FOMOCO introduced two compact cars in 1960. One was the Ford Falcon, the other the Comet, sold by Mercury. It was envisioned to be an Edsel product, but when that division closed up shop, it ran without divisional badging for two years. This ’61 Comet looks like a nice survivor, but the seller provides little background information. It’s available here on Facebook Marketplace from St. Petersburg, Florida, and is offered for sale at $8,500. This tip from the Sunshine State comes to us from Bruce M!
The Comet was the big brother to the Ford Falcon and was based on the same unibody platform. It finally became an official Mercury product in 1962 and kept its compact status through 1965. After that, it was promoted to a mid-size car while the Falcon lasted out the decade as Ford’s entry-level showroom traffic builder. This Comet has the base 170 cubic inch inline-6 paired with an automatic transmission (which we assume is a 2-speed).
In 1961, more than 71,500 Comet 2-door sedans left Mercury dealerships. This one has two-one paint (black over turquoise), but we don’t know if it was applied at the factory or later by someone like Earl Scheib. Everything looks pretty solid, including the interior which comes complete with bucket seats and a console or divider.
We’re told the vehicle runs and drives well, which is the extent of the seller’s comments. Perhaps this is an estate sale car, and the seller doesn’t have any history to share. An easy way to spot an early Comet from an early Falcon is that tailfins were still in the mix on the Comet while the Falcon never had any.
Rough for the asking price. This isn’t a particularly sought after car, so it will be competing on price with all of the other cars that don’t have a strong following.
Steve R
Some of these would have been the 144 cubic inch 6 cylinder. This with the automatic, center console and 170 cubic inch is kind of loaded. These were bare bones economy cars. Being a two door makes it more desirable to me.
I had similar thoughts to Joseph. It’s a very basic car, but for this example, the buckets and console give it just a little more flair. That shade of blue, which I like, was everywhere back then. New tires!!
This looks like a solid Comet. I agree with Bob about the color, it looks great on this one. It’s something how different the Comet looks in the rear especially, from the Falcon. The stylists really did do a good job making them look different. I’d prefer a stick, especially with the 6 cyl, but that’s me. This really looks like its been well kept all these years.
it’s an S-22 with buckets and a console so it is a bit more then a basic Comet – not overly priced but a bit rough for the ask.
S-22 was Comet’s version of the Futura. $41 for buckets, console and a 170 six.
A joke from the 60’s comes to mind, after I dust off the cobwebs here goes:
What do you get when a Volkswagen and Comet breed? VOMIT.
Comes in ten pukey colors and has an upchuck rear door. Heard that joke from a friend in middle school in the 80s so it lasted a while.
The Cat Eye Comet! AKA the small Edsel. My aunt bought one brand new. Zero problems, until the northeast Ohio winters ate it up.
Something looks off about the shifter lever sticking up, almost vertical, as if it’s been bent. Wonder how that happened?
The rear end of a 61 is an acquired taste. Preferred the change made to the rear view in 62 and 63. The 65 Comet Cyclone was the best from all views. Just my opinion, of course, plus I have a 65 Cyclone, so definitely biased.
It’s very close to the “Mayberry” Comet that was used in filming many of the episodes. I’ve always wanted to find one of these, and take it to shows, hoping to get todays kids talked in to watching the Andy Griffith Show and to look for the car.
Had same thought regarding Mayberry
I am very skeptical! I think this car might be hiding a lot of rust.
The Comet is actually competitively priced, if it is not a complete rust bucket. This is the first year of the S-22 which makes it more collectible. It’s possible that is the original paint combination.
That rusty rear bumper makes me wonder if this is a flood car…
Just because the bumper is rusty ? Wouldn’t the fact that the chrome plating is 65 years old and has worn away make more sense ? Just because a bumper got wet doesn’t mean it was in a flood – it does rain in Florida
These were common on our roads of 60 years ago… but when was the last time that you saw one out in traffic? Probably economical to run as a daily driver…
Clean looking Comet. I love the color and the bucket seats and console. Kind of strange to have the column shifter with this setup. I’d rather wait for a 4 years later model Comet Caliente with a 260 V8.
Looks like a survivor to me.. I have a 63 s22 convertible I put 15k miles on in the last 2 years… That’s a cute s22 coupe but yes a bit pricey…
Hopefully, this has a pcv valve instead of a possibly smoky breather pipe up front.
I wonder if some of today’s young people would complain about those tailites – like some complain about the Gen Lee’s roof.