1961 Comet, which wasn’t part of mercury yet?

[@ahoorakia]

let's twist again/the professional? or let's twist again-chubby checker,sunfly karaoke

[@What.its.like.]

You already got it Twist again by chubby checker

[@67marlins]

Beautiful little cars, the whole Comet lineup.

[@daviddavis4444]

Family friend use to pick us up for church in a Comet just like this one straight 6 3 on the tree back in the mid 60's when I was a child.

[@What.its.like.]

Thank you so much for sharing an awesome memory with us =)

[@johnboydTx]

Pontiac Tempest and a Rambler American 👍 Me and my grandfather built Ford Speedsters.. he showed me how to do a valve job in 6 th grade Xmas Break 😂 Towards the end my sister asked him if he had any regrets??? He said his only regret was not finishing the engine rebuild on his first Model T 🤔. The family finished it while he was in the hospital and fired it up when they transported him to hospice... He Smiled and said y'all take my ashes to the bone yard in my Elizabeth.... So we Did ...... Another great episode 😉👍 Happy Motoring ✌️🤠🍻

[@What.its.like.]

Thank you so much for sharing that incredible story what great memories My grandpa was always afraid of death until he had his Death experience.. it totally changed him I didn’t know the person he was before that because I was only four orfive when he died the first time. I will definitely tell the story maybe will do a live chat question and answer thing and I’ll do it on there.

[@seed_drill7135]

I always thought those taillights were meant to match the cats eye glasses of the retired schoolmarms who seemed to be the intended buyers for this vehicle.

[@What.its.like.]

I love the rear end design of this car

[@gcfifthgear]

If you ever look closely at the rear of a 1960-61 Comet sedan, you will see the letters "ERST-60" stamped on the taillight lens. Those canted lenses, when turned vertically, were the taillights of 1960 Edsel sedans, hardtops and convertibles (wagons were similar but a bit smaller to accommodate the Ford tailgate and fins). 1959 Edsel tail light and backup lenses were actually those of the 1958 Continental Mark III, too

[@CSmith-gb1sl]

They look like baby deer ears!

[@GeraldWood-ig9rw]

Me Too mate❤❤😊

[@alanblanes2876]

Thanks for covering this model, Jay. It would be great to get the rest of the story on your Grand dad.

[@What.its.like.]

I totally will I think we might do a live chat one day I wanted to do it with the museum that may still happen it’s just there was a lot going on and didn’t get to do that but I would still love to do a live chat maybe like a live question and answer or something like that.. and tell that story there it’s a pretty cool story

[@gcfifthgear]

The Comet sedan had a 114-inch wheelbase, while Comet wagons and all Falcons had a 109-inch wheelbase. That allowed Edsel/Mercury to stretch the sedan and provide that distinctive cove at the rear of the sedan (and allow for the fins, too), but look at a Comet station wagon from the rear and it's essentially a redressed Falcon. This also proved a problem when the Mercury Meteor became an intermediate for 1962. Its wheelbase was 115.5 inches, not much longer than a Comet sedan. And in 1963 you could buy a Comet convertible, but not a Meteor, which I think led to the Meteor's discontinuance in 1964... Fascinating comparison as always!

[@What.its.like.]

Thank you so much for sharing that added information I did not know about the difference in wheelbases it was a bummer they didn’t share the same rear end design because that is my favorite part of the 60 and 61 comet Glad you dig this episode =)

[@jamesbosworth4191]

That Meteor mid-size should have had a 116 wheelbase, and an inch more width. Not much longer physically, but psychologically important, as it was 2 inches longer and a little wider than the Comet, therefore worth more than a Comet. Remember, in the 50s and 60s, the more expensive a car was, the bigger it was supposed to be, both in fact and in appearance.

[@gcfifthgear]

@@jamesbosworth4191 True--but when the '62 Meteor/Fairlane was introduced, the Falcon had a 109-inch wheelbase, and the Fairlane's 115.5-inch wheelbase was almost exactly halfway between the Falcon and the Galaxie, which was on a 119-inch wheelbase. The Fairlane grew to a 116-inch wheelbase...in 1965, which some say was a prelude to the "reinvented" Fairlane and intermediate Comet for 1966. The Comet, as I mentioned earlier, was already close to the Fairlane/Meteor wheelbase (at least the sedans were, and by extension the hardtops and convertibles, which came dangerously close in price to the Meteor)

[@jamesbosworth4191]

@@gcfifthgear But that Fairlane/Meteor looked small. It should have been more massive looking, plus, compacts should have been confined to the low-priced makes, or been a separate division. Should never have been able to buy a Ford, Chevy, or Plymouth that was more car than an Olds, Merc, or Dodge.

[@gcfifthgear]

Competition...I remember the F-85 originally positioned itself as for people "who wanted something different in a low-priced car (Olds made a big deal of referring to the F-85 as a low-price car, not a compact car)." The Tempest used the Corvair transaxle and billed itself as "America's only front-engine rear-transmission car." Almost no mention of "compact car." Buick billed the 1961 Special as "special-size," not compact. And the (Plymouth) Valiant was actually built in a Dodge plant--and naturally, Dodge Dealers wanted their own piece of the action!@@jamesbosworth4191 Once again, Yankee ingenuity triumphed!

[@denislandry7577]

Had a 1962 2 door 170 , had a 1963 170 4 doors . Kinda rusty , rebuild a 200 cube engine for it , quick body job on it , my wife drove it daily for 25years ! Fun car ! We scraped it 15 years ago , rust ! I cut out the compete dash and hanging on my shop , i look at it every day ! ❤

[@fob1xxl]

I always loved the Mercury Line ever since they first came out. In 1955 my folks bought a new Mercury Montclaire. In 1964 they bought another Mercury. A new Mercury Comet Caliente . It was a HOT car and I was only 19 !

[@What.its.like.]

Awesome thank you so much for sharing those memories with us what great stories I love the 50s it’s one of my favorite eras I get a bit sad those cars are getting harder and harder to find

[@overshoe6361]

I bounced off the windshield of one of this car's 60 Falcon brethren when l was a kid (sudden stop, no belts, that pesky inertia thing)so these cars are forever engraved on my brain. Wish l had one now... Thanks for the video.

[@What.its.like.]

Thank you so much for sharing that story what great memories and you even got to live to tell the tale =)

[@paytopray1468]

I’ve got a 60 comet with a 200 inline 6 from a 79 Fairmont married to the original 2 speed automatic transmission. It’s still slow as molasses but torquey on takeoff

[@gene978]

One of my first memories of my grandfather was of his green ‘61 Comet 4dr. I had to be 4 years old. He took me fishing and I remember him with the trunk open putting away the poles and looking at the cars profile from lake to the land.

[@What.its.like.]

Incredible memory thank you so much for sharing that with us My grandfather gave me my first car anytime I see one (which never or very rarely) I think of him =)

[@rongaunt8348]

V8 available in late 62 for the 63 model; I have a 63 custom convertible and love the thing. Thanks for the video!

[@What.its.like.]

Awesome =)

[@NickTwisp80]

It may have been originally billed as a stand-alone brand, but I can tell you (from personal memory) most everyone in 1960-61 referred to it as a "Mercury Comet," sold of course at Lincoln-Mercury dealerships. Let me tell you, with the base engine & Fordomatic that car was s-l-o-w. Maybe it could hit 80 mph but it would take a long time to get there. The optional inline 6 was somewhat better but not much.

[@What.its.like.]

Yeah that’s how everyone brands it it’s technically not a mercury

[@markw208]

Agreed. One of my closest friends family had a Comet ☄️ 2 door wagon with the 144. And as you said it was s-l-o-w

[@Irishfan]

I had a 63 Falcon Convertible with a 170 six and 3 speed manual transmission. It was a peppy little car, but not a muscle car. I got it up above 95, lets,say 96 or 97 the speedometer needle wasn't to steady at that speed. That was the fastest I ever drove a car, although I have had cars capable of going faster. I never saw the need to try.

[@jozimoto]

Dad had a '62 wagon. 170 6cyl. 2sp Cruisomatic. Red with a white top. 4 doors. "Betsy" got shipped to Egypt for Dad's deployment at the Embassy in Cairo. And it got shipped back in 1967 just after the 6 Day War. He sold it in '1968 with over 90k on the clock. It had a power rear window

[@richardwarren7492]

Yep, 80 was possible downhill with a tail wind.

[@josephpiskac2781]

I owned a 1964 Comet Caliente a really beautiful car.

[@jeffmckie7300]

I remember how difficult it was to pull onto an expressway with one of these dogs. Acceleration was somewhat faster than plate techtonics.

[@josephgaviota]

My dad said the exact same thing about the '62 we had. Kind of crazy, but when Interstate 5 came through the San Fernando Valley, the onramp my dad used was a pretty steep incline ... and getting the little Comet with three-on-the-tree up to freeway speeds involved winding out in 2nd to get up that "hill."

[@jamesbosworth4191]

@@josephgaviota When they were new, I saw plenty of late 40s and early 50s flathead Fords pass them with ease.

[@joebutchko2223]

The tail light lenses on the '60 comet were also used on the '60 edsel. Can you picture it in the office at ford: "Who the hell bought all these lenses?! Find some way to get rid of them!

[@1958Citation]

No sir. Comet lights are not interchangeable with any Edsel.

[@joebutchko2223]

I stand corrected. I based that statement on an article in Collectible Automobile magazine, April 1996, page 50. In the box it states that the comet's taillight lenses were marked "60 ERST, as where Edsel sedan lenses." So that's why I concluded that.

[@DSP1968]

For those interested in learning more about the Edsel (and therefore the Comet), I'd suggest reading two self-published books written by C. Gayle Warnock, who did the marketing for the Edsel (and later, the '67 Cougar) and was there from the beginning. The are titled "The Edsel Affair" and "The Rest of the Edsel Affair". Jay, the reason the mirrors are different in the two examples you featured is that outside rearview mirrors were not required by Federal Law until the 1965 model year. So FoMoCo dealers would sell them from the parts department and mount them wherever the customer wanted, though there were mounting templates. Some cars, like Lincolns and Thunderbirds of the era, had them as standard equipment, hence the standard mounting locations/styles. This was a really beautiful example of an early Comet, thank you for telling its story.

[@What.its.like.]

Awesome information thank you so much for including those two books I will definitely have to check that out =) You bet I totally love sharing off the beaten path car stories I can’t wait to dive into more there are so many cool cars in the pipeline..

[@gcfifthgear]

Also, in 2002, Thomas E. Bonsall wrote a book called "Disaster in Dearborn," which is mainly the story of the development and failure of the Edsel, but also includes several photos of the car that ultimately became the Comet (and was also the source of my citation about how the 1960 Comet outsold all three years of the full-size Edsel combined)

[@Irishfan]

I don't think I agree with you on the mirrors, I never saw a Ford from the ihe first 1953 Ford my dad through my latest 2018 that didn't have a rear view mirror on the left side of the car. They may have been listed on the window sticker invoice as added options in the 50s, but I think they were factory in stalled.

[@DSP1968]

@@Irishfan I think you mised my point. Outside rearview mirrors were NOT REQUIRED BY FEDERAL LAW (sorry, I can't do italics here) until the 1965 model year. That meant for years prior, some cars had them as standard equipment, and others did not. If the latter is true, you would see a charge for them on the original factory window sticker. Even after 1965, if a buyer wanted a remote mirror, or a RH mirror, it was usually optional and would be called out and priced separately. As manufacturers began to offer more fully equipped cars, remote mirrors, then eventually power remote mirrors, became standard equipment. Today, on a 2023 window sticker, you might find them listed, and if so, on the standard equipment list unless they were something really unusual (special mirrors on a pickup, for example).

[@jamesbosworth4191]

@@Irishfan Now, I think it is mandatory, but in the early 60s, that was not true in all states, but like a heater, most cars had it.

[@agostinodibella9939]

Jay, I never saw a picture of the Edsel Comet concept car before, pretty cool! We had a 1965 Comet, the first year with stacked headlights. I remember we got it used, and we had to install a driver side mirror on it. The backup lights never worked right on it the whole time we had it.

[@What.its.like.]

I can’t believe how close in design it looked to the Pontiac tempest it really makes you wonder thank you so much for sharing all that information and insight greatly appreciate it

[@ernielaw]

Although 1961 was the second year for the Comet, it was the first year it was sold on the Canadian market. The reason for this was because Canada had the Frontenac for 1960 only. This car shared its sheet metal with the Falcon, but had different lights and grill. The Frontenac was a stand alone name which was sold at Mercury dealerships in Canada. As for the Comet, you're right about it being built up to 1977. I will also add that Comet production stopped after '67 as it was replaced by the Montego. The Comet name returned in 1971, and it shared its sheet metal with the Maverick from then on.

[@gcfifthgear]

A 1961 Frontenac was planned--a prototype was even built for a press release--but Ford decided to sell the Comet in Canada!

[@davidpancerev9658]

Some say there was a 1968 Comet issued. Never seen one though

[@jamesbosworth4191]

@@davidpancerev9658 There was indeed a 68 Comet.

[@georgewardle4017]

My first car I bought myself was a 61 Comet 101 HP 3 speed manual . It was 1965 and I was 16 so was proud of that car . Dates with my girlfriend when they could snuggle into your shoulder when driving and the bench seats were great . I finally sold that car in 68 and it was a sad day and bought a brand new 68 Volks . My dad had a 57 VW with an oval rear window and it was cold in the winter and couldnt go fast so was used to driving one . But still missed my Comet . Good memories and am looking for one now .

[@What.its.like.]

Thank you so much for sharing those memories

[@Grantthetruthteller]

As a young man I never drove my good car in the winter (snow, road salt, slippery) so I always had a winter beater. I bought a 10 year old 64 comet 4 door from an old lady that couldn't drive anymore. That car actually ran on 5 cylinders (top speed was about 45 mph which was fine for my commute to college each day) for 2 years until I sold it to a friend who drove it for several more years like that.interior was beautiful ... exterior, not so much. Fond memories of that tired old car.

[@What.its.like.]

Great story and memories =)

[@majorpayne5289]

👍Nice clean old Mercury! I recall my Dad driving me & best friend to elementary school. Probably 1973. I remember the slanted tail fins-lights and was white w/ red interior. Dad was always repairing, trading, buying, selling cars back in the day. Thx for the memories.

[@What.its.like.]

Awesome thank you so much for sharing those memories =)

[@garytraynor2921]

The four door Comet in red was my drivers training car in high school. I remember flooring it to get on to the freeway in the rain and the hydraulic wipers would stop. I had a great drivers training instructor I was lucky.

[@What.its.like.]

Great memory thank you so much for sharing that story with us =)

[@davidpancerev9658]

Vacuum wipers you mean.

[@jamesbosworth4191]

@@davidpancerev9658 That means his car didn't have the optional double-action fuel pump.

[@tigre7739]

I've always liked the design of the Comet and the Fairlane, every generation really, this one especially! I also love all the space age names they badged them with. I think the interiors were nicely done, and love those particular steering wheels of that era. I would pick the Comet in both scenarios! I think sharing memories and stories is a great thing, especially of those we have lost but still hold close in our thoughts.

[@stephenlawson2546]

It is hard losing a grand father. We all go thru it usally our first taste of death. The car is one of those cheap economy cars but they have a story.I am glad you bring it back.Thanks.

[@What.its.like.]

Yeah the Sting is gone but the burn is still there, you know and I thank god that he gave him that extra time I didn’t know him... then first time I was 5 or 6 but I remember mom coming in and telling us grandpa died and then saying he was going to be alright. The second time I was 16 and 3 days later I got the family car he gave me..

[@stephenlawson2546]

My grand father died when I was 15. I really loved that guy. That was 1968.I will always miss him. Same as my father who died in 1987 and my mother 1999.

[@charlesdalton985]

Many of the parts in the 60 model year were stamped for Edsel. I agree with your assessment of the looks of the Edsel as compared to other brands as well. Handsome cars, and by 65 - just downright good looking - and with a 289 quick too. WYR: Tempest and Comet. Love to hear the rest of the story of your grandfather - you honor him well. Thanks as always - well done! ~ Chuck

[@HarborLockRoad]

Exactly, my edsel book says one of the reasons for the comet name was that it fit in the holes that were for the edsel block letters! True or not, idk. Theres other things distinctly edsel too, but i forget. There simply wasnt time to change everything as the " new compact edsel" was swapped over so fast.....

[@charlesdalton985]

@@HarborLockRoad I had not heard that before about the name badging but it makes perfect sense. Cool fact - thank you! ~ Chuck

[@What.its.like.]

Great information everybody thank you so much for sharing all of that great choices Charles Dalton I want to cover a tempest that is a vehicle that I want to drive though because it’s very different in the sense the transmission is in the rear very weird set up.. It seems like that’s the consensus everybody wants to hear the story so I will definitely tell the story we might do a question and answer live show I wanted to do something similar for our two year anniversary but I had a lot of stuff going on and I couldn’t do it then I’ll figure out something I’ve also been contemplating this idea and I was kind of wanted to see if you guys would you guys thought about it I was thinking about doing a parody week and that could be like our shark week.. lol where instead of doing the intro that I usually do I would model the intro after another KZbinrs car channel like dude Doug DeMuro intro Scotty Kilmer but if I did Scotty Kilmer I would model my whole episode in his style with the laughing horses in the corner and the Clickbait title lol there are a few other ones as well car channels that I like =)

[@halhenryg]

Comet was the high-end family of the Ford Falcon, same underpinnings as the falcon. Nice remembrance and shout-out to your Grandfather Jay.

[@What.its.like.]

=) he was a great guy, sometimes I take a step back and think I’m a lot like him I have my hands a lot of stuff just like he did.. he had a green house business he was into plants I honestly have no idea how he could have his money tied up for almost half a year it would drive me nuts.. Thank you so much for sharing that one thing I totally forgot to mention that it was Ford falcon underneath =)

[@automatedelectronics6062]

The Comet was just a Ford Falcon at heart. It did get upgraded to the Ford Fairlane mid-size class later. Now I understand why the early Comets had such ugly tail lights. It was originally gonna be an Edsel! When you look at the "horse collar" or "lemon sucker" Edsel grills, where do you think Pontiac got the idea for their split grills with a center nose? It was great for Pontiac to accentuate their new "wide track" design, making the cars look wider. I'd probably go with the '61 Rambler American. The convertibles with 2-tone body paint were really cool looking. I think that probably the TV show, "Third Rock From The Sun", garnered attention to the Rambler as that was their car.

[@What.its.like.]

Thank you so much for taking the time to share all this information =)

[@P_RO_]

WYR I'd take a tow-door Comet wagon with the Rambler wagon a very close second place- two-door wagons are scarce in any car. Comet on the next one, even though I did have a 61 Rambler IRL. The basic engineering of this car followed through into the 70's with the Maverick as did the 170ci engine. Those shock tower braces under the hood were very necessary and even with them these cars handle a lot better with a 'monte carlo brace' between the shock towers which some Mustangs got. The trunk floor was the top of the gas tank, which tended to split seams in a hard rear-end collision long before Pinto's became notorious for their problem. It was an engineering exercise in lightness for it's time, with other cars the same size weighing more. I can't imagine how anemic the 144ci had to be as the 170ci wasn't a powerhouse, and the extra chrome embellishments hearkening to the 50's. I've seen a few of these IRL where the rear end at a glance can be mistaken for a Valiant (which also started out as a car with no affiliated brand), and the front indeed does resemble something Pontiac. Later on when the Falcon came along it 'stole' a lot of the Comet's sales since it was a cheaper economy car which offered the same everything but embellishment. I personally prefer the later Comets but this was a handsome and stylish car for it's time.

[@What.its.like.]

Awesome choices thank you so much for taking the time to share all of that insight and information greatly appreciate it =)

[@bigtruckacman]

Hey Jay, These cars were pretty tough. My best friend had a 60 comet for his first car. One day driving home from work he rolled it over down an embankment. Has it towed home. Had the windshield replaced, replaced the motor mounts and battery. He drove it for another couple of years. I rode alot of shotgun miles in that car.

[@luisvelasco316]

Pontiac Tempest, Chevrolet Corvair. Never knew about the Comet/Edsel connection. I think the Valiant also started as a stand-alone marque, then became a Plymouth.

[@jamesbosworth4191]

You are correct, the first-year Valiant was strictly a Valiant. That's why the adds said "Nobody's Kid Brother!"

[@gcfifthgear]

@@jamesbosworth4191 It was sold chiefly by Plymouth dealers, even though "Plymouth" never appeared on a 1960 Valiant. There were plans to keep Valiant a separate division, but they were scrubbed when corporate officials realized they could not fund separate Plymouth, DeSoto and Valiant divisions. The Plymouth and DeSoto divisions were merged into a DeSoto-Plymouth division toward the end of 1959, and Valiant was folded in at the end of the 1960 model year, making it the Plymouth-DeSoto-Valiant division. Of course, the 1961 DeSoto ended production early in the 1961 model year, which is when the Chrysler-Plymouth division was created--and the 1961 Valiants began wearing the Plymouth nameplate with their introduction (they were even shown together in the sales brochures that year)

[@lvsqcsl]

IIRC the Comet wasn't assigned to the Mercury Division until 1962. It was supposed to be an Edsel model but Edsel was discontinued in 1959, just a few months after the 1960 Edsels started production. I remember the first season of the Andy Griffith Show those cars were everywhere in that program. GREAT VIDEO!

[@retrobilly1719]

Aw Jay , Can tell the Love you have for your Grandfather .Sure He is Proud of You!

[@What.its.like.]

I’m sure he is, so much I’d like to ask him about stuff I didn’t know back in the day. Like I was 16 when he died just in a different part of life just don’t know what I know at 34

[@jamesbosworth4191]

Looks like they spruced up the Falcon dash board the same way they spruced up the 59 Ford's dash for the 59 Edsel.

[@davidpancerev9658]

Exactly.

[@ScottDLR]

My brother had one of these as a teenager back in the late 60's. I never realized that a premium little car it was. It really does have a lot of higher end details. Thanks for taking me back. Me? I'd rather have the Comet in all cases.

[@What.its.like.]

Awesome choices That’s why this channel exist to take you back to a world gone away, memories seem like yesterday Haha And if people are getting into the car hobby dare to be different by something different, I told my friend recently I have a 52 Chevy 1 ton truck when it works good it works great when it needs some thing it’s a nightmare to find somebody wants to work on it because nobody wants to work on something they can’t have a computer tell them what’s wrong with it, But I told him I got everything dialed in my truck is a one ton with dually rear axle 350 V8 four-speed transmission 373 rear ends 19.5 tires I get 20 miles to the gallon on the highway and can go 80 miles an hour and he could not believe it he has a brand new Dodge and he said my Dodge doesn’t do that.. He told me once his Dodge is done he’s going to do what I did Buy an old truck switch out the rear and put big tires on it and drive it. That’s what this channel is about it’s about inspiring people to be different, and to have fun driving what you like =)

[@warrenlucier5796]

My mother owned a 1963 Comet custom with a 200 ci inline 6 and it had 7 main bearings. The 144,170 & 200 all have 7 main bearings. I think you transposed the bore & stroke on the 170 ci version of this engine family; the 170 ci just had a larger bore. I owned a 1964 F100 pickup truck with a 223 ci engine and it had 4 main bearings. That engine came from the 1950's and 1964 was the last year it was produced; replaced with a 7 main bearing 240 ci inline 6. Those Comets were nice cars and some had the small block ford V8 too.

[@richardwarren7492]

The 144 has 4 main bearings and can easily be identified by 3 core plugs on the engine. The 170 also had 4 mains as did the early 200.

[@warrenlucier5796]

@@richardwarren7492 Yup and I looked it up, I had it wrong on the very early production engines and thanks for the correction information on this. I did rebuild some of the 200 ci engines and they must have been produced later in the cycle, as they were 7 main bearing engines.

[@jamesbosworth4191]

@@richardwarren7492 FACTS.

[@jamesbosworth4191]

@@warrenlucier5796 65 or so was 7 mains, earlier 200 was 4 mains.

[@truthteller8459]

I was 'hatched' in 1961 and always loved the Comet and the Falcon. Even the Edsel I liked because of the grill design.

[@toddbonin6926]

The Comet is one of my all-time favorite cars, and this is my favorite episode EVER!!! I would choose the 61 Comet in both scenarios. Tell us more about your grandfather. He sounds awesome!

[@What.its.like.]

That’s awesome, glad you dig this episode Definitely will tell the story I’ll have to see maybe I can find a video of him telling it

[@carlmontney7916]

61 Rambler classic 61 Comet I never was a fan of the angled fins and taillights on these year Comets. I love the front end look of these combined with the formal top and a large amount of interior room made these popular sellers. I would love to hear the story someday.

[@What.its.like.]

Awesome choices definitely will tell the story on here =)

[@davidtosh7200]

Mercury Comet, like Ford Falcon in 1963, it offered a V-8 engine, plus they have added convertible and 2 door slant back hardtop. Many 1963 Mercury Comet buyers wanted a V-8 engine in their convertible and 2 door hardtop by a 3 to 1 margain. Also, buyers can choose 3 choices and they are: 3 speed manual, 3 speed manual with overdrive, and Mercury-O-Matic (automatic) transmission.

[@jamesbosworth4191]

3 speed overdrive was the hot setup performance-wise.

[@roncleaver1189]

Wow, brings back memories. My first car was a 1963 Comet 6 cylinder which was a classier looking car than the previous years. Pulled the super heavy 6 and put in a lighter 260 V8 with headers and cherry bomb exhaust. Air shocks and 50 series tires. Thanks for the video!!

[@jamesbosworth4191]

Wow! Must have been fun! Our small-displacement V8s were engineering marvels - light weight, physically small size. Compare those Windsor V8s, or even Ford Y block V8s, with European V8s of even today - their's are outwordly big and bulky, and won't fit in a small car that wasn't designed to hold them, while our's easily drop right in just about anything.

[@johnharris3362]

Our family had a used 63 wagon in the late sixties, I rode a Lotta miles spatting with my brothers in the back seat and a lot of roadside tailgate picnics.

[@bruceallen6016]

I had one of these long ago. Dependable straight six with three on the tree. Valve guides were the problem, you had to add at least a quart of oil at every fill up. I traveled with at least half a case of oil. 😉 Other than that, no complaints, it served its purpose.

[@What.its.like.]

Thank you so much for sharing your experience with this car =)

[@retrobilly1719]

Thank You Ahnuld ,Wonderful Video,Teally lots of beautiful detail for what was essentially an economy by Car

[@VintageCarHistory]

I'm very touched by your testimonial. Count yourself blessed to have such beautiful memories of your grandfather.

[@What.its.like.]

Thank you so much it means a lot

[@lkmsl]

I'm sorry for your lost . Your grandfather went at such a young age . He looked like a very nice man .

[@What.its.like.]

He was the best =) He thought me a man is only as good as his word, handshake is everything.. I miss him and I miss that world

[@2shoes2socks82]

Getting my 61 comet wagon overhauled at the moment…it’s such a beautiful car

[@What.its.like.]

Sweet =) 2dr or 4dr

[@roncarguy6361]

OK, I pretty much know these cars since I owned a '61 Comet, 61 & 62 American. I have fair knowledge of the "61 Tempest and Corvairs, & my aunt had a '61 Classic which I drove and road in. Yep, I'm old. I I had a choice it would be the Comet. I'll tell you why. Operating costs were less. Downsides: The auto trans was really a 2 speed. In D the car started off in 2nd and automatically upshifted to 3rd. But, with the 144ci it was a slug. So, you started in L and manually used it to D to keep up with bicycles. LOL. The cars stated to get blowby at 70 to 80K miles. Fumes would escape out the draft tube as a result. This would require a valve job... not the end of the world but still a cost. That's about it for the Comet and it rode very well due to the 114 WB. The Americans had issues with trunions, also a slug with the 195 flat 6. They used a full 3 speed BW auto which was ok. But the Americans were, in honestly, a way smaller car. Vacuum wipers didn't help, and engines didn't last much longer. Oil filters were remote styles not full pressure like the Comet. The Classic had the same trunnion issues, and in addition had a torque tube drive shaft. In 1961 the 195 ci OHV 6 began to offer a cast iron block with aluminum heads. Oops. The heads warped and fused to the block. Tempest idled like a paint mixer with that 4cyl and used the Power Glide auto with a dash actuator similar to the Corvair. There's enough said about the Corvair and GMs idea to save about $10 a car by using swing axels with the the 250 lb engine mounted behind them. And oil leaked from the push rod tubes. All of these cars were unit body and rust was a concern. With modern oils and care, I feel that the Comet was the best. Thanks for your channel.

[@What.its.like.]

Awesome information and insight thank you so much for taking the time to type all of that out I greatly appreciate it totally stoked that you dig this channel =)

[@67marlins]

Well done, and we can appreciate your fact-based and intelligent defense and assessment of Edsel, and what it evolved into.

[@What.its.like.]

Glad you dig this episode I think the edsel aged like fine wine, in my opinion they look great now

[@trh55]

I really enjoy your videos and have been s subscriber for several months. As kids, we used to think how cool it was that the Comet tail lens said Edsel on them, but we didn't know the connection as there were not that many 1960 Edsels around.

[@What.its.like.]

Awesome Glad you dig this channel =) I have yet to do a 1960 edsel i’ve been looking there harder to find now than they were knew I wish I grew up then I have an old road and track Magazine go to the back classifieds 1927 Bugatti type 35 $5000 which was a lot of money but it’s not nearly as much money as it is now.. What was your favorite car when you were growing up as a kid in the 60s

[@trh55]

Probably a Corvette, and I ended up owning three C2s from 1963-1967. I worked as a Chevy/Olds mechaninc from 1970-1973, and was my small town's John Milner in the mid-late 1960's. Lots of kids wanted hot cars, but didn't know how to work on them. I share your passon for old cars and could share a lot of great stories with you.

[@What.its.like.]

We are doing a live stream tomorrow night 830 I invite you to join it would be really cool if we could turn it into a conversation like that that would be really awesome to share stories hopefully will go on without a hitch but I’ve never done one before so I don’t know what to expect =) For everybody they can’t make it it will just appear as regular episode

[@ROXSTARCorvette4371]

Cool story about your grandfather. I'd love to hear it in its entirety. For me, it's the Pontiac and Rambler.

[@What.its.like.]

Cool choices =) I will definitely tell that story on here

[@THROTTLEPOWER]

Great looking Comet!!!!!!! 👍👍

[@mikew6765]

As a kid we had a neighbor who would buy a pair of identical model new cars. The first cars I remember him having were two early 60's Comets. When he replaced them it was with a pair of late 60's Olds Toronados. Always thought that was quite a distinct change.

[@What.its.like.]

Sweet memory =)

[@chuckz8053]

Nice story, thanks again young man.

[@stephenlawson2546]

One good thing about the 140 engine it was very simple an easy overhaul with all the gaskets and parts could be 90 percent overhauled during a weekend.Power that is a different question.The engine could easily be overhauled with out removal.

[@What.its.like.]

Interesting

[@gmck91204]

Totally agree with your take on the Edsel! A beautiful car and concept. Too bad the ‘58 recession, problematic build quality and over-the-top criticism of its vertical grille did it in - not to mention Robert McNamara’s parsimoniousness. It was a perfect blend of Buick and Oldsmobile characteristics. A book on the subject that is well worth reading is “Disaster in Dearborn” by Thomas Bonsall.

[@What.its.like.]

I will definitely have to check out that book you’re not the first person to recommend it so it must be good if there’s multiple recommendations =)

[@jamesbosworth4191]

It was Robert McNamerara who helped do in the Edsel. He dictated production speed-ups to make sure the car was poorly assembled. That would give him an excuse to kill it in 1960.

[@gcfifthgear]

@@jamesbosworth4191 The story is told (and corroborated) that McNamara told several Ford officials on the night before the Edsel's formal introduction that he "had plans for phasing out the Edsel." His argument was, since he was head of Ford Division before he became the head of all automotive operations, that the 1957 Fairlane 500 "was a better car and sold for less" than the Edsel

[@bparksiii6171]

One of my favorite Mercurys north if the 67-69 Cougar. First choice the 61 Tempest for uniqueness, second the 61 Comet, sounding sinister there. Serious loved the story of your grandpa, the Lord left hum a little longer for you, but he taught you well, keep cherishing the memories. He left the world the age I an now, doctors assumed I would not make it past 60 but the Lord loft me here for a reason so my mission this end of life is to mentor, encourage and pass my skills to the younger men and ladies, since I did not have mentor ship from my Dad . You got strong resemblance to your grandpa and Dad, watched the Firebird episode, and liked the story of your Dad and his car. Keep on toot a looing until the next episode-keep em coming.

[@What.its.like.]

For sure I wanted to pay homage to my grandpa he was my hero.. And definitely going to tell his story on here one day =) I’ll do a live show maybe next week I have to see what my schedules like maybe we could do a totally live event around 430 question and answer something That’s crazy why did the doctor say that he wasn’t going to make it to 60? If you don’t mind me asking? If you want more intimate conversation just email me =)

[@HarborLockRoad]

The 60 and 61 are the best, after that, eh, ok, but not stunning like these. Always loved the cats eye tail lights canted in the fins!! ♥️

[@What.its.like.]

Totally agree it’s a bummer no v8 or convertible

[@erichanson3961]

Your grandfather totally received a special gift of life after being clinically dead for 16 minutes. Thank you God! BTW, I like the Comets. The 144 should have stayed with the Falcons. All early Comets should have gotten the 170.

[@What.its.like.]

He totally did, he said he didn’t want to come back here wasn’t his choice he wanted to stay there it’s a really cool story. We’re going to do a live chat next week. I have to figure out when probably Thursday I’ll make a post and you guys can vote on time for the live chat I was bummed out to find out that they did not offer a V8 option. It would’ve been awesome if they offered the 260.

[@erichanson3961]

The 260 came into existence for 63 models. The 221 came along for the 62 Fairlane and Meteor. The 292 was heavy and outmoded. The 7 main bearing 200 version of the 144/170 family of sixes was not ready yet, so the Comet was stuck with low power for 60 and 61.

[@jamesbosworth4191]

@@erichanson3961 There was a 4 main 200 cube job in 64.

[@markw208]

It’s nice and heartwarming to have a remembrance of your grandfather. Back to the Comet ☄️, one of my closest friend’s family had an early 60’s Comet 2 door wagon with the pathetic, anemic 144 with 3-on-the-tree. S-l-o-w and the wipers were engine vacuum operated, so they had to back off the throttle to have the wipers work. Dangerous. I think Ford was sued over that “engine”. I had Falcon with the 170 and it wasn’t any faster than a VW bug

[@What.its.like.]

Thank you it’s crazy he died when I was 16 three days before I got my drivers license I should say the second time the first time I was either five or six I’m so happy that God gave him 11 more years my life would drastically be different had he not been in it.. I am the person I am because of my grandfather he told me that the most important thing in life is your word in a handshake I miss him I miss him a lot.. Onto the comet lol yeah I could only imagine how slow that 144 would have been it would be a really cool race want maybe one day put that up and get the volts wagon beetle and see which ones faster because Volkswagen beetle was like the slowest car from that era there were slower cars don’t get me wrong but that was the most popular slow car.. Thank you so much for sharing all that insight and information greatly appreciate it

[@jamesbosworth4191]

On most lower-priced cars, a double-action fuel pump was optional. It supplied vacuum to the wipers so that they wouldn't slow down under load. Expensive cars had that double-action pump as standard equipment. Certain Fords had a vacuum tank instead. It was like the vacuum reserve tank for power brakes.

[@ClassicChrome86]

Great car! You don't see too many of these at the shows. Thanks for sharing.

[@What.its.like.]

You bet we loving coving the stuff off the beaten path, totally agree don’t see these that often

[@alanpecherer5705]

I visited a pal the other day and parked out front of a neighbor's house was a Comet station wagon in this style. I don't know if I've ever seen another. A bit odd looking, but definitely unique.

[@What.its.like.]

I’ve never seen the wagon in the wild

[@josephgaviota]

DANG !!! That grandpa story is WILD! So great he got another eleven years.

[@What.its.like.]

Definitely going to tell the short end of the long story might do a live stream next week I’ll definitely let you guys know

[@tirebiter1680]

The Comet had Edsel Taillights

[@draggonsgate]

When I was a kid, the older lady down the road from us had, what I think was a '61 4 door. It had the mercury shark gills on the front fenders is why I think '61. It was black with a white top and black and white interior. I was in love with the cat eye rear lights! She passed away in '70 or '71, never knew what happened with her car. WYR... 1) As much as I love Merc's, gotta go with the Rambler. Wagon is just so sharo looking! 2) Comet. Jay... My Grampa was my best bud too. As weird as this sounds, I think like mine, your's is still around, watching and bragging about you on the other side. My Grampa used to smoke Paladin Black Cherry tobacco. No one uses it, no one smokes a pipe, but every once in a while I can smell it like it's in the same room, and I get a warm fuzzy feeling. I think it's him, and I'm sure your Grampa is doing the same... watching out for his boy... now that I'm a grandpa, that's not only our job and responsibility... it's our joy!

[@What.its.like.]

Great choices I know he is here’s another crazy story I got the family car as my first car because nobody else wanted it because it was grandma grandpa car and it was viewed as slow but it really wasn’t slow they just didn’t know how to drive it, anyway it was triple maroon velour seats.. I had that car from 16 technically I inherited it when I was 12 but I could only drive it when I was 16 and I had it until I was 18 I wasn’t going to get rid of that car but I hit a deer and I drove it home and my dad would not let me fix it it only needed a front clip it wasn’t the end of the world or anything like that. About a week or two before I wrecked grandpa‘s car I was looking just to see what was out there always kind of wanted a Lincoln town car and I found one and it wasn’t expensive so after the deer incident my dad said hey you gotta go find a new car and I said OK I already found one that I’m interested in so we went over to look at it next town over, we get to the dealership and my dad is like which car do you want to look at the Lincoln was in the middle and I pointed to the big triple maroon Lincoln and he’s like why do you want a big car like that.. ended up buying it I think we paid $1100 for that car signature series I looked it up afterwards that car cost $35,000 in there’s a keypad on the door the number to the keypad was my grandpa‘s birthday and my birthday separated by an O.. they made a lot of cars that you’re I don’t remember offhand how many they made it was in the 200,000 possibly more I just thought that that was too much to be a coincidence..

[@Meinstein]

It appears that there is the head of Mercury on the gas cap of that Comet as well as a Mercury dealership sticker. I have never known Comets to be anything but a Mercury Comet.

[@jamesbosworth4191]

From 1961 on, that was true, but the 1960 Comet was special.

[@gcfifthgear]

I have a "buyer's guide" to 1961 Mercury and Comet cars and the compacts were still called "Comet" in 1961. Comet formally became the Mercury Comet with the 1962 models

[@georgestreicher252]

Always thought the Comet was a dolled up Falcon.

[@LlyleHunter]

When I was born my aunt had the 61 and kept it for a very long time because she really loved the car. It reminds me a Square Bird with some Mach II influences. Even though the taillights are set diagonally when I saw the last Ford Fusion from behind for the first time I thought the lights had some’50s Ford family inspiration and there it is ,,,, sort of.

[@MisterMikeTexas]

Great video on an overlooked car from the 1960s. Sounds like you had a great relationship with your grandfather, and I'm sorry he's no longer with you. I'd be glad to hear his story if you decide to share. I never knew either of my grandfathers, as they both passed away before I was born. I did know both my grandmothers very well though. Looking forward to more on your channel.

[@What.its.like.]

Thank you he was my hero, it’s crazy he has been gone for 18 ever crazier is dads been gone for 7 wow that’s nuts.. definitely will tell that story maybe we will do a live program next week and have a q and a or something to that effect

[@MisterMikeTexas]

@@What.its.like. We lost our Dad in 2006, and Mom just before spring 2019. I still have dreams about them still alive all the time.

[@What.its.like.]

Same sometimes they’re so real it’s almost like it happened in reality but it didn’t..

[@robertward553]

My brother sold Lincoln and Mercs, my dad and I drove to the dealership and test drove a 1960 Comet station wagon.

[@josephgaviota]

14:50 My dad had a '62 Comet, with the 144 and 3-on-the-tree. He always said it was _way_ underpowered. But for a cheap car to drive back and forth to work, it was good for that. [edit: fix typo]

[@jamesbosworth4191]

The stroke on that little motor was less than 3 inches. That's why it felt so weak.

[@erin19030]

I loved this car when the first compact cars came into being. A six cylinder car was enough energy and in those days, a 3 speed stick was macho.

[@jamesbosworth4191]

Lot of guys considered automatic transmissions, (they often called them "automatic shift"), were for girls.

[@hcombs0104]

I would like to hear more about your grandfather. And I completely understand about the pain not really going away. I lost my favorite grandmother in May 1979, and I still remember how bad it felt at the time. But as it turned out, both my parents and both my grandmothers died in May, so it's typically a crappy month until the last anniversary passes. Anyway.... For WYR, it would be either the Comet or the Tempest for the first scenario, and the Comet for the second. I'm impressed with the size of the trunk, and I always found those taillights intriguing. Very unique.

[@What.its.like.]

Initial pain is definitely wore off but there’s some things that trigger it same thing with Dad.. it’s crazy how time works so much time has passed and yet sometimes it feels like yesterday in the same sense.. I will definitely tell the story maybe we will do a live chat next week I’ll have to see what my schedules like.. like do a totally live show maybe answer questions I wanted to do something to that affect at the Canton Auto Museum but I couldn’t our schedules didn’t lineup they had a lot going on with getting ready for Hershey plus around that time they were going to go to the Greenfield Village it just wasn’t the right time definitely still wanna do that with them maybe in the winter

[@josephgaviota]

14:25 Note the "through the firewall" heater hoses. To replace a heater hose, you have to drop the heater core on the inside.

[@allenwayne2033]

WYR: 1. Rambler 2. Corvair. I remember when these Comet's roamed the earth. Yes, would like to hear your Grandpa story some time.

[@What.its.like.]

Definitely will share the story sometime probably on a podcast I try to keep religion and politics off this channel, when I tell the story I’m going to say you guys can believe whatever you wanna believe I’m not shoving anything down anybody’s throats.. but he told me it wasn’t his choice he didn’t wanna come back I think I was five or six when he died the first time he died three days before I got my drivers license.. I remember Dad asking me if I was still going to get my drivers license and I said oh hell yeah I’m going to get my drivers license.. he gave me my first car and he was a really cool guy. =) still miss him Great choices

[@karltite128]

Wow, being a wagoneer as I have daily driven a 70 Ford Falcon Wagon for the past 29 yrs. With no power accessories The "Bird of Prey" sports the 250 ci one barrel mated to a C4. Purchased for 350 dollars. I about got it paid off! Which wagon would I choose? Anyone of them. I've owned 2 Pontiac wagons. The family at one point was the early Rambler. Later on Mom got one of the Rebel wagons. First time veiwing this channel and you have a new sub. 🇺🇸

[@What.its.like.]

Welcome to the channel/community tons of cool stuff here car related and the comment section are also filled with added information Dare to be different and drive what you like =)

[@daveallen8824]

I had one of these just before I was drafted and sent to Vietnam. It was a great car - and fairly peppy with the manual, but the 3 on the tree didn't appreciate speed shifts!

[@What.its.like.]

Thank you so much for your service what you did for us in Vietnam I greatly appreciate it I’m sorry for the way you were treated when you got back home, I wasn’t around but I have read about it.. Thank you so much for sharing your experience with this car I think that was the case With column shifting in general

[@leewilliams2094]

The 1960 comet tail light lenses actually say Edsel on them next to the part number they are the same lens as the full-size 1960 Edsel.

[@What.its.like.]

That’s crazy I should’ve looked at the tail light lenses thank you so much for sharing that awesome trivia

[@1958Citation]

Check that again! Comet lenses ARE larger and are by no means interchangeable.

[@chuckkottke]

1961 Pontiac Tempest, it looks the best of the three and we had a beautiful vinyl topped 76' Pontiac Grand Lemans, which was a very nice riding car, so I'm biased 😉. Wilbur had a comet which he kept in good shape, but I liked the old Edsels the best because it was fun to push the buttons when you're sitting in one parked in a farmer's junkyard. 🔘 🔘 🔘😊 I just couldn't fathom how the driver didn't grind up the gears by accident.. maybe that's why they were all parked in junk yards? ⛽ 😅. Great show Jay, keep the unique ones going!!🎉

[@What.its.like.]

There’s a lot more unique stuff coming in the pipeline that’s what this channel is all about showcasing the cars off the beaten path I mean we cover everything don’t give me wrong but I really love covering the cars nobody else does the ones that are getting forgotten There’s a lot more unique stuff coming in the pipeline that’s what this channel is all about showcasing the cars off the beaten path I mean we cover everything don’t give me wrong but I really love covering the cars nobody else does the ones that are getting forgotten Thank you so much for sharing that story what a great memory I want to cover a tempest I have never seen one of those cars in the wild but I’ve been looking =)

[@josephcrafa2694]

I had a ‘63 s22 convertible with the 260 v8

[@What.its.like.]

Sweet I wish they would’ve offered the V-8 in 1961 as well as a convertible 1961 How did you like yours?

[@JefferyHall-ct2tr]

Hi Jay!: The Comet is a very interesting little ride! Would love to have that little sucker to drive to work even! The larger engine is decent power for them. The styling is unique on those as opposed to the Falcon, which was nice also. Would probably be more fun to drive with the standard tranny options. Would go with the Comet wagon for #1 but I gotta pick all three for #2! I almost bought a 1961 Corvair coupe, before I got my '64. And the Rambler is just CUTE! You know those cars were rather basic, but they did their job back in the day! Nowadays you have to have too much stuff on cars to get people to buy them, A/C, power everything, all kinds of bells an whistles that are not really necessary for basic transportation. That's why there are no inexpensive, good, cars anymore. Trucks too for that matter. THEY were basic transportation that you could haul stuff in. Now they have to be fancier than a Cadillac, or Lincoln, and they are HUGE! I miss the 1960's, even if I was too young to remember much of it!

[@What.its.like.]

Get choices thank you so much so sharing all that insight =)

[@lrich8181]

Nice car! I drove a '64 Comet Caliente convertible in the early '70s. That is the oil filter on the motor. The fuel filter is on the carburetor.

[@What.its.like.]

Sweet =) How did you like your Caliente?

[@middleclassretiree]

Thanks for sharing the the story of your grandfather with us and I for one would love to hear more about his amazing story, apparently it just wasn’t his time and he had more to share with you and this world. I suffered something similar with my father we almost lost him when I was 14 and he was saved but when I was 21 we finally lost him and both times it was a massive heart attack , he died in my arms when I was barely 21 and many asked me how I handled that loss at such a young age and I credit my father having raised me to be strong in all aspects of my life and faith my dad was the eldest of 12 kids and I had 7 siblings and I know belonging to that great family was a huge factor. But back to cars and the wyr my choices would be the rambler wagon and the corvair I really never have been a fan of the early comet in my opinion the designer must have finished up the falcon and been so happy with his work he went out for a 3 martini lunch with his team and designed the comet when they got back from lunch. I think the 62&63 midsized meteors were great cars in every way and it looks like they turned it into the 64 and later comets another great design, if you could find a 62-63 meteor to video I would really appreciate it as that was my first car and I regret selling it still

[@What.its.like.]

That’s a crazy story did he see anything.. like did he go to the other side or doesn’t remember.. I will definitely tell grandpa story I told him that I would help him share his story and it’s so weird how things work, he would always tell me that it was always something that he had to do but he was a procrastinator he just didn’t like getting up in front of large crowds and I can totally understand that. But definitely will tell it =)

[@arthurallen189]

Thank you for making these great videos!

[@What.its.like.]

Thank you so much for watching Glad you dig this channel =)

[@TonyKuehler]

On the 170 in³ are you certain about that 2.5 in bore, earlier in the video you said the 144 in³ had a board of 3.5. Good coverage of the car, small 6 cylinders are of a special interest to me. Thanks for your content, very enjoyable.

[@What.its.like.]

It’s possible that that spec is wrong I was having a hard time finding information on that particular engine for some reason thank you so much for the correction really appreciate it glad you did this episode Why the comment section exists to keep me straight =)

[@drakbar5957]

Tempest & Corvair. The former due to its unique flexible driveline and transaxle; the latter ‘cause the engine was in the rear. Never was fond of the Comet’s finned taillights, but knowing it was planned to be an Edsel explains it. 🤓

[@What.its.like.]

I want to cover a tempest so bad I have never seen one in the wild But that is a car that I honestly want to drive because the transmission is in the rear and it has a unique driveline I would love to be able to put it up on a lift and show everything.. I can’t believe how rare those cars are now Thank you so much for sharing all that information and insight greatly appreciate it =)

[@prestonstephens7719]

Although not necessarily a well, equipped car by today’s standards, it was very well appointed with a luxurious interior and beautiful chrome and curvy exterior styling.. the 2023 $20,000 equivalent pricing is very interesting considering $20,000 won’t buy you nothing made in America or Japan today,,NOTHING!!!

[@What.its.like.]

Nissan versa Mitsubishi Mirage Base Kia Forte Kia Rio Hyundai venue plastic in electronics cost a lot of money I guess.. there is still a cheap car segment but it doesn’t live up to this car in quality..

[@5610winston]

2:54 October '23, I actually saw a Facel-Vega driving in traffic in Atlanta a few days ago. Absolutely gorgeous. A side note, French author Albert Camus died in a wreck while riding in a F-V.

[@What.its.like.]

That’s a car that I really want to cover I think I’ve only seen one in the Wild I believe it was at a museum I think it was at the imperial palace when I was 16 I can’t believe how hard those are to find

[@5610winston]

@@What.its.like. I couldn't believe I saw one., but then, I saw a Tucker 48 driving past The Varsity on North Avenue must have been more than 40 years ago. I saw a Citroen Mehari about a month ago near my favorite Cajun restaurant. Have you covered the Studebaker Avanti? In many years, my recently acquired new car will likely be of interest to some: a 2023 Subaru Crosstrek Premium. Not interesting? two words: _six speed._ A friend took her road test in mine, and the license examiner was unaware that manuals even exist.

[@What.its.like.]

Yeah we’ve covered an avanti kzbin.info/www/bejne/jpOtiYyjftefjpYfeature=shared Going to cover again format changed a bit

[@gonerydin4225]

My grandad inherited a 61 Comet when his brother died in 1965. I wasn't old enough to drive it. My step-grandmother traded it on a really nice 64 Galaxy 2dr ht.

[@JohnCBurzynski]

I will take the Comet sedan in both scenarios. One thing I can't believe is the HP, and comment they were slow. My older brother bought one in 1975 and it was very quick, kind of a sleeper car, seemed to have lots of torque, made the tires squeak when you punched it at around 30mph. Bought it for $150 bucks and used it for 2 years. Great little beast.

[@jamesbosworth4191]

Might have had a small V8 in it, or a later 200 cube 6.

[@bikabill403]

Rambler then Comet. Your grandfather looked like a really neat guy.

[@What.its.like.]

He was super cool one of the best storytellers I wish I could tell stories half as good as he could =)

[@jamesthomas9153]

My grandmother had a 61 Comet just like the one here except it was a sky blue and had the three on the tree transmission. The biggest problem with it was the way she drove it. She would have it in high gear at about 15-20 mph and it would just shake from the low rpm. She eventually sold it to her mechanic and bought a 79 Toyota Corona with an automatic. Physically, the car was in beautiful shape. No rust to speak of since we are in SoCal. Brought back memories.

[@What.its.like.]

Awesome story thank you so much for sharing that with us =) Great memories

[@bdh70]

Although I have always loved the Comet, perhaps due to it's Edsel connection, for the WYR it lost both times with me choosing the Tempest and the Corvair. Two of my all-time favorites. A Corvair Lakewood would have placed even higher with me.

[@What.its.like.]

Great choices it would be really hard to choose especially between the tempest and the Corvair there was a lot of really cool cars in the early 60s I should’ve included the Buick with the aluminum engine even though it’s it’s around the price point but I think it was a little bit more expensive..

[@winstonelston5743]

11:25 Note the letter _C_ in the escutcheon on the deck lid appears to echo the Edsel "pickle" emblem in shape, and the Mercury Dime cast into the gas cap.

[@michaelcoffey7362]

Cool 😀My Grandaddy bought 2 of these new in 1962 . after winning bigi n a pokergame.

[@What.its.like.]

Sweet Thank you so much for sharing that awesome memory/story =)

[@michaelcoffey7362]

Welcome :) @@What.its.like.

[@mjrchapin]

Would love to hear the rest of that story!

[@What.its.like.]

It’s in the live chat What it’s like is live! Question and answer, grandpas story kzbin.infotS_1EFFxSiQ?feature=share

[@CJColvin]

Had Ford done a better job with the Edsel Brand then man Edsel would've not only been around but also build some badass Muscle cars from the 1960s to compete with Pontiac.

[@What.its.like.]

Totally agree.. 58 make no mistake when that car is equipped with a three speed manual it’s pretty fast it will do 0 to 60 in less than eight seconds which anything faster than eight seconds in the 50s is considered fast

[@jamesbosworth4191]

@@What.its.like. And way WAY faster than most 70s cars - many of which took 15 or more second going from 0 - 60.

[@craigroberts3982]

Tempest is my favorite but the comet is a close second. I'm a sucker for a Corvair so that was an easy decision. Thats a crazy story about your grandpa. My Grandpa was my best friend too. When he died he left me his 1930 Model A which I cherish.

[@What.its.like.]

Sweet Going to tell the short end of it on the live chat/episode Tuesday =) That’s awesome you inherited your grandpa’s model a what body style

[@craigroberts3982]

@@What.its.like. 30 deluxe coupe. was originally a trunk car but was converted to a rumble seat. I have a scrapbook my grandma made from the day he brought it home until it was restored. It's my 2nd favorite thing next to the actual car.

[@wallyfronzaglio372]

The 61 tempest