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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.

Body styles included a two-door fastback sedan resting on a 103-inch wheelbase and a four-door sedan on a 109.9-inch platform. The two-door had a factory base price of $3,400 and the sedan at $3,465. The four-door version was more popular with 12,436 examples produced compared to the 9,109 of the two-door.

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 Dan Vaughan

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 Mercury's intermediate/compact entry vehicle. With a 114 inch wheelbase, many thought it would be considered an intermediate, but Mercury classified it as a compact. In comparison to the Ford Falcon, the Mercury had more lavish and upgraded interior trim details.

The Comet was intended to wear Edsel badging but when the brand was eliminated before the 1960 model year, Ford sold the Comet as a separate model through their Lincoln-Mercury dealers. The Comet continued to be its own model in 1961, the same year the S-22 model was introduced. The S-22 was two-door Comets with Moroccan vinyl bucket seats, stainless spoked steering wheel, and a center console. The carpet was upgraded, the wheel covers were stainless steel, and the rear quarter panels were given unique emblems. There were over 14,400 versions of the S-22 produced.

In 1962 the Comet officially became apart of the Mercury line. There were little aesthetic changes in 1962 but as the years progressed, there was more ornamentation and trim adorned on the exterior.

A convertible option was offered on the Comet in 1963, with 13,111 owners opting for the option. The Comet Cyclone with its V8 engine was also offered in 1963. The 260 cubic-inch engine and four-speed floor shift transmission gave the Comet the power many buyers were hoping for.

The 1964 Comets grew in size and became more square. Mercury introduced three new packages but with the same body style and drivetrains. The packages were the Comet Caliente, Comet 202, and Comet 404. The Cyclone continued to be the sportiest of the package offerings. The Caliente was also a sports car option. The 202 version was an economical version while the 404 filled the gap between the offerings.

The headlights became stacked and new finned taillights were added in 1965. A 289 cubic-inch V8 became available offering 225 horsepower. There were a few vehicles that came from the factory with a 289 V8 and over 270 horsepower, though this was technically not an option offered.

In 1966 the Comet was all new. It now shared a body and chassis with the Ford Fairlane making it a true intermediate with its 116-inch wheelbase. A GT option was offered for an additional $452 which included a 390 cubic-inch V8 with a four-barrel carburetor, dual exhausts, fiberglass hood with non-functional scoops, and was capable of producing 335 horsepower. Power was sent to the rear wheels courtesy of a four-speed manual or automatic transmission. The front brakes were discs and a special handling package was offered to help with the extra power. The GT's were distinguished by their extra striping and badging.

For 1967 sales began to drop considerably partly to due with the introduction of the Mercury Cougar. The name of the Comet was only used on the 202. This trend continued in 1968 and 1969 where the Comet name was used on the low-line models.

There was no 1970 Comet but a year later the Comet re-appeared. It was available only as a coupe or a sedan.

by Dan Vaughan

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 a much more updated version of the Falcon. The Comet had very distinct outer body panels.

During the mid-1960's, Comets were available with Ford's highest performance muscle car engines of the day. About 50 models were produced, Comet Cyclones that were ultra-high performance lightweight vehicles that were equipped with a racing two carburetor 427 engine.

Developed at the same time as the Falcon, the Comet received a new grille design before its March 1960 introduction.

In design, the Comet was much like the Ford Falcon, except the Falcon came with a split grille.

After the release of the vehicle, the split grille was reformed into a model more in character with the Edsel models. Though the canted elliptical taillights were used and carried the 'E' (Edsel) part number on them though the lenses differed in length and width.

The Comet was eclipsed by the new Mercury Montego before being relegated to low-line models.

by Jessican Donaldson