1965 Mercury Comet Caliente Sedan 

When people hear the word Caliente they tend to apply the Spanish meaning of the term to the automobile.  Of course, Caliente translated into English means hot or a description of attractiveness.  When I asked a Spanish speaking neighbor for the precise meaning of the word he told me it represents someone who is promiscuous.  When you apply the term to a Mercury Comet it really describes the top level of trim offered on the automobile.  These cars offered plush deluxe carpeting, chrome body side moldings and Caliente badging. 

For consignment, an in progress of restoration version of the 1965 Mercury Comet in Caliente Trim.  The drivetrain has been completed with a total rebuild, reinforced frame rails are on, along with a Mustang II front end, Wilwood brakes, and new wiring and electrics.

Exterior
Reminiscent of the Pontiac's of the day, this starts out with dual stacked headlamps and a horizontal shaver grille.  The bumper below is showing some areas where water drips can be noted and is somewhat dirty.  A headlight is missing.  All steel with several dents and dings, and gaps which will need attention for perfection.  In the front quarter is a trio of faux vents in chrome trimming and all trimmings surrounding passenger's glass is on this car.  Badging is correct, and in the back, the trunk deck wraps around the back of the car ending in a horizontal stainless ribbed trimming and tail lighting on either corner within the ribs.  Another bumper with some beginnings of rust is seen on the back.  The car is painted in the factory light beige metallic which is worn, has some rust areas and chips with rust in the gaps.

Interior
Mercury meant upscale, and it's not a Ford for sure!  The door panels lead us off with upper gold/beige vinyl sills which have several delineating thin chrome trims to separate the various panels.  A lighter beige in a faux leather coloring makes up the rear of the panels, and badging interior lighting shiny cranks and actuator and even a vertical framed in chrome panel of wood appliqué is on the front of the door panel.  This leads us to the interior where we have a broadcloth insert full bench.  The broadcloth is similar to the doors with just a hint of pattern and plenty of stitching on the panels and even some chromed badges in the center.  These seats, ( a rear bench too), show wear and some tears.  Beige vinyl piping and smooth darker beige bolster are on and in good condition.  The original dash is fronted by a RAS rally steering wheel.  The dash has a padded upper in darker beige, and wood appliqué with some metal accenting to house the gauges, and radio as it stretches across the front.  Black carpeting is now in the floors and is fairly clean.  A light beige headliner is above and shows some water staining, but remains tight.

Drivetrain
A flip of the hood and we see a fully restored and gleaming engine bay.  Inserted is the fully restored and chromed accented 200ci inline 6 cylinder mill.  This has a 1 barrel carburetor, new wiring, and some colorful intake and exhaust manifolds as well as a purple hose for the radiator.  A shiny master cylinder is on and a small round open air filter is covering the 1 barrel carb.  On the back is a rebuilt C4 3-speed automatic transmission with a conventional 2.83 gear ratio rear axle.  All this is looking good under  this hood.

Undercarriage
A new fuel tank resides in an otherwise patina and surface rusted undercarriage.  It is structurally sound underneath but the rust persists throughout.  One can easily view the new parts recently put on within the patina and surface rust.  Floor pans are solid and painted black.  A Mustang II front end is now on and leaf springs for the back are original.  Power Wilwood front disc brakes are on and these have slotted rotors.  Power drums are on back, and these brakes have all new lines and master cylinder.  Headers are emanating from the exhaust ports on the mill.  These end up as cutoff pipes just next to the transmission.  There are no mufflers on this car.

Drive-Ability
While our consignor states this car runs well we made no attempt to start the car.  The driveshaft has been removed and tape is over the tailshaft.
An in the middle of a restoration project with the mechanicals all buttoned up and working great, it just needs cosmetic work on the steel exterior, and some interior seat restoration.  An interesting not oft seen model in our Hallowed Halls, and worth a look, as most of the hard work has been completed.  And you can drive it while you are working on it!

5T22T560754

5-1965
T-Metuchen, NJ Assy Plant
22-Comet Caliente 4 Door Sedan
T-200ci Inline 6 Cylinder
560754-Sequential Unit Number

Classic Auto Mall is a 336,000-square foot classic and special interest automobile showroom, featuring over 650 vehicles for sale with showroom space for up to 1,000 vehicles. Also, a 400 vehicle barn find collection is on display.
This vehicle is located in our showroom in Morgantown, Pennsylvania, conveniently located just 1-hour west of Philadelphia on the I-76 Pennsylvania Turnpike. The website is www.classicautomall.com and our phone number is (888) 227-0914. Please contact us anytime for more information or to come see the vehicle in person.