Real Mavericks Buy Mercury Comets

The Mercury Comet was a twin to derivative of the Ford Maverick, which was Ford’s compact back in the day.  This car is 27.8% more luxurious than a Maverick of the same year.

The seller claims this is a 63K original mile car, and the appearance certainly supports the claim.   This example features Ford’ 250 cubic inch (4.1 liter, if you insist) inline six, which was known to be quite torquey when installed in earlier Mustangs and should move this compact reasonably well, although ’76 is among the most smog-choked of model years.  California shoppers may also hold off, as this car is one year too new to avoid emissions testing.

If you want 70s style for cruising and local shows, this could be a smart choice.  The price isn’t insane, it’s the “upscale” Merc version, the brand has been orphaned, the color combination couldn’t be more 70s, the car appears to be in excellent shape AND it’s easier to park than a land yacht.  Hipsters will pass it up because it’s not huge, but this might appeal to just the right buyer.

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Fort Worth, TX
$7,995 Buy-It-Now with offers considered

Brown over tan over brown.  Heaven.  It appears that the top is painted – not vinyl.

The Maverick/Comet body has aged quite well, and the two-door is fairly sporty.  Price-wise, these fly under the radar when compared to their competitor,  the Chevy Nova.

Brown taillight panel ties it all together, and the Magnum 500 wheels look great here.

The interior is what you’d expect – simple, tan and benchy.  The wheel shows some sun damage, but the rest looks great.  The dash appears to have some sort of aftermarket cover or upholstery, but it fits well.

This has some trunk space. Younger readers may not remember the days of the full-size spare taking up about 33% of space.

It look like this car has been detailed underhood.  The universal hose is unfortunate, but likely replaceable.

Ad text:

Affordable fun doesn’t come much more honest than this 1976 Mercury Comet. A 63,380 original mile survivor, it’s the legendary little old lady special with pure 1970s appeal, which is suddenly very much back in fashion. If you like the era, the fun, and the idea of getting into the hobby for the cost of a 7-year-old Honda, this might just be what you’ve been looking for.

That’s 100% original paint on the stylish two-tone Comet, and it’s wearing the past 40 years rather well, don’t you think? The colors are 1970s cool, and like I said, all things ’70s are suddenly a lot more popular as folks of a certain age realize that it’s time to start having some fun. The Comet and its sister the Ford Maverick died shortly after this car was built, but the proportions are rather sporty, with a long hood and sloping fastback-style roofline that makes it look quick and nimble. Factory enamel has a soft shine that you can only earn through time and careful maintenance, and it’s pretty obvious that for some reason or another, someone really loved this car. There’s an unusual padded half-roof, again in great shape, as well as enough chrome to ensure that it is recognized as the upscale Mercury version, not the bargain-basement Ford. It all shines up rather well and at a glance, it’s easy to see that it’s never been wrecked or rusty.

The interior is remarkably well finished for an affordable classic, and the wide bench seats show almost no signs that four decades have passed. The bright, airy tan interior looks tasteful and well-finished, with attractive door panels with just a touch of woodgrining and a simple instrument panel with two round nacelles for the gauges. The carpets, door panels, seats, and headliner are in excellent shape, with the dash pad showing only minor discoloration from age, again suggesting a car that has lived a good life in a sheltered place. The steering wheel has some wear in the usual places where you’d grab on to cruise, but otherwise it’s quite nice. Options are limited to an AM/8-track radio and factory A/C, which has recently been converted to R134a refrigerant, so it’s still doing its job all these years later. The back seat looks practically unused and the trunk is outfitted with the original mat and a full-sized spare with jack assembly.

Ford’s 250 cubic inch inline-six is torquey and smooth, and given the Comet’s modest weight, performance is lively. It’s not a muscle car, but you’ll never feel like you’re a rolling road block, either. As you’d expect from a survivor like this, the engine bay is clean and quite stock, from the Ford Blue engine enamel to the intake hose attached to the air cleaner. The only piece that seems out of place is the aftermarket radiator hose, but if you’re in the mood to make it look factory-fresh, a correct hose should be easy to find. It starts easily and runs well, pulling through a C4 3-speed automatic transmission and using 2.79 gears to be comfortable on the highway. All the signs of a southern car are present underneath, where it’s clean but not detailed, and the sporting Magnum 500-style wheels and Uniroyal radials give it a flashy look.

Fun to drive, affordable, and with A/C that works, this is a no-risk way to have some fun in an old car. Call today!