Paul Clovis of Northbrook, Illinois, began building the Comet racer in the early 1950s. The frame was sourced from an MG TD and originally powered by a Mercury flathead engine fitted with dual carburetors. The transmission and rear end were from a Ford. Having completed the rolling chassis, the car was sold to Bob Ballinger of Highland Park, Illinois, who gave the car a Glasspar fiberglass body. The body required some modification, such as decreasing its length to fit the MG frame.

Ballinger was the individual responsible for giving this new fiberglass, lightweight racer its name - the Comet. He used it in competitions between 1952 and 1953.

In 1953, the Mercury engine was destroyed at a race at MacDill Air Ford Base in Tampa, Florida. In its place, a Ford flathead unit was installed.

Glenn Glendenning became the car's next owner, who continued to add to the car's racing resume through 1959. During that time, many modifications were made.

After having completed nearly a decade of racing, the car was retired in 1960 and put into a barn in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin. In 1976, the car was sold at auction. Since then, it has passed through several owners. In the late 1980s and early 1990s, the car was treated to a restoration, bringing it back to its original glory.

by Dan Vaughan