I don’t know if anyone has ever called a 1978 Mercury Monarch a “hot rod”, but this one has a 4-speed manual transmission which at least gives it a tiny step in that direction. This one is found on Craigslist, or here on the CL archive, with an asking price of $4,000. It’s located in Richmond, Virginia.
A Hot Rod Mercury Monarch is like the jumbo-shrimp of the car world. I guess I didn’t mean hot rod in the classic sense of the term. You know by now that we like things unusual here, in that vehicles with manual transmissions, diesel engines, turbos, etc., are interesting and unique so we try to show them whenever they come up. A two-door Monarch in this condition would probably show up here anyway but when it has a four-on-the-floor it’s a safe bet that one of us would highlight it. This car has just over 92,000 miles on it. As you can see the center portion of the plastic filler-panel trim between the tail lights, the gas filler door cover portion, is up where it should be! That means that the tiny usually-broken springs aren’t broken like they are on a lot of these cars where the flap is usually hanging down. It’s the little things like a functioning gas filler door that get me excited on old cars.
Wait, did I say that this was a Mercury Monarch? I meant Mercedes-Benz. Most of you probably remember those old ad campaigns with the sister car, the Ford Granada, being compared to a Mercedes-Benz. The seller isn’t giving really any information at all which is highly unusual in a listing that shows good photos and even includes an engine photo. But, they do say that this is a base model Monarch. So, it isn’t an ESS or a Ghia model. Here are all of the options that the original owner didn’t want.
Bucket seats or a split-bench seat would have been great but this really shows the base model spec. Everything looks great here and boy, it really is a base model, there is no radio or AC! Just imagine that now. There’s something refreshing about a base model car without a lot of doo-dads on it, things that can, will, and do go wrong more often than not. The interior looks beautiful to me, I love that seat fabric, it’s much nicer than tan vinyl would have been.
The seller’s listing consists of: “6 CYLINDER ENGINE – BASE MODEL MONARCH – ACTUAL MILEAGE – MANUAL TRANSMISSION” and that’s it. It’s as base, basic, and simple as the car itself is but somehow it tells us what we need to know. Well, other than how the heck does it run? How does the transmission and clutch work? How are the brakes? Are there any leaks? Is there any rust. By looking at the 250 cubic-inch 97 hp engine photo above you can see a lot of surface rust in the engine compartment. I would want to spend a solid 16-20-hour weekend working on that to stop the rust and detail this engine to look as perfect as the rest of the car does. Do any of you have tips on how to fix surface rust like that in an engine compartment? That’s a serious question, by the way. And here’s another one: isn’t this a great-looking Monarch?!
Wow! I thought it was a Benz until I read the description!
my favorite US car engine (low rev tq), seat, and operator’s tranny (for the transmission/stick? leave it there but swap ina T5). Make sure it’s a 3.22 rear or beddah. Discs up frnt (if not equipped). Reupholster to match the dash/door crds, rip out the back seat &…
Learn how to talk
I don’t understand why someone would choose a stripped down version of a more premium marque (Mercury Monarch) over a better equipped version of the mainstream marque (Ford Granada). Could someone please enlighten me?
This weirds me out…
If you’re a cheapass who wants a stripped-out car, why would you not buy a Granada instead of this?
Also, I can’t imagine that any self-respecting Mercury dealer would order this for lot fodder, so it sure had to be a custom order.
None of it makes sense!
Maybe be the person couldn’t afford more!!!
In many cases, it was all about the name, believe it or not. Mercury’s were always a notch above a Ford, even though the actual car differed little.
It made perfect sense; to the dealer. This is an ‘ad car’. This car was at the top of his full-color, full-page newspaper ad every Saturday and Sunday morning for as long as it sat on his lot. I’d have advertised that car for invoice or under and if a salesman sold it, I’d have fired him. “Switch them to something we make some money on or have the customer give you a ride home when they leave!”, with this what, $6999 car? $7999?
I’d have pissed off every Ford-Mercury dealer in the area. Probably sat on the lot for two years until some stubborn old pipe-smoker came in early one Saturday morning at the end of the month and was sitting there drinking coffee when the sales meeting broke up. Some poor green-pea salesman asked if he could help the old coot and he ended up writing them a check for it two hours later. No undercoating, no Scotchgard, no financing, wouldn’t pay doc fees….nuthin. Sales manager wanted the sale to start the day and needed it for the month and it was the oldest new car on the books so he cut it loose.
The fact that I love that car tells me that now I have become that self-same Old Coot.
Brought a stripper 97 Nissan truck under the same scenerio, made the sales manager so mad he took the dog dish hubcaps off before I drove it off the lot
Precisely. I worked for a Chevy-Olds dealer that did the same thing, but two differences: we’d order it in the ugliest color combination you could get, and no one ever lost their job if they sold it, even if it just arrived from the factory. On the other hand, the owner would always order a loaded-up Cutlass Ciera wagon for his own use: leather buckets, sun roof, power everything. Those were as tough to sell as the ad cars!
That old coot would have been me, however, at the time I wasn’t that old enough to be a coot. Today I qualify and would love to have this, add disc breaks, AC, and have the six done up with specialty upgrading speed parts, header etc and a 5 speed. Then I’d go crusing. Years ago I had a Zepher wagon with a 302 and factory four on the floor. Wish I kept that one.
None sense whatsoever. The ’77 Granada version of this was my first car in 1985. Coupe with a 4-speed, but connected to a 302 (on top of which stuck a 4-bbl 460 carb), and with bucket seats.
Bench seat? While I sort like the idea now for nostaligia’s sake, seems downmarket for a Mercury.
That jumbo shrimp needs a big small block. I hate myself for liking it.
The design is really quite attractive. Not 450SLC attractive, but not far off, really.
Geez, what is happening to me? I like that car a lot! For reference, that 250 c.i. translates to ~ 4.1 liters. I agree with the disc brake upgrade, that would involve a booster on the firewall, etc.. some fairly conservative modern allow wheels and tires, and, being and older guy, an air conditioning unit. I wonder how heavy that car would be.
The 4 speed might be a slightly fragile (though well matched to the Grenada 6) 3 speed with overdrive 4th.
http://www.advanceadapters.com/tech-vault/3-ford-tc-overdive-transmission/
Help me understand why you folks think it had drum brakes up front. By 1978, front drum brakes were long gone at Ford. Even the Pinto/Bobcat had front discs in 1978.
A lot of people have never heard of non-power disc brakes, they see no booster behind the m/cyl and assume it’s drum brakes… Had a 74 Olds Vista Cruiser with non-power discs…
Hey, thanks. I had an ’84 Ranger with manual brakes, front disc/rear drum.
I had an almost identical 77 Granada, manual (front disc) brakes, manual steering, 4 speed, 250, split bench, no AC, hell, it was even the same color, but mine had an AM radio. My grandfather ordered it that way, my father bought it from him, and I from my father while I was in college, so a 3 generation family owned car that I was lucky to get $200 for in 1988.
Here’s some things you don’t know….. those split backs on the front seat won’t fold down at the same time, so loading passengers into the back requires coordination.
The stick shift throw is so long that the shift lever virtually lays on the center of the front seat in 2nd and 4th gear (great for date night!) As for the gear ratios, if you can imagine driving an under powered 5 speed, that was missing 3rd gear, you’d have it. 1st and 2nd were ok, and 3 was just a big jump in ratio to 3rd, and OD was only a few hundred rpms lower than 3rd.
Also, the emissions smog pump is still there, those usually got removed when they seized up, since the car would run perfectly well (even better) without it.
Glen,
Imagine that transmission transplanted into a 289 ’66 Galaxie towing another ’66 Galaxie parts car from North Carolina to Indiana. That strip through West Virginia was a long slog, trying to figure out if second or third gear was best.
Oy ! I recall one trip back from school, car packed full, trying to climb the road by Blue Mountain Lake in the Adirondacks, I could wind out 2nd gear to about 50 mph, but then 3rd gear dropped rpms so much that it wouldn’t maintain speed, and you’d start to slow down until you had to downshift again. Your only choice was to climb the hill at about 30, embarrassing. I can only imagine in a bigger car with a heavy load besides. Hopefully you had more grunt in the Galaxy than the 250 had.
5.0 swap
T5
4:11 gear set
Surprise everyone
This would be so cool with Bucket Sears, a V-8 T-5 swap and a disc brake 9″ rear from a Lincoln Versailles…Throw in some HD sway bars and have a hellof a cruiser road hugger…
Most domestic cars had front disc brakes by 1974. The 250 engine was a great little engine very reliable.the only problem that they had was the screws that held the carb together would shake loose causing a vacuum leak that would make the engine run rough. Easy fix. I am not a Ford guy but these and the granadas were nice solid cars. As for the trans I’ll bet it’s a three speed. I think that this is a bargain id buy if I could.
It’s mostly likely a 4 speed OD transmission – SROD in Ford parlance.
Definitely a 3 speed with OD!
That’s how I remember it – a 3 speed OD.
My girlfriend in the mid-80’s had one. It stands out in my mind ony because of that transmission.
It was just a used up beater.
I had that happen to mine, found out while I was trying to diagnose what was going on, leaned in and put my hand on the carb while it was running, suddenly, it started idling right. I also remember that the front brakes would corrode (no greased pin slider) along the caliper/bracket surface, and cause the brakes pull to one side, you’d have to correct your steering as you brake to not swerve, after a while you get used to it.
Why not just grease the slider it only has one bolt, easy to do. Always used white lithium grease.
Grease collected dirt and made it worse, best I ever managed was coat of paint to keep the rust at bay. Over grease it and it gets on the rotors and pads. I tried everything in the 100,000 miles I had it.
I wasn’t there of course only attempting a possible solution. I lived in the south so we didn’t have the same problems northerners had, but as an A.S.E. Certified mechanic of the time I can tell you the pistons in the calipers would stick sometimes and cause the problem.
I sold it over 30 years ago, it was just so crudely designed, it never really had a hope of working well. Of course I was just a budding shade tree mechanic, and really knew very little of proper ways to service things at the time. Typically I would remove the caliper, wire brush the surfaces clean, and reassemble, it would be good for another few months, more in the summer. Syracuse (aka Salt City) was rough on cars. The floors were street signs, to keep your feet from going through the carpeting. Mine also had a greatly simplified engine bay. EGR and emissions pump were removed. Only vacuum line was to the distributor.
I dig it, it freaks me out what stripped meant then, and now. I have a new VW Jetta “stripped”, it even has plastic hub caps. BUT it has AC, Bluetooth, Touchscreen radio, Backup camera, Intermittent wipers, Rear window defrost, Power windows, Power mirrors, Heated mirrors, Free N/C Automatic 6 speed, Keyless entry, and SOOOO much more. It is “stripped”…..funny.
Hi Scotty, I would treat the rust under the hood with POR 15 or something similar.
https://www.por15.com/Rust-Preventive-Coating_c_11.html
It stops rust and prevents new rust from forming.
A stripped down car with a 4 speed, what’s not to love. I’m not fond of all the gadgets in the new cars but dealers just won’t stock one or order one as there’s no money in it for them. As far as the rust in the engine bay a Mustang restoration guy I met on the internet recommended this stuff over POR-15.
http://www.masterseriescoatings.com/index/
The barn find hunter on you tube drives an oddball ’67 country squire with a big block 4 speed. Sometimes people don’t want an automatic under any circumstances, especially the old fogies of the day when the transmission of the auto variety were more unreliable and expensive to fix and buy up front.
My dads first auto car was a ’60 Galaxie and for a while we would end up on the floor because he would slam on the brake thinking he had to shift. His first car was a model a.
Had a 1974 XB Falcon 250CID with twin exhaust system, sounded just like a V8 as did the 221 six cylinder. Beautiful looking car this Monarch.
I always liked the Granadas and the Monarchs, thought they were good-looking cars for the day though I’m not a fan of the colonnade treatment. This would be a fun car to upgrade with a tuned 302 and a few other goodies, especially A/C. Overall, this Mercury appears to be in great shape so you could probably keep the costs down with just mechanical changes and be happy with the rest of the car as-is with maybe some cool wheels and better rubber. Price seems fair if there are no issues to address.
The perfect candidate for a swap to a 302 with EFI.
Another great find, and an old school Ford colour that really makes this stand out as a ‘classic’. It would be a good base for modification as some suggested, but I’d leave his one as-is and show it off. As for a stripper Mercury; I’ve always preferred a Mercury’s styling/trim over the Ford version (regardless of model), so I get where the original buyer was coming from.
I swear they all come in this color
Well, somebody “spruced up” the outside of an already pretty clean car. You’d never see a car with an under hood shot like that ( I’m sure the underside looks the same) and an outside like that. Still, a really nice car. Now this car was in direct competition with that blue Dodge Aspen earlier. The Dodge had 10 times the pizzazz, except this, I think, was a better built car. It sure looks out of place at the dealer here, with all the gray jellybean cars. Collectable? Maybe, but for now, just a great car for someone who’s tired of the new car woes.
3 speed + OD on on floor.
A modern 5.0L EFI or even a 4.6L (would be a tight fit, but…) and a T-5 would really make this car a nice cruiser or even daily driver. Heck, a drop a Ford Ranger 2.3?/2.5L EFI engine and trans in it, or a V-6 from the same! A 4.0L V-6 from an Explorer or Ranger would make it a veritable hot-rod, no need for a V-8 really.
I disagree about the pretty outside and dirt under hood area. Lots of people keep their cars clean on the outside and never think about under the hood, as long as it runs. Not “car people” like I assume everyone here, but “regular” people who are just gas-n-go types. They still don’t want everyone to see a dirty car.
I like it. Had a ’79 Marquis painted the same Antique Cream colour.
Even in base trim, these were comfortable cars with some style. Thankfully, FoMoCo had upgraded the standard six-cylinder motor from the 200 to the more sprightly 250.
Not an absolute stripper, this has to be one of the latest cars I’ve seen with a blower-type rear defogger. Also has the bodyside mouldings and accent stripe options.
Would probably add an OEM AM/FM mono radio and dash speaker. Plug a Bluetooth FM transmitter into the cigar lighter, and it’ll play whatever’s on your phone.
you could get A 302 out of the Factory so shoehorning one in is a breeze. get a real 4 speed or a t5. The six with the stick was ok, but nothing beats a non smog v8!
Good luck to the new owner. The front spindles on these are highly prized as they make a fast and cheap disc conversion for falcons and Mustang! Would stop this beauty just fine!
It already has disc brakes. They’re just not boosted.
I like it. ( always did) very strong well built car. It already has the overdrive. Wider wheels and tires, sway bars and 3.55 or 3.73 limited slip/ locker rear gear. And a few Clifford goodies. It would be a very nice daily cruiser. IMHO.
Always thought about getting one of these or Faimont or Granada and dropping in a 460 just for fun.
I have driven this car dressed as a Granada . It was a toad . Even the 302 was 135ish horsepower . I will hope whoever buys it knows what they are getting . Love it dearly if your spending money to upgrade it . JMO .
351 WIndsor, transplant stang 5 speed, Versailles disc rear, and nice sedate looking sleeper.
Swap out some parts and make it a 2 door Lincoln Versailles.
Modifying this car would make it like any other.
The attraction is in that this car even exists as it came from the factory: minimal options, not even a radio, manual trans when most Monarchs are found with the automatic.
Plenty of V8 manual trans Fords out there. Why destroy what makes this one unique ?
I was surprised it had the six. Definitely an oddball. And gratifying to see.
Not sure if the upholstery is original. The brochure claims vinyl is standard.
Why mess with what must be 1 of only a hand full of survivors with this powertrain? You want a V-8 with a 5 speed ? Buy a 302 Granarch and put a Mustang trans in it. The ESS and Versailles had rear disks, so a booster and Disc brakes would make a good upgrade, easily reversible too
We recently bought a used 2017 Jetta like you described,down to the plastic wheel covers but it has a turbo on the little four cylinder and it doesn’t lack for power either-a nice surprise indeed,also my late cousin owned a Monarch similar to this when he was in school except in Jade Green color.
Look at that big blank dashboard, always reminding you what a cheap ass you are for not even getting AM radio. A tiny fireplace would look good in there, now that’s luxury!
OK I have particular knowledge of this model. I actually met the designer of this car – and a bunch more. Al Lavas was the lead designer of the Falcon floor pan for almost 20 years. This car and the sister Granada were the first specials developed for fleet buyers to get Ford through the first years of the CAFE – Corporate Average Fuel Economy – standards. The Pinto, having just been the subject of a fire induced lawsuit debacle, had been discontinued just as the law came into effect, leaving Ford with no gas mileage special to get them under the standard. Al was given the direction by Henry Ford II – his drawing board was directly outside HFII’s office on the top floor. The cars were the combination of a two door coupe body with the drive train of the recently discontinued F-100 pickup truck. The Leather axle seals on the rear axle give it away. Regular fleet buyers, power companies, local and state governments, and the like were called and told what their quota was. Did it work? I read about it in the ASME Journal and went and found one immediately after graduating with my BME. I really enjoyed carrying crowds of friends in mine. The 6 passenger, 5000 pound, 31 mpg special. Best trip was from St. Louis, Mo. to Birmingham, AL on one tank of gas.
This detail: the granny low 4 speed was redone to a wide ratio with overdrive 4th. The rear axle ratio was 3:1. At 60 on the hi-way it was barely above idle.
The granny low 4 speeds were different transmissions, either a NP435 or T-18 and were certainly never redone to use in a passenger car.
F-100s were made until 1983.