difference between a 1971 and a 1972 comet

is there any external difference between the 2 years?

 

Always question info found on the net, Paul has no less than three '71 Comets with the 250 in his VIN list... So yeah I'm calling BS...

Mostly the differences are going to be the engine specs as compression was cut and ratings became net(accessories & exhaust installed) vs gross which had open exhaust and no accessories... Basically ratings dropped 20-25% for all vehicles beginning '72...

 

...:Handshake......

 

1 year




















Sorry, I couldn't resist.....

 

from the parts catalog looks like the only difference is the grill if you have a 72 with the décor option.

 

looks like you're right frank. the only difference I can find in the parts catalog is the grill if you have a 72 with the décor option.

 

I think it was 12 months...not 1 year. Some people will argue it was closer to 365 days or 52 weeks. Anyway this happen back in the 70's and who remembers what happen in the 70's

 

I disagree, it's impossible to come up with an exact time span without knowing exactly which two '71 and '72 Comets are in question and the production dates of those two cars.

 

There was no exterior difference between the 71 & 72 Comet. The only differences I am aware of are:

1. The 71 Air Cleaner was slightly larger and had either a silver or gold foil "Mercury" decal applied. In 72 the Air Cleaner had a "Ford" decal. (on the V8)

2. The "Tire/Air Pressure" decal on the passenger door jamb was different between the 71 & 72 whereas 72 had 2 styles, an early and late year version.

 

The 72 would have had the seatbelt interlock with the 'sportlamp-switch-looking' light on the right side of dash, would it not?

As seen just at the right end spoke of the steering wheel in this picture:

 

No, Only if equipped with the woodgrain dash piece. Due to the woodgrain dash trim the fasten seat belt light had to be placed in a bracket under the dash like that seen in your photo. The 71 & 72 without the dash trim would have had the fasten seat belt light in the dash.

 

I don't think any 71's had the seat belt light in the dash and earlier 72's didn't have them.

 

That is correct. My early 1972 Grabber has NO seat belt light.

 

Craig, correct me if I'm wrong... seems the fasten selt belt light in the dash was only present if the vehicle came with retractable seat belts?
Those with retractable belts had the light, those without did not?

 

That would be correct. My orange 1972 Grabber originally did not have retractable belts. Just plain old lap belts.