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1963 Mercury Comet Rat Rod Gasser Straight Axle S22 Hard Top

Make: Mercury
Model: Comet
Type: Hard Top
Trim: S22 Hard Top
Year: 1963
VIN: 3H17U544019
Color: black
Engine: 353 Stroker
Cylinders: 8
Fuel: Pump Gas
Transmission: TH350
Drive type: Rear
Interior color: tan red
Vehicle Title: Clear
Item location: Clear Spring, Maryland, United States

1963 Mercury Comet Additional Info:

This is one Wicked Rat Gasser. 1963 Mercury Comet Hard Top with very rare S22 package (trim, dash and awesome center console)
Named the Gass Clown after the lame insult of similar name. In matte black with red windows a straight axle, huge super stock Mopar scoop and fenderwell dump headers it has the mean Gasser look in a rat rod style.
Mechanical:
305 Chevy stroked out to a 353 with 3/4 cam, gear drive, air gap intake and edelbrock carb. Runs very healthy and spins up in the 6k rpm range without fuss, but I do not have any paperwork on the build (it was done by a shop not me in my garage) Sits in a speedway crossmember with one solid and one poly mount, And is cooled with an aluminum radiator and electric fan.
TH350 with shift kit and 2800 stall converter followed by custom drive shaft with loop and a large 10 bolt rear that is welded, although it was welded with 273 gears... why I dont really know but it is super snappy even with the 273 gears but could actually be competitive with some 410 or 393 gears and a real spool instead of the welded diff. It did run a 14.9 with said airplane gears
Has air bags in the rear, a 1965 Econoline narrowed straight axle front with good drum brakes all around and manual steering. The steering is a tad sloppy but drives fine for what it is, comes with a new king pin which should solve most of the slop.
Electrically it is set up in drag car style. One switch for everything on, including ignition and all the lights. This means currently no turn signals or brake lights. They are all just on all the time if the car is running. This doesn't bother me but it comes with the front wire harness if you would like to wire all the fun stuff up. Has working gauges and even speedo.
Interior:
Has all the original chrome and trim in place, even that gorgeous center console. New carpet, Grant steering wheel and Lokar shifter. Rear seat delete covered in stickers and some 1997 Thunder bird seats. The seats are basically temporarily in just for driving because I had planned on some vintage fiberglass buckets.
Body. The body looks good but has had alot of work done, some good some mediocre. The exterior work is nice, smooth and straight but the underside replacement panels are just sheet metal welded in not real floor and firewall panels. Definitely has bondo in places but it looks nice. Paint is just satin black. The graphics are all vinyl and can easily be removed. I have ALL of the trim and it is all in fantastic shape ready to install wrapped in paper. Includes a lot of extremely rare duplicates as well. The rear fender radius is not finished but is certainly functional, and has temporary foam in the gap. I was going to sheet metal in the gap and put a lip on the radius. The super stock scoop is fiberglass and is bolted in over top what used to be holes for zoomies. I welded in some sheet metal over the exposed spots but they need skimmed with filler and sanded to really be finished.
It does have a leak at the speedo cable into the trans, and the oil sender leaks. both easy fixes.
I have NOT started or dug it out of the garage yet this year so it will need the obligatory air in the tires, fluids, battery charge and likely a quick carb clean and tune. I have a 53 ford sedan that I drive a lot more and have started a volksrod project for the fiance so the Gass Clown has got to go. I have a large box of original parts for the car, Also can come with side pipes that fit the collectors and I do have a small 10 bolt (s10) and a 355 gear set that can be bought for an extra $150. That rear will sit inside the body enough to lower the rear with the axle over the springs and really bring it down low
Check out this video I took the last time it was listed (bad bidder). It will answer alot of your questions, but feel free to ask away, I want you to be in the know before bidding
youtube.com/watch?v=SItsKRTT3HM&feature=youtu.be
This is a really great rod and is alot of fun for a brave driver. its bouncy, noisy, hard to park, thirsty, and looks absolutely mean.
I am certain I am forgetting some things so look closely at all photos and like I said dont be afraid to ask questions
Legal stuff:
Do not bid unless you are going to buy. Ebay is a legal binding contract. A non refundable deposit of 500 is due through paypal within 24 hours and full payment must be received before you take possession of the vehicle or title. I can help a shipper load but I will not broker or arrange any shipping.