This ’71 Mercury has been off the road for a few years. By the looks of this ad, if the rust is not completely out of hand, I believe you could make this thing a driver with a few weekends of work. Find it here on craigslist in Mccaysville GA for $2,750.
Budget about two grand in parts and you have yourself a fun driver that should turn some heads for $5K or so. On the Exterior I would leave it alone except for a good cleaning and maybe find a set of original hub caps/trim rings with some new black walls. This would be a great project for a young gearhead looking for his first car or that father-son project. Lets take a closer look.
The seller includes a lot of photos and gives some details. The ad states this is a numbers matching Comet with a 302 and 3 speed Manual floor shift, it does run and drive but needs some attention before being roadworthy. I would assume the usual tune up/fuel system work as well as going over the brakes and suspension. The car appears to carry original paint and stripes. Rust is most certainly going to be an issue, the seller states the floors have had some work in the past. Replacement body panels are included but the seller doesn’t elaborate which ones.The interior looks to retain its original buckets, steering wheel and shifter. Repair the floors, replace carpet and you could daily this thing while you save up for the dash pad and seat work.
The Mercury Comet/ Ford Maverick is an interesting car. With the introduction of the Pinto, Ford made these sport/performance models for the buyer that didn’t necessarily want strictly economy but didn’t want to pop for the big Mustang. In 1971 Ford made around 260,000 Mavericks and just around 70,000 Comets were made, about 13,000 were GT models. The GT package got you the 2 barrel 302, stripes, black out grill, deluxe door panels, shock tower bracing, and simulated hood scoop. There are probably some features I am missing and the production numbers may be off a little. Comet experts please feel free to chime in.
I always loved these over the Maverick Grabbers. My cousin’s father bought a new Comet GT with a 6 cylinder automatic and AC. There’s no doubt that this Comet GT with the 302 3-speed manual option is a rare car, but not necessarily valuable. If this is someone’s dream car it would be a labor of love to build it possibly keeping the original drivetrain and making it a beast with a later model 302, toploader 4-speed and 9″ rear under it. Otherwise, unless someone is capable of tackling the rust repair, he or she will be underwater in a hurry.
CL posting deleted by author. Maybe it sold already?
The Bobcat’s big brother ….good starter car for a teen gear head . Unfortunately mstvwould have to learn to drive a stick….but hey there’s only 3 gears!
Tell me guys, is there a market for the Mavericks with the 302 and stick on the floor?
That is the way they were sold in Mexico with no other options.
I am seeing the prices on an upward swing though.
Think it was the 289.
The 289 was discontinued after the introduction of the 302 in 1968.
I had one new 1972 comet gt 3 speed 302. Mine came with thrush side pipes that was the exhaust system with hurst shifter baby blue. Had for about 1 year had to take side pipes off, my brother and I got 9 tickets in one month excessive noise. My mom fought the courts the car was in her and my name only 18 when I got it. But we lost took car down to local muffler shop had duals run out back with red cherry bombs made it louder. Later on put 4 barrel and traction bars and when tore 2 nd gear out drop 4 speed in it place was planning on 351 heads and more work but crash it at 36000 miles total, bought 73 challenger from brother this was in 75 when I would own a challenger. That another story. I’m 65 now got a sweet 85 Silverado ride
Don’t you hate it when they cut loose with the clear rattle can?
Explorer 5.0 & a 5 speed. Done.
The Comets and Mavericks on BF lately have been missing their front under-bumper valance panel. Are these exceedingly rare or just dropping off after hitting parking bollards? Band mate had a base Maverick in pale blue and no options other than automatic. College room mate had the upscale Comet sedan loaded with vinyl roof and vinyl stripes. The 302 in that sounded just like a Mustang with the proper exhaust installed. Sedans had a good balance of style and practicality.
I ordered a ‘71 Comet GT when they were first introduced. Mine was triple black, 302, 3 speed. I left stock for about 8 hours after I took delivery then proceeded to make it my own. Top loader, and a four barrel on a Torker intake with a dual point distributor. Ansen sprints and big tires, and one off custom striping in silver.
I also bought a ‘72 GT, 302-C4 I left that one stock except it was painted to match the ‘71.
I sold both of them in the 90’s, one is still close by, the other one just sold again and is in Ohio.
A great car to make into a drag racer. I love seeing them fly down the track and still remain “relatively” streetable. Mild or mucho – they are a good platform. Agree? Chuck in Kansas