the bonnet was a 289 cubic-inch V8 with overhead valves, 9.3:1 compression, a two-barrel carburetor, five main bearings, and 200 horsepower at 4,400 RPM. The two-door hardtop coupe had a factory base price of $2,630 and 12,347 examples were built in 1965.

Motorsports
The Mercury Division had a profound influence on motorsports during the 1960s, including the 427 High Riser-equipped Comets that had a very successful 1964 season in A/FX competition, prompting Lincoln-Mercury to return a year later with even more resolve, broadening its assault with small-block powered Comets targeting the B/FX class. Bill Stroppe Engineering was contracted to build four Mercury Comets with the rare 'Cammer' 427 engine made exclusively for straight-line competition along with fifteen lightweight Comet Cyclones with 289 high-performance engines. The SOHC drag-racing 427 lightweight Comets went to 'Dyno Don' Nicholson, Arnie Beswick, George DeLorean and Hayden Proffitt; other A/FX Comets received 427 high-riser wedge engines. Among the weight-saving techniques employed by the Mercury drag cars included fiberglass hood, doors, fenders and bumpers, lightweight plexiglass windows, rudimentary bucket seats and radio, heater and soundproofing deletes.


by Daniel Vaughan | Jul 2020

Related Reading : Mercury Comet History

From 1960 through 1967 Mercury, a division of the Ford Motor Company, produced the Comet. In 1970 there was no Comet but production resumed a year later and continued until 1977. The Comet was initially built atop a Ford Falcon frame that was stretched and became Mercurys intermediatecompact entry vehicle. With a 114 inch wheelbase, many thought it would be considered an intermediate, but Mercury....
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Related Reading : Mercury Comet History

In the beginning, the Comet was designed as an Edsel model and not officially a Mercury until 1962. The Comet was based on a stretched Ford Falcon from 1960 to 1964. Produced by the Mercury division of the Ford Motor Company between 1960 and 1977, the Comet was classified as a compact or intermediate-sized car. With a longer wheelbase and a better grade interior trim detail, the Comet was....
Continue Reading >>

1965 Mercury Comet Vehicle Profiles

Recent Vehicle Additions

Performance and Specification Comparison

Price Comparison

1965 Comet
$2,700-$24,400
1965 Mercury Comet Price Range: $2,110 - $2,700

Compare: Lower | Higher | Similar

Other 1965 Mercury Models
$2,710 - $3,165
$3,300 - $3,530

Comet

Specification Comparison by Year

Year
Production
Wheelbase
Engine
Prices
197,263
109.50 in., 114.00 in.
6 cyl., 144.30 CID., 85.00hp
$2,000 - $2,350
165,225
97.24 in., 109.50 in., 114.00 in.
6 cyl., 170.00 CID., 101.00hp
$2,080 - $2,705
122,726
109.50 in., 114.00 in.
6 cyl., 144.30 CID., 85.00hp
$2,080 - $2,750
187,956
109.50 in., 114.00 in.
6 cyl., 170.00 CID., 101.00hp
8 cyl., 289.00 CID., 200.00hp
$2,125 - $2,660
159,826
109.50 in., 114.00 in.
6 cyl., 200.00 CID., 120.00hp
8 cyl., 289.00 CID., 200.00hp
8 cyl., 289.00 CID., 225.00hp
$2,110 - $2,700
114.00 in.
8 cyl., 427.00 CID., 425.00hp
114.00 in.
8 cyl., 289.00 CID., 271.00hp
158,951
116.00 in.
6 cyl., 200.00 CID., 120.00hp
8 cyl., 289.00 CID., 200.00hp
8 cyl., 390.00 CID., 265.00hp
8 cyl., 410.00 CID., 330.00hp
$2,206 - $3,152
81,133
116.00 in.
6 cyl., 250.00 CID., 155.00hp
8 cyl., 289.00 CID., 200.00hp
8 cyl., 390.00 CID., 265.00hp
8 cyl., 427.00 CID., 425.00hp
$2,284 - $3,000
4
116.00 in.
8 cyl., 427.00 CID.
$2,820 - $2,820

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