- Extra perceived prestige and value
- A separate stand-alone brand
- Much better suited for the early 1960s
Known only as "Comet" and not labeled as a Mercury
First offered as a mid-model-year 1960 introduction, the all-new Comet compact from Ford was debuted on March 17, 1960 and sold through Lincoln-Mercury dealers. Known at the time only as "Comet" and not labeled as a Mercury product per se, this new small car came some five months after the launch of the Ford Falcon on October 8,1959 and the base 2-door sedan window sticker price was $86.00 higher, $1998 for the Comet and $1912 for the Falcon. However, for the extra coin the Comet featured 5 additional inches of length in wheelbase, a plusher interior, and more standard chrome trim, along with some extra perceived prestige and extra value.
This smaller-sized vehicle was the right car for the times, unlike a previous new car launch from Ford Motor Company, the Edsel, which was a total flop in the marketplace. The model year 1958 was when Edsel was released, unfortunately, smack-dab in the middle of a national economic slowdown. It was a premium-priced car that found few buyers, which caused its demise. The Edsel division was discontinued on November 19, 1959.
So, the Comet was hastily de-badged from an Edsel and fitted with a more traditional non-split grille.
Put out as a separate stand-alone brand, not labeled as a Mercury product, that would not happen until the 1963 model year.
"Thrift Power" engine
The power came from an inline six-cylinder "Thrift Power" engine displacing 144 cubic inches and delivering 90 horsepower and a larger, stroked version that displaced 170 cubes with 101 horsepower was optional.
This new compact Comet was designed by Edsel stylists and unlike their previous efforts, it was an instant success when it hit the dealer showrooms, which was now Lincoln-Mercury outlets. Quickly sales grew to higher numbers than anything the Edsel had ever seen.
Much better suited for the early 1960s
For the Comet, even with a late introduction, was a pleasant surprise to the bean-counters as the small-sized vehicle sold more than all three years of Edsels, 116,331 vs. 110,810. The Comet was a vehicle much better suited for the early 1960s as compared to what the Edsel marque was up against in the late 1950s, and chances are even if the Edsel brand would have continued, that name attached to the Comet, as well as the notorious grille that would have gone along with it, would have been a negative and pulled away purchasers. People don't want to be associated with a failure.
Perfect Interior
The owners story
This 1961 Comet 2-door sedan is a survivor car that was owned by a woman and purchased it new from a San Diego Lincoln-Mercury dealer. She kept it was well maintained through the years and several years ago she was involved in a minor "fender-bender" with the car where the right-side front fender was crunched a bit. Nothing major, but she knew it was time to get the damage repaired and sell the car after close to fifty years of faithful service and enjoyment.
A visit to her local body shop is where she met the owner of the shop, who was there to help get the car fixed. After realizing that she was no longer able to drive and that the car, with less than 90,000 miles on the odometer and was in such wonderful condition. The shop owner approached her to sell it right then and there. He would repair it and keep it in good running condition. They agreed on a purchase price, and she could sell the vehicle immediately without any out-of-pocket expense and the shop owner could take his time and not only replace the damaged front fender, but also give the car a fresh paint job.
Because the shop owner is a true car lover and appreciated the history of the vehicle, he eventually decided to give the Comet a little more tender loving care in addition to a new coat of paint. The extra attention included some new refreshed parts and pieces in the way of a fresh exhaust system, new shocks, reupholstered front seat, new carpeting, new tires and some under hood detailing. Car guys do such things!
Just a Comet
