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1964 Mercury Comet Caliente V8 on 2040-cars

Year:1964 Mileage:99061 Color: chrome trim is in excellent shape throughout
Location:

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 For sale is a 1964 Comet Caliente.  It runs well and the transmission shifts through all 3 gears perfectly.  The engine starts right up and idles smooth.  It sounds amazing due in part to a new dual exhaust system with flowmasters.  All electrical features on the car work perfectly - except the heater blower and the horn.  I haven't had a chance to diagnose these items.  All gages work - including gas, temp, oil and the ammeter - which typically is unreliable on old fords. 

The California Title is clear, its in my name, it is currently registered and insured.  Approximate registration dues is about $75/year.
All pictures were taken February 23, 2014


The car has virtually no rust.  The only rust I could find is an occasional pinhole in the floor pans.  However, the original floor pans are strong and will withstand any test you put to it.  Based on my observation (and my mechanic) the floorpans do not need to be replaced.  For this reason, I took additional pictures and did not install new carpet - so the buyer can see how clean the floor pans are.  The fenders, doors, trunk, rockers, window frames - I can find no rust at all.

The car was recently painted by a local Maaco - which did a pretty good job.  As can be seen in the pictures, the entire body is straight - but not perfect.  Under bright sunlight an occasional minor imperfection can be found.  Thus, as it sits it is a perfect daily driver or weekend cruiser.  It is also a perfect candidate for a full restoration since it has such a great body, it appears to have never been in any major accident.  As can be seen in the pictures, the right side of the rear bumper needs to be straightened a little.  The trunk lid chrome trim needs to be installed - it is included with the sale as noted in the pictures.  And, the original drivers and passenger side mirrors are included, but are both missing mirrors.  All 4 interior chrome window cranks are included. The exterior chrome trim is in excellent shape throughout.

Besides new tires, the only thing the car really needs is attention to the interior.  The front and rear seats don't have rips, but sag a little and could use new foam.  Also, the interior needs a new headliner and carpet.  The black door panels need to be installed as noted in the pictures.  And, there is a crack in the passenger side door glass.  However, a replacement glass and frame is included with this sale - as noted in the pictures.   Otherwise, all glass is in good condition and the rear side glass raises and lowers flawlessly on both driver and passenger side.

Recent work in the engine compartment include new radiator, rebuilt generator, new starter, new water pump, new brake master cylinder, new spark plug wires and distributor cap/rotor.  The original 4 barrel autolite carb runs so smooth it must have been rebuilt by the previous owner.

Feel free to ask any questions about the car.  This is a true classic.  Without question, the best year for the mercury comet.  It has the same basic body lines as the famous 1964 Ford Galaxie 500 - but slightly smaller.  In my opinion, it is a much more exciting car than the 64-66 Mustang - but with the same basic chassis and options. 

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NHTSA investigating 725k Ford, Mercury vehicles for stalling issue

Mon, 25 Feb 2013

Owners of Ford Escape, Mercury Mariner, Ford Fusion and Mercury Milan models, listen up. According to a report on Automotive News, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has opened an investigation into these four vehicles totaling an estimated 725,000 units. The investigation appears to center around a malfunctioning throttle body on non-hybrid models of the 2005-2012 Escape and 2011-2012 Fusion. With Mercury dying off after the 2011 model year, this probe will also apply to the 2005 through 2011 Mariner and the 2011 Milan. There has been some discussion around the Escape stalling issue for some time now, but this investigation appears to be larger in scope than before.
Though not a recall yet, NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) has received 123 complaints of stalling or surging vehicles, while Ford itself has logged 1,472 complaints. The investigation report, which is posted below, seems to indicate that a faulty circuit board for the throttle body could cause the vehicle to go into limp mode, which, according to NHTSA, could cause complaints of both stalling and surging.

Ford recalls 600,000 older-model sedans for braking issue

Fri, Dec 20 2019

Ford is recalling 600,166 older-model Ford, Lincoln and Mercury vehicles over an issue that could affect braking and increase the risk of a crash. The safety recall covers certain Ford Fusion, Mercury Milan and Lincoln MKZ sedans from the 2006 through 2010 model years that were built at Ford’s Hermosillo Assembly Plant in Mexico between Feb. 22, 2006, and July 15, 2009. Ford says a valve that is normally closed inside the hydraulic control unit may get stuck in the open position or be slow to close, which could make it harder to engage the brakes and increase risk of a crash. Ford says itÂ’s aware of 15 reports of accidents and two injuries possibly related to the issue. Dealers will inspect the hydraulic control unit for signs of the problem and replace it, if necessary. The dealers will pressure-flush the system with brake fluid and replace the reservoir cap with a new one. Ford is also issuing a small recall of 33 of its 2020 F-150 trucks in the U.S. and 51 in Canada over potentially damaged spare tires. It says the bead area on the tires may have been damaged when it was mounted onto the wheel assembly, leaving it vulnerable to corrosion, separation of the bead wire and ultimately a rapid loss of air pressure and detachment from the wheel. Dealers will replace the spare tire. Affected vehicles were built at the Dearborn Truck Plant from Nov. 10-21 of this year.

Junkyard Gem: 1991 Mercury Capri

Mon, Sep 19 2016

Ford has gotten a lot of use out of the Capri name in the United States. First, there was the Lincoln Capri in the 1950s, followed by the Ford Capri Mk1 (which was sold by Mercury dealers in the USA but never actually badged as a Mercury). Then came the 1979-1986 Mercury Capri, built on the very successful Fox Platform and essentially a clone of the Mustang. Finally, in 1991, the Australian Ford Capri came to the United States. Here is an example of this rare car that I spotted in a Northern California self-service yard not long ago. Mechanically speaking, the 1991-1994 Capri was a Mazda 323 under the skin, complete with a member of the same B-series engine family that went into such cars as the Miata and Ford Escort. So, for a few years in the early 1990s, car shoppers who wanted a sporty Mazda convertible could choose between a Miata and a Capri. The Capri had front-wheel-drive, but could be had with factory turbocharging. These cars were reliable and fun, but had a tough time competing with the Miata in the showroom battles. You'll see the occasional example now and then, but most of the 1991-1994 Capris have met the same fate that awaits this one. Related Video: