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
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.
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.
