Ford Comete
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The Ford Comete (also the Simca Comete) was a car built between 1951 and 1954 in France by the Ford Motor Company's French subsidiary, Ford S.A.F. Intended as the luxury model in the range, the Comete's bodywork was built by FACEL, who later produced the better-known Facel Vega luxury cars under their own name. The original engine was a 2.2 L V8 produced by Ford S.A.F. of French design, also used in the Ford Vedette, and a Pont A Mousson 4-speed manual transmission was used.
The original model had a single, horizontal bar across the grille with a chromed shield or bullet in the center, somewhat similar to contemporary Studebaker products, among others, and steel wheels with chromed hubcaps. Although the car's looks, features and build quality drew admiration, the small engine rendered the heavy Comete underpowered and unreliable.
In 1953, a new "Monte Carlo" model was given a 3.9 L V8 normally fitted to Ford trucks; this engine, befitting its truck heritage, delivered 78 kW (105 hp) but also plenty of torque. Performance was much improved, but the new engine did not endear itself to buyers; it was not only known to be a "truck engine", but its large engine displacement meant that its tax horsepower rating was 22CV, making for high road taxes. This new model was fitted with wire wheels, a fake hood scoop, and a very typically Ford egg-crate grille (vertical and horizontal equally spaced bars). The French called this grille a "coupes frites": a "french-fry cutter".
During the production of the Comete, Ford S.A.F. was taken over by Simca, and the final year's production was under the Simca name.
References
- Ford S.A.F. [Ford Comete Brochure]. Reproduced by [Facel-Vega.com], retrieved April 30, 2005. (French language)
- Ford Oldtimer und Motorsport Club Cologne e.V. [Ford Comete]. Retrieved April 30, 2005. (German language)
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