Classics with a known history always attract attention, but their impact is heightened if they present well and fall into the affordable category. Those words perfectly describe this 1966 Mercury Park Lane. It is a two-owner survivor that is in excellent condition. The V8 occupying its engine bay may be the entry-level powerplant, but it provides no shortage of power. The seller has listed the Mercury here on Craigslist in Twinsburg, Ohio. They set their price at $10,000, and I must say a big thank you to Barn Finder Mitchell G. for spotting this fantastic classic.
Mercury produced its First Generation Park Lane from 1958 until 1960. It revived the badge for a Second Generation from 1964 until 1968 as its range-topping model before retiring it permanently. Our feature car is a Two-Door Hardtop that rolled off the line in 1966. The seller purchased the car from the original owner’s estate, and it carries the hallmarks of a cherished classic. Its Caspian Blue paint shines beautifully, but I will place a “however” into the description now. It appears the seller shot the images while it was raining, so the accumulated water drops make it impossible to identify any marks or imperfections. The panels are as straight as an arrow, and there is no evidence or mention of rust. The description lists the overall presentation as very good, with the car’s underside rock-solid. Therefore, it all looks encouraging so far. The trim is in good order for a survivor, and the tinted glass has no visible issues.
Mercury targeted the upper end of the market with the 1966 Park Lane, and as was the prevailing industry trend, it ensured the engine bay housed sufficient horsepower. This car features the entry-level V8, but with the 410ci powerplant churning out 330hp and 440 ft/lbs of torque, there was plenty available under the driver’s right foot. Buyers could order their new Park Lane with a manual transmission, although this car’s original owner teamed the three-speed automatic transmission and power assistance for the steering and brakes. With a curb weight of 4,111 lbs, the Park Lane is surprisingly light for a vehicle of this type. Therefore, it is no shock that it provides pretty energetic performance. The seller claims this Mercury has 36,000 original miles on its odometer without mentioning verifying evidence. It may exist and is a question worth asking. The car runs and drives perfectly and is a turnkey classic awaiting a new home.
I feel like a broken record (are any of you old enough to remember records?), but I can’t emphasize enough the importance of providing photos that create a positive impression of a classic when listing it for sale. This interior shot demonstrates that. The seller describes it as perfect, and there are no glaring faults with the upholstered surfaces or the dash. However, it is hard to determine whether the carpet is marked and worn or if it has some dirt that would disappear with the judicious use of a vacuum cleaner. If that is all it is, it would have taken little time or effort to make a more favorable impression. It isn’t the end of the world because if there are significant carpet issues, a new set in the correct color retails for under $250. However, I don’t think the new owner faces that expense. Overall, with clean carpet, the lack of physical wear and damage across this unmolested interior guarantees the Mercury will command respect as a well-preserved survivor.
This 1966 Mercury Park Lane is an excellent survivor, and if we take a “big picture” view, it is a relatively rare classic. Mercury produced 38,800 examples of the Park Lane across four body styles in 1966, but only 8,354 were the Two-Door Hardtop variant. A brief search online hasn’t unearthed many similar cars currently on the market, and, interestingly, there appear to be more of the rarer Convertibles listed than the Two-Door. The seller’s price looks competitive, and it is undeniably affordable. It hasn’t been on the market for long, and I think someone might have to act fast to become its new owner. Could that person be you?
Recall MOVE AHEAD WITH MERCURY ads in 65 and or 66. This Park Lane looks more than ready to move Ahead quickly to a new home. Like so many others, Mercury is now a memory of a once proud Marque. Having owned several GRAND MARQUIS, they were all great upscale vehicles. Friends of parents moved to a 60 Park Lane from their 55 DeSoto. This Park Lane looks much like McGarretts on Hawaii 5-0. Surely someone will quickly say, Book em Danno!
Love the design of these cars, well-proportioned, only mild embellishment. In dark blue, it looks staid – something a prudent, respectable citizen would drive to their professional office. I’ve never heard of the 410CID V8, it’s a torque monster.
I do like the 410 now that I think about it
The 410 was Mercury for only 2 years It has a 428 crankshaft and a 390 bore, they were very smooth.
👍 You Booked em DANNO! 🌴 ⛱ 🌴! You must have a Hawaiian Eye 👁 (50s TV show).
Try 1968-1980!
I’ve made two of these models, one when I was 12 or 13. And one just recently, given as a gift from my little brother.
We grew up with a 66 and both learned to drive on it. 66 Montclair. The trim below the Park Lane.
And oddly, both models, built decades apart, the same color as the real one featured here.
Another 65-66 Mercury ad was a song 🎵 Will everyone here 🎵 Kindly step to the rear🎶and let a winner lead the way! 🎶 Watch Lincoln Mercury we’re moving up fast! 🎵We’re out to pass the Others! 🎵 Ironically borrowed from Broadway How to Succeed Without Really Trying. Well, FMC has Succeeded in dropping Mercury and leaving Lincoln on Life Support 😢
The 410 cubic inch engine was a two year engine. It was a hybrid of the 390 and the 428. It was only offered in 1966 and 1967.
Like the pseudo fastback design. Makes it look slightly different and a little sportier.
I always loved the roofline on the 2 door 1966 Ford Galaxie and full sized Mercury’s.
Always nice to see something that would never
cross your mind & marvel at how gorgeous it is.
Mr DeMille, I’m ready for my close-up now …
Poor Betty, do you know a Mr. Gillis? He’s just a….I can’t say it! But I guarantee he’s going OUT with a bang 🔫 from 🏰. Hedda reports Norma is in a complete state of shock 😲
NORMA! 🎵 With one look 🎶It is clear to see 🎵 you like the look of this Mercury 🎶 with all of us here in the dark! 🎵 LOL to you and MAX. Always enjoy your RETURN to this platform from SUNSET BOULEVARD 🌇. Mr. DeMille is waiting! Sorry to hear about the unfortunate situation with your Isotta Frascini. Heard ZSA ZSAs Slap the Cop Rolls was recently available. No one ever leaves a STAR! But stars sometimes leave a car! 😉 👍 💐 🏰. LOL from RICK DEMERIAKIS 🤣
In the 1968 pilot of Hawaii 5-0 McGarrett drove a 68 2 door Mercury Marquis.
Once the show was picked up by CBS and went into production his car was changed to a 4 door 1968 Mercury Park Lane. The Park Lane was used until 1973 when again his car was changed to a 4 door Marquis
There weren’t many marques to begin with on Bonaire (east of Aruba) when I was a kid. The big Mercs among the few that caught my attention. Wish I had the 10.
Click on the same interior pic on the Craigslist ad. The dirt on the drivers side floor is a matching floor mat.
Crazy about a Mercury.
The 410 was an option. Very rare, only enjoyed a short production. This is a lot of car for the money. Won’t last long…
I thought the 410 was an option too. Looked it up. “Marauder 410” was standard on Parklane. “Super Marauder 428” was an option. Wowza!
410 was an option on Monterey and Montclair.
410 standard on Park Lane.
“Entry Level”… please.
I have this same car, modified with performance suspension parts and engine upgrades. It’s a big beautiful muscle car that rides smooth, and now can turn corners. It’s an 18ft sleek coupe that draws a lot of attention.
The 410 FE was the standard Park Lane engine, but I would not call this stroked big block entry level. The so- called entry level engines were relegated to the Monterey and lower trim models.
The S55 trim had the 428 standard, but the 410 is no slouch. It is a 390 stroked with a 428
Crank. The interchangeability of FE parts, and the long production cycle insures good support, not to mention the aftermarket which allows you to build a complete FE with no Ford parts at all! This car Is seriously undervalued compared to the Impala. Grab it- no brainer!
410 motor..a one year only FE. 66 only..got a neat parts in her. Real good,very desirable crankshaft..love to have me a good 410. Hard to find. Gorgeous car!
The 410 was offered again in 1967, but it didn’t return for 1968.
Another car from the Buckeye state and north eastern Ohio yet. Probably twenty minutes away. I’m seriously tempted, wonder if he’ll take a ’91 Mustang in trade?
I’m a town away. And I’m trying to keep busy, so I don’t have a reason to go buy it. Plus, no room at the inn.
I too really like it, but in addition to “no room at the inn” I have the issue of “no money in the account!
The roof is the same as the Galaxie and LTD coupes used. I’ve been looking for a ’65 – ’66 Merc for years that had the factory cruise control. Was hoping this might be the one, but I guess not. Had a big Perfect Circle controller that sat on the driver’s inner fender.
Love it.
My first automotive love was my parent’s 66 Mercury Montclair four door sedan in Palisades Turquoise from Bonneville Motors, Tooele Utah.
Such a beautiful car. Great ride and so quiet.
The car I learned to drive on and have loved for a lifetime. I’d just look at it and appreciate all the details, how the styling all came together.
“In The Lincoln Continental Tradition”.
The 1965 full size Mercury was Car Life’s Car Of The Year. An equally beautiful car.
Smoked in? Tranny hump carpet looks like a pack-a-day habit.
That looks like either cigar or pipe ash
TRANNY hump? Don’t say DeSantis!😄😁🤣😂😃 👍
Can anyone explain why the air cleaner and valve covers are blue as opposed to the 1966 Mercury brochure, where they are orange for the 410 cid?
Really nice car, and reasonably priced. I hope it finds a good home, where it’s preserved and enjoyed for what it is, a really nice cruiser that’ll go like hell when you step on it.
If I recall correctly, the 410 was an Edsel engine in the beginning before
being sent over to Mercury in ’59 or ’60. Edsel called it the E-475 V-8. Not for the horsepower it made but for the torque instead. A whopping 475
foot pounds of it! That combination
made the ’58 Edsel Citation one of the
fastest cars in the country at that time. After that, the 410 served quietly under the radar before being
phased out in ’68. A friend of mine’s
Dad bought a 4-door hardtop brand new in ’66 with everything on it including an 8-track tape player! If
anything said gentleman’s muscle car,
the Park Lane certainly did. And it said it in spades.
I can’t believe how beautiful this car is.and for 10k wow. Park Lanes were special. This is one of the nicest Mercury’s I’ve ever seen and it’s a coup.
Are those cornering lamps on the front fenders or just decoration? I can’t remember.
Although cornering lights were not common at the time, IMO these are cornering lights. If they were just added decoration, they would likely have been a different design and completely chromed.
Gone, off of Craigslist
Gone With the Wind? Well On to VERSAILLES 🏰 😉
The end of the listing says, “Could that person be you?”. It is me!! The car was much much better than advertised. Charles the seller was accurate and honest in every way. I highly recommend doing business with him. The Parklane made a long journey from Ohio to So-Cal. Thanks to my friend Jim for helping with that. I am going to have so much fun with this Mercury. It will be in the Thunder on the Mountain Car show in Tehachapi later this month.