1967 Mercury Comet Caliente "R-Code" 2-DR Hardtop

427ci OHV High-Performance V8
Two Holley 4-barrel Carburetors
425bhp at 5,000rpm (est.)
4-Speed Borg-Warner T-10 Manual Transmission
Front Coil Spring and Rear Leaf Suspension
4-Wheel Hydraulic Drum Brakes

*Factory Built Race Car, One of Four Produced
*Authentic and Verified Heritage of Mercury Performance
*Restored to Race-Ready Condition

THE MOTORCAR OFFERED

In March 1960, Ford Motor Company released the Comet, an up-scale companion to Ford's compact, the Falcon. Launched on St. Patrick's Day, there was plenty of luck behind the success of this new concept in motorcars. Originally to have been marketed as an Edsel, the Comet was released as a stand-alone model until 1962 when it became a member of the Mercury family. Comet mirrored the Falcon in many ways, in 1963 when Ford's compact received both a convertible and hardtop model, Comet received the same upgrades. In 1964, Mercury fielded 21 specially built Comet hardtops in the NHRA's A/FX drag racing division, fitted with the mighty 427ci "side-oiler" V8 engines which competed head-to-head with Ford's Fairlane based Thunderbolts. For 1966, Comet graduated up to the new mid-size Fairlane envelope.

Getting the itch to go drag racing with the Comet for the 1967 model year, Mercury offered a limited number of 427ci equipped Comets. Announced in an April 1967 press release, it stated, "More than 50 orders for these light-weight intermediate models, intended primarily for drag racing, have been processed since early spring. The cars may be ordered through any Ford or Mercury dealer. A weight reduction of 120-150 pounds is achieved through deletion of the sealer and sound deadener package normally included in assembly of the vehicles." The release continued to state, "Intermediates in the Ford Fairlane and Mercury Comet, Caliente and Cyclone lines have been available with a 4-V or 8-V 427ci engines since public introduction of the 1967 models. The lightweight models were put into production in response to the demand of customers interested in drag racing."

Identifying those cars fitted with the dual-four barrel 427ci V8's, was the letter "R" in the fifth position of the Comet's serial number or VIN. (Those cars with the 427ci single four-barrel intake were identified by the letter "W" in the VIN.) Four models of the Comet could have these mighty V8's, the base 202 two-door sedan, the Cyclone hardtop, the Capri hardtop and the "hot-one" Caliente hardtop. A total of just 61 Comets were equipped with 427 V8's, but only four Caliente hardtops were fitted with the R-code versions, and it is one of those cars that we are proudly presenting for offer.

One of the first R-code Caliente's assembled in March 1967 at the Lorain, Ohio assembly plant, it left was shipped directly to Stillpass Brothers Lincoln-Mercury in Cincinnati, Ohio where its eager first owner took possession of the Comet with one purpose on his mind, to go racing. This R-code Caliente was campaigned throughout the mid-west region up through the 1970 season. During its active career, the owner tried several new configurations to the suspension, exhaust, transmission and other tweaks and twists to shave off a few 1/100's of the ET's. During its racing days this Comet averaged times in the 11.2 second range and speeds of 120 mph in those quarter-mile contests. While the mechanics and suspension components of this Comet were modified during is racing career, but the body and basic stock interior were left just as it left the factory. Retired after the end of the 1970 run, this Comet Caliente was carefully put away and properly stored for the next decade and a half. Rediscovered in the mid-1980's this R-code Caliente was awakened from its slumber, cleaned up and given very limited exposure. In 1995, the Comet was treated to a full restoration bringing it back to factory specifications and appearance by an expert in Ford and Shelby performance vehicles.

Today, this R-code Caliente, one of four ever produced, is likely the most attractive and authentic example in existence. Finished in its original color of Caspian Blue, a deep, rich dark metallic, the original bench seat is covered in dark blue vinyl. This car has also retained its original steering wheel including the "flower-pot" horn-ring center. Under the hood, the side-oiler 427ci V8 block carries the proper "C7AE" and shows an assembly date of 6J28, which translates to September 28, 1966. Further establishing the pedigree of this highly desirable machine is the car's original broadcast form, often referred to as a built sheet, as well as the original window sticker, a copy of the title in the original owners name, and what we find to be very important, original timing slips from when it was being actively campaigned. This is truly a factory performance vehicle that should be the center-piece in any collection.