Deep Blue Paint/Mirror-Like Chrome/289ci V8/3-Speed Auto/New Top

Description

1964 Mercury Comet Caliente Convertible

The Comet was originally planned as an Edsel model. Ford announced the end of the Edsel program on November 19, 1959. However, production of 1960 Edsels continued until late November. The Comet was reassigned to the Lincoln-Mercury division to sell at Mercury dealerships, where it was marketed as a stand-alone product for 1960 and 1961 as the Comet without any Mercury divisional badging. Developed concurrently with the Ford Falcon, early pre-production photographs of the sedan show a car remarkably close to the Comet that emerged, but with a split grille following the pattern established by Edsel models. Early Ford styling mules for the station wagon model carried the Edsel name as well.

For consignment, a somewhat rare (low production) car in the form of a 1964 Mercury Caliente Comet Convertible. Popular among street rodders, most examples have been modified, however here we have an original with straight steel, well minded gaps, and beautiful chrome. A few minor faults at the seams, and some chipping of the paint, but over-all an excellent example of this midsize upscale grocery getter, getaway for the parent's car firmly for the suburbia crowd.

Exterior
Bathed in deep blue almost black paint, which is in good rust-free condition, we note a few areas of chipping however no areas of rust, even under the door jambs where it is frequently overlooked. All gaps are well minded, and upfront with its distinct Mercury outward V shaped fine mesh egg crate grill, and dual headlights flanking on either side, bumper below all shined up, were looking like the Comet. A nice smooth hood is flanked by good looking front quarters, moving rearward to a single door with a shiny mirror attached and clean chrome handles. Noted feature of these cars is their swept black wheel wells which are particularly evident on the rear quarters and are sporting small fins which tastefully angle back and overshoot the trio of round taillights below. Noted the stamped in, large spear with COMET badging on each rear quarter in lieu of the actual adhered spears of yore. Between these taillights is corresponding outward smaller V chrome trim, emulating the grille and connecting the taillights. Below a nice bumper. A black convertible top showing like new (and it is) with a clear rear window covers up if needed in bad weather. On all 4 corners are shiny dog dish style wheels with trim rings wrapped by blackball radials.

Interior
With Mercury being the upscale model of the blue oval, door panels have extra attention paid to the design and materials with black vinyl tile shaped padded grid with numerous horizontal trimmings and a rectangular frame of the thin trimming. Door handles and cranks as well as the armrest/pull have some extra shine, and a courtesy light in working condition is just below the armrest. Crossing the shiny threshold, beautiful overstuffed low back two tone buckets in front and a bench in back keep the hits coming. These chairs have more rectangular tile stitched and white buttoned black inserts and smooth white bolsters and a bevy of black piping to keep you eye dancing over them. A small but effective black and white center console is between these buckets and hides the hump which disappears mostly due to being covered like the floors, in black nice carpet. The original pristine dash is upfront and has a black padded vinyl top and plenty of chrome/aluminum trimmings surrounding the instruments and gauges. Shiny pulls and knobs are onboard and share a border on the lower dash with the shiny metal and black painted bottom of the dash. The original big steering wheel is framed in black with some chrome rings and dual chromed supports with a center hub and our Mercury God in profile, reminding you of what you're driving. An overhead view of the interior with the black tonneau and white piping shows a simply gorgeous designed upscale interior.

Drivetrain
A lift of the hood, and bling shouting loudly greets us. This 289ci V8 has shine all around with a chromed air cleaner cover, and chromed valve covers. It is a correct as built mill and includes a 4-barrel carburetor atop. On back is a C4 transmission in 3-speed automatic form, and a Ford 8-inch rear axle is on back. Supple hoses and like new wires abound here too.

Undercarriage
Solid unibody rust free construction keeps it simple underneath so we can skip right to the suspension which is independent coil springs for the front and leaf springs for the back. Power drum brakes are all around and a Flowmaster exhaust is now installed.

Drive-Ability
I clamored to get into this mid century modern upscale 2 door, and it was well worth it. It fired right up and on the test track accelerated beautifully, came to a bias free panic stop, and shifted smoothly. All this and working functions as well as looking fabulous doing it!

A fine somewhat rare example of the Comet Caliente convertible all buttoned up and looking just great, ready for your driveway, all you have to do is agree on a fair price, and then turn the key....it just does not get any easier.

VIN DECODE
4H25K537988
4-1964
H-Lorain, OH Assy Plant
25-2 Door Convertible, Caliente
K-289ci V8 4bbl 210hp
537988-Sequential Unit Number

Classic Auto Mall is a 336,000-square foot classic and special interest automobile showroom, featuring over 600 vehicles for sale with showroom space for up to 1,000 vehicles. Also, a 400 vehicle barn find collection is on display.
This vehicle is located in our showroom in Morgantown, Pennsylvania, conveniently located just 1-hour west of Philadelphia on the I-76 Pennsylvania Turnpike. The website is www.classicautomall.com and our phone number is (888) 227-0914. Please contact us anytime for more information or to come see the vehicle in person.