conceptcarz.com

1962 Mercury Comet

Mercury introduced the Comet model in the spring of 1960 and it was based on the new-for-1960 Ford Falcon, and originally intended as an Edsel model. Initially, it was marketed as its own brand, later becoming a model in the Mercury line. The Comet was an instant sales success, thanks in part to its upscale appointments and Thunderbird-like roofline.

Recognizing its potential and in keeping with Ford's 'Total Performance' of the era, a sporty S-22 Coupe, patterned after Corvair's Monza, was added to the line in the Spring of 1961. The S-22 package added five exterior colors, plush all-vinyl bucket-seats, deluxe armrests, full wheel covers, special badging, and narrow-band whitewall tires.

1962 Mercury Comet
Styling changes for 1962 included relocating the Comet nameplates from the rear to front fenders, round taillights, and a new, fine-patterned, vertical bar grille. The base engine was an overhead valve six-cylinder unit with four main bearings, a 144.3 CID displacement, a Holley one-barrel carburetor, and delivering 85 horsepower at 4,200 RPM. A three-speed manual transmission was standard and the Merc-O-Matic automatic was a $171.70 option. A 170 CID version of the six-cylinder engine with 101 horsepower was a $45.10 option. A 223 CID six-cylinder, overhead-valve unit had 138 horsepower at 4,200 RPM.

The Comet became more luxurious with increased sound insulation, easier-to-read instrumentation, and a roomier trunk.

The two-door sedan body style had a factory base price of $2,080 and approximately 73,800 examples were produced. 70,227 of the four-door sedan, with a base price of $2,140, were produced. 2,121 examples of the two-door station wagon were built and 16,759 of the four-door station wagon.

Mercury Comet Custom
The Custom trim had the same four body styles as the base trim level, with prices increasing by approximately $90. Distinguishable features included fender nameplates, side window chrome trim, white steering wheel with bright horn ring, deluxe upholstery, cigarette lighter, carpeting, front door dome light switch, and rear seat armrest.

Mercury Comet Special
The S-22 sedan, priced at $2,370, had six taillights compared to the four on the other Comets. The four-door Villager Station Wagon had simulated wood trim and was priced at $2,700.

The S-22 had a medallion located above the trim on the roof panel, red wheel rims, and an all-vinyl interior with front bucket seats with a storage console between them. Standard items included loop-yarn carpeting, whitewall tires, and backup lights.

Production
The 1962 Comet production reached 165,225 units accounting for approximately 48-percent of Mercury's total production. Approximately ninety-five percent of all Mercury models and nearly 65-percent of Comets were equipped with automatic transmissions. 17 percent of 1962 Mercurys had six-cylinder engines.


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

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

1962 Comet
$2,705-$16,700
1962 Mercury Comet Price Range: $2,080 - $2,705

Compare: Lower | Higher | Similar

Other 1962 Mercury Models
$2,670 - $3,740

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

Related Automotive News