1971 Mercury Comet Pro Stock

The famous Super/Stock drag team of Barrie Poole and John Elliot, known as the 'Border Bandits' of the Sandy Elliot racing team with bold 'zebra' paint scheme, rolled into NHRA's Springnationals of 1970 and blasted everything, including Dick Landy's SS/EA Hemi Charger to take Eliminator. The next year, Elliot set the lowest ET ever achieved by a Cobra Jet up to that time, 10.78 seconds at 125.52 mph in another Poole prepared Mustang.

By the season's end, Poole and Elliot were 1-2 in NHRA Division III by shutting down a host of hemi-haulers with record runs, and Poole was awarded 'Racer of the Year' by Ford-Canada. Both Barrie and John were named NHRA Super Stock Driver of the Year. At the 1971 Winternationals, Poole backed up the previous year's Super Stock win as the Elliot team went on to make final rounds in 16 and 17 events, an astounding record.

While campaigning Cobra Jet Mustangs in Super Stock during 1971, Poole built a Pro Stock Comet with a 429 Cobra Jet engine that turned 10.17/136.77 miles per hour on its first run, more than a second quicker than his best Super Stock ET. This is that car. It was initially a Ford twist test vehicle to analyze welds that was shipped to Sandy Elliot's shop where Poole built it and its engine to conform to NHRA Pro Stock rules. Major changes to the vehicle were required to accommodate the engine's massive torque. Then, the 1972 Pro Stock rule changes made the car obsolete.

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.

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 Daniel Vaughan | Jun 2006

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.

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 Jessica Donaldson