Larry Howe of Poulsbo, Washington, really knows how to build a car into some serious street muscle. He has the perfect mixture of loud and modest built into this Windsor-powered 1962 Mercury Comet. He’s had the car since 2001 and really turned what is usually mild cruiser into a car that can hold it’s own in the street.

When he bought the car it came with a straight-six engine and was a unique car in it’s own right with its clean original paint and lack of rust. Now, it has a 351 cubic-inch Windsor engine and five-speed transmission. The drivetrain is followed up with a Ford 8.8-inch rearend with traction locking gears and 31 spline axles.

The engine features a 10:1 compression ratio, a Comp cam, flat-top Speed Pro pistons, Summit Racing ignition, and Trick Flow aluminum heads. The fuel system boasts an Edelbrock intake and Holley Avenger 670cfm carburetor. This build features mild performance and an extremely clean sounding system — this Comet purrs.

The exterior retains the original paint that Howe liked so much when he bought it. There is really no rust compared to what these cars usually end up with after five decades of driving. “That’s original paint,” Howe told us. “There’s a little rust, but it’s never been touched.” And for fifty-year-old paint, it’s looking really good.

The interior has been re-upholstered with the seats out of an S-22 Comet. The rest of the interior remains relatively untouched other than the addition of a new steering wheel, addition of aftermarket gauges, and the slightly unconventional dash repair. “The Band-Aids are from my granddaughter,” Howe said. She was helping fix a couple blemishes in the original paintwork. You have to love it when family comes together and fixes the car. Are the Band-Aids a keeper?