Mercury revived the Marauder name in 1969 after a three-year market absence as its contender in the Personal Luxury Car segment. It was big and powerful, and the styling gave the latest offering a sense of presence. Our feature car is a first-year vehicle that is a two-owner survivor. It isn’t perfect, but is ideal for someone seeking a low-mile luxury car that is ready to provide immediate motoring joy. I must say a big thank you to Barn Finder Tony P for spotting this giant.
Mercury produced 14,666 examples of the Marauder in 1969, but only 5,635 buyers spent the extra cash on the high-performance X-100 variant. With an overall length above eighteen feet, these were big cars, even by the standards of the day. This impression is emphasized by the low, sweeping lines and the rear fender skirts. The first owner ordered this survivor in Dark Ivy Green, driving it regularly before parking the Marauder in 1976. The seller discovered the car in 2019 as part of the first owner’s estate sale. Its decades in hibernation had done it no real harm. The paint exhibits minor chips and imperfections, but the healthy shine allows it to still present well as a survivor-grade classic. The panels are arrow-straight, and the listing images confirm that this dry-climate classic is rust-free. The trim and tinted glass are in good order, and the Marauder sits on its original Kelsey-Hayes wheels. The seller lost one of the rare center caps at some point but has sourced five replacements that are included in the deal.
The combination of the Dark Ivy Green exterior and an interior trimmed in Nugget Gold is striking and is hard to fault. The lack of wear and physical damage is consistent with the odometer reading and the fact this classic has spent so many years sheltered from UV exposure. The most impressive feature is the carpet, which exhibits no wear under the driver’s feet. The upholstered surfaces are spotless, and I question whether the back seat has ever seen occupants. The seller replaced the air conditioning compressor around a year ago, but it stopped working almost as soon as the warranty expired! Therefore, it requires a repeat performance to blow cold again. The term “Personal Luxury Car” is relative, and many would consider the interior equipment sparse by modern standards. However, the A/C, power windows, remote trunk release, rear defogger, tilt wheel, and AM radio made this classic pretty special in 1969.
Mercury offered 1969 Marauder X-100 buyers a single drivetrain configuration, but it was something fairly potent. It included a 429ci V8, a three-speed automatic transmission, and power-assisted steering and front disc brakes. The V8 produces an impressive 360hp and 480 ft/lbs of torque, and although this giant tips the scales at 4,343 lbs, the ¼-mile ET of 15.3 seconds proves it could put every pony to effective use. The seller confirms that this classic retains its original engine and transmission, but may have identified why the first owner parked this gem in 1976. They discovered that the differential had failed, and they have rectified this shortcoming by installing a 3.31 Eaton Detroit Truetrac Limited Slip rear end. That upgrade has left the car in excellent mechanical health as a turnkey driver. They claim it has a genuine 56,700 miles showing on its odometer, and although they don’t mention verifying evidence, they include the original Owner’s Manual, Owner Card, Build Sheet, Title, Dealer Brochures, Marti Report, and the original keys. That level of documentation suggests they may be able to confirm the mileage beyond doubt.
The Second Generation Marauder remained on sale for a mere two years before Mercury once again rested the badge. It would not appear for over three decades, lasting another two years before disappearing permanently. This 1969 Marauder X-100 is a wonderful survivor that the seller has listed here on Craigslist in Long Beach, California. Their price of $25,000 sits at the top end of the market, and might be slightly optimistic. However, given the car’s relative rarity, condition, mileage, and documentation, it will undoubtedly appeal to a few people. It only takes one person for it to find a new home, but could that person be you?
OOOOOH!! I would LOVE to have this beauty, but, alas! I’m already downsizing my collection! The only change I would make would be to substitute some thin stripe white walls for the white letters. GLWTS!! :-)
These were not common vehicles even when new. I was 13 and already a hopeless car nut. I used to hang out at the local dealerships and remember when the Ford/Mercury dealership got one of these. What a beauty. Here in Wisconsin by the time the first owner parked it, this car would have been rusty junk.
Cool car. I didn’t pay much attention to them back in the day, but now I really like these Marauders. They have that gentleman-cool vibe, as opposed to a look-at-me muscle car vibe. The dark green is classy. I’m with Moparman, some whitewalls would fit the look better.
Good job Adam.
$25,000 seems reasonable for that bad-ass.
Seller claims it has a 429CJ, it wasn’t available for this car. But it will raise the price if someone believes there us one in the engine bay.
I these are great looking cars, this one is particularly nice, but $25,000 is probably a stretch
Steve R
It isn’t technically a Cobra Jet- but the stats are comparable, if not identical. I found one of these in a humungous Mercury wagon, and transplanted it into an F250, replacing a very tired 351M. Youza! What a difference!
Technically it is a not a Cobra Jet. There were signifiant difference between the N code 429 and a C or J code 429. They are the same engine family the 385 series. The Jet was available in the 70 and 71 model year only while the N code continued on in the full size ford models into the mid 70’s. The Jet had a 4 bolt main block for starters. The heads are significantly different with larger ports and valves. The 70 motors had an adjustable valve train. While the N code did not. The compression ratio was a point higher on a Jet. The cam timing was completely different the intake was different. Ironically they used GM spread bore carb a Quadrajet The SCJ was that much more different by having an aluminum intake a Holley 780 and a solid lifter cam. The Cobra Jet was available in the mid size fords but not the full size fords in 70 and 71. That is why you could order a Torino or Ranchero with one or get the more pedestrian N code 429. I hope that this clarification helps because the ad is misleading saying the engine is a 429 CJ. None the less the car appears to be a gem.
The base 429 is neither comparable or identical to a 429CJ. At a minimum the heads, cam and compression are different. The 429CJ wasn’t available until 1970 and was never made available in Ford Motor Company’s full size cars, only the passenger car version, which this has.
Steve R
Steve R
Beautiful bad-ass.
Beautiful bad-ass… that interior looks new!
I’m sure others have said it for that money fix the air conditioning!
I would buy it but it won’t fit in my garage.
Bummer.
IMHO, 18k is where this car needs to be after watching the market for a long time. Also, the typo error on the title line (Z100) should be X100. My parents drove a used one in the early 1970’s. Cream yellow X100 with matt black rear deck. But they did not listen to me and bought a orange 1973 Pontiac Ventura.
What a beauty. With the 429, it’s a pure, luxury muscle car. The interior color is something else. I have a 65 Marauder and mine also has the split bench like this one, with a column shifter, and also without a console. I had to replace my AC compressor/ clutch and dryer. And for this asking price the seller should get his going again. These beasts will definitely keep up with modern hwy traffic.
“Matte” black typo. :) Have a great weekend
Lol Pete, my first car at 17 was a 1973 custard yellow Pontiac Ventura with a 350 & 19K original miles on it. Not bad for a first car, total sleeper but I would have much rather had a Marauder like this though! My Ventura’s auto trans went out at about 50K miles, I believe it went to a drag racer who completely transformed it but kept it yellow!
Nice, my second car was a ’73 Ventura with a 350 and a 3 spd. Blue though. Mine was kind of a sh!?box though after spending a few winters in Massachusetts. This Merc is so sweet though!
Don’t be too hard on them, everyone was chasing gas mileage then. Gasoline had skyrocketed to $.50 per gallon!
Hard to believe the diff went out. If it was a 9 inch, those things were near bulletproof. Anyway, if they can document the mileage, it might be a good find for someone who needs it.
Although, Ford 9″ rear ends are bulletproof and legendary, someone probably got real silly with that 429 in this beast at some point 20 years ago, and afterwards left it sitting.
If only I had the cash this one would be in my garage already…
In the mid of the century my old man got a new Merc about every year. Once in a while an X100, we had a ball with them blowing the doors off just about anything on the street, then loading the mammoth trunk and heading off for Ely Minnesota on fishing vacations.
I’ve also got a 69 Marauder X100 bought from someone who had it in storage for 20 years! It is such a dream to drive and everything works on it even the air thought I was going to flip it and make some money but since decided it so rare that I enjoy the response from people when I take to car shows most have only seen pictures of or don’t know what it is. I’m keeping it!
sweet ride. not a fan of the skirts kinda kills the look
How beautiful and it’s not jacked up! These were uncommon at the time. This was is a great example. The owner has preserved it well. It looks very complete and original as Mercury intended. I hate it when the beautiful skirts, wheels, matte black are removed. This car is as it should be. It’s great!
No Thank you! Give me an OTT Luxurious Grand Marquis. A firm believer in comfort and panache, I have owned three GRAND MARQUIS! All had plenty of power as well as classic formal styling. Also have owned several Town Cars. 👍 🏆 👍. My current low mileage 2007 Signature Limited is IMO the last gasp of traditional American Luxury vehicles. BTW, happy Labor Day to all Barn Finders! Have a smooth cruise in the LAND YACHT of your choice!
What a magnificent car and in great shape. I would have a tough time deciding between a Buick boat tail Riviera or this. ( Two of my favourites ).
Don Leblanc: I’ve owned both, the 1973 Riviera is the better car.
Bigger in overal length and width and it also has a bigger engine with more torque.
Erik, You are very lucky !
This car had me drooling all over my 18 yr old chin as my next door neighbor had one parked behind his garage which was in direct view of our back deck. I used to stare at it endlessly and dream of driving it. It was red with the matte black trunk lid. SO cool. I love the long body lines, just screamed luxo-cruiser to me. I wanted it so badly but he was a typical, “nah, I’m gonna fix it up some day”
It sat for at least 10 years, and went from beauty to kinda rusty and needing lots of love. Then one day I was back visiting my folks and it was gone – I was always kinda choked he never would sell it to me.
I love this one but IMHO its not worth over 20k.
How would you peel me out of a big Chrysler or B-O-P car? Right here! Just too cool. 😎
Not sure why it says “1969 Mercury Marauder Z-100” in the title….
This is a Marauder X-100.
So, also not a “Marauder X100”, like it’s named in the title and text of the Craigslist advertisement.
z-100?
As I’ve stated before I’m not a big FoMoCo fan, but I do like Mercurys. Especially the early Mauruder. The ’69 with its different roofline, skirts, optional matte black trunk lid (which this one does have.)
Look at the size of those fenders and quarters. This is the definition of a land yacht!
Have any of you made the correlation with the Mauruder X-100 and President Kennedys Lincoln X-100 limousine?
Um, no dear, I don’t see any correlation between the Lincoln X100( never knew it was called that) the one he was shot in?,and this. I can’t find why it was called “X100” in the 1st place.
5th digit is a N meaning Thunder Jet 360hp.
Scroll by that engine bay pic fast enough and you’d think you were looking at a 302 or 351 in there. That is one cavernous engine compartment.
Beautiful car, would love to own it.