Enthusiasts often wonder whether the supply of amazing Barn Finds will ever dry up. If this 1963 Mercury Monterey Custom Marauder is any indication, the answer to that question is a resounding “no.” This fantastic classic has occupied this spot since 1969. With only six years of active service under its belt before that happened, its odometer reading of 28,000 genuine miles is unsurprising. Adding to its appeal is the original owner’s decision to order it with a mechanical combination guaranteed to provide excellent performance. The time has come for this gem to emerge from hiding to find a new home. Therefore, the seller has listed the Marauder here on Craigslist in Miranda, California. It could be yours by handing them $15,000.
Mercury introduced the Marauder badge into its Monterey range as a 1963½ model year offering. Buyers could order their new Marauder with the distinctive “Breezeway” rear window, although the Fastback was considered more aerodynamically efficient. This Marauder fits into the second category and needs love to regain its former glory. The seller indicates it has occupied this spot since 1969, which looks relatively dry. The exterior carries a heavy layer of dust, making it impossible to determine the paint’s condition. However, there are no glaring signs of penetrating rust. There is evidence of scattered surface corrosion, and the seller emphasizes there is no rot. If the underside is sound, this could be a straightforward restoration proposition. The tinted glass appears to be okay, and although the bumpers might require a trip to the platers, the remaining trim pieces should respond positively to a high-quality polish.
Purchasing a 1963 Marauder meant receiving a new car with a V8 under the hood. The entry-level 390ci powerplant generated 250hp, but this car’s original owner stepped things up by choosing the Super Marauder 390 that pumped out 300hp and 427 ft/lbs of torque. They teamed this motor with a four-speed manual transmission, allowing this classic to cover the ¼-mile in 15.8 seconds. That may not seem fast by modern standards, but it is worth noting that this Mercury is a relatively heavy beast that tips the scales at 4,067 lbs. It is unclear why the original owner parked the car, but it appears it hasn’t fired a shot in anger for over five decades. The listing indicates it had 28,000 miles on the clock when this happened. That figure gels with the six years of active service and will add to the car’s potential value once restored. The state of its drivetrain components is unclear, so budgeting for a rebuild as part of this restoration would be wise.
The seller describes this Marauder’s interior condition as “amazing,” and they aren’t far from the mark with their assessment. I feel my fingers itching as I survey the interior shots because the first thing it needs is for someone to spend some time inside it with a collection of high-quality cleaning products. I think the transformation would be incredible as there are no signs of abuse or significant wear. The back seat may never have seen use, and there are no apparent aftermarket additions beyond what appears to be a tachometer mounted on the dash. The interior isn’t loaded with factory options but does retain its factory clock and AM radio.
This 1963 Mercury Marauder will require a dedicated new owner to return it to its former glory. Still, its revival should be no more complicated than for any classic of this vintage. Mercury only produced 7,298 examples of the Monterey Custom Marauder in Fastback form, making this a relatively rare vehicle. It is worth noting that rarity doesn’t always equate to high potential values because tidy examples rarely top $30,000 in the current market. This car could be an exception due to its odometer reading, which is worth considering. Have you ever owned a Marauder of this vintage? If you have, would you care to repeat that experience? This could be your chance.
This car could easily be a tribute to one of the greatest drivers of all time,, Parnelli Jones. He, and several others, had great success with racing Mercurys. Ford was on top in the early 60s in practically all forms of racing. They threw a ton of money into the program affectionately called, “Win on Sunday, sell on Monday”, a term originally coined by Bob Tasca. It sold a lot of cars, everyone hoping to be “Parnelli Jones”. Vintage Mercurys, are always great find, for sure.
Now, stored since 1969? Tells me one thing,,,,anchors aweigh, my boy. 1969 was the height of that miserable quagmire in the S. Pacific, and I’m speculating “junior” never came back. We lost a lot of guys, FOR NOTHING, but we can’t forget, they went anyway. Amen to that,,
Now, if you can add or correct anything I wrote, please do so cordially. I tire of some indicating how foolish I am,( an internet exclusive) perhaps because I’m clearly the most vocal on a great many things,( thanks, dad) and disregarding the posts main feature, the cars themselves. Good day,,,
Keep it coming, Howard.
I hadn’t thought of that, but you are probably 100% correct as to why it’s never moved since.
They have not taught geography in schools for a long, long time.
Was S.E. Asia in the South Pacific?
Vietnam is not located in the South Pacific. It is located on the eastern margin of the Indochinese peninsula in Southeast Asia1. It is bordered by China in the north, Laos and Cambodia to the west, the East Sea to the east and the Pacific Ocean to the east and south2.
Thanks for the geography lesson, teach, normally, we aren’t that particular here, most knew what I meant. Anything about the car?
tasca Ford I remember them I used to race conn speed way in the early 60s they where there I think in 1964 they had a thunderbolt remember them
The Thunderbolts we’re all familiar with we’re 64s, but Tasca built a 63 version.
My dad used to talk about the Cammer powered Galaxy that Tasca would run drag racing in Colchester, CT. Blew his doors off multiple times!
Looks like FUN!
1970 – Parnelli Jones in his #15 Boss Mustang won the Trans Am season that year.
This Maurader is worth the effort.
I believe the son did not come back …
Make this car great once more.
If I had money… tell you what I’d do..
I’d go downtown and buy a Mercury or two I’m crazy about a Mercury..
crazy about a Mercury ..
I’m going to buy me a Mercury and cruise it up and down the road.. 🎸 🎶
I just want to wash this beauty. Bring out the life in her. The next buyer is going to have a lot of fun.
I love these stories and I love these cars. It blew me away about the weight of it though. When I first viewed the picture, I thought it looked like a Comet sitting there. My ’57 BelAir weighs 3500lbs. This Mercury would be like having two linebackers, or one Rosie O’Donnell, along in the back seat.
Hahahahaha.
Love these Mercs . Don’t see many at local car shows. If I had an extra 20k
lying around I would jump on it. As a former car detailer the extra 5k would go to rebuild the 390..
Weekend fun .
Big ( and I do mean big) brother to the 1963 Mercury Comet that was my first car. 260 V8 four speed. I’d love to see this Marauder back on the road. I hope the new owner returns it to its original glory. Wish that was me but alas…oh and BTW Howard, thanks for the reminder of the little issue Uncle Sam set up for we older boomers to deal with in our prime. Keep your comments coming!
A friend bought a 1963 split window in the early 70s from a young GIs parents who did not come back from that stupid war.He still owns it today, an all original Z06 tanker FI
I went to a yard sale many years ago( 80s) near my ex-BIL home, and in the corner was a car,covered with a sheet, and an outline of a 60s Corvette. When I asked my BIL about it, he said the same thing. The son bought it, went to war, and never came back, She never uncovered it all those years. It, at the time, was not for sale. I always wondered what happened to that car?
I owned a 63 Mercury Wagon with the 250 HP Marauder engine and boy could that engine move that big boat down the road. My guess is the wagon was substantially more heavy so this bigger 300 HP motor in this lighter 2 dr model will be something else.
Back in 2005 I was driving the Merc Monterey with that Marauder engine down the south east expressway out of Boston when, by chance, a photographer for the Boston Globe took this shot of me and my best friend.
I would have that framed and hanging on the wall.
Oh man, the Southeast Expressway… That takes me back to the 80s and 90s, commuting from Norwell to Braintree and Quincy and Milton. That was some absolutely UNBELIEVABLY bad traffic, Steve O; hope it was better by ’05.
There was a kid where I grew up in Ky who owned a blue with white stripes 69 RS/SS 396 that his dad bought him. He left with some friends one Saturday afternoon and then on to the morgue later that evening as they hit a tree and he didn’t make it. His parents never moved that car after that. He had washed it and left it parked beside a small garage beside the house. They wouldn’t sell to anyone and had to place a large not for sale sign on the windshield to deter people. I don’t know whatever happened to it but last time I was by that part of the country was about 30 yrs ago and it still sat there with weeds and small trees growing all around it.
You could get a Monterey Custom with the Breezeway roofline, but you could not get a Monterey Custom Marauder with that distinctive roof. The “Marauder” tag specifically referred to the sloped roofline
I would open a dialog with the owner and start digging into the past of this car.. It’s a great find if the mileage is authentic.. The interior looks pristine and a good cleaning would work wonders for it. Nice fined. I hope someone grabs it and makes the commitment.
I’m a Nam Vet from the early 60s and there were a lot of left over cars from those who never came back.. Ads were in the newspapers and up on bulletin boards in almost every store, gas station supermarket and baseball field dugouts.. Sad
The Marauder was the fastback, the Breezeway was the non-fastback.
You couldn’t get a breezeway rear window on a Marauder.
Luckily. Those Breezeway cars were fugly. IMHO. This car is a treasure. If I had money to burn? I’d haul it back 3000 miles and give her a good home.
My old man got a new car every year or two back in the 60’s and 70’s and one I distinctly remember was his 63 Marauder that looked just like this one, but it was an automatic. I just could never talk him into a 4 speed in any of them. I’m glad somebody’s kid got his old man to get a 4 speed boat.
I grew up in North Miami Beach. My first car, bought in 1981 was a pretty ratty 69 Dodge Charger. In my neighborhood was a similar Charger sitting in a driveway and beginning to deteriorate. There were two urban legends about that car. One that it was a Hemi and two that the owner had died in Vietnam.
My younger brother swore that the stories were true and that he had spoken with the still grieving father. My brother was also known for lots of stories, many of them with little connection to reality.
In any event, the car sat at least until 83 or so and I do not know what eventually happened to it.
No connection to this Ford except for several of the comments above
Wow, I would like to hear the story behind this car. By the looks of the interior condition the car seems to have been shelved in pretty good shape. And the 390 with the 4 speed is real cool.
I communicated with the owner and according to him, his son parked the car in 1969 due to rising GAS PRICES! I got my license in 1969 and recall gas being around 27 cents a gallon. I can attest, however as the owner of a similar 63 Colony Park Wagon with a Super Marauder and a factory 4-speed that these cars don’t travel a long distance without stopping for fuel. And while $15K sounds reasonable for the car, I can attest that the restoration costs for these is quite high!
Let’s see the list of full size cars that “did” go a long distance without stopping for fuel.
If I had the bucks readily available, this car would be sold, this is bargain priced, compared to most we see. One thing that baffles me, is the lack of bucket seats and console, I believe most, like it’s Galaxie 500XL cousin, we’re equipped that way. I think I like it just the way it is. Nice Merc
Maybe he had a sweetheart. And we all know there’s nothing like cruising with your darlin’ under your right arm. But I guess in this case since it was a four-speed she would be just by his side. Remember those days boys? LOL Just thinkin’
I have always love mercury’s parents had one when I was born keep it till 1952 it was the first mercury a 1939 my favorite is a 1954 sun valley remember the first one I saw new on showroom floor light green dark green roof
I owned a 631/2 Mercury Marauder. It was red with black vinyl top. Black and white and loads of chrome interior. 390cu.in. 290horsepower. I took it to House of Speed to have the heads cut 20thousandths and valves 5angled. Had a Isky cam put in it. When done it putting about 400hp to the rear wheels. Loved that 🚗 car. My brother at that same time owned a 63 Monteray with the breeze through rear window. Wish I had either of them now.
My dad had a ’63 1/2 Galaxie in a copper color with chrome reverse wheels. Beautiful car. The Merc definitely looks worth restoring. It’s a rarity makes I a good candidate, although after sitting for so long the claimed mileage is irrelevant.
Needs a total restoration but it would be a fun car.
The original owner is alive and 84 years old said he stopped using the car because of cost of gas
Is that true Steve O
That’s the story that the old guy told