Buy American Muscle Cars, High-Performance MODS, 1961 Mercury Comet for Sale
Price $25,000Location Anaheim, California
Detail about this car by owner
This incredible 1961 Comet checks all the right boxes when it comes to a classic car. The original anemic 144 has been swapped for a 1991 cobra 302 high performance motor, taking advantage of the 351 firing order, along with a MSD pro billet distributor, Edelbrock air gap intake, high output coil, GT 350 long tube split y headers, Edelbrock 525 CFM performance carburetor, this engine screams for its size. Power is directed to the wheels though a copper ceramic racing clutch, Mcleoud 1400 series hydraulic throwout bearing, and a Borg warner world class T5 manual transmission. Easy to shift, and easy to drive, this is a car for someone who wants to feel the rubber meet the road and enjoy every minute of it.
To ease the action of the clutch and help slow it down quickly, a Wilwood three master full pedal assembly was installed, one clutch master connected to the hydraulic throwout bearing and two masters for the brakes, one for the front brakes and one for the rear brakes. After the power leaves the transmission the rotational force is captured and magnified by a custom ford 8 inch rear end, with a machined 9 inch pinion and ring gear, with posi-traction and 4:11 gears, everything you give is quickly and efficiently transferred to the ground.
Sounds fast, doesn’t it? Well, don’t worry, the front suspension was swapped for a full size mustang without the standard hack and weld, we did it the right way with parts that bolt in and fit as the factory intended. Along with the new suspension parts (they have some miles on them since installed, but are in excellent shape) full size mustang disc brakes powered by the high capacity Willwood master cylinders stop it easy and smooth. Braking action is compounded by using the right ratios and the dual masters with a balance bar, instead of a large and cumbersome brake booster under the hood, also preserving the important feel you get from manual brakes.
In the rear we have the matched drum brakes for the ford 8 inch for extended service life and proper brake bias, you will be happy with how this sweet little comet stops.
The straight, clean original body is dressed in the factory original Ford tuxedo black paint job. Thats right, this is the original paint, yes there are chips, and yes it shows the enjoyment of the last 61 years of life, but all of that considered, the fact that this paint is in the condition it is in is a testament to the way this car has been cared for. Runs & drives excellent. Has been well maintained. Only 3 owners. I have had this car for the past 15 years. Accident free, damage free, virtually rust free, this car is something you can enjoy right away!
The floors, trunk and underside are clean, so clean in fact that many areas are just nice original paint and primer from the factory, no holes, nothing missing, just clean, perfect metal. New carpet. New headliner & windlacing. Many areas in the engine compartment and around the body spot the original paint inspection stamps and remnants of the original waterslide decals.
The interior is just as original as the exterior, the red metal dash is factory fresh, no fading, rust, or issues with any of the dash as a whole, the original gauges, lights all work as intended from the factory, and look brand new.
All of the wiring is original, I know what you are thinking, it is not brittle, frayed, and falling apart. All of the wiring is flexible, clean, and working as it should. For the cold nights and early mornings at the race track you have a pumping factory heater and defrost that is controlled by the original knobs and pulls on the dash.
Front and rear lights have been converted to high output CRE leds, to light every corner of the canyon as you carve your cares away.
History is what makes it so special. best part about this car is that it oozes style as is, but is not going to cost you what a fully restored car costs, you could drive it as it and slowly take care of the stuff you want, not something that you can normally get from an old car. Even now, it is a show stopper that everyone loves to talk about and admire as is. When you are not racing, you can pop some car seats in the back, seat belts have been added, and drive it down to the local grocer, a nice spacious trunk will fit a full days shopping and activities.
Comets have an extended wheel base over the Falcon, and full size adults can fit in the front and rear seats. All of the glass is excellent, all of the trim is excellent, Front and rear bumpers are very nice. We are confident that if you understand how hard it is to find an original, properly built, accident and rust free car, that is ready for you to make the most of, you will think this car is a steal at what we are asking.
