This 1967 Mercury Caliente Convertible is a stunning survivor. It has a genuine 74,000 miles on its odometer and is said to have led a sheltered existence in a dry climate. It appears to need nothing, making it ideal for enthusiasts seeking a turnkey classic. I must say a big thank you to Barn Finder numskal for spotting this magnificent Mercury listed here on Craigslist in Paso Robles, California. If you find yourself irresistibly drawn to this drop-top, handing the seller $24,000 will allow you to drive it home.
Mercury’s Third Generation Comet range only graced showroom floors for two model years. The company launched it in 1966 but made some significant changes in 1967. The “Comet” name was only attributed to the entry-level offering, with the remaining vehicles grouped according to their subseries. That is why you can look long and hard at this classic, and spot nothing but Mercury and Caliente badges. The seller states that this gem has been garage-kept when not gracing our roads. Therefore, its spotless Nordic Blue Metallic paint and lack of rust are unsurprising. The panels are straight, and the Black power top is seemingly flawless. The seller doesn’t mention any restoration work, and the protective shield on the hood’s leading edge is a perfect example of the care this classic has received since Day One.
The almost perfect presentation of this Caliente continues when we focus on its two-tone Blue interior. I initially thought that the carpet was faded, but I believe this is a trick of the light. The upholstered surfaces look extremely nice, with no wear and only a few age wrinkles on the seats. The paint is crisp and clean, there is no UV damage, and the only fault worth mentioning is slight wheel wear. I am surprised that the first owner didn’t select air conditioning, but who needs it when you can drop the top for a wind-in-the-hair motoring experience? The new owner will receive power windows and a factory pushbutton radio.
This Mercury continues an emerging trend where sellers fail to supply engine photos. However, we know that with a 289ci V8, a three-speed Merc-O-Matic transmission, and power assistance for the steering and brakes, this Caliente should provide an effortless driving experience. The 289 should generate 200hp and 282 ft/lbs of torque, making the Caliente equally at home on the freeway or cruising sedately along beachfront boulevards. The seller states that this classic has a genuine 74,000 miles showing on its odometer without mentioning verifying evidence. The car’s overall condition makes the claim plausible, but isn’t what I consider an iron-clad guarantee. However, the Mercury runs and drives beautifully, and is a turnkey proposition.
It would be unfair to expect any classic survivor with fifty-eight years under its belt to be perfect, but there is no denying that the presentation of this 1967 Mercury Caliente Convertible is well above average. Its lack of apparent needs makes it ideal for someone unable to tackle a project build and who wants to instantly experience classic motoring joy. While Mercury produced 81,133 vehicles that fell under the Comet banner in 1967, only 1,539 buyers selected the Caliente Convertible. That makes it rare, and with the seller’s price appearing quite competitive, I think that it will eventually find a new home.
Caliente,,,HOT, HOT, HOT, for our Latino friends. The hottest ’67 Comet was Dyno Don Nicholson. Jack Chrisman too had great success. Some of the 1st flip up body funny cars. While never a fan of the stacked headlights, the ’67 Ford lineup was 2nd to none. While the Comet was a beautiful car, all the Fords were very attractive. The new Cougar, a Mustang in an evening gown, however, stole all the thunder.
This car is simply outstanding. Why just to gaze upon it, releases endorphins, at least I hope that’s what that is, 5 figures? sigh, California pricing, about half that to the rest of us.
Nice Mercury. Clean and crisp styling, even with the then-trendy vertical headlights. I’ve always liked the medium blue Ford colors of this time. Would be a fine cruiser; the grandkids would love going for a ride.
Ideal week-end cruiser. 😎
I’d rather have bugs on my windshield than that bug deflector on my hood.
A Battalion Chief who was a friend of mine related a story about the time he was coming back from a lake pulling his boat. A CHP officer pulled him over for having a red bug deflector on his pickup. The officer claimed that if the sun came through it at the right angle, and looked red to vehicles in front of him, they might mistake his pickup for an emergency vehicle. His immediate response WAS going to be, “You know, we just purchased a fire apparatus with about $10,000.00 in warning lights and several kinds of sirens on it, yet no one gets out of our way. Perhaps we should install a red bug deflector on it.” However, due to his having consuming a couple of beers earlier in the day, he decided being a comedian was possibly a bad move, so he pulled out his Makita and removed the screws holding it on (to be reinstalled at home) while the officer waited.
In the 1990’s I worked at a place that sold a lot of aftermarket parts. Bug deflectors we’re pretty popular, even though we didn’t sell a lot of truck accessories. We had standing orders not to sell either red or blue after a customer had bought one and thought we should pay his fine after he was ticketed.
Steve R
I think the name of these shields was Deflecta Shield. They were pretty popular in possibly the late 60s but for sure the 70s. Had one on my ’72 Caprice even though the one I bought was for a ’71-74 Toronado; didn’t like the one they had for full-size Chevrolets.
A ’67 hardtop version close to this color can be seen on the old ABC “The Invaders” tv show.
In Spring 1967, I was 10 years old when I went with my older sister to the Ford dealer to order a Fairlane very similar to this car. The major differences were the 390 cid engine and 4-speed manual trans of the Ford. It was a very good looking car, and guys in Chevelles were always trying to pick a street race with my sister. This Mercury brings back fond memories.
yes… I was 17 then and liked the Fairlane and Comet… just good looking cars. And, they were ”midsize”… about the size of a current Ford Taurus….. the really large cars then were huge….. . you’d never park them today….
If only it were a 4 speed. I know some people prefer automatics but I’m old school and like the 4 speed transmissions. Still for under $25 grand I suppose it would do in a pinch. Lol.
Red was the perfect color for these cars as Caliente just screams red hot. I have been a FoMoCo fan since I got out of the army in 67 and my dad helped me get a 65 Ford Custom 500 289 3 on the tree with overdrive and factory A/C. Now Mercury being the fine automobiles they were was high on my desire list. California cars usually come rust free especially if they come from the valleys. Hope this finds a great new home.
God Bless America
I like the smaller cars. U can toss them around a bit (w/good handling equipment). Less rolling stock = less pollution, less resources, less gas used, etc. I remember when they shrunk so that the old ‘intermediates’ were actually the sz of ‘da big uns” B4 them.
Local fella has 1 of these. He calls it an R22 or something. I think comets was the 1st of the fords to come in w/the stacked hdlghts, which I love, on any car. A vert makes it even better. Pretty much an econo-box but still desirable to me.
The modded hood is a joke to me. It’s in the same category as the rain shields (window vents/visors), put on the windows I see so often, or bobble heads on dash or rear window deck. “JC Whitney Lives!”…
Compared to the choices of today(what a joke), it’s hard to believe back then there were so many models of cars to choose from that many people never even heard of this Merc! & most were very affordable to BUY, if u didnt load them up too much.
Even in the later ’70s you could get a car this size cheap – there is a commerical on youtube – search for
1978 Ford Futura commercial
& the price is $4267 with the Lost in Space Robot guy talking, 2001 a space odyssey music in the background – & the car in the commercial has a manual trans, no a/c & no radio!!
Looks like a wonderful car!!! Seller offers a good variety of pictures, But when trying to sell a convertible, Shouldn’t you offer more top down pictures??? And what were they thinking…ROLL THE WINDOWS DOWN!!!
Wow! These were rare when new. I don’t recall ever seeing one. I used to hang out at a Ford Mercury dealership when these were new.
1960s Mercury Calientes are my favorite of these size Mercurys. It’s Ford cousin, the Falcon Sprint 64-65 is my next favorite. She is an absolute beauty, and I’m kinda glad she’s all the way on the West coast. Shipping would just be prohibitive, to the East Coast. She’s a Sweetheart.
This car checks all the boxes for me. Great color combination, seemingly beautiful condition, a powertrain that while it won’t peel the pavement off the road will keep up with traffic, killer styling… Might be worth every dime of what they’re asking.