A 302 and a five-speed in any Ford product outside of an F-600 is a recipe for fun, but when you put it into a Mercury Comet (the Ford Maverick’s fraternal twin), the fun is at it’s peak…and I speak from experience with a four-speed equipped version. With a body style that has only gotten better looking over the years, the right size for a two-door sedan, and a mini-Mustang vibe about it, the Maverick/Comet is certainly a worthy Ford product to look at if you’re sick of running horses everywhere. Being a 1972 car, you don’t even have to deal with the railroad tie bumpers or California emissions testing on this sweet red example. Some minor interior detailing would help, but honestly that’s nitpicking this Comet unnecessarily. And, it’s affordable, something that is changing with Mavericks and Comets. Nice ones normally will set you back five figures and speculators are ramping up prices for these rides. You have…well, you have today to put a bid down on this beauty if you’re serious, but trust me: if it runs as good as it looks, you won’t regret the purchase.
eBay Link: 1972 Mercury Comet GT
These cars hold a special place with me. I ordered one new GT in ’71 (first year available) it was triple black, 302/3speed on the floor. ( no four speeds were produced by the factory) eventually I installed a top loader 4 speed from a wrecked Boss 302, headers, Ford Tri power carburation, lowered the car and installed mini-lite wheels. I then searched for a stable mate and found a ’72 GT
302/C4 for my wife. The cars were differant colors, (hers was yellow) but I striped them to match a factory race care that was driven by Ed Shartman.
Eventually I sold both cars, I know where mine is but the yellow GT has vanished.
The paint job on the Merc is sweet! Can’t say the same for the interior.