New Member and recent buy

Well, where do I start. I've been lurking around the forum for about the last yr or so. Trying to decide if I wanted another try at another Comet. I'm getting ahead of myself. First things first. My first car (CAR). I had a pickup first, but anyways. My first car was a 1972 Mercury Comet. Red with a white top, apparently the vinyl was bad. I rebuilt the c4 tranny myself at the age of 15. And shortly after i got her back on the road, I Wrecked her. Not my fault though. Been kicking myself since then, for letting the Insurance company total it. So I jioned the Army and did my time. Got hurt and now receive a VA disability. So without work and with alot of time on my hand I decided I'd get another comet. Well Guys/Gals her she is.
1971 Mercury Comet and I only paid 200 dollars for her.
http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f277/joshua_mcgehee/002.jpg
http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f277/joshua_mcgehee/006.jpg
http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f277/joshua_mcgehee/001.jpg
http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f277/joshua_mcgehee/004.jpg
Owner says the miles are original, but you never know. His mother owned it and only drove it to church once a month and to the grocery store three time a month. But this is all here say. The original three speed on the column is broken so that needs replaced, and there is a small tear in the headliner. Other then that, she is in really good shape. Dont know how she runs yet, but I will update you all in the near future.
Plans:
Fix Steering Column
Replace Rubber on doors
Replace dash mat
Clean it up
Repaint it
Maybe Plans:
Gomet GT Clone?????
Let me know what you think. I need pointers, links to good parts sites, maybe a shoulder to cry on, anything.
Thanks for your time, I know I type alot.

Joshua
Proud Owner of a Merc Comet. (Again)

 

Congrats ... looks like an awesome deal for $200!

 

Great car! Awesome deal!

 

to the board. I got mine from a 84 year old lady. She was the original owner. I got mine in 1999 for $500. Made mine into a Comet LDO/GT. PM me if you need pointers. I'm not to far from you. Went to Hot August Nights, in Lewiston a couple of years ago...

 

and awesome deal!!!

 

Nice Car!! &

 

Welcome to the board. Looks like a great project.

 

Welcome aboard! Great deal too! I say yes to the clone...GT's look great!

 

Was doing a little searching and I can't figure out how to break down my VIN code. My vin is as follows. 1K31U540000
Body. 62B
COL M
Trim 2B
Axle 3
Trans 1
DSO 54
Any information is greatly apreciated.
I figured out the DSO and thats Seattle
and the transmission isa three speed, I just don't understand the rest.

 

Great deal!!

 

Check this: http://home.comcast.net/~petebre/maverick/decode/index.html

 

1 = 1971 model year
K = Kansas City, MO assembly plant
31 = 2 door Comet
U = 170 I6 engine
540000 = (I think) the 40,000th car scheduled for production at the Kansas City plant in 1971. I'm not sure if that's just Mercury's or what.

body 62B = 2 door Comet
color M = white
trim 2B = medium blue/bench seat
axle 3 = 8 inch, 2.79:1 gear
trans 1 = 3 speed manual
DSO 54 = Omaha, Nebraska. Seattle would be 74.

You don't see many Comets with 170's. It also looks like it dosen't have any trim around the side windows? Or has it just been painted over? That is a neat car.

 

Looks EXACTLY like my '72 Comet when I bought it.Mine also has no trim around the side glass,painted boomerangs.Plain jane is cool.

 

Got her running! Set of plugs and some starting fluid and she purred back to life. Cleaned up the motor a bit and it looks good. For 5 yr old gas it runs good. Man I love this this little cat. Does anybody know what tilt steering wheel will fit into this, since I will be cutting the floor to put in the three speed shifter. Oh, and I gave her a bath too, she didn't like that to much. She leaked alot of water into the floorpan of the passenger side. Was coming from the heater core, any ideas on how to fix that?