1964 Mercury Comet Caliente 2-Door Hardtop for Sale In Olathe, Kansas 66061

　　Let me take you on a journey back to 1964 when my wife and I got married, graduated from college, and became the proud owners of our first brand-new car, a 1964 Comet Caliente. It was a convertible, but what I have now is a stunning 2-door hardtop. This Comet is the 9th 1964 model I've owned, so you can say I'm intimately familiar with these classic cars.

　　In January 2019, I fulfilled a dream by acquiring this gem in Orlando, Florida from an online listing. My goal was to part ways with our 1957 Mercury and 1966 Thunderbird to welcome a fully restored 1964 Comet into our garage, one that wouldn't demand my attention every time I walked by. And that's exactly what I did.

　　Before I sealed the deal, I had multiple conversations with the owner, and I was convinced of the quality of this vehicle. He mentioned that it had been meticulously restored on a rotisserie stand, and I have every reason to believe him. The attention to detail extends to the undercarriage, which is as pristine as the exterior. He also stated that new rear springs were installed, which I can confirm.

　　The owner claimed to have invested $15,000 in the paint job, and while it's undoubtedly impressive, there are a few minor details I might have handled differently. This Comet is a "K" code car, and I asked if the engine overhaul retained the Mercury "K" code or if it switched to the Ford "K" code. Unfortunately, he never shared this crucial detail. It turns out that the engine is a Ford 289ci, but it's been enhanced with an Edelbrock intake and carburetor, boosting performance beyond what you'd expect from a 271 hp 289 engine. This modification may not satisfy purists, but it sure adds some extra oomph. The engine has been rebuilt, but I don't have all the specifics beyond that. It's also equipped with a late '64 C-4 transmission that operates flawlessly.

　　I did some brake work because the initial performance was subpar. The mechanic, whom I trust implicitly, discovered that the previously installed shoes, although they appeared new, were not in the correct positions. Now, the brakes work excellently.

　　As you can see in the photos, when I first acquired the car, it sported Mustang wheels, which I promptly replaced. After all, who would want Mustang wheels on a Comet? Apparently, the previous owner did.

　　The Palomino interior is in excellent condition, featuring new NOS bucket seats and an NOS bench seat in the rear, just as it should be. The headliner does have one wrinkle on the passenger side C-pillar, which can likely be steamed out. It lacks the chrome bars across the ceiling. All the window seals are in great shape, and the windows function perfectly. The dash pad is leathered and closely resembles the seat upholstery, although it's not an exact match.

　　The only interior issue to address is the disconnected odometer, which currently reads 69,000 plus a few miles. I started investigating but didn't get far due to a cable issue. I have a parts manual that can help source the correct part, but I haven't taken further action.

　　I've only put a modest 2-300 miles on this beauty since acquiring it, and sadly, my disability has now led to the loss of my driver's license.

　　In the next week or so, I plan to visit the mechanic again to address a new leak in the back of the engine bay and to recharge the A/C while locating the source of the leaking joint in the A/C hoses. The leak under the car has been repaired. It turned out to be a faulty return line on the automatic transmission cooling lines. It has been replaced and no longer leaks. They were not able to find an A/C leak, but he cautioned me that that system is also fifty-nine years old with many connections. It may have a slow leak somewhere that he didn't uncover.

　　I've invested well over $35,000 into this classic Comet!

　　If you're a true enthusiast looking for an iconic car with a unique history, this 1964 Mercury Comet Caliente is a rare find. Don't miss the chance to own a piece of automotive nostalgia. Contact me for further details and to arrange a viewing.