"lil red" 1965 Mercury Comet Caliente

[sugarmaker]

Ford and Merc Folks,
(note I have a thread on the 32 to 53 portion of the Ford Barn about our 32 truck)

Back Story:
I stopped to see a four door 1949 Merc setting in a drive with a 64 Ford truck in the garage in process. That was almost two years ago. The 90 year old owner allowed me to go into a back storage building with him to look at more of his cars. He had just sold his very nice jet black original 1940 Ford. As I wiped the tears from my eyes and drool from my lips,. i spied this red unit in the corner.
It was a red Mercury Comet, I liked it and asked him if he was selling some of his cars like the Comet. He said no he had guys standing in line 6 deep to buy the Comet. So I cooled down and thanked him for allowing me to look at his cars.
He invited me to a local car show and said I could park in his drive.

I came back in the summer took some pictures and he let me drive the car a couple miles. Both Cheryl and I thought this might work for us. Yes the car had some issues. But in general it was going to meet our needs of a good driver that was pretty much turn key. Not perfect by any means, But it tripped my kid trigger. and at 72 we need that!

We continued to talk over the next year, him and his wife wanted to drive the Comet all last summer. He told me he might sell the car in 2024 due to tax reasons. So last November I stopped to see the owner and his wife and made him a offer on the Comet. He said that number was about what he thought he needed for the car.

I stopped Christmas eve 2023 and we sealed the deal with a hand shake, in his warm kitchen next to his wood stove. Just after the first of the year 2024 we brought the car home on a nice day in winter.

Enough talk, some pictures:

As I found it:












My friend John and son Adam brought the Comet home about 10 miles:






Home in the shop:


The car has 81K miles. It was brought from Tennessee to Erie about 20 years ago. 289 V8 with C4 auto tranny. It is the Caliente trim pack, with bucket seats and console.




Cheryl trying it out too:




More later.
Regards,
Chris and Cheryl

[Bob from Northport]

Very nice car!! I had one-my first car in High School. Paid 1600.00 from a Ford Dealer in Dearborn, Michigan

[oldbugger]

thats a beautiful car. I had a 60 pea green 2dr, daily driver we called it the vomet

[ms fowler]

A presentable COMPLETE car --looks great

[ms fowler]

Originally Posted by oldbugger

thats a beautiful car. I had a 60 pea green 2dr, daily driver we called it the vomet

That was the punch line of a joke back in the day. A new car was to be produced as a joint effort, combining the Mercury Comet with the Plymouth Valiant, to be call the Vomet. It would have throw up windows and bucket seat.

[RKS.PA]

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Congratulations, Chris!!! She's a beauty and you and Cheryl are in for some great times!!!

Love everything about that car, right down to the classic PA licence plate!!

Well done!!

Regards...Dick.

[oldave57]

That is a beautiful car. Very straight and nice interior, looks like it's ready to drive and enjoy. Congratulations !!!!

[paul2748]

The 65 Comet hardtop with the HIPO engine was my dream car. Then decided to wait a year and got a 66 Fairlane which had a big block in it.

[sugarmaker]

Folks,
RSK mentioned the license plate: Yes a vintage 65 plate with the "65 sticker" in the corner. John got the plate for me before I had purchased the car!
This was the last time it will get PA inspected, as we moved the title to Antique.


Our son Adam has been helping me work on the Comet recently. Front tires have been changed to 235-60/14. The clearances was much improved.
We rebuilt the steering control valve. Also new exhaust donuts. Replaced the boot on the power steering piston shaft. (rev )See the pictures below!
Regards,
Chris and Cheryl

[sugarmaker]

Folks,
Thanks for the replies on the Comet. Most folks that see it, like the car too. Yes it brings back some memories of when we were in our teenage years too!

When we got the car home the inspection began. The trunk was in good shape with only minor surface rust and a couple places that needed some seam sealer:




A good cleaning and some wire brushing then primer and a coat of red to freshen the trunk area. I did order new side boards for the trunk also. Original trunk mat cleaned up nice and the bumper jack components and spare are in place.


Color looks a little off, but was wet. It matches really well with the exterior Carnival Red.



Here is John Kelley cleaning the front bumper. John has helped me a lot with that car even finding some parts for me on line too! John had a Cyclone and can relate to these better than I can. I think he is having as much fun as I am!


We changed out the old plugs with a new set. Like many other things they had not been touched for many years:


The 10 inch drum brakes were inspected and cleaned with brake Kleen. The right front had the shoes on back wards so that cam apart and was corrected. Rear drums were turned at ORiely's:




Front wheel bearings cleaned and repacked. All brake drums were sandblasted and coated with high temp black:




The front tires which were too large in diameter 225-70/14 were swapped out for new 235-60/14s. The Ford Magnum 500 rims were cleaned and the black touched up. They are 14 inch rims, 7 inch wide and 4.25 back spacing:


Again John right in the action:


This smaller tire provided adequate spacing from the tire to the fender. Note 5/16 spacers were added on the front, to allow the tire to clear the ball joint area:


The rear air shocks were pumped up to 55 psi to provide the needed tire to inner fender clearance needed.


The lift in the shop was great!


Inside the car several little things were addressed. The center console emblem was missing and these are impossible to find? So I made a piece of black walnut in the correct shape and applied satin gloss. It matches the other wood grain in the car: Yes its not the correct piece but will fill the empty spot on the console for a long time.


test fit prior to the spray polyurethane:


Also a piece of the chrome race track trim had broke and was glued back in place on the console lid. Drivers arm rest was replaced with a repro from Ecklers in palomino, then sprayed with SEM Super white to match the interior:


The bulb in the courtesy light in the door was changed out. John found a NOS lens on line for me should I need a spare some day:



Sorry for the picture overload!
Regards,
Chris and Cheryl

[sugarmaker]

Folks,
Over the last several days Adam has helped a lot working on the Comet. Sure is nice to have a young guy right there helping the old man!

Adam getting his chance at the wheel of the Comet for some much needed throttle blipping, of the healthy sounding glass packs!:


We rebuilt the control valve and tested the steering. Yes this helped the system preform as it should. The oil-lite bearing in the assembly was not moving freely due to corrosion If you haven't done one of these they are really fun!








We then replaced both exhaust donuts. This was the major exhaust leak that we were hearing in the engine bay. Custom dual exhaust was added to the Comet at some point in the past and it was another challenge to get these exhaust donuts in place and secure with new stainless 7/16-20 nuts.
Here is the old and the new above:




More parts arrived and we took on the replacement of the boot over the power steering piston rod. The before:


After:


Thanks for checking in on us. Our maple season will begin soon and the Comet will get a break.

Regards,
Chris and Cheryl

[Als48]

Hey Chris,

The Comet is really nice! Should be a good addition to the fleet.

Al Hook

[sugarmaker]

Al, Folks,
Thanks! Having fun working on it to be ready for spring!
Regards,
Chris and Cheryl

[5851a]

Nice looking car.

[sugarmaker]

5851a, Folks,
Thanks for checking on me.
We had the comet out for the first drives today, so more baby pictures:








I need more seat time to get comfortable with the almost 60 year old car.
Regards,
Chris and Cheryl

[ms fowler]

The condition of the trunk makes me jealous! If that is the extent of the rust you have a truly great find. I did that power steering power valve about 40 years ago. I modified a pair of regular pliers to make R & R one of the clips easier. It was "tedious", but not impossible.

[BW]

Very nice car have fun!

[RKS.PA]

Chris, I can't believe the progress you've made!!! If I've got the time line right, you picked up this beauty in early January, so basically you've done all these "restoration" things in a little less than a month??....including making the black walnut insert??

You and your team are a group possessed!!!...and having the time of your lives!!!

Cheers.....Dick

[sugarmaker]

ms fowler,
I found one small rust area in the inside rear fender well, probably caused by the drain in that are being plugged with years of dirt. That area had been repaired with filler. So yes this car had some very good previous owners. The paint job is adequate to be a great driver car. I dont plan on painting it again as that could cost as much as the car!

BW,
Thanks, looking forward to some good weather to get the comet out and stretch its legs.

Dick,
A lot of parts are shared with Falcon and Mustang so parts seem to be available. Sure helps to have a warm shop with a lift to work in. Yes we are having fun. Still some moves to clean up some details. Always something to do.

Regards,
Chris and Cheryl

[Ford56]

That car is gorgeous; I love every picture of it!

[scicala]

All this talk and pictures about the Comet, with no mention of which engine is under the hood, other thn a picture of 8 dirty spark plugs and a right side exhaust manifold.
So, I assume it's a 289, but which one ? Two barrel or 4 barrel ?

Sal

[sugarmaker]

Sal, folks,
Yes this Comet has a 289 with stock 2V carb. It does have duals and glass packs. Also has C4 auto transmission. (information hidden in post number 1)
Regards,
Chris and Cheryl

[sugarmaker]

Folks,
We have been tuning and testing and learning about the 2 barrel carb on the Comet. Good instructions have helped get the choke settings much closer. The car is starting better, and not stalling.
Adjusted the trunk and hood. Some new parts coming to help clean up some details.
Regards,
Chris and Cheryl

[rjlester]

Finally read thru this thread. Congrats on a great car! You've made some nice improvements and it looks fantastic.

[sugarmaker]

rj,
Thanks! The seat refurbishment will be a large project for the car this spring. New foam and improved seat springs for the front buckets too. I didnt realize these seats were so worn and sagging. They have been covered once in material that matches the original style very well. The plan is to reuse the current covers.
Regards,
Chris and Cheryl

[sugarmaker]

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Ford Barn folks,
New seat foam and the right back up light lens:


John helped look at the lens today.


Old:


new:












Regards,
Chris and Cheryl

[KULTULZ]

You know, a 64/65 COMET (the 65 more so) were beautiful cars.

Those MAGNUM wheels really set it off.

Tell that lovely wife of yours I said she looks sixteen again behind that steering wheel ...

[5851a]

Very nice, great colors. Nice lenses too.

[sugarmaker]

KULTULZ, 5851a,
Thanks for the positive comments. Cheryl would be tickled! We have been together since we were kids. The Comet may help us relive a few of those memories.
We are doing an oil change, filter, and maybe fuel filter change also. Then carb rebuild and the seat project. We hope to be ready for spring car cruises.
Regards,
Chris and Cheryl

[sugarmaker]

Ford Barn folks,
The Comet project is moving along nicely.

Changed the oil and filter. Also changed the fuel filter canister.

The seats are being reupholstered, improving the spring system and new foam. Also going to move the seat back a couple inches and try it.


Carb has been rebuilt with new gaskets and a good cleaning. The car is running much better on several starts:


Adjusted the drivers door latch post on the door jam just a smidge. Working like a new one!
In the shop living room for a needed bath.




Regards,
Chris and Cheryl

[Oldmics2]

Nice car

[slumlord44]

Love it. I’ve had 3 65’s over the years back in the day. I had both a Calante and a Cyclone. Am I wrong or is this a Caliente with a Cycone interior? I’m not criticizing just relating my experience.

[Jeff Norwell]

That is one beautiful Merc. Just Lovely.

[Greg Rogers]

Love that car!!

[sugarmaker]

Oldmics2, slumlord 44th, Jeff, Greg, Folks,
Mic,
Thanks for the compliments on the old Comet.
Slumlord 44th,
I believe that the interior is correct factory buckets and console from the factory.
Jeff,
Thanks! Wow you do amazing work! Might need a Comet drawing added to your works too! Just saying.....
Greg,
Thanks, We have talked somewhere?? Maybe on the 32??

Update on the Comet:
cleaned up the back of the center console


The wood insert is my own creation. Black Walnut shaped to fit in where the unobtainable plastic insert went.




Had new foam installed over the old springs and under the old covers. Local shop did a nice job making this happen and look good in a couple weeks. Seats are now much more supportive. Spring was broke and repaired.


I made custom rails to set the seats rearward 3 inches. Rails can be removed to return seats to stock positions.




Re stripped the arm rest and painted it again with SEm white.


Installed a repro mirror on the passengers door today. I even moved it back from the more correct position so I could see out of it:




Regards,
Chris and Cheryl

[sugarmaker]

Folks,
Continuing to make minor improvements to the 65. The carb needed the float reset, to allow more fuel in the bowl. That seems to allow it to run better.
Cheryl and I have driven to several local ice cream shops! It always gets looks and comments.
Yesterday I reworked the door weather strip that was falling off.
Also added a little brake fluid. Washed the exterior and Adam cleaned some of the chrome with a nevrdull polish.
Getting ready for car cruise ins, and several car shows.
My tractor events may take a back seat as I need to spend much more time with Cheryl.
Hope things are good in Ford land!
Regards,
Chris and Cheryl