Quirky compacts were all the rage in the early 1960s. Some were legitimately quirky in several ways, such as the Corvair and Tempest. Others had quirky styling, such as the Valiant and Lancer. Some had mechanical quirks, such as the interesting Buick Special, with its aluminum V8 or cast-iron V6. In such company, the Mercury Comet comes off as pretty tame, although its styling too skews toward the iconoclastic. With efficient six-cylinder engines, a practical size, and relative affordability, the Comet makes an excellent collector car today for those who don’t mind something off the beaten path. Friend of Barn Finds T.J. grabbed this one from Marketplace in Brunswick, Ohio, and its $6,000 price tag doesn’t seem too crazy in today’s market.
As a response to the sporty Corvair Monza, Mercury introduced the Comet S-22 in 1962, although its sales were much lower than Monza’s. S-22 production numbers were apparently not differentiated from other Comets, and their combined two-door sedan totals equaled 73,800, paling in comparison to the Corvair Monza Coupe’s production alone: 151,738. Still, it was a first step toward offering something a little sportier later on, a move that culminated in the Caliente and Cyclone for 1964.
The S-22 package was mainly focused on the interior, which offered “contoured bucket-type seats” and somewhat fancier trim all around. Notice that Mercury doesn’t go so far as to call the Comet’s seats buckets, but “bucket-type,” which implies that they are joined at the nifty console in the middle. If that’s the case, it’s a pretty close facsimile, if not quite as good as the real thing. The brochure calls this trim combination “two-tone beige metallic vinyl.” It’s a nice combination with a paint color that looks like Mercury’s “Black Cherry,” which wasn’t offered as a lower-body color with two-toning. It wasn’t, however, uncommon to paint the roof white later on to break up the relative monotony of a single-tone paint job.
One of the things that I like about the early Comets is the tail; the 1962 models were toned down from the “cat’s eye” taillight motif of earlier cars, but it was still a little weird (in a good way). You’ll notice a little rust forming on the rear bumper, which tells us that this Comet is no show winner. The seller does mention that it just came up to Ohio from Tennessee last year, and that it runs and drives. It’s also “very clean underneath,” although there aren’t any pictures of that, nor are there pictures of the engine compartment. The Comet does apparently have the optional 101-horsepower 170 with a newer carburetor and a two-speed “Merc-O-Matic.”
There are some extra parts in the trunk, but you will have to do a little work; the seller mentions that the left front wheel cylinder has a leak. It’s an easy enough job that one wonders why the owner doesn’t handle it (or have it handled), but such are the vagaries of buying old cars online. Maybe you can use the wheel cylinder as a bargaining chip and have a fun little commuter/cruiser with a few days work in the garage. It’s cool to be quirky, after all.
I think it’s worth remembering that the Comet was actually designed to be the compact Edsel model – which might explain some of the “interesting” styling cues, especially in the 1960 and 1961 models. Worth noting as well is that the sales numbers for the 1960 Comet alone eclipsed three years of Edsel sales. The featured 1962 would be a real conversation starter at any gathering, especially with the S-22 option.
Todd is right about a conversation starter. In my area, I haven’t yet seen another early Comet whenever I show up with mine at a local show. They’re as easy as Falcons to work on and I like the styling of the 62 and 63. If the 170 isn’t enough for you, it’d be easy enough to toss in a 200 or a 200 and a C4. Either the 170 or the 200 will respond to some performance enhancements for a little more modern drivability and a front disc brake and dual bowl mc conversion are straight forward enough. This is a decent buy for someone.
Good job Aaron and good comments Todd J. These were of course basic economy cars, but they did have some “interesting” or perhaps “quirky” features (depending on your perspective, I guess). Not often seen today, I do find them interesting. Fix it up a bit and one will have a clean, basic car which would make a fun errand-runner.
The tail lights on the ’62 S-22 would be used on all ’63 Comets. Other ’62 Comets had simpler tail lights with all red lenses.Our family owned a ’62 2-door, red with red and black interior. These were normally reliable cars like their Falcon cousins, but ours was always in the shop. The paint on the featured car here is not “black cherry”, That was a much darker hue. This is more of a champaign color used also on full size Mercurys.
$6k less then the beaten up rusty Impala and ready to drive. No question this is a good deal. I like the styling and the uniqueness of this S-22 and looks complete and mostly turn key. A good winter project.
Tenneseein’ is Tennebelievin’, the Comet was not merely a Falcon with lockwashers, it, like all Mercurys, was marketed to a different group. Falcon was for people that knew nothing about cars, but knew they needed one, and got the cheapest one they could. The Comet was a bit more upscale, for not a heck of a lot more. The S-22 was Mercurys Falcon Futura for only $112 more at $2368. ’62 Futura was about $2240. Mercurys, all Mercurys were great cars and I’m glad I got to experience them 1st hand. The 170/2speed is a gutless, yet dependable thing, had that in a Falcon once, I’d love to know the story on this car. That always seems to go missing, and we have to speculate, but one clear thing, someone loved their Comet.
This is a really nice Comet. And other than maybe polishing it ( carefully) I wouldn’t change a thing. I’ve always liked early Falcons, and I like Comets too because of their unique features and styling. And you just don’t see as many of them as you do Falcons. I was thinking the same thing as what Todd J. Said above, these were originally supposed to be an Edsel hence the “unique” tailights on the early ones. I’ll admit, I like these tailights better on the ’62. Great write up Aaron, and another great find from T.J. and great comments too.
I remember the ”cat’s eyes” Comet, but not this one.
How about a 347 and a 5-speed
“The monotony of a single-tone paint job.” I believe that is pretty much all we get now a days in the SUV/Pickup world that’s been forced upon us.
OK, here I go again. Shout out to the Comet! My first car was an S22 with the 260 V8 and four speed. Black with a red interior. And if I could find another one I would snatch it up. Fond memories? You betcha. This is a nice little Comet and will put some smiles on the new owner’s face. But the six banger and two speed automatic is not what I would want. The V8 also got you five lug wheels. I put chrome reverse on mine and switched in a Thrush muffler. Prepped the body, bought the black lacquer paint and had a professional spray it out. But being a teenager with a lust for go fast; I soon upgraded to a 1967 Fastback 390 GT Mustang; and boy did I enjoy Saturday night at the local Hot Shoppe. Ya wanna race that Chevelle? Another great car I would love to have back. Two thumbs up BF for tickling the memories of this old guy. And GLWTS.