‘The wife says… Must sell,” according to the private party offering this 1963 Mercury Comet convertible for sale.
“This vehicle is in very good condition considering it being almost all original,” he continues in his classified advertisement on ClassicCars.com.
“Seat covers are new, have been changed, and little else. You can drive the car every day if you desire. It has the 260 V8 and runs excellent. The paint is original and shows worn spots but no major scratches or dents. Just had it cut and buffed and it looks great.”
The car triggers a soft spot in my heart. When I was a junior in high school, my folks came home one day in this car’s cousin — a red with white top Ford Falcon convertible with the same 260 cid V8 and automatic gearbox (we featured a Falcon convertible as our pick of the day less than a week ago). And from time to time I still hum that “hundred-thousand miles at a hundred miles an hour on the banks of the mighty Big D” jingle that was part of the early Comet television advertising campaign.
I also appreciate the seller’s candor when he adds:
“The convertible top is electrically operated and is in great shape. However, no boot.
“All the stainless-steel window frames show rust spots and are pitted. The rust comes off with elbow grease. I have started to clean them. They can be replaced inexpensively. Just a little manual labor. Both bumpers polished and buffed and show minor pitting.”
Speaking of candor, among the photos is one showing the car from rear view and what appears to be some surface rust in the license-plate-holder area. If the car runs as well as the seller says, it could be a daily driver and, with some “elbow grease,” could take its place at your local cruise-in.
He also notes that the car has manual steering and brakes, and does not have air conditioning.
The car reportedly shows 50,000 miles on its odometer, has a grey cloth interior, its original V8 engine and an automatic transmission.
He adds that a show-condition version might be worth $25,000 and, as is, likely is worth between $8,000 and $12,000, more with, as he puts it, some “TLC.”
His asking price is $8,750 for the car which is located in Mead, Washington, north of Spokane.
Spokane! I have a son and granddaughter who live in Spokane. Maybe it’s time to go visit them.
