The Mercury Monarch and its corporate cousin, the Ford Granada, aren’t typically compacts that have earned much of a reputation for taking home very many awards from car shows. However, in terms of originality, this 1980 Mercury Monarch here on Craigslist represents that category beautifully and has won its fair share of trophies. This one-owner auto was purchased new in San Antonio, Texas, where it still resides and has been driven sparingly over the decades, as there are only 19,000 original miles on the odometer. If you’re looking for a survivor-type coupe that appears to need almost nothing, this one’s probably worth a look, and for $9,800 it’s actually affordable.
We’d like to thank reader Tony Primo for spotting this one and sending us the tip! Introduced into the brand’s lineup as a 1975 model, the Monarch stayed in production until 1980, with over 575,000 units sold during the car’s lifespan. With this many cars manufactured, one would think they’d still be a fairly common sighting, but I can’t remember the last time I saw a Monarch driving down the road. The owner calls this one perfect, a term that’s sometimes exaggerated when describing a car, but after a close look, I think he might be on the right track here.
The seller goes on to say that the paint, chrome, and glass are all flawless, with the Mercury stated as always having been parked inside and never driven in the rain. Judging from the photos, this one for sure looks like a top-tier example, and I’m guessing the car probably turns heads everywhere it goes. Even the vinyl top has survived the Texas heat well, thanks to a combination of low miles and proper storage.
This Monarch has a fairly basic blue interior, but it is equipped with an AM/FM Stereo and factory A/C. The condition here is just as nice as on the outside, with the seat material looking far younger than its age of nearly 45 years. There’s the teensiest blunder in the imitation wood covering just above the radio dial, but the dash pad doesn’t appear to have any cracks and the headliner seems much like it did when the car was new.
It would have been fun to find a V8 here, but instead, there’s a 6-cylinder engine under the hood paired with an automatic transmission. The seller says the car runs and drives well, plus things in the bay seem to be in good order and don’t look like they’ve been tampered with. Although this may not be the most exciting vehicle on the pavement at your local car show, with just 19k one-owner miles and the fine condition it remains in, I feel like this 1980 Mercury Monarch is probably worth $9,800 to the right buyer. What are your thoughts?
it was amazing the lengths that the automakers were using to make the huge guardrail bumpers looks good back then.
Monarch 🦋
A Magnificent MONARCH. Although not quite a LAND YACHT, Mercury MONARCH and Lincoln VERSAILLES carried upscale styling, comfort, quality, luxury and panache. The 4doors were even better examples of smaller LUXURY Sedans. Something of a predecessor to the 80s RWD Chrysler Fifth Avenues. FMC always seemed to switch Names. The MONARCH was a Canadian full size Mercury in previous years. The price seems reasonable, actually a bargain compared to what even the cheapest POS manufactured today. The MONARCH is nice, but I’d be ON to VERSAILLES! 😉
I owned a 1977 Monarch back in 1984. Mine was a 4 door v8. Great car. Drove it back and forth to trade school and put just over 100,000 kms when I sold it. It was brown with tan interior. Should of kept it. Youth, lol.
Such a nice clean little car … I liked those
You won’t be going anywhere in a hurry with that six especially if it’s the smaller 200 cid engine. Ford’s engines suffered badly during the early emissions era. (In 1980 the 200 was rated at 89 horsepower. Turning on the air conditioner could serve as an emergency brake!)
my 78 Pinto with the 2.3 had 88HP
9800 for a ford Granada no thanks,
Nice car for its age but nothing to write home about.
I had a 78 mercury monarch. With a 6 cylinder engine. Ran Great never no issues.
It’s much slower, not as roomy, not as efficient, and handles like a boat without a rudder, but I’d still take it over the 1999 Monte Carlo featured recently.
Pop bought a brand new 1977 Ford Granada Ghia two door with a 302. One of the slowest cars I have ever ridden in. Pop bought it for mom, she kept it in the garage, covered it with quilts. Only drove it to church on Sunday, (Really!) and the occasional grocery run. Was a true one owner. Mom passed in 95 and Pop in 2000. I took the car and sold it to a college student for $2500. Still see it running around town. I don’t miss it.
I had a 1975 Granada with a 302, rated at a whopping 122 horsepower. I wouldn’t say it was that slow, but it drank gas like a tugboat. My 1973 Impala got better mileage.
Some came with 351s. lol
Why does the front of this car remind me of a 78 Plymouth Fury?
78 Plymouth Fury? I have no idea, except maybe the headlights! The grille is pure Lincoln-Mercury.
This is a stripped Merc. No clock or V8.
I had a ’78 Monarch two door with the 250 6 cylinder. Great running and no mechanical issues. Used it for years on my Midwest mail route. Only did brakes and front wheel bearings. Also did an LP gas conversion on it. Would buy another if not retired.
Why hasn’t that woodgrain mess been fixed considering the rest of the car is being claimed to be perfect? Doesn’t make sense.
I owned a 1977 Monarch back in 1984. Mine was a 4 door with a 302. Great car. Drove it back and forth to trade school and put just over 100,000 kms when I sold it. It was brown with tan interior. Should of kept it. Youth, lol.
The only thing I know about the Granada and Monarch is the dash pad is the same as the 1979-1986 Mustangs. If you can find one in a junk yard that grandma had parked in the garage, the dash pad was probably better than most daily driver Mustangs. I would pay $25 at the bone yard for one, take it to a swap meet and get $80-90.
Had a Monarch Ghia coupe,metallic bronze,vynil top,tan interior,round headlights,302! Not particularlty luxurious! Traded it for a ’68 Olds Vista Cruiser in white with a 350 and a/c,an option I missed with the Merc!