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21/08/2019 4:32 pm
1961 and 1962 Mercury Comets
Here is what I know about the 1961 and 1962 Mercury Comets. There was just one series in 1961, simply called the Comet. It came as a 4 dr sedan, 2 dr sedan, and station wagon. There were 10 exterior colors, and 10 interior colors, plus a Fashion Group of trim, which included carpeting, bright window frames, locking glove box, door trim moldings, etc. as well as all vinyl interior. White walls were optional.
For 1962, there was a Custom series, and a plain Comet series, with the addition of a 2 dr sedan called the S-22. The S-22 is the most interesting, as it has all vinyl bucket seats and a console between the front seats. There was other special trim in the interior, and many extras, as standard equipment. 13 exterior colors, and 5 interiors. Two 6 cylinder engines were available, 144 and 170 CID. In 1962, Ford brought out a matching 2 dr sedan, called the Futura. The S-22 would be the most desirable car to model.
21/08/2019 6:50 pm
In looking a Google images of '61 & '62 Comets
There were more base line cars with painted side window frames and more deluxe versions with stainless overlay frames. Not sure what these were called but my '61 brochure only shows color photos of the stainless frame cars probably to play up the fancy cars over the standard cars. This appears to be the case with the '62 cars as well but some brochure photos show painted frame cars and stainless frame cars.
Well here we are, discussing the minutia of an obscure car from 58 years ago, ain't this a great hobby?
John F. Quilter
Eugene, Oregon USA
22/08/2019 7:24 am
Yes, it is (a great hobby)! As for trim levels...
I noted in a Falcon advertisement that "65% of Falcons were ordered as deluxe versions" with the added trim, and that Ford made a point of saying they tended to display the dressier versions but did also sell the base models.
Comet was a slightly extended version of the Falcon and likely treated their models much like the Ford division, available as base or deluxe but mostly seen in ads with the better trim.
22/08/2019 9:42 am
One of my first cars was a 61 Comet 4 dr sedan. It was very basic. It had a 144 straightline 6 6 in it mated to a auto tranny (I think it was a two speed) Either way it was a gutless wonder. I used to say it took half an hour to get across a 4 lane intersection. The day the hood popped loose and bounced up against the windshield while driving it was the day I quit driving it and got rid of it.
22/08/2019 9:52 am
Yes its an awesome hobby! Thanks to the 3 of you for this info.
I would like to see a "top trim level" '61 Comet 2dr. done; although I will definitely buy the sedan.
22/08/2019 11:26 am
And from 1960 to 1966 my parents had a '60 Comet four door wagon, 144 CID engine and 3 speed manual. Not a lot of power but we drove it all over the west on vacations. It would have been an immensely better car with the four speed full sychro gearbox that was optional in later versions.
photo no longer available
John F. Quilter
Eugene, Oregon USA
22/08/2019 11:34 am
And I should add, sold it and upgraded to this which I still have and drive
This one came with a four speed and overdrive.
photo no longer available
John F. Quilter
Eugene, Oregon USA
22/08/2019 2:31 pm
Quite the upgrade! One of my favorite styling of all time
23/08/2019 1:23 am
Don’t usually like white Jags
But out there in the US sunshine it looks just right. So much better than in the UKs generally overcast weather - thought it is lovely today just to prove me wrong.
The S type and the related Daimler are lovely looking cars.
You keep yours looking good - well done!
23/08/2019 1:44 am
Beautiful! In the 70's I had a similar 1:1 in metallic blue. Electrical gremlins took the fun out of it and I passed it on.
24/08/2019 2:13 am
Very nice John. The S Type is underrated here compared to the 2.4 and 3.4 saloons...
which is a shame. It's a beautiful machine.
24/08/2019 6:10 am
PIC of the Spot-On S-Type
photo no longer available
24/08/2019 7:35 am
Underrated here in US as well. Greater following for the Mark II
John F. Quilter
Eugene, Oregon USA
24/08/2019 7:38 am
Interior shot with 43rd models
Autoart Jaguars on display. C Type, D Type, XKSS
photo no longer available
John F. Quilter
Eugene, Oregon USA
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