Wikipedia

Comet (marque)

Comet is a defunct American automobile brand of compact cars marketed by the Lincoln-Mercury division of Ford Motor Company from 1960 to 1961.[6] Comet vehicles were promoted as "the First Compact Car with Fine Car Styling" and were offered in 4 body styles:[7]

Overview
1960 Comet 2-Door Sedan
Overview
Also calledMercury Comet
Edsel Comet
Production1960-1961.[1]
Body and chassis
ClassCompact
Body style2-door sedan
4-door sedan
4-door station wagon
2-door station wagon
RelatedFord Falcon
Frontenac
Mercury Comet
Powertrain
Engine144 cu in (2.4 L) Thriftpower Six
170 cu in (2.8 L) Thriftpower Six
Transmission3-speed manual
2-speed Comet Drive automatic[2]
Dimensions
Wheelbase114 in (2,896 mm) (sedan)
109.5 in (2,781 mm)[3] (wagon)
Length194.5 in (4,940 mm)[4]
Width70.4 in (1,788 mm)[5]
Height54.5 in (1,384 mm)

Comet cars were originally meant to be introduced under the Edsel brand as the 1960 Edsel Comet[8] before Edsel was shut down in November of 1959.[9] Comet was subsequently released on March 17th, 1960 in the United States[10] and was sold through Lincoln-Mercury-Comet and Mercury-Comet dealerships.[11] Comet was introduced to the Canadian market for 1961[12] as a replacement for the one-year-only 1960 Frontenac.[13] Lincoln-Mercury announced the consolidation of the Comet and Mercury lines on September 20, 1961 for both markets. For the 1962 model year onward, all Comet cars were sold under the Mercury brand as the Mercury Comet and distributed through Lincoln-Mercury dealerships.[14][15]

Although never marketed as Mercury Comets when new, 1960 - 1961 Comet models are often historically and incorrectly referred to as Mercury Comets.[16][17]

Sales

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Comet enjoyed immediate success in the marketplace, selling 116,331 cars for the 1960 model year.[18] 1960 was a short model year for Comet, lasting only from March - October 1960.[19] Comet sales increased by 58% for 1961 models to 197,263 units. Comet outsold the Mercury brand by 70% in 1961.[20]

Model Year Sales
1960 116,331
1961 197,263
Total 313,594
1960 Body Style Sales
2-Door Sedan 45,374
4-Door Sedan 47,416
2-Door Station Wagon 5,115
4-Door Station Wagon 18,426
Total 116,331.[21]
1961 Body Style[22] Sales
2-Door Sedan 71,563
4-Door Sedan 85,332
2-Door Station Wagon 4,199
4-Door Station Wagon 22,165
S-22 14,004
Total 197,263[23]

1961 Model Year Changes

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1961 Comet 4-Door Sedan.
  • Revised front grille[24]
  • Comet adds 101 horsepower Thrift-Power 170 6-cylinder engine as an optional engine upgrade.[25]
  • Reduction in exterior paint choices from 11 to 10 colors[26][27]
  • Revised front fender trim
  • Comet side emblems moved from front fenders to rear fenders[28]
  • Comet S-22 model added to Comet line[29]
  • New Comet logo emblem for roof quarter panel (sedan models only)
  • Addition of full-width chrome trim panel with Comet name incorporated above rear bumper (sedan models only)
  • New deck lid handle with integral lock (sedan models only)
  • Interior dome light moved to center of the roof vs. just above windshield
  • Front upper A-arm busing changed from rubber bushing to pre-lubricated, threaded metal bushing
  • Die-cast aluminum front engine cover replaces stamped steel cover
  • Addition of vertical ribbing to reinforce oil pan in both motor options
  • New Comet emblem for glovebox[30]

Comet S-22

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For 1961, the Comet S-22 package was released for Comet 2-Door Sedans. S-22 was available with either motor and transmission. Promoted as a luxury-oriented package, Comet S-22 models gained:

  • Front bucket seats
  • Center console with storage compartment
  • Front and rear De luxe armrests
  • S-22 steering wheel and De luxe horn ring
  • De luxe wheel covers
  • De luxe door and quarter trim panels
  • Additional insulation/sound-deadening material
  • Factory undercoating
  • Cigarette lighter
  • Door courtesy-light switches
  • Bright-work on door and window frames[31]

Comet S-22 was treated as a 5th offering in the Comet lineup, and received Body Series Identification Code 17 in its VIN. Standard Comet 2-Door Sedans were designated by the number 11.[32]

Competitors

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To prepare Lincoln-Mercury-Comet dealerships to competitively sell in the compact car market, Comet identified primary competitors in training materials:[33]

1962 Mercury Rebranding and Continuation of Comet

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The Comet line of cars was folded under the Mercury brand for the 1962 model year,[34] with Comet models wearing Mercury brand and Comet model emblems.[35] Rear end styling was revised to better resemble other Mercury models such as the Meteor.[36] Comet models were included in Mercury brochures, workshop manuals, and advertisements for the first time for 1962.[37] The Comet Drive automatic transmission was also renamed to Merc-O-Matic Drive for 1962.[38][39] By adding Comet to the Mercury line of cars, Mercury brand sales on paper more than doubled from 1961 to 1962.[40]

References

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  1. ^ "Introducing the 1962 Ford Family of Fine Cars". Ford Heritage Vault. Ford Motor Company. Retrieved 9 May 2024.
  2. ^ Comet "Quick Facts" and Price Comparisons (C60-102 ed.). Dearborn, MI: Lincoln-Mercury Division of Ford Motor Company. 1960.
  3. ^ "automobile-catalog.com". Archived from the original on 2016-05-18. Retrieved 2015-10-23.
  4. ^ "Directory Index: Mercury/1960 Mercury/1960_Mercury_Comet_Brochure". Oldcarbrochures.com. Retrieved 2012-05-31.
  5. ^ Carfolio. Retrieved May 11, 2017.
  6. ^ "The Comet Story". Curbside Classic. Lincoln-Mercury Division Public Relations Department, Ford Motor Company. 15 February 2023. Retrieved 9 May 2024.
  7. ^ Comet "Quick Facts" and Price Comparisons (C60-102 ed.). Dearborn, MI: Lincoln-Mercury Division of Ford Motor Company. 1960.
  8. ^ Zyla, Greg. "Edsel's flop begat the fantastic Mercury Comet". The Providence Journal. Retrieved 9 May 2024.
  9. ^ Rothman, Lily (19 November 2014). "What Happened to the Car Industry's Most Famous Flop?". Time. Retrieved 9 May 2024.
  10. ^ Phillips, David (March 17, 2020). "Lincoln-Mercury's Comet takes off in 1960". Automotive News. Retrieved 12 May 2024.
  11. ^ "Identity Crisis: Ford Introduces the 1960 Comet". Motor City Garage. 21 Oct 2021. Retrieved 9 May 2024.
  12. ^ "Comet 1961". Ford Heritage Vault. Ford Motor Company of Canada, Limited. Retrieved 9 May 2024.
  13. ^ English, Bob (23 September 2010). "Ford Frontenac a one-year wonder". The Globe and Mail. Retrieved 9 May 2024.
  14. ^ "Ford Motor Company Presents the Ford Family of Fine Cars for 1962". Ford Heritage Vault. Ford Motor Company. Retrieved May 9, 2024.
  15. ^ Shea, Terry. "From the Ashes - 1962 Mercury Comet". Hemmings. Hemmings Motor News. Retrieved 12 May 2024.
  16. ^ Pearson, Mal (2 July 2019). "Mercury Comet: The Small Savior". Makes That Didn't Make It. Retrieved 9 May 2024.
  17. ^ Burrell, David. "Mercury's Comet: Stellar Success was Almost an Edsel". Shannons. Retro Autos. Retrieved 9 May 2024.
  18. ^ "Comet Model Overview". Hagerty. Hagerty Media. Retrieved 9 May 2024.
  19. ^ "Comet". Motor Trend. 12 (10): 30–33. October 1960.
  20. ^ Skinner, Phil (October 2006). "What in Heaven?: The Unlikely Story of the 1960 - 1963 Mercury Comet". Collectible Automobile. 23 (3): 59.
  21. ^ Skinner, Phil (October 2006). "What in Heaven?: The Unlikely Story of the 1960 - 1963 Mercury Comet". Collectible Automobile. 23 (3): 59.
  22. ^ "1961 Mercury Models, Prices and Production Numbers". Mercury. Lincoln-Mercury Division, Ford Motor Company.
  23. ^ Skinner, Phil (October 2006). "What in Heaven?: The Unlikely Story of the 1960 - 1963 Mercury Comet". Collectible Automobile. 23 (3): 59.
  24. ^ "Comet Model Overview". Hagerty. Retrieved 9 May 2024.
  25. ^ 1961 Comet (C61-105 ed.). Dearborn, MI: Lincoln-Mercury Division of Ford Motor Company. p. 8. Retrieved 10 May 2024.
  26. ^ 1961 Comet (C61-105 ed.). Dearborn, MI: Lincoln-Mercury Division of Ford Motor Company. p. 8. Retrieved 10 May 2024.
  27. ^ "Fine Car Styling for the Economy-Wise, Comet". Mercury Brochures. Ford Motor Company. Retrieved 9 May 2024.
  28. ^ Burness, Tad (2017). My Dad Had That Car: A Nostalgic Look at the American Automobile 1920-1990 (First ed.). New York: Black Dog & Leventhal Publishers. p. 383. ISBN 978-0-316-43091-3.
  29. ^ The New Comet S-22!!!!. Dearborn, MI: Lincoln-Mercury Division, Ford Motor Company. pp. 1–4. Retrieved 10 May 2024.
  30. ^ "Comet". Motor Trend. 12 (10): 30–33. October 1960.
  31. ^ The New Comet S-22!!!!. Dearborn, MI: Lincoln-Mercury Division, Ford Motor Company. pp. 1–4. Retrieved 10 May 2024.
  32. ^ 1961 Comet Service Specifications Handbook (FORM NO. MD-9937-61 ed.). Dearborn, MI: Lincoln-Mercury Division, Ford Motor Company. 1961.
  33. ^ Comet "Quick Facts" and Price Comparisons (C60-102 ed.). Dearborn, MI: Lincoln-Mercury Division of Ford Motor Company. 1960.
  34. ^ Gunnell, John (1994). 55 years of Mercury: the complete history of the Big "M". Iola, WI: Krause Publications. p. 128. ISBN 978-0-87341-311-4.
  35. ^ "Comet Model Overview". Hagerty. Hagerty Media. Retrieved 9 May 2024.
  36. ^ Shea, Terry. "From the Ashes - 1962 Mercury Comet". Hemmings. Hemmings Motor News. Retrieved 12 May 2024.
  37. ^ "Introducing the 1962 Ford Family of Fine Cars". Ford Heritage Vault. Ford Motor Company. Retrieved 9 May 2024.
  38. ^ Comet "Quick Facts" and Price Comparisons (C60-102 ed.). Dearborn, MI: Lincoln-Mercury Division of Ford Motor Company. 1960.
  39. ^ Mercury Comet '62 (LM62-112 ed.). Dearborn, MI: Lincoln-Mercury. 1962. p. 13. Retrieved 10 May 2024.
  40. ^ "Mercury Comet 1gen production numbers data".
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