Not a single bid, yet, for this barn find Mercury Comet, seemingly solid with a damaged passenger-side fender the most glaring fault. Obviously, the dusty exterior is not permanent, but in this era of barn finding, it is practically a requirement to show them this way. Although a Comet GT would be way more appealing, this one here on eBay would likely present nicely with an extensive detailing and a fresh fender.
While simply a re-badged Ford Maverick under the skin, the Comet still looked just as tough in GT trim. Sadly, this one remains a lesser model but does still wear the old-school California blue plates and vintage dealership plate frame to semi-validate its long-term barn storage history. There’s no obvious rot-through present here, and the seller claims it is a rust-free chassis underneath. It was supposedly last registered in 1983.
The interior doesn’t look too far past the point of salvation despite years of neglect. The Comet is located in sunny Pasadena, California, which may help explain its rust-free condition. The dash shows no evidence of cracks but the door panels and seat upholstery are both tired. These were economy cars when new, so don’t expect any incredible interior fittings or luxury-oriented fixtures – but this also means no finicky HVAC controls or other contraptions to repair.
Here’s the damaged passenger side fender, which doesn’t look too terrible to replace; I’m sure any number of western U.S. classics recyclers could source a suitable replacement. The seller says the old-school tires still hold air and photos show an assortment of original manuals included with the sale; the question is, is the cheap opening bid of $999 cheap enough to get someone excited about a V8-equipped, non-GT spec Mercury Comet? Let us know what you think in the comments below.
Tires hold air? 😂
Here is it on CL.
https://losangeles.craigslist.org/sgv/cto/d/1971-mercury-comet/6622022348.html
Thanks or the link Stang1968.
I live a couple miles away.
Message Rick the seller and went over to have a look.
Definitely a solid car
No rust anywhere but the exposed metal on the bad fender.
Pretty much original bias-play tires. Barely holding air
Interior looks great. All the dust seems to be years of spiders living and dying. I think it would clean up really well.
Looks like a 289/302 has an A/Cpump with the belt off.
Bumper chrome is completely gone
Small wrinkle on front of roof that doesn’t show in pics
Um it said last year on the road was 1983 but I looked at the tag and it said 1985. I didn’t get why they don’t take it to the mod shop to get it fix. But amazing car .
The 1985 tag was white, if I remember correctly.
That is a 1983 tag.
Even though it is in Cali and all, that damaged area on the fender looks like it is caked with bondo over rust. I wonder how that bodes for the rest of the car. Cheap enough that people probably went and looked in person and passed because of what isn’t so obvious in the photos.
I’m with you James. Wouldn’t touch this with a ten foot pole.
Interesting that the AC belt is bunched up and tied off to prevent getting in the way of something else… So, the AC didn’t work when the driving stopped, eh?
is it me or does this comet look flood damaged> Needs more than a fender- bumper, valence and possibly a hood??? Look er over good–might be a start for a grand!!
Good luck to the new owner!!!
I noticed the bondo fender right off. Most likely will need a 3/4 nose. It’s a little rough, but depending how much other bondo is present, and what it’s hiding, it might be worth $750 as a weekend father-son project.
These cars were cheap transportation and this was probably owned by a kid that didn’t have money to fix it right.
If you can find the parts it should make a cheap cruiser.
What V8 is in this.
Have to see in person buy might be a good buy
302 I would think
2bbl. Not exciting. But I think this car might be a prime candidate for s restorodding.
If I remember correctly, the only V-8 offered was a low-compression 2bbl-carb that held more promise than power, though the promise had a lot of potential with all the performance parts available for that engine.
Front brakes disc brakes were optional, even on the cosmetic GT version. The drums were relatively effective, though if you used them on a log downhill, they’d heat up and the drums get out of round long before the brake system would overheat.
Addco (are they still around) had an anti-roll bar setup for the Maverick/Comet that with decent stock-size tires would present surprisingly decent handling (on smooth surfaces). There’s only so much you can expect from rear leaf springs, but of course, that was how it was done back then…
This car could be a fun relatively-inexpensive period-correct restorod project, fun to drive, and you’ll have the only one at a cars and coffee.
The 60s model one’s were the best looking ones by far! This looks to much like a Maverick nothing wrong with the Maverick, but I just prefer the look of the 60 models better
All that water nearby in the photos….grrrr….as if the car got washed just enough to make the dust look worse. Why not inflate the tires and really scrub with a soapy sponge? Bondo on the front fender could indicate a careless driver who kept bumping into things on that side, and gave up after the final fender bender.
V8, A/C, and lots of chrome trim: this is pretty fancy for a lowly Comet.
Price is right, if you got it for $800 you might be able to triple your money just by giving it a good detail and making it run.
The chrome trim is what distinguished the Comet from a Maverick. I know, my college roommate had a Comet and those fender reveals showed every rock and parking lot altercation due to their location.
Mom bought one with 19K miles. P/S, PB, auto & air, with a 302. 19K miles. My sister & I were forced to ride in the back seat from Indiana to Maryland. The 302 got 17 miles per gallon. Crappy seats. Poochy engine. Squeaks & rattles. A POS, in my opinion. Traded it for a ’72 Tornado. Same gas mileage, but a FAR superior car !
Do these cars have any value….do collectors or enthusiasts even want them?
If so would anybody have an idea of the value of a number 2 unrestored condition car.
What are you asking?Are they some sort of high buck classic? Of course not. But there’s someone out there who would love to have this car, or at least one like it in good condition. Go to local shows. There are all kinds of pedestrian cars.
I saw a Vega notchback sedan, almost as base as you can get, at a local show, and the owner was proud to have it. Nobody else had one, and someone was always talking to him. Would I want that car. Nope. But he does, and I’m glad there was someone out there eager to keep it alive.