Bruce Ives tools around Menlo in his 1966 Mercury Comet

You can hear it coming – the unmistakable sound of a hot rod. Then it comes into view – top down, the Emberglo Bronze color glistening. Menlo Park resident Bruce Ives describes his 1966 Mercury Comet as “my mid-life crisis car.” He found it after a six month search on the Internet. While manufactured in Oakland and registered in California, he bought it from a dealer in St. Louis who specializes in classic cars.

The Comet is Bruce’s everyday ride. “I drop the kids at school and drive it to work,” he says. “It goes to lots of Little League and soccer games – and to the movies on date night.”

This classic car is not hard to maintain. Since purchasing it, Bruce has had the transmission and engine rebuilt. “There are no electronics.” he says. “Mechanics love it!”