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73k Mile Survivor: 1966 Mercury Monterey

1966-mercury-monterey

I wouldn’t call this big Mercury a speed demon by any means, but with a 390 V8, it has to be one quick cruiser! Not only does it have its all original 390, but is all original inside and out. For being 50 years old, it’s in absolutely amazing condition, especially if it really is original! That Polar White paint looks as good as new and the body is incredibly straight. It’s said to have 73k miles, which actually seems high given how nice it is, but the car has spent its whole life in the interior of Oregon. It also helps that it was bought new by an older couple who took good care of it! This low mileage survivor can be found here on eBay in Portland, Oregon with a current bid of $6,600.

1966-mercury-monterey-engine

Look at that V8! It looks to be in order and the seller points out just how original it is. It even still has it’s original Rotunda washer bottle! With 265 horsepower, this Monterey should go nicely down the highway and around town. I do wish it was either the 410 or 428, but the 390 is a great engine.

1966-mercury-monterey-interior

The interior looks just as good as the outside! I love the bright red bench seat, it might not be as supportive as buckets, but it looks great and would definitely be a comfortable place to relax on long drives. The carpets are the only areas I can see that show even the slightest hint of the car’s age or mileage, but even then it’s still in nice shape.

1966-monterey-survivor

If you’ve been looking for a comfortable and ready to enjoy classic, I don’t think you can do much better than this Mercury! It’s in fantastic condition, looks amazing and should be a joy to drive. Sure there are more powerful and faster classics out there for the money, but they won’t offer you the mix of comfort, luxury and originality that this Monterey can!

Comments

  1. Avatar Fred W.

    That’s one good looking car. Add a 4 barrel and you’ve got 310HP, assuming the cam and compression ratio are the same as the factory 4V.

    Like 0
    • Avatar Tom Driscoll

      Could never understand why Ford was so stingy with 4 barrel carbs, compared to GM which tossed them out like candy!

      Like 0
    • Avatar BillB

      A great car with my favorite color combination too! It also has some history in its very early appearance of intermittent wipers. Ford lifted the circuit design from Robert Kearns, who later won a lawsuit against both Ford and Chrysler. I recommend seeing the movie, “Flash of Genius”.

      https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flash_of_Genius_(film)

      Like 0
  2. Avatar ags290

    What a beautiful car! This is a Great Find. As my 18 year old son would say this is definitely a “Dad” car: Long, Low and Wide. Current Bid is still South of $7,000. What a Deal!

    Like 0
  3. Avatar flmikey

    Worth. Every. Penny.

    Like 0
  4. Avatar Bill

    Underpriced as it now stands. Nice car!

    Like 0
  5. Avatar Todd Zuercher

    Beautiful! This one apparently has the rare “green water bottle in the engine compartment” option.

    Like 0
  6. Avatar Biggles21

    Well I’d drive that one all day long! Beautiful lines.

    Like 0
  7. Avatar Scot Douglas

    Unless it’s an optical illusion, this is the first time I’ve ever seen a flexible line coming out of a brake master cylinder.

    Like 0
    • Avatar St. Ramone de V8

      Good catch, Scot! Other than that, and maybe some other small changes, this car looks really original. Personally, I would lose the wide whitewalls to a smaller whitewall, but that’s me. Love the car. Worth the money.

      Like 0
    • Avatar Rocco

      That looks like an hydraulic hose coming out of the master cyl. It’s been there a long time, but like you, I’ve never seen that on ANY vehicle. Still scary.

      Like 0
  8. Avatar sir mike

    Beautiful………

    Like 0
  9. Avatar Joe Haska

    Fantastic, what a buy, this would just be a great driver, the bidding could go fairly high! Would have liked to found this before auction.

    Like 0
  10. Avatar Luke Fitzgerald

    This is what dreams are made of….. Hang on, it’s rubbish – non original battery hold down and clamps. Haha – last time I saw this money (and condition) for a 66 Cpe was a S55 7 litre with 6k miles – sold out of Vulcan MI in 13 – 17 large – outstanding and significant – good work boys

    Like 0
  11. Avatar Jack

    I was going to say that this is a very clean, beautiful car, but everybody beat me to it. I wish my current daily driver looked this nice!

    Like 1
  12. Avatar guggie

    my uncle had one of these in 4 door with the breeze way window , what a really nice car it was !!

    Like 0
  13. Avatar Greg Member

    It’s in beautiful original condition, just like everyone mentioned. But what’s the best way to get more HP out of the 390 two barrel? I just got a good deal on a 66 Galaxie 500 XL convertible with that engine. It has great cruising power, but I’d like to know how to get more out of it without major reconstruction. I’m usually a Pontiac guy, but I couldn’t pass up this deal and it’s a beautiful XL! Novice here with Fords, so thanks for your advice.

    Like 0
  14. Avatar Paul B

    These are some of the most handsome ’60s cars. I thought the ’65 and ’66 Mercs looked better than the comparable Fords. But do a PPI. Only reason I say this is that a friend had one that looked great and it broke in half. Rusted frame. Just check before you buy is all. It looks beautiful.

    Like 0
  15. Avatar Mercury Man

    ’66 Merc’s are one of my favorite years of the marque. (’64’s are on the top of my list)
    It is real pleasure to see one in this condition.
    Back in the day I knew of a ’66 Park Lane, 410cu.in. with a 4 speed and a bench seat, now that is rare!
    I hope this one finds a good home.

    Like 0
    • Avatar Ralph Terhune

      I’ve got one of these. It’s a 4 door hardtop with a 390-2V, 3 speed manual trans, P/S, PDB, no A/C. And with the intermittent wipers and power trunk. Real oddball.

      Like 1
  16. Avatar Badnikl

    Super find, And I even like the wide whites.

    Like 0
  17. Avatar David J

    She’s up to $10,100 with 3 days left. What a beautiful car.

    Someone, please buy it before I start bidding!

    Like 0
  18. Avatar Ck

    Good lookin ,nice clean Merc. Looks like a sweet deal.

    Like 0
  19. Avatar ROTAG999

    Book-em Dano someone painted my car white !

    Like 0
  20. Avatar Mark S

    I would call it a beauty as so many others have, IMHO I would have to say that it would be a great responsibility to maintain this car at this level. I would hope that the winning bidder will rise to the task. If it were mine I would not change a thing and I’d try my best to keep it at this level of preservation.

    Like 0
  21. Avatar jesus bortoni

    Absolutely gorgeous. If I had anything to cry about it would be that no air conditioner is installed. That would be critical here in the South where I am (MS). I happen to be crazy about vent windows, so there’s that. THAT is a personal luxury car.

    Like 0
  22. Avatar Stoney

    Just looked at this mouth watering car and the bid is up to $10,600.00. WOW!!!! Brings back my youthful dsys

    Like 0
  23. Avatar Rocco

    Josh,
    I agree about the eng. choice. Did you know that the 410 was only made for the Merc. line for 2 years(’66-’67)? It is a combo of 390 bore X 428 stroke. So Ford put a 428 crank in a 390(with different pistons) for more torque for those 2 1/2 ton monstrosities.

    Like 0
  24. Avatar Zabrak

    Hi,

    iam happy 2 say ..its my car :)
    The Merc go 2 germany my second us-car oldtimer from Bob.
    “If it were mine I would not change a thing and I’d try my best to keep it at this level of preservation.” …yes i do ;)

    Have a nice day

    Like 0
    • Avatar Jamie Palmer Staff

      Terrific, Zabrak! Send us pictures once you get it to Germany! Thanks for the update!

      Like 0
      • Avatar Zabrak

        The Merc is in Germany and we have snow …snow …snow :(

        Like 0
    • Avatar David J

      Congrats, Zabrak!

      Like 0

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