Looking like it’s right out of a brochure, this 1962 Mercury Comet is from Washington state, said to have been bought new by an elderly woman. When her driving days were over, her daughter sold it to a gentleman who rebuilt the engine, and then it sat in his garage for years. The current owner/seller has it posted here on craigslist in the Mill Creek, Washington area, and they’re asking $10,000. Here is the original listing, and thanks to Scott for the tip!
The Champagne paint looks great, and it’s said to be original, other than a couple of areas that were touched up by the current owner. That always brings up the question of whether a vehicle can be a survivor if it’s had some of the original paint touched up? Not to mention, had the engine rebuilt, a new gas tank, had new carpet installed, and the front bench seat reupholstered, etc.? I say yes, those things can be argued to be maintenance, even rebuilding the engine. Thoughts?
Mercury made the first-generation Comet from 1960 through 1963 in all the usual body styles, and one of four two-door styles (sedan, hardtop, convertible, wagon) would have to be the most popular with modern buyers. I like the two-door wagon myself; that would be my first choice. 100% original or not, this Comet looks nicer than a lot of unrestored 1962 cars do.
Here’s the new OEM fabric on the front bench seat bottom. The upper portion is a little worn in spots, I hope they got extra fabric. The back seat looks perfect, and the trunk compartment looks clean and solid. The seller replaced the carpet and padding, so that’s set for the next few decades. This car has a Merc-O-Matic transmission and everything is said to operate as it should.
The engine is, I believe, Ford’s 170-cu.in. OHV inline-six with 101 horsepower and 156 lb-ft of torque. Backed by the automatic sending power to the rear wheels, the seller says you can drive this car across the country, and I believe it. Any thoughts on this Comet – can it be a survivor having had so much work?
Good write-up Scotty. “Survivor” or not, this Comet looks to be in great shape. Along with their Falcon cousins, they were the definition of simplicity. Sure it is slow, and beige, and more than a little boring. But for me it’s fun to see a throw-away car which has survived, even thrived. I’d be fine using it to run errands around town.
Good craigslist ad.
I was offered my grandfather’s black 1961 Comet as my first car, but I passed, as I wanted something with a manual transmission. And today, I still enjoy driving manual transmission vehicles.
Save the Manuals Bob 👍
Stan……Sssshhhhhhhh!!! Don’t let Howard see you saying that lol.
Howard… I hope you know I’m teasing!!!!
I like this Comet. I also am in the same frame of mind that Bob is, it’s just a breath of fresh air to see what was really an every day car, taken this good a care of and is still here on the roads looking great. Nice write up Scotty!!!
Dave
My oldest cousin Rosemary (who sadly passed away a year ago) attended Montclair State Teachers College in New Jersey between 1962 and 1966 where she obtained a “teaching degree”. And as a ‘present’ for being accepted by the college, my aunt and uncle bought her a brand new 1962 Comet sedan similar to the car shown here except for the color (Rosemary’s was blue). That 62 Comet was the first car that family ever owned. Well Rosemary used that Comet to commute daily between Jersey City and Montclair and then when she obtained her “teachers degree”, my aunt and uncle rewarded her with another “present” when they traded in the Comet for a brand new, 1966 Mercury Monterey hardtop, silver with a black vinyl roof.
If I had the means, I’d be tempted to go out to Washington and drive it back home! A perfect car for a senior such as I! I was a young adult when this car was new (smile). But I already have a car, just not this “historical” (imagine calling something you remember, new, as a young adult, “historical”?). When I hear what passes for “music” these days, I realise that I myself might be “historical”. But I’m still here, and for that I am grateful!
If I had the means, I’d be tempted to go out to Washington and drive it back home! A perfect car for a “senior” such as I! (smile). But I already have a car, just not this “historical” (imagine calling something you remember, new, as a young adult, “historical”?). When I hear what passes for “music” these days, I realise that I myself might be “historical”. But I’m still here, and for that I am grateful!
If I had the means, I’d be tempted to go out to Washington and drive it back home! A perfect car for a “senior” such as I! (smile). But I already have a car, just not this “historical” (imagine calling something you remember, new, as a young adult, “historical”?). When I hear what passes for “music” these days, I realise that I myself might be “historical”. But I’m still here, and for that I am grateful!
Harrison needs DESPERATELY to be seen and understood! Aside from the 3x posting, he makes a good point. Just a cool little car! And yes, with that little bit of work, it’s definitely a survivor!
I would like to see the original window sticker for this car. Under options it would have am radio, automatic transmission and maybe whitewalls. Basic transportation.
I had to research when the Monroney sticker went into effect as I remember when cars didn’t have them. In fact, my first new car (1958) predated the requirement for them. Does that make me old?
Betcher boots it does! So old that I can recall new ’49 Fords being unloaded from the car carrier… one had only 7 spark plug wires and another didn’t even have a fuel line! Talk about QC bowing to expediency…
I think the term survivor as applied to a classic car is meaningless to me. I mean so what? If a car sits around and never gets driven or rarely like this one, sure it’s going to be mostly original. If it gets used like intended you’re going to have to keep up with the maintenance and replace pieces parts and touch up or respray the paint. I guess the point is I wouldn’t pay any more for a survivor. Especially these old cars, if not driven, are going to leak fluids.
Perhaps it is my imagination but the Champagne paint color seems to have been a popular shade for 60’s economy cars. I am thinking of the Ford Falcon which makes sense that Ford and Mercury may share paint supplies. I can’t tell you it is the exact same hue but there were plenty of Valiants driving around with what seemed like Champagne paint as well. It looks good on this Comet even if it might be considered a little boring after all the many 50’s cars sporting two tone paint. A nice car that I am sure will make the new owner proud.
My 1967 Oldsmobile 442 color was listed as Champagne, however it really was,and still is a gold color, with white roof. I never drink Champagne, therefore I have no idea what color Champagne is.
An engine rebuild, a repaint or any new interior parts knocks a car out of survivor status. I’ll die on this hill.
Ha, you know, I think I’m with you on that, RKS. “Survivor” means just that, maybe new tires, brake pads, and a fan belt or two, but not this much work.
Tires pads and belts are consumables and are meant to be replaced.
Yes an engine rebuild, a repaint or new interior should be refered to as a restoration.
Hello, Will! What I remember best about the new 1949 Fords (showing up in the summer of 1948), was how other-worldly and futuristic they were! Maybe Kaiser had hinted at some of this; but nothing was even close to that brand new Ford! Yet, so quickly, the 1949-1951 Fords were not so astounding, any longer, even mundane. I smile when I remember how that impacted me at the time. Yes, quality-control WAS a problem with the 1949 Ford — even such irritants as those rattling door-handles (the 1950 re-design on those was so welcome!).