Words: Tommy Parry

Always with an eye out for an unmolested example with plenty of potential, Turtle had no problem pulling the trigger when he came across this ‘64 Mercury Comet two years ago. Unlike most Comets, this car had left the USA and was living the expat life in Germany, where these cars are exceptionally rare. Aside from an endearing patina and a 289 in place of the original engine, it was as near showroom standard as any Austrian could expect.

Bringing it across the border into Austria was the first of many challenges Turtle had to endure. As he intended to make it swift and reassuring on Alpine roads, he knew the factory brakes, suspension and transmission weren’t going to cut it. So, he outlined a list of mild modifications to get it to his liking. In Austria, modifying vehicles isn’t so simple, so he restrained himself from emulating the more ambitious builds he’d seen on the Pro Touring forums. Instead, he added the following:

•Shelby drop, upgraded springs, Bilstein shocks,polyurethane bushings, and a front swaybar
•Mike Maier Panhard rod set up at the rear, five-leaf Scott Drake springs
•Wilwood 140-13344-D front discs
•McLeod 5-speed gearbox
•Yukon Gear Street Trac Loc Positraction differential (kept within the 8” rear)
•Upgraded rear axles
•3.8 turns lock-to-lock steering box
•Unisteer electric steering servo
•Stiffening plates inside the sills

It’s the last addition which defined a large aim with this build: Rigidity is all-important. To remain safe, he ordered a six-point rollcage to help give the Comet modern roadholding and safety.

Unfortunately, the car’s footwell had seen better days. Turtle chopped the rust from the floor of the car, patched the corroded sections and covered it in sound deadening. As he awaited the suspension components to arrive, he fitted the car with a set of OMP seats approved for road use.

Some of the suspension pieces arrived safely from their trip across the Atlantic. The first order included Mike Maier’s Bilstein shocks and Melvin’s upgraded springs, polyurethane bushings and a 1.25” front swaybar. Also from Melvin’s: a manual steering box with the PAS ‘64 Comet ratio; the result is 3.8 turns from bump stop to bump stop. That box, along with the new Pitman arm, gave the Comet a much pointier front.

Turtle sourced a few more parts from Mike Maier, the reputable Mustang man. Maier’s MOD1 Panhard rear kit fit well enough, though it’s designed for a contemporary Mustang,  which has a narrower chassis. To make it fit, Turtle inserted plates between the chassis rails and the bar mounting. Though it lowered the car a little further than Turtle desired, it limits lateral movement and allows for roll center adjustment.

After much agony cleaning the engine of sludge, Turtle guessed at the ideal suspension settings - 2.15/+2.4 L/R caster, -0.5 camber, with the right toe in (1/8") - something which should serve him well for the first 600 miles of driving. Now, the Comet tracks true, absorbs bumps at higher speeds and no longer rolls “like a drunken buffalo.” The firm ride isn’t unreasonably harsh and though the tightness and weight of the steering isn’t quite what he’s after, he’s only running 215-section Cooper Cobras in front. In time, he’ll be able to locate a new idler arm and fine-tune the steering.

There’s still a great deal ahead for this car. Among the list of to-dos are: insulating the firewall, replacing the heater, laying the carpet, dismantling the oil sump and extracting a usable 300 horsepower from the motor. To keep informed on this thoughtfully executed Comet’s progression, you can visit its build thread here.