The original Comet hit the market in 1960 as a derivative of the Falcon compact. But it carried no Mercury badging until 1962, although sold by Mercury dealers for its first two years. Seems the Comet was intended to be an Edsel, but with that brand going “sneakers-up” in the Fall of 1959, it quickly became a Mercury offering. The seller has an S-22 model, which was the sporty version of the Comet (though not faster). Located in a garage in Ozark, Arkansas, this unfinished project is available here on Facebook Marketplace for $4,000 OBO.
The S-22 joined the Comet lineup in mid-1961 as a sport package. That option mostly added bucket seats and a console, as inline-6 propulsion was still the only offering. A somewhat underpowered 144 cubic inch I-6 was standard, with a 170 optional. It was popular enough, finding 14,000 buyers in its abbreviated first season. Fins were still in vogue, and the 1960-61 Comets had them with slanted rear taillights.
This S-22 pillared coupe looks like a work-in-progress. Upgrades to the suspension fore and aft have already been handled, but the seller decided to stick with the original 144 inline-6. We’re told the head has been reworked and the engine has solid compression. Some wiring has been replaced but may need futzing with because the motor won’t start. The engine has been painted, and the compartment it lives in is finished in primer grey.
We’re also told the Comet has a new windshield, and the car comes with “too many extras to name” (come on, how much more time does that take to list the Top 10?). The body may be okay, but the red paint is past its prime. The only thing we know about the interior is that the non-correct bucket seats are sitting underneath the rear bumper. Who’s ready to take this one over? And thanks to Barn Finder Terry for the tip!
Kinda of a cool car. Reminds me of something a friend would have in high school. Auto or manual?