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1963 Mercury Comet

Mercury introduced its compact, slightly conservative Comet model in March of 1960 and was the first Mercury powered by a six-cylinder engine. They were modestly priced vehicles, with prices that ranged from $2,00 to $2,400, and wore a unique and fresh body design with a grille that was similar to the full-size Mercurys. The slanting taillights and the rear fins on the sedans were unique to the Comet.

The Comet had originally been intended to be an Edsel model, however, the production of 1960 Edsels came to an end in late November, so the Comet was re-assigned to the Lincoln-Mercury division and sold at Mercury-Comet dealerships, and marketed as a stand-alone product for 1960 and 1961, devoid of Mercury divisional badging. The 1960 through 1965 Comet rested on the Ford Falcon platform, with the sedans extended an additional 5 inches.

The first generation of Comet styling lasted from 1960 through 1963 and is sometimes referred to as the 'round body' Comets. The 1962 and 1963 Comets shared many of its body and mechanical parts with the short-lived Fairlane-based Mercury Meteor intermediate. The chassis and suspension were redesigned in 1963 to accommodate an optional 260 cubic-inch V8 engine sourced from the Fairlane, breathing through a two-barrel carburetor and delivering nearly 165 horsepower.

For 1963, the Mercury Comet used a 109.5-inch wheelbase platform the station wagons and a 114-inch wheelbase for the other body styles. The base trim level body styles included a four-door sedan priced at $2,140, a two-door sedan at $2,085, a two-door, six-passenger station wagon at $2,440, and a four-door station wagon at $2,480. Both the two- and four-door body styles had similar production figures, with 24,230 of the four-door, and 24,351 of the two-door. A mere 623 of the two-door station wagon were built and 4,419 of the four-door wagon.

The Comet Custom level had the same body styles as the base trim level, plus a Villager Station wagon, convertible, and a hardtop coupe. Prices ranged from $2,170 to $2,760 and production totaled 63,133 units. The Custom trim level added additional chrome, interior appointment, and luxury accouterments. Chrome was placed around the window and three horizontal bars were located on the rear quarter panel and on the front fenders of the station wagons (except for the Villager). The interiors received carpeting, cigarette lighter, rear-seat armrests and ashtrays, front door dome light switch, and bright horn ring. The Village Station wagon had a power tailgate window and simulated wood trim.

Body styles on the Comet Special S-22 trim level included a two-door sedan, hardtop coupe, and a convertible. The two-door sedan had a factory base price of $2,370 and the convertible listed at $2,710. 6,303 examples of the two-door sedan were produced, 5,807 of the hardtop coupe, and 5,757 of the convertible. The interiors had adjustable bucket seats with a center console and loop-pile carpeting. Distinguishable exterior features included six taillights and front fender ornaments.

The base 1963 Mercury Comet engine was an overhead valve six-cylinder displacing 144.3 cubic-inches and delivering 85 horsepower at 4,200 RPM. It had a Ford one-barrel carburetor and four main bearings. A three-speed manual transmission was standard, and a four-speed manual and Merc-O-Matic automatic transmission were optional. Additional optional equipment included wheel covers, windshield washers, backup lights, padded instrument panel, air conditioning, padded visors, and a push-button radio.


By Daniel Vaughan | Oct 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....
Continue Reading >>

Recent Vehicle Additions

Performance and Specification Comparison

Price Comparison

1963 Comet
$2,750-$20,666
1963 Mercury Comet Price Range: $2,080 - $2,750

Compare: Lower | Higher | Similar

Other 1963 Mercury Models
$2,335 - $2,885
$2,840 - $3,900

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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