Continuing on with that space age theme (yesterday’s 1963 Mercury Meteor), today’s find, courtesy of Curvette, is a 1963 Mercury Comet convertible outfitted in “sporty” S-22 trim. The seller claims this one is stock and original, and it surely looks it. Soaking up some all-too-short summer sun in Lynwood, Washington, this compact drop-top is available here on Craigslist for $16,995, or best offer.
As part of the compact craze that settled into domestic automakers’ early sixies marketing plans, the Comet was Mercury’s contribution to the burgeoning C-segment. Models were the S-22 (our subject feature), available in two-door hardtop or sedan and convertible, as well as Custom and standard trim. All told, 134K Comets found new buyers in ’63 with 17K springing for the S-22 option. Of that total, 5,700 were convertibles. The S-22 option was all about appearances with trim, badging, unique wheel covers, Impala-esque triple taillights, bucket seats, and a center console. The seller claims, “Car is rock solid floor boards front and rear no rust, quarter panels both sides no rust, trunk no rust…Car is very clean kept indoor all its life was hardly used other than car shows, Sunday Drives, etc …” “Stock and original” is the additional claim. There are no included images of the top in “up” mode, and while the seller attests to its operation, “Convertible top works great moves up and down no problem,” it would be nice to know its physical condition – one for an inquiry.
Interplanetary power for this Comet is provided by a non-original 200 CI, in-line six-cylinder powerplant tethered to a four-speed manual transmission. The only motivational characteristics provided are “runs and drives,” not exactly informative. The provenance of the 200 CI engine is not stated, and stock HP for a first-year 200 amounted to about 115 gross.
The red vinyl upholstered interior looks like new. Actually, the entire environment, including the door panels and carpet, looks as if it all recently emerged from a parts box. Hey, no complaints, of course, it all shows fabulously in a way that only a car from this era does, but it calls into question that “all original” claim. It’s especially unusual for a convertible innards to have stayed so preserved over 62 years. One very nice interior feature is the original Mercury underdash A/C system that is driven by a newer Sanden-style compressor.
I’d suggest that the only thing working against this car is its tailfins. Maybe not today, as many probably find them a sort of chic, throwback styling cue, but fins had long seen better days by ’63. Of course, styling is always subjective. This Comet has some nice calling cards, such as its S-22 designation, convertible top, and four-speed gearbox. Even the 200 CI in-line six is a notable improvement over the lethargic 170, but think of the fun factor here with a V8…OK, I’m getting ahead of myself; this is a cool car as she rests, wouldn’t you agree?
A perfect V8 swap candidate
Good write-up Jim. Sharp Comet. The red interior really pops. The four-speed would help wring out a bit more performance from the six cylinder. Some whitewalls would help the look even more.
This is a really neat Mercury drop top. The big surprise is the 6 with the 4 speed. Can’t be too many of those left let alone built. I really thought there would’ve been a small V8 under the hood, but I think the 6 with the 4 speed would be plenty of fun too.
Ok. I got a wonder why so many great Barn Finds in Washington and Oregon? I would expect more Cali and Arizona but for some reason the PNW has all the good one’s!
The local Phoenix FB Marketplace and Craigslist are loaded with cars for sale.
No salt on the roads.
I love,a white convertible with red interior and the 6 with a 4speed must be kinda rare. The styling on the rear of these comets reminds me of the rocket ships on that string puppet/marionette show “Thunderbirds” from the 50s-60s. Reasonable price here if it checks out.
I have a 62 Falcon that was originally a 144 with a 4 speed. It’s now got a 68 200 with a top loading 4 speed. The rear end gears make it fun. The original 4 speed in these cars was a very light duty unit. I wonder which this Comet has.
Years ago I remember reading in an engine swapping book that the British Ford Dagenham 4-speed transmission was “not, repeat not, a high performance transmission.” So you’re right about the original in the Falcon being a very light duty unit.
Correct – funny I had the same S-22 convert in black with a 200 – 6 with that 4 speed Dagaman and it was the early block that only took the early bellhousing would fit so no upgrading to the top loader without the later 200ci block. It was okay but in stock form with that Dagaman it wasn’t too sporty. Nice car though….
Great looking car! I had a ’62 Comet coupe that had a sexy red and white interior. I miss that car…
I fixed up one of these for my daughter 20+ years ago. I put the 200 six in it and used the 4 speed that was in it. It was quite peppy. It did not have power steering or power brakes, but was still well behaved. For being a smallish car, it had a remarkable smooth ride. The Dagenham 4 speed is not a heavy duty transmission, and not suitable for use behind a V8.
The Dagenham 4-speed was OK behind a four or six cylinder engine, but only in stock form and with non-aggressive driving.
Very nice car. The 200 six is a great upgrade. It is much stouter than a 144/170. The Dagenham 4 speed is rare.
V8 upgrade, done correctly, would be expensive and require a lot of work. The 200 upgrade makes a lot more sense- and it will be fun to drive!
fan has one he ‘brought back’ (S-22). Had not heard the destinction till then, still not sure all the ins/outs. The i6 has more than may realize (merica’s motor 30, 40 yrs w/a big3) as tq comes on @ 1500RPMs, usually a good rear gear to match. I find perfect for off rd (no tire spin @ hi HP/revs). Nota gass guzzler like the x-flow, efi, i4 of today ( “Let’s Go EVs ! ”).
This is the car that finally broke the veedub bug’s strangle hold (late 50s – early 60s), created the muscle (initial ‘stang) and even current suv craze (my ’66 bronco is a 4WD falcon).
Let’s be clear about something here. Before I read the comments above, I definitely already knew that was a Dagenham 4 speed.
Sure I did . .
Clean little Comet convertible, and the 200 6 is fine with the manual trans, even with under dash AC. A 260 would have been better. Calientes were my favorites though.