1962 Mercury Comet 2-Door Sedan
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 144ci inline 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
Price: $13,600
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