Vehicle Description
1962 Mercury Comet 2-Door Sedan
The Comet was originally planned as an Edsel model. Ford announced
the end of the Edsel program on November 19, 1959. However,
production of 1960 Edsel's continued until late November. The Comet
was reassigned to the Lincoln-Mercury division to sell at
Mercury-Comet dealerships, where it was marketed as a stand-alone
product for 1960 and 1961 as the Comet without any Mercury
divisional badging. The "comet" name was trademarked to
Cotner-Bevington as the Comet Coach Company, building ambulance and
hearse commercial vehicles. Ford bought the name in 1959.
Not the most powerful optioned Comet in the offerings of 1962, but
certainly a respectable grocery getter that remains in very
original condition save for some replacement floor pans and toe
boards. Recently removed from its slumber that started in 1998,
this car is ready, willing, and able to serve you well, but is in
need of a little TLC. A difficult at best car to find in this
condition, and for some nostalgia, the build sheet is included, the
keys were set on the cowl during its storage and have left their
imprint in the paint, and it has unbelievably low 76,944 miles,
however we cannot verify them as actual. From its bat-mobile-esque
small tail fins, to its rocket cone like rear stop lights, lets
usher in the very beginnings of the jet age, in style..."put some
records on while I pour".
Exterior
What could possibly be the original Presidential Black paint, we
note some dull spotting in the finish along with chip offs, crazing
and a few small areas of rust bubbling reserved for the lowers, but
again these areas are small. Overall things remain amazingly
original with good condition straight steel, all minding their
gaps, and staying in line. Opening and closing the doors, this car
literally has the Mercedes thud, with no after closing vibrating
jiggle sounds, just a cold hard thud...which speaks to fit and
finish on this 61 year old car. Noted is a nicely placed chrome
trim spear going from fore to aft at the belt line and it attracts
attention at just the right places for one's eye to follow the
early 1960's line of this car. Plenty of other chromed trim work
around all windows and drip moldings as well as highlighting the B
pillar add some dress up. The grille sports a pattern that reminds
us of an electric shaver and is flanked by dual headlights and some
front fender toppings looking like mini fins. Standard turbine
style dog dish wheel covers are wrapped by thin whites in 13-inch
format, with good tread showing on all. In keeping up the
traditional Mercury look the rear shows the "Dixie Cup" taillights
and just minor fins protruding above on the rear quarters.
Interior
A swing of the doors and we can see the original door panels in red
and black, and the vinyl has damage as well as the interior door
pulls. The front split bench seat is covered, and it is assumed to
be original underneath, but may have damaged covers, however they
are in red and black, matching the door panels. The dash is
original and shows some corrosion and damage on trim work. A large
black plastic wheel fronts the chrome and silver trimmed gauge
cluster and in the center of the dash is a Comet badge and the
original AM radio. A band of bakelite knobs and pulls dress the
bottom of the dash and black ribbed rubber flooring floats this
Jet-Age interior. Above, the headliner is sagged and shows with a
water staining in areas of the white vinyl.
Drivetrain
A 144ciinline 6-cylinder, most likely original to this car, sits in
an unrestored original engine bay. It runs well and has recently
been treated to an oil change, fuel system flush and a coolant
flush. This inline 6 cylinder is attached to a 2-speed Ford-O-Matic
automatic transmission that sends power rearward to a 3.50 geared
axle.
Undercarriage
Mostly surface rust with the unibody remaining sound, but not
without some areas of surface rust on the original
flooring,suspension and rockers. We note new front floor pan and
toe kicks courtesy of Auto Krafters, and these are the correct
stamped style pans. Providing the ride is an independent coil
sprung front suspension, and leaf spring rear suspension as well as
drum brakes all around being noted with the front brakes having
just been treated to new shoes.
Drive-Ability
Sitting inside it feels like a trip back in time and with a turn of
the key this car fired right up, and ran like a dream. No creaks or
squeaks, it handled well with just a little roll on sharper turns.
The brakes are strong, and the transmission shifted smoothly. A
nice cruiser where I noted the only things not working were the
radio, horn, heater blower and the speedometer.
An early example of the Comet, still taking some of its styling
cues from Edsel, and mixing them in with Mercury designs. Ready to
be enjoyed as is to take this to the next level and wow them all on
the show field....Comet, the better compact car!
2H01S588735
2-1962
H-Lorain, OH Assy Plant
01-Comet 2 Door Sedan
S-144ci I6
588735-Sequential Unit Number
WARRANTY TAG
BODY 62A-Comet 2 Door Sedan
COLOR A-Presidential Black
TRIM 452-Red & Black Vinyl
DATE 24G-July 24th
DSO 24-Jacksonville
AXLE 5-3.50
TRANS 3-2 Speed Ford O Matic
Classic Auto Mall is a 336,000-square foot classic and special
interest automobile showroom, featuring over 850 vehicles for sale
with showroom space for up to 1,000 vehicles. Also, a 400 vehicle
barn find collection is on display. This vehicle is located in our
showroom in Morgantown, Pennsylvania, conveniently located just
1-hour west of Philadelphia on the I-76 Pennsylvania Turnpike. The
website is www.classicautomall.com and our phone number is (888)
227-0914. Please contact us anytime for more information or to come
see the vehicle in person.
