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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.

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 Dan Vaughan

Caliente Convertible

The Mercury Comet Caliente was the most luxurious vehicle in the Comet line-up for 1965. It featured special equipment, including carpeting, padded dash and courtesy light, plus the convertible (like this example) had a power top.

The Caliente was also recognized by a special horizontal chrome bar taillight treatment that blended into the rear deck panel.

This Caliente is equipped with the optional Cyclone V-8 engine, which displaced 289 cubic-inches and developed 200 horsepower. It received a complete 'rotisserie restoration' that was done by the owner and completed in August of 2009. Only 6,035 Caliente convertibles were built in 1965.

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