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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:

 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. 

Auto blog

Ford recalls Five Hundred, Mercury Montego sedans over fuel tank woes

Mon, 18 Jul 2011

Ford has announced through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration that it is recalling nearly 3,000 examples of its Five Hundred and Mercury Montego (pictured) sedans from the 2007 model year.
The action, which affects 2,945 vehicles, is due to potentially defective welds between the filler neck and the fuel tank, a condition that could result in a fuel leak or the smell of gasoline reaching the occupants. In the worst-case scenario, a leak could cause a fire. Cars with the affected fuel tank problem could see an illuminated dashboard warning light as a result of the evaporative emissions leak being detected.
Ford will inspect and replace the fuel tank at no cost to owners (those who have already had the procedure done at-cost can apply for reimbursement), and the Dearborn automaker will begin notifying Five Hundred and Montego owners beginning August 15. Check out the official NHTSA press release after the jump for further details.

Ford recalling 370,000 Crown Vic, Grand Marquis and Town Car models

Fri, 30 Aug 2013

The Detroit News is reporting that Ford will recall some 370,000 Crown Victoria (pictured), Mercury Grand Marquis and Lincoln Town Car vehicles from model years 2005 through 2011, for an issue regarding the lower intermediate steering shaft. 355,000 of the vehicles in question were sold in the US, with the other 15,000 sold in Canada.
The report indicates that corrosion of the lower intermediate steering shaft could cause a "loss of steering," presumably because of a partial or complete failure of the part. The report points out the dealers will inspect and replace the offending steering component for recalled cars, and may also secure a lower steering column bearing and replace the upper intermediate steering shaft as needed. The company is unaware of any reports of the faulty part causing any accidents or injuries.
Ford helpfully lists states in which corrosion is more likely to have taken place, mostly in the Snow Belt, as you might guess. Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, Wisconsin, West Virginia, and the District of Columbia are listed.

NHTSA upgrades Ford floor mat unintended acceleration probe

Mon, 17 Dec 2012

According to a Bloomberg report, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has upgraded an investigation into complaints of unintended acceleration lodged against Ford vehicles. The investigation began in June of 2010 when just three complaints had been received and it only concerned the Ford Fusion and Mercury Milan, but this was at a time when the phrase "unintended acceleration" made grown men go pale. With 49 additional complaints received since then, the investigation has been reclassified as an engineering analysis - the last phase before a recall - and it has been expanded to include the Lincoln MKZ, making for a total of "around 480,000" units affected between the three sedans from the 2008 to 2010 model years.
The ostensible cause is that floor mats are trapping the accelerator pedal, but according to a Ford statement at the time, the entrapment is due to owners placing the optional all-weather floor mats, or aftermarket floor mats, on top of the car's standard floor mats. NHTSA has backed up that assessment, pinning the blame on "unsecured or double stacked floor mats."
On the face of it, it would appear that NHTSA has upgraded the status not because of Ford's error, but owner error, and Ford has stated publicly that it is "disappointed" in NHTSA's move. On top of NHTSA still being skittish after that other unintended acceleration debacle, it could be seen to be taking its time investigating all of the variables: it's reported that Ford changed its accelerator pedal design in 2010, a "heel blocker" in the floorpan has been considered a potential culprit in how the floor mats could be trapping the pedal, some drivers have said the floor mats weren't anywhere near the pedal, and according to a report in the LA Times, in "a letter sent by Ford to NHTSA in August 2010, the automaker said it found three injuries and one fatality that 'may have resulted from the alleged defect.'"