The Mercury Comet is an automobile that was produced by Mercury from 1960–1969 and 1971-1977 — variously as either a compact or an intermediate car.The Comet was initially based on the compact Ford Falcon, then on the intermediate Ford Fairlane and finally on the compact Ford Maverick. As a Mercury, early Comets received better grade interior trim than concurrent Falcons, and a slightly longer wheelbase.