By Eric Rood
As odd as it seems, this automotive writer has never really had a dream car. I have enthusiasm for a variety of makes and models, but none have ever struck me as a “must-own.” Instead, I typically fancy a car for a few weeks or months and then file it away to my dream garage for when I have a few thousand-dollar bills laying around. Lately, the early 1960s Mercury Comet has been the car of my fancy; I love the Ford Falcon (its platform mate) lines blended with a vestigial 1950s fin and, for whatever reason, the crosshairs on the front fenders complete the look.
In my mind, I’d love a nice driver in teal with the original Ford 170 six-cylinder engine, but a recent CraigsList search turned up a primer gray 1962 Comet in North Carolina. I like that look just fine, actually, but the interesting part is (allegedly) under the hood: The seller—who is apparently trying to gauge interest—has swapped in the fuel-injected Ford Lima 2.3-liter engine and five-speed transmission from a Ford Ranger along with the 8-inch rear end from a Ford Maverick. The Lima is a robust and durable mill and, according to the seller who claims to daily drive it, the four-banger Comet will get gas mileage in the high 20s, making this a surprisingly practical 53-year-old car.
The ad lists the car for $7,000, which seems a bit much without showing the mechanical bits of the car, but I kind of love the idea of this car. Am I crazy? Is this automotive travesty or triumph? And here is perhaps a bigger question: What kind of cars should someone who loves the idea of this car consider a “must-own?”
Full text for posterity:
Just seeing if anyone might be interested in this. I don’t want to sell, but have found another project I want. This is a daily driven car. It has a 2.3 fuel injected engine and 5 speed manual out of a 93 ranger. Has front disk brakes and an 8 inch rear out of a 71 maverick. Gets close to 30 mpg . Body is in great shape and is primered gray. No trades unless they include a 5 speed truck and cash .
Jeff Glucker
I kind of love the idea of this car. Am I crazy?
No, kind of loving this makes you kind of awesome.
Is this automotive travesty or triumph?
A triumph. The 2.3L motor, despite being known somewhat derisively as the “Pinto motor,” is one of the most solid 4-bangers around. The EFI will surely make this car more efficient and more driveable than an old carb’d six. The disc brakes and 5-speed are just icing on the gray-primered cake.
What kind of cars should someone who loves the idea of this car consider a “must-own?”
I don’t know if you’re a ragtop kind of guy, but a ’67-’69 Dodge Dart convertible is on MY personal want list. It was a solid, reliable, RWD unibody that was a direct Falcon/Comet competitor. ’67-’69s could be had with everything from the slant-6 to a 340 V8 with a four-speed box. The body was larger than the Falcon, with more interior room, and really clean, modern lines that I think still look great today.
http://carbuzzard.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/CB-Dodge_Dart-Conv_1967_GT-lrq1.jpg
I’m not a convertible guy, but the same-era Dart is definitely on my radar, too.
Look up bullet-proof and there will be a picture of that 2.3 and Mazda sourced 5-speed. I had that combo in my 94 Ranger and in 20 years of ownership it got a new clutch at 130,000 which would have lasted longer except for hoonage and beside plugs that is all the maintenance it ever required.
I live in NC and I sold a two door 1962 Mercury Comet a few years back. I got excited at the title, but nope, not my old car. This is a cool car and I drivetrain I would have probably enjoyed in mine as my 289 was very tired.
[Enthusiastic applause]
I would drive the hell outta that.
No underhood pictures?
I’m a bit of both. I can’t imagine getting rid of my aging e46, but I also want something completely different. I really want a mid-70s GM x-body. Like this:
http://santafe.craigslist.org/cto/4859218950.html
I’m a bit of both. I can’t imagine getting rid of my aging e46, but I also want something completely different. I really want a mid-70s GM x-body. Like this:
A few years ago I saw something similar where a guy had installed a modestly-sized Ecoboost into an old Edsel sedan. As a person with little to no concern about engine noise characteristics, I love this idea.
You could probably fit a toolbox under the hood with all of the extra space made available!
No it was not an Ecoboost even if the author implied that, it was a 2.3 out of an 80’s Thunderbird Turbo Coupe.
Right up my alley. I’ve had a think for the early Comets though I prefer the 1964 and I’d love to stick a Ranger power train in one. The only difference is that I would go for the Vulcan 3.0 and 5sp. I wouldn’t mind doing it to a Falcon or 65-66 Mustang either. The Vulcan is pretty short so it would be a front-mid engine car, like a Corvette, with most if not all of the actual engine behind the front axle center line.