Car Collector's Corner: 1965 Mercury Comet-Rescued From Pasture

One of our favorite stories is boy-meets-car, boy-sells-car, boy-finds-long lost car, boy-buys back-long lost-car. George Ouelette was able to make this storyline have the same happy ending in his life. He purchased his 1965 Comet 2 door hardtop back in 1966 when it was a solid courting car that he used on dates.

Things kind of worked out for George because he ended up with both the car and a new bride in 1968. The three of them were along for the honeymoon together and thus began a beautiful relationship. However a honeymoon two-door hardtop car is a little less practical as a family-hauler, so the car was traded away in 1971.

It was a moment of instant seller’s remorse for George, but he was a practical man with family obligations, so bye-bye Comet. In the early 80s, George decided that he wanted another Comet as a reminder of the first one that was so important to him in his younger years with his future bride.

Little did George know that he would find his own beloved Comet alone and unloved in a farmer’s pasture. The years had not been kind to his old friend-it had no hood, no engine, and no hope for a better life until George found it.

It was definitely his car-some of his old ID was still in the car. The Comet had spent some hard years on that farm hauling calves to town and rocks out of fields, so it was a major restoration project. But George was a lucky man because his lovely bride also had a soft spot for the long lost Comet.

It required a major financial commitment from both of them to restore the car back to its former glory. The Comet had to look just like the day it took them on their first date. George even managed to locate original factory upholstery for the car. The Oullettes wanted the Comet to be perfect.

The original engine was a six cylinder and the replacement was also a period six banger with the Blue Oval pedigree. The results of this restoration were nothing short of spectacular for the Comet because it is exactly like the first day George drove it in 1966.

The biggest highlight of the Comet’s post-restoration life was its place of honor at the Oullettes’ daughter’s wedding in the early 90s. It seemed fitting to invite this old family friend to that family wedding.

For more of J Sutherland’s work go to mystarcollectorcar.com