Most times when somebody modifies an older car, they go all the way - drivetrain, suspension, interior, body, the works. It appears that the owner of this 1962 Mercury Comet S-22 for sale on Hemmings.com decided it needed a V-8 (Comets weren't available with a V-8 in 1962) and corresponding improved brakes, but then decided to leave it looking stock, turning it into quite the sleeper. From the seller's description:
Rare S22, 1962 Mercury Comet. Mustang V-8 302, disc brakes, B&M floor shifter, all front-end suspension parts replaced, stock rear end, heater core replaced, interior restored, carpets replaced & 5 seat belts added. Very clean & unique ride.
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The revived and revised Hemmings Cruise-Ins entered their third year in downtown Bennington, Vermont, on Thursday, May 17, 2024. Moderate temperatures and mostly sunny skies gave cruisers and spectators a wonderful evening of strolling among the 119 special-interest vehicles in attendance.
Hemmings Cruise Nights are always a fascinating mix of classics, muscle cars, hot rods, trucks, vans, and the downright unusual. Three of last night’s participants also took home a trophy: One for Favorite Car, one for Favorite Truck, and our Harlan Kip Memorial Best in Show award, for the vehicle of any type that makes the best impression overall on our judges. See those winners in the list below.
The season’s next cruise night is scheduled for Thursday, June 20, 2024. Main Street parking for cruisers begins at 5:00 p.m. and the street re-opens to traffic at 8:00p.m. For directions and other information, visit https://www.hemmings.com/event/cruise-ins.
Photo: Terry McGean
When we first spotted the '70 Cutlass SX owned by Alan and Isabelle Hadley, we didn't realize how unusual it was. The SX was an upgrade package intended to add luxury to the Cutlass, and came with a 455 engine, but usually with a two-barrel carb. However, this one—according to the build sheet Alan showed us—was optioned further with the W32 performance version of the 455 along with FE2 Rally Suspension, 3.08 Positraction rear axle, console with Hurst Dual-Gate shifter, extra-cost Rally Red paint, and Super Stock II wheels. The result was essentially a thinly veiled 4-4-2. -Terry McGean
Photo: Dave Conwill
Photo: Mark J. McCourt
Photo: Terry McGean
Victor St. Peter of Shaftsbury, Vermont (right) talks bikes with Hemmings' Junior Nevison while the two look over the 1974 Honda 750 Four Victor recently acquired from its original owner. The Honda has 9,400 original miles and runs great according to Victor, who says he'll be rolling the odometer up a bit further this summer. -Terry McGean
Photo: Dave Conwill
Photo: Dave Conwill
Photo: Mark J. McCourt
Photo: Terry McGean
This '55 Chrysler 300 looked great, but concealed a surprise in that it was mounted over a 2018 Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat--not just the drivetrain, but then entire chassis. It belongs to Paul White, who also owns the '49 Chevy behind it. Paul (far right) builds hot rods at his shop, Back Bay Customs in Portland, Maine, with help from friends Stanley Stevens (center) and Bill Richards. The Chrysler made the trip to Vermont under its own power—all 707 hp— for our kick-off Cruise Night, and later received Hemmings' Harlan Kip Best in Show award for the night. -Terry McGean
Photo: Dave Conwill
Photo: Terry McGean
Mark and Lisa Shea of Bennington are regular Cruise Night attendees, each often bringing a vehicle to display. On this night, Mark brought out his '65 GTO, looking sharp with its Tri-Power air cleaners gleaming in the setting sunlight, along with period upgrades like Hurst mags and white-letter Wide Oval tires. -Terry McGean
Photo: Dave Conwill
Photo: Mark J. McCourt
Photo: Terry McGean
Photo: Dave Conwill
Photo: Terry McGean
Ken Townsend has been working on his '49 Ford F1 pickup for the past four years, rebuilding it into an updated cruiser ready to go wherever. To that end, he mounted a Mustang II front suspension, a Ford 9-inch rear axle, and used a GM 4.8-liter Gen III V-8 engine along with its 4L60E four-speed automatic. "I was able to buy the engine for $400—it runs like a top!" Ken said when asked what made him choose the littlest LS. That color is Light Tundra Metallic, from an '03 Lincoln. Ken told us he and his friends finished the Ford project just hours before leaving for our Cruise Night, and on its first outing, the Ford garnered our Editor's Choice: Favorite Truck award for the evening. -Terry McGean
Photo: Mark J. McCourt
Help, Readers: Does anyone know the location or backstory here? How about a make and model for the unfortunate sedan? The hanging BankAmericard sign tells us that the overall scene was photographed no earlier than 1958, when Bank of America unleashed the first consumer credit cards (onto Fresno, California, residents, exclusively). A misspelled "morining" and overlapping rear tire are suspicious. Our low-quality 8x10 is a commercial copy print that predates graphics software. Any image trickery would've been performed literally by hand, using physical tools to cut and paste and paint. What do you think?
Date: Unknown, no earlier than 1958
Location: Sorry, don't know that either!
Source: Wallace Family Archive