A 1961 Comet 2-Door Sedan

Originally Developed to be a New Smaller Edsel

Known only as "Comet" and not labeled as a Mercury

First offered as a mid-model-year 1960 introduction, the all-new Comet compact from Ford was debuted on March 17, 1960 and sold through Lincoln-Mercury dealers. Known at the time only as "Comet" and not labeled as a Mercury product per se, this new small car came some five months after the launch of the Ford Falcon on October 8, 1959

Comet

This smaller-sized vehicle was the right car for the times, unlike a previous new car launch from Ford Motor Company, the Edsel, which was a total flop in the marketplace.

1960 Edsel production car magazine Ad
The 1960 Edsel production car shows the vertical elliptical-shaped taillight; these are not exactly the same as the Comet pieces but are the same general shape.

So, the Comet was hastily de-badged from an Edsel and fitted with a more traditional non-split grille.

1961 Comet

Put out as a separate stand-alone brand, not labeled as a Mercury product, that would not happen until the 1963 model year.

"Thrift Power" engine

The power came from an inline six-cylinder "Thrift Power" engine displacing 144 cubic inches and delivering 90 horsepower and a larger, stroked version that displaced 170 cubes with 101 horsepower was optional.

an inline six-cylinder "Thrift Power" engine
To save costs the designers used spring-less hood hinges and a support rod was used to hold up the hood when opened. The owner found a source for the correct factory stickers and added them to the refurbishing job.  

 compact Comet
This new compact Comet was designed by Edsel stylists and unlike their previous efforts, it was an instant success when it hit the dealer showrooms, which were now in Lincoln-Mercury outlets. Quickly sales grew to higher numbers than anything the Edsel had ever seen.

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A 1961 Comet 2-Door Sedan