One of 12 Built: This 1967 Mercury Comet Caliente Convertible Is an Exceptionally Rare Find

The Mercury Comet has lived several lives over the years. Introduced for 1960 as its own standalone marque, it became an official Mercury model beginning in 1962. Originally built as a compact, the Comet grew into a midsize car for 1966 before disappearing after the 1969 model year. It later returned as a compact in 1971 and remained in production through 1977.

Ironically, the Comet wasn't originally intended to wear a Mercury badge at all. Ford developed it for the struggling Edsel division, but after shutting down Edsel in late 1959, the company reassigned the car to Lincoln-Mercury. Early Comets shared much of their engineering with the Ford Falcon, giving Mercury its first entry into the compact-car segment.

Everything changed for 1966. The redesigned Comet moved onto the same platform as the Ford Fairlane, grew noticeably larger, and finally offered buyers the option of big-block V8 power. While previous Comets topped out with a 289-cubic-inch small-block, the new midsize version could be ordered with Ford's 390-cubic-inch FE V8.

The 1967 convertible featured here is one of those uncommon big-block cars—and that's only part of what makes it special. It's also a Caliente, the upscale trim level positioned between the Capri and the performance-oriented Cyclone. Combined with its body style and drivetrain, this is one of the rarest Comets Mercury ever produced.

Although the Caliente was a popular choice in 1967, accounting for 20,658 of the more than 73,000 Comets sold that year, only 1,539 were convertibles. Narrow the list further to cars equipped with the 390 V8 and a four-speed manual transmission, and production drops to just 12 examples.

Its rarity isn't based on speculation, either. The car is accompanied by a Marti Report, documenting its original factory specifications. According to the seller, this example may be the only one finished in black with this exact combination of options. Since only 32 Caliente convertibles left the factory in black, that claim is certainly plausible.

The car appears to have undergone an older restoration and still presents well. Rather than being an over-restored showpiece, it has the kind of light wear expected from a classic that's been driven and maintained. The seller notes that the paint shows a few minor imperfections and touch-ups but remains in very good overall condition.

Under the hood is what appears to be the factory-correct FE-series V8, and it is believed to be the original engine. According to the listing, it starts easily and runs strong, making it a car that's ready to enjoy rather than simply display.

This particular Comet uses the 265-horsepower version of the 390 FE instead of the optional 335-horsepower S-code engine, but it still provides plenty of performance for a midsize American convertible.

With documented rarity, desirable factory equipment, and an attractive restoration, this 1967 Mercury Comet Caliente checks many of the boxes collectors look for. It's currently being offered through ACC Auctions, where bidding has reached $20,000 with less than a day remaining before the auction closes. For anyone searching for an uncommon slice of Mercury history, it could represent an appealing opportunity.