1966 Mercury Comet

This 1966 Mercury Comet two-door sedan has been mechanically overhauled per the seller and was treated to a comprehensive rebuild that included installation of an Edelbrock carburetor, an Erson camshaft, and a Holley intake manifold. It also went through an extensive service and received a timing chain, water pump, clutch and flywheel, distributor, and much more. Power originates from a Ford 390ci FE V8 bolted to a column-shifted 3-speed manual transmission. Finished in Medium Sage Gold Metallic over a Parchment vinyl and cloth interior, this third-generation Comet is offered with service records, build documentation, and a clear Missouri title in the seller’s name.

The Comet has a two-door sedan body style and shared a chassis with the Ford Fairlane beginning in 1966 as it grew from a compact to a midsize car. This example came from the factory painted in Medium Sage Gold Metallic (Z) and is said to retain its original rust-free body panels, although the hood was stripped and resprayed in black. This Comet has bright metal bumpers, window trim, moldings, and badging. Exterior aesthetics include stacked quad headlamps, a creased side belt line, and a black-finished taillight center panel with dual exhaust pipes located below the rear bumper.

Factory black-painted steel wheels with Mercury-branded chrome hubcaps are configured in a staggered fitment, with 15” units at the rear shod in 235-section Milestar Streetsteel tires and 14” wheels up front wrapped in 215-section Toyo Extensa tires. The front and rear shocks are described as new, and the seller cautions that the parking brake is not working.

The interior is fitted with Parchment (1D) vinyl and cloth upholstered bench seats front and rear, with matching lap belts and door panels, and dark brown carpeting installed in the footwells. The dash wears a dark brown pad and has is an ignition kill switch located at the center. This Comet came from the factory as a radio-delete car, although it has an ash tray, a cigarette lighter, and a lockable glove compartment. The trunk contains a spare tire as well as a vinyl liner. The seller indicates that heat is inoperative.

Instrumentation consists of a 120-mph speedometer and gauges for voltage, fuel level, and coolant temperature. A Sun Super Tach II 8,000-rpm tachometer has been added to the steering column. The five-digit mechanical odometer reads 74k miles, but total chassis mileage is unknown.

The 390ci V8 has been upgraded with an Erson camshaft, an Edelbrock 650-cfm carburetor, a Holley Street Dominator intake, and rebuilt cylinder heads with new springs and seals. The engine has also undergone a comprehensive mechanical rebuild during the seller’s ownership, with the following having been serviced or replaced: timing chain, water pump, clutch and flywheel, oil pan gasket, HEI distributor, exhaust, alternator and belts, radiator, and electric fan. The transmission is said to have been serviced and the rear end was reportedly given new fluid as well. Power is transferred to the rear wheels via a 3-speed manual transmission with a column-mounted shifter.

Photos showing the underside can be viewed in the carousel.

The sale includes documentation. Decoding the VIN plate reveals the following:

Body 62A – 2 door sedan

Color Z – Medium Sage Gold Metallic

Trim 1D – Parchment

Date 05 L – November build

DSO 42 – Chicago district

Axle A – Equa-Lock axle with 3.00:1 ratio

Trans 1 – 3-speed manual