The Mercury Comet was considered a compact model and classified as a pony car at the same time. But due to the continuous changes, it would soon transform into a worthy muscle car. Released as a separate model from the Edsel line in 1960, it was first classified as a compact car. Four years later, the Cyclone Super 289 V8 was added to the option list. This was the start of the transformation of the Mercury Comet to a full fledged muscle car.
The 1964 Cyclone Super 289 V8 engine was rated at only 210bhp. A higher performing engine, the 289 V8 rated at 271bhp was also available but was not included in the production model. The Cyclone two-door hardtop came with bucket seats, consoles, wheel covers and chrome engine dress-ups. The year after that, the Mercury Comet engine had a performance boost. The 289 V8 was upgraded to 225bhp. A special order of the 289 V8 with a rating of 271bhp was also an added option.
In 1966, the chassis and the body shell shared the characteristics of a Ford Fairlane, making it a true intermediate car. The front track was increased to 58 inches and the wheelbase grew to up to 116 inches. This made room for big block engines. The styling was plain but decent compared to the other savvy styled muscle cars at that time. The new GT option costs only $452. This included the 390 cid V8 with a rating of 335bhp. It had a dual exhaust, four-barrel carb, fiber glass hood, an engine dress-up kit, front disk brakes, handling package and an optional four-speed manual or automatic transmission. GT striping and badging were also included in the package.
In 1967, the Mercury Cougar was introduced. This hurt the sales of the Mercury Comet. Attributed to poor sales were also minimal or no improvements in the engine's performance. Major restyling was made in 1968 and the muscle car sported larger dimensions and had a fastback coup body style which became an instant hit. More than 6,000 units were sold with the introduction of the fastback coup body style. The engine was a 428 Cobra Jet V8 and was under rated at 335bhp. Many changes and improvements were made until 1975 when the production of the Mercury Comet GT was discontinued.
The 1964 Cyclone Super 289 V8 engine was rated at only 210bhp. A higher performing engine, the 289 V8 rated at 271bhp was also available but was not included in the production model. The Cyclone two-door hardtop came with bucket seats, consoles, wheel covers and chrome engine dress-ups. The year after that, the Mercury Comet engine had a performance boost. The 289 V8 was upgraded to 225bhp. A special order of the 289 V8 with a rating of 271bhp was also an added option.
In 1966, the chassis and the body shell shared the characteristics of a Ford Fairlane, making it a true intermediate car. The front track was increased to 58 inches and the wheelbase grew to up to 116 inches. This made room for big block engines. The styling was plain but decent compared to the other savvy styled muscle cars at that time. The new GT option costs only $452. This included the 390 cid V8 with a rating of 335bhp. It had a dual exhaust, four-barrel carb, fiber glass hood, an engine dress-up kit, front disk brakes, handling package and an optional four-speed manual or automatic transmission. GT striping and badging were also included in the package.
In 1967, the Mercury Cougar was introduced. This hurt the sales of the Mercury Comet. Attributed to poor sales were also minimal or no improvements in the engine's performance. Major restyling was made in 1968 and the muscle car sported larger dimensions and had a fastback coup body style which became an instant hit. More than 6,000 units were sold with the introduction of the fastback coup body style. The engine was a 428 Cobra Jet V8 and was under rated at 335bhp. Many changes and improvements were made until 1975 when the production of the Mercury Comet GT was discontinued.
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