Difference between a 1963 and 1963 1/2 Comet?

[MY63COMET]

Another newbie question…..
I keep seeing references to a 1963 1/2 Comet.
What’s the difference between a 1963 and 1963 1/2?
Thanks for any input.

[Joe Travers]

Ford & Mercury introduced their 'sport' models in the middle of the production year.
For the Comet, hardtop Customs were made as well as the snazzier S-22. They were marketed as 'Sportsters'.
The 260 V8 became available, as well as the Warner T-10 4 speed transmission.

Joe

[MY63COMET]

Ford & Mercury introduced their 'sport' models in the middle of the production year.
For the Comet, hardtop Customs were made as well as the snazzier S-22. They were marketed as 'Sportsters'.
The 260 V8 became available, as well as the Warner T-10 4 speed transmission.

Joe

So I have a Custom 4-door sedan with the 170cc.
Does mine fall under the 1963 1/2?

[Joe Travers]

The Mercury Comet Custom sedan began production start of 1962. The Custom hardtops began production mid-1963, only made 6 months. That's why they are referred to as '63 1/2.

The history behind it all is tied to FoMoCo's break with the AMA sanction against factory-backed racing. When the gloves came off, engineers went wild to beat the other manufacturers on the race track. Sleeker body designs and more horsepower to keep up with the other guys who were sneaking around the sanction while FoMoCo abided by the rule. All of this started coming from the factories mid-'63, official start of the horsepower race.

Ford's Galaxie 500 hardtop w/ new 427 for NASCAR. Fairlane Sport Coupe w/ new HP289 for street. Falcon Sprint w/ new 260 for rallies.
Merc's S-55 Marauder w/ new 427 for NASCAR. Comet Sportsters w/ new 260 for the street.
All came out mid-'63 at once and got a facelift six months later.

Joe

[MY63COMET]

The Mercury Comet Custom sedan began production start of 1962. The Custom hardtops began production mid-1963, only made 6 months. That's why they are referred to as '63 1/2.

The history behind it all is tied to FoMoCo's break with the AMA sanction against factory-backed racing. When the gloves came off, engineers went wild to beat the other manufacturers on the race track. Sleeker body designs and more horsepower to keep up with the other guys who were sneaking around the sanction while FoMoCo abided by the rule. All of this started coming from the factories mid-'63, official start of the horsepower race.

Ford's Galaxie 500 hardtop w/ new 427 for NASCAR. Fairlane Sport Coupe w/ new HP289 for street. Falcon Sprint w/ new 260 for rallies.
Merc's S-55 Marauder w/ new 427 for NASCAR. Comet Sportsters w/ new 260 for the street.
All came out mid-'63 at once and got a facelift six months later.

Joe

Thanks for the info and history lesson Joe.
I should be getting my Comet tomorrow, so I’m sure I will have more questions.

[Joe Travers]

I should be getting my Comet tomorrow, so I’m sure I will have more questions.

Thirty-five years ago I picked up a one owner '65 202 sedan w/ a 200 I-6 and three on the column. I drove it for a summer, back and forth to work. I loved that little car but more importantly, my boys got a big kick out of it. We used to take it on long drives back and forth to summer camp and made a lot of great memories A friend kept begging me to sell it to him, so I finally did. He drives another just like it today except automatic transmission.

Joe

[MY63COMET]

I should be getting my Comet tomorrow, so I’m sure I will have more questions.

Thirty-five years ago I picked up a one owner '65 202 sedan w/ a 200 I-6 and three on the column. I drove it for a summer, back and forth to work. I loved that little car but more importantly, my boys got a big kick out of it. We used to take it on long drives back and forth to summer camp and made a lot of great memories A friend kept begging me to sell it to him, so I finally did. He drives another just like it today except automatic transmission.

Joe

I love it. Great memories Joe.
Looking forward to driving my grandkids around in it. Can hardly wait to see their puzzled look of roll up windows.