I'm looking into purchasing a 61 Mercury Comet I ran across as a cheap summer daily driver while I work on my 56 f100, driving my 2006 Honda everyday is killing my soul. I'm not wise to the Comet value, what would be a good price to pay for this Comet? I will be looking at it tomorrow, according to the seller it needs some minor TLC but run and drives, may need a carb rebuild, a rear tire and a few other minor things, I asked about rust and he said it was solid and offered to put it up on a lift. Your input on value will be helpful. Thanks Guys!
I had a 63. I loved it. Slow as hell. Shoulda kept it. Bought it for 2000. Lowered it, painted the wheels threw on new tires, put 20,000 miles on it and sold it for 4000..
from my understanding the 62+ is a more desirable body style of the comet, i figure they will demand more money
thats what i was figuring, its just not a car that claims a lot of money, i would rather have a 62 and up but its local and if I can get it for a price around $1500-1600 i will buy it to run around in for a year
I dig the taillights on a 61. Parts are still pretty east to come by for the most part Macs has a good amount. My 18yo son just finished up his 62.
i've been watching that on CL for a while now, wondering what kind of 'best offer' would buy it. i wonder if it's something simple like a vacuum leak that keeps it from staying running. i had a '62 4dr that i liked a lot, and often wish i had kept. especially when i came across cars like dreddybear's and weez's. they don't get enough credit, but they can be made to look pretty good without much effort.
ya thats where I found it, the lower front part of the drivers door looks a bit mushy from the picture, ya to get it running it could be as simple as a vacuum leak, carb rebuild or the engine may be on its last legs...i need to get under the car and check it out for rust and the paint looks like a older respray to it could be a bondo queen, i will let everyone know how did tomorrow
I have also been watching that one. Looked tempting, with a straight enough body and all the lines aren't rotted to hell I would say the $1500 mark is a reasonable starting point on your end. But with it not running and moving I wouldn't pay more than $2000. Unless the body is very straight and you are in love with the car. I dig the cat eye taillights, cool color too. I have a spare 144 motor if you need. If you have and questions about falcon/comets pm me. Good luck with it
I bought my 61 a couple years back as a DD while I worked on my 50 Ford. Drove the 144ci into the ground and switched focus quick. I put a 289 under the hood and love the way it drives/sounds now. If I had to do it over again though, I might just sacrifice driving it for something OT while I worked on the one I really wanted. It's too late now, the fifty will get the TLC it needs and the Comet with the V8 makes me happy when I get on the gas. It took alot of cash, head scratching and busted knuckles that could have been spent on the 50, but its in the past now. I'm not saying that you won't like the small, underpowered, unsafe in traffic because it's too slow six cylinder motor or that crusing the Comet won't be fun, just that you should beware of the temptation to start tinkerin with it if you buy it. P.M. me if you need Granada spindles for the SBF swap, I have an extra set.
I have a 1961 Falcon that I bought in Jan. Paid $2200 and drove it 150 miles home.New tires, and completely new engine compartment (engine, battery, all electrical, wiring, all new). It's been a daily ever since. Base value on that, I'd say, and plus or minus if you like/dislike Comet. P.S. I've the 170, and it's never last from a light. It won't burn up the street, but it isn't a hazard, either. Mine's a Ford-O-Matic, too. Cosmo
Don't get me wrong, If I had paid attention to the 144 and wanted a six cylinder, I'd be cruising around with one today. The car wasn't really unsafe in traffic, but the 144 is a dog. I thought about the 170, the 200, 250, and 300 but figured that a V8 would be the way to go. I justified my choice with the "no replacement for displacement" argument and then contradicted that argument by throwing in a 289 instead of a 302 or 351. I'm not slamming anyone's ride, just warning the OP that if he's buying this car as a daily driver, he might inadvertently be picking up another project.<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-comfficeffice" /><o></o> <o> </o>
he might be. but i had the 144 in my car, and it wasn't THAT bad. it was a good cruiser and didnt do too bad on gas, and got out of its own way alright. never could be accused of being fast though.
indeed, 240/300 is a totally different animal. takes up a good amount of real estate in my daily driver 67 f100. unkillable engine tho. torquey and good on gas too.
I like that 61 a lot ! I'd rock it . Useless info alert ... in '61 , the Comet was NOT a Mercury . It was sold as a Comet , that's it . Supposed to be an Edsel , IIRC .
Pretty clean looking little Comet. I've had this factory 260/4sp 63 for a few years now, one of these days I will get to it.
Even not a trad. swap, I did see a 64-65 falcon vert . at the CHRR, had a turbo coupe 2300 and 5 speed. Fit well ,lightweight and looked like it was born there.
thanks for the posts guys, it will feel slow when going from my viper to the comet but what can you expect from a 85 hp engine, my honda just has no character and the comet does, i hope i can work out a deal, I hope the seller can swallow the hard reality that this car does not demand a lot of money, i'm also scratching my head on the value, its a cool car and figured it would bring a higher dollar amount but I refuse to overpay even if I really like it. He seemed like a reasonable guy so we will see. I do have a extra 56 223 six that needs a rebuild in the garage but maybe it will be too long. If it can fit I will make the engine a side project to replace the six thats in there. The only down side for me at least is that its a 2 speed auto.
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