Mercury’s marketing team went for broke in 1964 and 1965, sending Comets far and wide to prove their mettle. Comets hit the high banks at Daytona on a high-speed 100,000-mile endurance run. They (mostly) survived the punishing East African Safari rally. Multiple Comets made it from Cape Horn to Fairbanks, Alaska. The message? If Comets can suffer through that, they can easily endure your commute. That’s still the case. Barn Finds reader Zappenduster found this ’65 Caliente sedan on craigslist near Clovis, New Mexico, (which is near the Texas border). It looks like a solid, practical driver with an asking price of $7,500.
The Caliente was the upscale version of the Comet, and as such offered “glove-soft vinyl and ‘Mystique’ fabric” upholstery, according to Mercury’s sales materials. This interior’s pattern does not match the bench seat examples in the brochure, but it appears to be in good condition, and the Caliente also had full carpeting and “walnut-toned insets” in the instrument and door panels.
The basic V8 (one step up from the 200-cubic-inch six) was Ford’s 289 two barrel, which produced 200 horsepower and 282 lb.-ft. of torque. It was the perfect engine for a day-to-day driver, with plenty of power and decent fuel economy. Motor Trend tested a Caliente with this 289 and Merc-O-Matic drivetrain in its May 1965 issue, and it accelerated from zero-to-sixty in 11 seconds before crossing the quarter-mile stripe in 18.1 seconds at 76 miles per hour. It’s no hot rod, but it’ll keep up with traffic, even today. This one doesn’t seem to have power steering or power brakes, which makes for a simpler car but requires some more leg and arm muscle. Buyer’s choice. The four-wheel drum brakes have been rebuilt, according to the ad.
The seller says that this Comet “has been refurbished with many new parts” and “runs great.” It was repainted about eight years ago in its original colors, which appear to be “Ocean Turquoise Iridescent” with a “Polar White” top – a nice two-tone combination. With its stacked headlights and Buick-aping “Ventiports,” the Comet’s styling might have been a little derivative in 1965, but it’s still a great-looking car with a reputation, at least if you believe the marketers back in the 1960s, for durability. There’s no reason you couldn’t drive one as a fun daily driver today, even if you aren’t commuting from Cape Horn to Fairbanks.
What a nice-looking little Merc! Should also be fun to drive with the 289. Really like the colors inside and out.
drives like today’s cars (by’n large). Really like the stacked hdlghts (THE 1st?).
Nother example: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ford_Ranchero#/media/File:1967_Ford_Fairlane_Ranchero.jpg
a lill bigger platform but by this yr off’n running w/the concept.
Swap in the 5 oh, AOD & some fnt discs? Wonder if this merc is the 22S model I hear aabout?
Good looking Comet which has apparently had quite a bit of work. “Just a car” in its day (especially since it is a four-door), but given survival rates it isn’t commonly seen today.
Owned a 65 Caliente 2 door hardtop in 1975. Had the 289 4BBL, power steering, power brakes and factory under dash AC. Also was an automatic transmission. Had an under dash tissue dispenser. And a windshield washer system that was operated with a pedal on the floorboard. Never seen one of those again. Always thought the 65 Caliente 2 door hardtop looked fast just sitting still. Still my favorite year for the Comet although I currently have a 65 Falcon Futura 289. Pop taught me to be a fan of the Blue Oval. And I am.
This is a very nice Commet. Its nice to see a 4 door thats in such nice a condition. Great color combination, and would probably be a lot of fun to drive the family out for ice cream and what have you.
This car is hot, hot, HOT,,,okay, pischachs( luke warm), at best. The ’65 Comet was known as the “Hemi Killer” at the drag strip. Some gigantic names drove ’65 Comets, Dyno Don Nicholson, Arnie Beswick, Hayden Proffitt( nice name), Fast Eddie Schartman, oh yeah, “CALIENTE” indeed. They literally dominated the A/FX class, and paved the way for todays funny cars.
This? As many already have said, or will say, no fire breathing 427 SOHC here. Again, dads car to get to the factory, not a lot of options, he wasn’t a total, got the fancy dash, AM radio for the ballgame, V8, automatic, but not a heck of a lot else. I read, aside from the Cyclone, this was the top of the line. According to “Mercury Stuff”, they sold 20,337 of these at $2327, more with options, of course. The 2 door was more popular, but this is what America drove, and you know, life was good, well, except for, you know,( Oh come on all you big strong men, Uncle Sam needs your help again) mid 60s Fords were just the best. No question the real deal here.