Being in the upper-Midwest, rusty vehicles are what I remember from growing up in the 1970s and 80s and it’s what I think about most now when seeing an old car or truck. Luckily, this 1967 Mercury Caliente has reportedly never been driven in the winter, which for us means snow and salt. It’s originally an Idaho car but is now located in Cable, Minnesota, a town that knows a thing or two about winter. It’s posted on Craigslist with an asking price of $7,000. Thanks to Michael for sending in this tip!
For 1967, the Comet name went away other than for the base 202 model and these cars were named for their trim level, as in Mercury Caliente, Mercury Cyclone, etc. Stacked headlights are in the same camp as politics in the U.S. – it’s pretty much 50-50 on whether a person loves or hates them. I’m a lover of stacked headlights but I know that they aren’t for everyone. It’s even more of a swing when it comes to cars with four doors, I’d say maybe more of an 80-20 split? As in, 80% don’t like them and 20% either don’t mind them, can live with them, or actually like them. I’m on the fence on that one, but I would not turn down a four-door car. Sadly, this grille shot is the second and last exterior photo of this car. There isn’t even a hint of what the driver’s side or the rear of the car looks like. Sigh..
Speaking of photos, or a lack of them, there are only seven photos of this great looking car which is always a head-scratcher for me when there could be/should be three times that many. And even more unusual, two of the photos are of what is basically a photo of the inside of the trunk lid and the jacking instructions sticker. Yet there is not one image of the front seat or the dash other than this one showing the speedometer and odometer. The back seat and the top of the front seat both sure look perfect so let’s hope for the best with the front seat. This car looks like it’s in incredible condition otherwise so I’m hoping that all is well up there. Hagerty is at $8,800 for a #3 good condition car so this could be a good buy.
The seller says that this engine has a 4-barrel carb so this 289 cubic-inch V8 would have had 225 hp. This car has a new radiator, carburetor, and quite a few other upgrades but they still have the original parts if the next owner wanted to bring it back to original spec. What are your thoughts on this Comet? Four doors – yes or no? Stacked headlights – yes or no? $7,000 – yes or no?
Well, some folks actually need four doors, seniors in not the best of health comes to mind, my grandparents had no use for a two door sport coupe, nor did their passengers, wheel chairs, etc…
It’s an appearance thing, that’s it, two door cars just have a cleaner, less cluttered look to them. The stacked headlights look great on these mid sixties Merc’s an Ford’s by the way.
For me, the sedan or coupe question depends on the car itself… some look very sharp in either configuration, while others simply look awkward. For many I suspect it’s somewhat of a cradle to grave transition…from coupes over to sedans through life, notwithstanding the inevitable middle-age crisis coupe. Stacked headlights, love the look.
I think 4 door cars of this vintage are pretty cool, regardless of what others think. Hey, to each their own, everyone is entitled to their own opinion. Coupes have pretty much lost popularity in today’s automotive world. I too like the stacked headlights. The price? Hmmm.
I had a 66 Caliente two door hardtop. The vinyl upholstery was tough as nails.
Hopefully the front seats look as good as the back.
I always thought the sedans had better proportions than the 2 door hardtops as the rear always appeared too long. But I loved the one I owned.
The 202 two door sedan looks like a Falcon in many ways.
No problems with four door sedans. But I would like a modern two door that actually held passengers and had four windows that were fully operational.
Head room and visibility would be nice as well.
They’ve effed up modern four door sedans with “coupe like styling” and obscene styrofoam cooler style consoles and they’ll ruin the practicality of CUVs doing the same thing.
I’ll keep what I have.
Too bad I didn’t keep the Comet.