1961 Mercury Comet Base For Sale
1961 Mercury Comet Base
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First, it\'s not really a Mercury Comet, it\'s just a Comet that was supposed to an Edsel but Ford pushed them on Mercury dealers when Edsel folded up almost overnight.
This car was built as \"The Refund Rod\" - meaning the budget was (jokingly) being limited to what we got for pop can and beer bottle refunds. It didn\'t set the budget but it did set the theme for this not becoming an over built, over budget, build.
So first, the body is as found under an olive tree in California. It has not been hammered or bondo\'d or ground upon or repainted to make it flawless. It would not be hard to do so but I purposely said let it show its age with pride.
As for fixes and changes, the list is long but they were all made with the goal of making them as low key and as \"in tune\" with the car as possible.
Engine and tranny: Out with the 140 CID and two-speed auto and in with a rebuilt 200 CID motor and 3 speed auto pulled from a \'68 Mustang. It is \"peppy\" and more than capable of running up hill and down hill at legal speeds.
Wheels and tires: Off with the 13\" rims and in with the 14\" powder coated red rims with trim rings and bullets. The new tires (maybe 500 miles on them now) are the same outside diameter as those that were originally on it so no change in overall performance or accuracy of the speedo.
Added:
Up front, dropped spindles from Fat Man and disc brakes from Advance Auto - no big name on them but they work wonders on stopping the car. 1\" diameter Quickor sway bar and high quality shocks make it go around corners very nicely.
In the back, another over size sway bar and new shocks. Drum brakes were rebuilt.
Inside, yes, that\'s a Pioneer stereo hiding behind the radio delete plate and a whomping big JBL amp in the trunk. That\'s what happens when the kids get involved.
The brody/necker knob and die for the gearshift are to help identify it as being a truly authentic hot rod.
NOS seat covers and carpets give the interior an original look and the sound levels are cut way, way down thanks to all the Dynamat that was installed. The headliner is original and short of perfect but it fits perfectly with the car.
An alarm system with auto trunk opener is a convenient addition to the original keys that come with the car.
What works, what doesn\'t work:
Everything works. Lights, blinkers, speedo, hood, trunk, etc etc etc etc. Some of the control for things like the heater are sticky but if you are 57 or older you too know that some things just get sticky with age.
There is nothing I know about on the car that would prevent you from getting in it and driving it home - assuming home is not in a part of the country getting pounded by the weather right now.
Glad to answer questions as best I can. Just a reminder that if you bid you need to pay. If you can\'t pay per my requirements then don\'t bid.
