Nice score, Gene! I'm glad someone here saved it. Thanks for posting the picture of the Data Sticker--I've added the VIN to the VIN Thread
73 Comet GT Nice score Gene! Looks like a very solid body that you got. Good luck with it! Allen Small
Very low VIN...and built in September or 1971. But...it has the later style 1972 and up rear seat. All of the early cars I have seen from the 1972 model year have the early style back seat WITHOUT the retractable seat belts and the side panels that match. Maybe somebody swapped out the rear seat/panels on this car somewhere in the past, or Mercury did things different, or maybe it was the assembly plant. We may never know. This Comet was built in the same assembly plant as my 1972 Grabber: Kansas City. My car was built October 6, 1971. My car originally had the non-retractable rear seat belts. One final edit: Just like my car....no "in the dash seat belt warning light" like all the rest of the 1972's had.
Nice car Gene! ... I guess I need to catch up here ... is this a second car for you? or your kid? My Comet is a very early 72 .... made in August of 71 ... VIN ends "01579" My car came with the later back seat and side panels, but the belts do not retract. It too was a KC car. So maybe the Mercs were different ... perhaps because of the upholstery used being available (just a theory). No seat belt light in the dash on mine, either.
There is no belt in the holes. I need to see if they are or were there when I remove the panels. Not sure at this moment. I predict two weeks.. I need to locate and acquire some parts to get the car rolling.
