Even with the shiny chrome wheels, few would expect a hot triple-carb 390 lurks in the engine compartment of this big black and white cruiser! The 1967 Mercury Monterey in Warren, New Jersey shows well, and it’s a runner according to the seller. Offered here on craigslist, the big drop-top with sleeper potential can be yours for $9000. Thanks to reader Mitchell G. for spotting this white whale with triple-carb induction.
Though not a factory option in 1967, Ford did offer a factory “Triple 2-barrel” on the Monterey in 1963, according to lov2xlr8.no. By ’67 I believe the 390 would have been Ford Corporate Blue, but the frosty green is an interesting contrast to the plain white exterior. A permanently installed fuel pressure gauge suggests an affinity for tuning, which would be useful in coaxing a trio of two-barrel carburetors to sing in harmony. Cast iron exhaust manifolds, while likely stock, run against the concept of maximum horsepower. That said I once resurrected a 1966 Ford 390 from the dead, and in completely stock form and with an automatic transmission it had plenty of torque to burn the tires.
Considering the description of running “great,” it would have been nice to see this Mercury drive to a more photogenic location after a quick wash. Seeing the entire car would be great, too, but what we can see looks fine. Either the car survived an attack by the “Painter’s Tape Fairy,” or there is some unknown deeper meaning to the tape marks. Mercury’s sales literature called the Monterey “every inch a man’s car.” Try that slogan today!
Black vinyl seats make the perfect choice for a convertible that may some day get caught with its top down in the rain. Power brakes and power steering ease the chores of driving this Monterey. Speaking of Monterey, what better way than a convertible Mercury of notable stature to enjoy the many splendid roads of that area. Do you consider this drop-top a sleeper?
Not knowing what was done to this engine this tri-power could be a gas waster and not a go faster type of engine. Agree on the cast manifolds unless someone can shed some info on that. They did make some cast manifolds flow pretty good. Since it’s every inch a mans car one should hope to park it no less than 6” from a garage wall. Your distance will vary!
Every inch a man’s car. What are they trying to say?
I don’t know what it means, but I wish I said it
428 cobra jets have cast iron exhaust manifolds, they have repro ones that will fit this 390.
“Every inch a man’s car.”? And it didn’t even come with a remote.
This appears to be a bargain. A full size convertible for $9k, you’ll pay more than that for most any car from the 60’s in decent condition. You don’t like the three dueces it’s easy enough to get a 4 bbl manifold and carburetor to put in it, but be very careful about the intake seal at the rear of engine or you’ll dump oil faster than you can put it in, as these are heavy pieces. If I had an extra $9k lying around this would already be in my driveway.
God bless America
Looks like it got backed into something, the bumper & trunk lid both dented! May be hard to find a bumper, possibly be straightened!
Has anyone noticed that the rear bumper and trunk lid are damaged? Looks like someone backed it into a tree or a telephone pole.
Just saw one of these on the side of Campbell Avenue here in Roanoke,VA.,by the closed Norfolk Southern train shop.Looks like it’s
been there awhile,but still in savable condition.
What JohnM said………
Another big block 4 speed convertible!! Don’t really care for the green color under the hood though!!
No sleeper. Too big and heavy. More like a flying brick.
This era full size Ford products are known for frame issues. Being from Jersey, could be bad. Worth checking in person.
Could be a neat cruiser. Priced right. Not sure why someone painted the engine snot green.
Hi I am the current owner of this Merc. I dont understand how my cars keep ending up on this site when i just put an ad on craigslist, any way i just took this car on trade from the 2nd owner He wanted a 1978 Diamond Jubilee Tbird I had with 12,000 miles and a factory Sun Roof. Imagine my surprise when I opened the hood and saw this when I was expecting a 2 bbl 390. Itis a pretty cool car, runs great and this “JERSEY” car with 44000 original miles never had any rust and still has no rust all original 1967 metal, As far as the mystery of the tape on the side of the Merc, the prior owner brought the car to my restoration shop here in NJ where he taped off the body, he wanted a 2 tone blue and white 1979 Lincoln Mark V “Bill Blass” look when he decided he wanted my Tbird instead. Dont see many of these Big Mercs at car shows, I advertised this as I got the car as I wasnt looking for another car to do over, although this one just requires paint(could drive as is the paint isnt bad). I had found a mint trunk lid for the customer and the rear bumper can easily be straightened and rechromed. If it dosent sell, I will repaint the car and detail it and put a white conv top on the car The black top on the car is fine I just believe the car would look better with a white top. I am leaning towards painting it a metallic 1967 Ford Turquoise. I would be curious to what color combo suggestions folks had. ohh and yes I will paint the engire Mr Fords Blue! Interesting comment so far, look forward to more regards J