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Comet (marque)

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This is an old revision of this page, as edited by Carguy92 (talk | contribs) at 01:43, 12 May 2024 (→Continuation After 1961). The present address (URL) is a permanent link to this revision, which may differ significantly from the current revision.

  • Comment: @TheTechie: Time and The Globe and Mail are reliable sources. While this draft may not be suitable for the main space, your comment seems to imply otherwise specially when the draft creator is a new user. See WP:RSPS and WP:NEWBIES. Hitro talk 20:55, 9 May 2024 (UTC)
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 was an American automobile brand of compact cars introduced by Ford Motor Company and sold for the 1960 and 1961 model years.[6] Comet vehicles were promoted as "the First Compact Car with Fine Car Styling" and were offered in 4 body styles:[7]

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 released on March 17th, 1960 in the United States[10] and was sold through Lincoln-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] Comet lost its status as a brand in both markets for the 1962 model year, at which point 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 referred to as Mercury Comets.[16][17]

Sales

Comet enjoyed immediate success in the marketplace, selling 116,331 cars for the 1960 model year.[18][19] Comet sales increased by 58% for 1961 models to 197,263 units.[20] Comet outsold the Mercury brand by 70% in 1961.[21]

Model Year Sales
1960 116,331
1961 197,263
Total 313,594
1960 Body Style[22] 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
1961 Body Style[23][24] 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

1961 Model Year Changes

1961 Comet 4-Door Sedan.
  • Revised front grille[25]
  • Comet adds 101 horsepower Thrift-Power 170 6-cylinder engine as an optional engine upgrade.[26]
  • Reduction in exterior paint choices from 11 to 10 colors[27][28]
  • Revised front fender trim
  • Comet side emblems moved from front fenders to rear fenders[29]
  • Comet S-22 model added to Comet line[30]
  • New Comet logo emblem for roof quarter panel
  • Dome light moved to center of the roof
  • Full-width chrome panel across rear of vehicle with Comet name incorporated, above rear bumper
  • New deck lid handle with integral lock
  • Front upper A-arm busing changed from rubber bushing to pre-lubricated, threaded metal bushing
  • New Comet emblem for glovebox[31]

Comet S-22

For 1961, the Comet S-22 package was released for Comet 2-Door Sedans. S-22 was available with either motor. Billed 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[32]

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.[33]

Competitors

To prepare Lincoln-Mercury-Comet dealerships to competitively sell in the compact car market, Comet identified primary competitors in training materials:[34]

1962 Mercury Rebranding and Continuation of Comet

The Comet line of cars was folded under the Mercury brand for the 1962 model year, 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 for the fist 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

  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. ^ "Mercury Comet 1gen production numbers data".
  19. ^ "Comet Model Overview". Hagerty. Hagerty Media. Retrieved 9 May 2024.
  20. ^ "Mercury Comet 1gen production numbers data".
  21. ^ "Mercury Full-Size 6gen production numbers data".
  22. ^ "Mercury Comet 1gen production numbers data".
  23. ^ "Mercury Comet 1gen production numbers data".
  24. ^ "1961 Mercury Models, Prices and Production Numbers". Mercury. Lincoln-Mercury Division, Ford Motor Company.
  25. ^ "Comet Model Overview". Hagerty. Retrieved 9 May 2024.
  26. ^ 1961 Comet (C61-105 ed.). Dearborn, MI: Lincoln-Mercury Division of Ford Motor Company. p. 8. Retrieved 10 May 2024.
  27. ^ 1961 Comet (C61-105 ed.). Dearborn, MI: Lincoln-Mercury Division of Ford Motor Company. p. 8. Retrieved 10 May 2024.
  28. ^ "Fine Car Styling for the Economy-Wise, Comet". Mercury Brochures. Ford Motor Company. Retrieved 9 May 2024.
  29. ^ 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.
  30. ^ The New Comet S-22!!!!. Dearborn, MI: Lincoln-Mercury Division, Ford Motor Company. pp. 1–4. Retrieved 10 May 2024.
  31. ^ "Comet". Motor Trend. 12 (10): 30–33. October 1960.
  32. ^ The New Comet S-22!!!!. Dearborn, MI: Lincoln-Mercury Division, Ford Motor Company. pp. 1–4. Retrieved 10 May 2024.
  33. ^ 1961 Comet Service Specifications Handbook (FORM NO. MD-9937-61 ed.). Dearborn, MI: Lincoln-Mercury Division, Ford Motor Company. 1961.
  34. ^ Comet "Quick Facts" and Price Comparisons (C60-102 ed.). Dearborn, MI: Lincoln-Mercury Division of Ford Motor Company. 1960.
  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". The Globe and Mail. Ford Motor Company. 23 September 2010. 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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