How to tell if it's a real Comet GT?

It is supposedly a fact that all GT's came with buckets. It is also true as Tim states that regular Comets could be had with buckets-and infact the exact interior as a GT.
Bigger front sway bar? Not to my knowledge. Heavy duty suspension was an option on
these cars and as far as I know they only used 4 vs. 3 leaf springs. There could be other changes-shocks or front spring tension? Craig should know that answer.

By the way, Ward-the Cobra Jet was not introduced to the public until April of '68 after debuting on the drag strip in Feb. '68 at the Winternationals.

As far as further documenting-I think someone mentioned a '999 Report' from Ford.
These are free-and no I have not ordered mine yet! Dennis-don't you have one?
I think Tim may have his also.

I climbed all around in my trunk, I never saw my VIN anywhere else. Where were they in the trunk? Mine is coated with bedliner in the bottom and sides so it is probably covered up.

Values: Here's my opinion on what will be the most valuable cars in these lines;

1-Grabbers-by far more popular then and now. Built '70-'75.
2-Sprint-Dennis is helping the values here, plus people associate them with the Mustang Sprints-and Pintos for T.L.. '72 only.
3-Comet GT's. They made fewer of them, but enough that people had them and would restore them. Built '71-'75.
4-Stallions-They were only around 1 year and were all big bumpers-which I think hurts the amount of people willing to collect them. '76 only.
5-All remaining 2 doors.
6-All 4 doors.

Of course, you could add the Brazillian Maverick GT and the famous Shelby Maverick and Maverick Marauder!

Dennis asked about the 'power dome' hood. Some Mercury cars for a while were designed with a slight bulge in the hood starting around '70. It was supposed to make the car look powerful coming down the road. I got this from a Cougar guy so take it with a little salt.

It's been said before in this circle that these cars are not sacred concours subjects. They never came with anything more than a 2V 302. We all know that and that is why so many cars here are modified. Just look at the last Roundup. 3 of the cars that I saw people spend the most time around were:

1-Dan's '71 Grabber. The body, paint etc. are original style. It has a 5.0 roller engine, 4 spd-not original. A rimblow wheel-Ford but not original. Maverick aluminum slots-incorrect for his year. Add the posi rearend and it is a car that would fail under any concours judging if it were a '66 Mustang at an MCA show. It's a very nice and beautiful car with Ford parts-but not original.

2-Dennis' '72 Sprint. It's a fast beautiful car with lost of modifications. Mustang styled steel wheels, Mustang scoop, non-original Grabber buckets. Beautiful. Not original.

3-Dan Starnes Stallion. Small bumpers, gloss black, 4 speed. Same deal, beautiful and strong but not original.

We love these things modified.

Seth

 

I have heard the VIN is stamped around the rim of the trunk opening ... not sure which panel but it is covered by the trunk weatherstripping ...

 

If you want a GT, build a GT. Who cares if it's original. These aren't Mustangs...

My car is a real honest to god '74 Grabber. I could care less, I bought it because it has a rock solid body. It will look nothing like a '74 Grabber when we're done with it.

I do think it would stand out from most if it was restored back to original, being white with green stripes. But thats just not what we want, and to be honest I think these cars are worth way more done up custom.

 

I agree with Eric on the Vin#. Only place I ever seen them is where he mentioned and I also totally stripped mine down to bare nothing.
So a power dome hood is just refering to the buldge in it, huh? Guess that means I'm not fat, I have a power dome stomach!!! Wonder what they put on the other Comets???
The only thing original on my car is the shell and me.

 

Well, I got some more details/pics/price, and it probably is a GT, but for the amount of work it needs, and not coming with an engine/trans, I can't spend, and don't think it's worth the $2500 asking price. Way too expensive in my opinion. Oh well.....
-Corbin

 

And 1 more thing, The Ford 999 Report makes no mention of the Sprint package. It does list all the things that came with the Sprint package but the word "Sprint" is not mentioned. I dont have one for the Comet GT although I will have to get one now to see if it is in there.

 

Comet GT's did not have chrome/stainless drip rail mouldings. It appears this is a 72 because of the seat belt warning light in the dash. 72 GT's and 2 doors both have chrome strips in the grill. the difference is that the GT's have satin black grills and the standard grills are grey. Both have silver painted trim around the edge of the grill. This car has holes in the dash for the chrome trim like a GT. But I have never saw a 71 or 72 GT with any thing but a black dash. GT"s only have bigger sway bars and 4 leaf rear springs if ordered with a handling suspension package. I have seen GT"s with bench seats. As stated before stripes were not made in the 80's and there were a lot of stripes painted on and made up differently. GT's did not have any chrome on the sides except wheel lip moldings. I hope this helps but like all these cars anything may be possible.

 

Dougs 71 Comet GT has them.

 

Doug's car also has a vinyl top..maybe that is the difference

 

I think the drip rail starting getting the trim on GT's in '73. Perhaps Craig is correct, however.

Seth

 

Seth, you are correct. I called my stepfather, the one who did this swap, and he told me it was a 67 GT 390 4 speed car. Still it is a valuable stang. It was about 30 years ago and i would have been 10 or 11 yrs old, you know how it is for kids, I always remember it in a glorified way.