Classic American – September 2019

classic-american

1965 Mercur

yC

omet 404

Wo

rds:

Mike Renaut

Photography:

Matt Richardson

Dave Warden’s1965 Mercury Comet 404 isapretty rare example,

but that didn’tstop him customising it into the car he’d always wanted.

W

eall ha ve different ideas of our dream car;

often not just make and model, but specifics

such as engine size and colour.For DaveWarden

that car isa1965 MercuryComet and after purchasing

the carDave spent the winter of 2018 completely

stripping and rebuilding it. “I bought it in 2015 from

TerryTaylor in Haverhill; he’safriend who sometimes

deals in American cars,” explains Dave. “The 1965 Comet

is oneofmythree favourite cars, the others being the

1964 Galaxie and the 65 Pontiac GTO.Ilove the post

tailfin, Coke bottle styling era, especially on cars with

stacked headlights. I’d been afteraVolkswagen for my

son whenTerrysaid ‘Come out the back’ to look atacar.

Iwas amazed to see the Comet sitting there and he did

me agreat deal; I’d certainly never expected to find one

in the UK.”

The historywhich came with the Comet suggests it

was garaged most of its life, evidently asasecond car for

aNew Jersey family.“Ib elie ve it belonged toacolle ge

teacher and it was barely used−a50,000-mile time

capsule,” says Dave. It had been previously repainted,

but the interior was great and it was completely

stock.”Asearch online shows the Comet advertised in

Hemmings in November 2012 for $12,000; the New

Jersey-based seller’sdescription explaining it had three

owners, the second keeping it asaspare car for over 30

years. It claimed to have 54,898 original miles, original

engine, paint and interior,and was rust- and dent-free.

And that’svirtually how it was when Dave acquired it.

“I droveitalot right from day one and it didn’t need

anything, but I’d always intended to doafull restoration

on the car becauseIcan’t leave things alone.” If you

think that sounds strange, then we must agree. “If you

knew me you’d understand thatIalways have to rebuild

things,” laughs Dave. “I started by redoing the engine

and gearbox, then fittedasix-b ranch manifold with a

three-into-one andabalance pipe–which everyone says

makes it sound likeaV8−and an electric ignition.Ifeel

they’re the sort of modifications Ford would have done

to the cars themselves if they could.”

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