This one is total déjà vu for me, since I owned a (darker) blue 1964 Mercury Comet Caliente, just like this V8-powered example on Craigslist in Seattle. The difference is that mine wasn’t pristine and had six-cylinder power. Thanks to Curvette for this listing, which is offered at $40,000.
The ’64 Caliente was heavily ornamented, with lots of special chrome trim that was susceptible to pitting and other ills. Fortunately, this example has had attention in that area, since bumpers, fender ornaments, and headlight eyebrows have all been rechromed—an expensive proposition these days.
The Comet has 87,000 miles on it. The K-code 289 puts out 210 horsepower, and both it and the C4 Cruise-O-Matic are original and were reportedly rebuilt by a previous owner. Alas, the work is not documented. The engine is mostly stock, but sports a Petronix distributor, a Performer 289 intake and a Holley dual-feed carburetor.
Other new parts include Doug’s ceramic mid-length headers connecting to Magnaflow dual exhausts, Global West upper control arms and front springs, a Crites ram-air hood (not functional), and (incorrect) 1964 Cyclone wheel covers. The tires are BF Goodrich T/As.
The Mercury is the recipient of a new, nicely fitting top, custom seat upholstery in the correct pattern, and a repainted front clip (from the doors back, it’s original). The fake wood that gave these models that extra luxury touch appears intact.
My Connecticut car had suffered the indignity of road salt, and while the body looked good, some frame penetration had caused the doors to lose their proper gaps and require a good slam. I had the undercarriage reinforced with stiffening rails that would never pass concours muster, but the problem didn’t worsen during my ownership. This Caliente spent time in California and is now collector registered in Washington State.
If you’re looking for a lovely cruise-in car you can start enjoying this summer, bingo. No obvious needs are visible (unless you want to deep-six the Fairlane-branded floor mats). The Ram Air hood is kind of ugly. The Comets were based on the Ford Falcon, just as the Mustang that appeared later that year was. But the Comet is the rarest of the three today.
The ’64 is the first year of the second-generation Comet, though it shares a basic unibody with the 1963 model. The Caliente is the luxury version, just below the performance-oriented Cyclone in the pecking order. Early ‘64s had the 260 V-8 as an option, with the 289 offered mid-year. At least one Caliente-trimmed car was turned into a racer with a factory 427, and driven by the late “Wild Bill” Shrewsberry—who kept the car after its track days were over.
Hagerty puts an entry-level Caliente coupe with a 170-cubic-inch six at just $13,000, but obviously this is a lot more car. A V-8 convertible is worth $28,000 to $35,000. Still, this one is priced at the top of the market.
That hood looks completely out-of-place on what is otherwise a clean and desirable Comet.
Thanks Jim.