Since its inception, the Mercury Comet had been considered compact in size, with the early examples often thought of as a corporate cousin of the Ford Falcon. However, with the introduction of the redesigned 1966 model, the designation went to intermediate. For those who enjoyed fun in the sun, convertible top availability remained on the third-gens, and this 1966 Mercury Comet Caliente here on Facebook Marketplace seems ready to offer some enjoyable open-air driving once spring gets here. This one’s located in Clovis, California, and comes at an asking price of $28,000, with our thanks going out to reader T.J. for sending us the tip here!
Three different engine sizes were available in the Comet for 1966, with this one boasting the largest, measuring an impressive 390 cubic inches. The seller says the powerplant was rebuilt by Dave’s Performance Engines, with an internet search showing a location in nearby Fresno, so I’m guessing this may be the company that performed the work. In addition to an internal overhaul, all of the outside motor components are also said to have been replaced, then topped off by an Edelbrock intake and Holley 4-barrel carburetor. More excellent drivetrain news is the transmission, a Ford 4-speed Toploader, a very durable component as the owner points out.
Some history regarding this Comet is that it was sold new to a family in Oakhurst, and while there’s no confirmation this one’s spent all of its days in California, it’s certainly a possibility considering the lack of rust on the body. The owner says the car was parked in a dry storage area in the mid-eighties, where it remained until his acquisition, still wearing an estimated 80% of the original paint. The finish isn’t perfect, but the body seems to remain solid all the way around, so the next owner will have to decide whether to spray on some new paint or just enjoy this cool droptop as it is now.
The only new inside item mentioned is carpeting, with the rest of the interior stated as original, which has held up quite nicely over the years. There’s also a fresh top canvas with a real glass rear window, and with no air conditioning, you’re probably going to want to drop it frequently during the summer months. No power brakes or power steering are present either, so this one should offer an old-school driving experience. This 1966 Mercury Comet Caliente seems mechanically ready, but I’m curious how our readers feel about its appearance. Is it better to go ahead and take this one to a higher cosmetic level outside with some fresh paint, or is leaving the exterior as original as possible a wiser choice?
Interesting Comet. If the quoted 3000 production figure is correct, there can’t be over a few hundred left. Add the big block 4-speed, this has to be a rare beast. Doesn’t look bad. Has had quite a bit of work completed. No power steering would make for an old-school driving experience. Is the 20% which is not original paint the back of the car? Looks attractive in Ford’s classic Emberglo color.
Good job Mike.
Hi Bob,
It’s always great to read your posts, and thanks for reading! I was thinking the same thing as you, that the spots on each quarter that don’t quite match are probably the non-original paint areas, although I can’t say with 100% certainty. If that’s the case, it’s strange that this color couldn’t be matched any better. Just a better match on those two areas would make this one look a lot better, and it might be a better option to find someone who can get closer to the right color and only address the quarters instead of painting the entire car.
@Bob and Mike. I Totally agree. Great car, great write up too, and I always enjoy reading and learning from Bobs insight into Fords and Mercurys too. I’m always learning something new on Barnfinds, . Over 30 Years ago, A good body shop could custom mix colors, they can start with the factory color “recipe” to get started, spray a test sheet, bring it out in the daylight with the car, and tweak the color. Im thinking any body shop that mixes their own paint could do this today too. But other than the quarter panels paint not matching, this is one great Mercury. And you’d be hard pressed to find another one like it at your local cars and coffee. I love the color too.
I’ve always liked these Comets but I agree with Bob_in_TN…the big FE must be a beast to steer without power steering. And with those midsize Ford shock towers, changing plugs has got to be a tough endeavor.
Changing plugs in these is not nearly as bad as a 67-70 Cougar or Mustang with the 390 or 428. I would say they are the worst ever, especially if it still had the factory smog system. I like this car, would make an excellent cruiser!
I always liked the 66 comets but to get a convertible with a big block and a 4 spd.
Is a perfect combination.
I wish I had the cash to buy it.
I’d be in my driveway tomorrow.
Hard to go wrong with this one – especially packed with the FE/Toploader combo.
It’s, basically, just a truck motor…but, in a Comet, it was sufficient.
Great comments here. Yeah it’s really a great original car
Thanks Stephens. 😎
🎶 🎙 ” if I had money I’ll tell you what I’d do.. I’d go downtown and buy a Mercury or two..Crazy about a Mercury… Lord I’m crazy about a Mercury.. I’m going to find me a Mercury and cruise it up and down the road” 🎶
Leave it the way it is and drive it. Maybe my eyes aren’t all that sharp but I don’t really notice the difference in the paint.
Ray Charles LOL’d when he saw the driver’s 1/4-panel…how did you miss that???
Most likely a 390 2bbl car as most were and, quite possibly, a 3-speed originally. No options means no Traction-Lok either, if I had to guess. Very basic but, solid driver…paint is bad so, add $10-15K right off the rip if you want it to look good. This is the perfect car for a high school kid. Oh, and those are not Cragar S/S wheels. I like it because it is a car that you don’t have to worry about being numbers-matching and, it’s just a good-looking body style. ’66 and ’67 Comets are cool…my buddy Eric in high school had a teal hardtop Caliente that he inherited from his grandmother, then hot rodded…beautiful car in 1985-ish. One of the stars of the Herndon High School parking lot. It had real Cragars on it.
Nice car with 4sp. I got a 66 Cyclone GT Convertible on Marketplace in Ohio. It’s same color with light beige Interior that has original paint and interior. They are nice cars and rare to boot. The 390 makes it move out good. Have a Good Day!
I had the hardtop version of this same car, from early ’67 through the end of ’68. Red with a black vinyl top. It did have PS but there was no AC in mine either. Huge torque, great from a stoplight, but a gas guzzler for sure. Fortunately, that was back in the days of gas prices at 19cents a gallon. I’d love to have this car, but I’m on the East coast now, not easy to go get it, and I probably won’t have enough time left to enjoy it anyway! Somebody’s going to get a great ride.
I had the hardtop version of this same car, from early ’67 through the end of ’68. Red with a black vinyl top. It did have PS but there was no AC in mine either. Huge torque, great from a stoplight, but a gas guzzler for sure. Fortunately, that was back in the days of gas prices at 19cents a gallon. I’d love to have this car, but I’m on the East coast now, not easy to go get it, and I probably won’t have enough time left to enjoy it anyway! Somebody’s going to get a great ride.
Oldsman is correct. Getting to certain plugs near the shock towers is a chore. But I would be willing to suffer this problem if I could own this one. As others have mentioned; double digit miles per gallon will be hard to achieve. But that’s another issue that I would live with as this old school non-power brakes and steering plus the four speed isn’t what you want in your daily driver. GLWTS.
Lordy, Lordy a 66 Mercury Caliente with a 390 and a manual 4 speed, what’s not to love?. The 64 and 65 Mercury Calientes were definitely smaller than this 66 Intermediate version. I’m very glad it’s on the wrong coast for me. Damn.
After reading the post again carefully, I’d have to at least add power front disc brakes. PS would be prohibitive, and I’d have to add Vintage Air at some point. Glad it’s on the West Coast.
Oh yes , the lack of power steering and having drum brakes would make driving this beast an adventure. All that Hp. and trying to come to a stop on a straight line would be a challenge. Definitely a car for the weekends. I could live without the power steering but I’d have to have disc brakes on the front. That baby could get away from you. Love the car, but driving it around would be scary for me. I’d like to drive it, but I can’t buy it. I’m more judicious in my later years.
Jeff F, I updated my 65 Mercury with an original 390 and 2 barrel and all drum brakes to a 4 barrel, Edelbrock carb, dual intake and heads and it got warmed up really quickly. Had to upgrade to power front disc’s, cause she was too much to handle.
Really?! Some of you are worried about mpg?! How many miles a year are you going to put on it? Just go out, start it and enjoy the spm (smiles per mile).
Looks like might have been tagged in the rear at some time. No rear pics but nice car. The power could be improved with some Edelbrock cylinder heads and headers to get some air moving through it. As was noted the 390 made good grunt off the line but ran out of wind quickly. All it needs is someone to take it to the finish line and drive it while they order parts and spend a couple of weekends to upgrade. Paint and enjoy!