I have always appreciated FoMoCo’s “Panther” based cars, specifically the Ford Crown Victoria and Mercury Grand Marquis. They are both fine examples of simplicity and durability. They’re easy to find these days because they were assembled in significant volumes. And often, they’ve been owned by senior drivers who used them sparingly and kept them well maintained. That’s what I thought would be the case with this 45K-mile 1999 Mercury Grand Marquis – and it is at first blush. Dig a bit deeper, however, and there’s more to the story. Discovered by Zen and residing in Wantagh, New York, this very reasonably priced sedan is listed here on craigslist for $1,100, OBO.
By 1999, the Crown Victoria and Grand Marquis were essentially the same car, separated mostly by trim pieces, grilles, taillights, etc. The Grand Marquis, offered as a single four-door sedan body style, came in two trim levels: GS, such as our subject, and LS. Grand Marquis sales were good in ’99, with about 123K finding first-time homes. Now, initially, this example shows really well, and you’re probably mystified as to why the asking price is only $1,100 for a popular 45K-mile sedan. The listing’s title also includes a notation of “(parts or fix),” and that got me wondering.
Well, wonder no more. Ouch, someone didn’t see the brake lights in time! As to what actually happened here, no statement is made. According to the seller, “Repainted only two years ago, wrecked in the rear, frame has rust, and still runs and drives.” That still runs and drives reference alludes to this Merc’s unphotographed 200 net HP, 4.6-liter V8 engine. It and its four-speed automatic transmission would be particularly pertinent as far as that “parts” reference in the title goes. I am curious about that frame “has rust” business. Are we talking surface rust and scale, or something more invasive as a result of salted roads? The body certainly gives no indication of rust or even minor corrosion.
The interior, what little of it is photographed, aligns with this car’s low mileage. Light beige fabric upholstery and matching carpet can be a bear to keep clean, especially in a place like New York with its heavy weather winters. The full instrumentation is a nice feature of this Grand Marquis, much preferred to the commonly found warning lights on some marques.
As I stated in the title, what’s befallen this car is a shame and most unfortunate – it seems like it was a rather sound and well-cared-for Merc before its unfortunate “incident”. Now, instead of focusing on “parts“, such as the front clip and powertrain, how about a “fix”? What’s your thought on that matter? This Mercury has suffered a pretty hard hit; do you think it’s salvageable?
Engine donor for your fox body Mustang.
Just need one that was wrecked on the front. “Clip” the whole rear half, repaint it to match. Add the half vinyl top to hide the seam in the roof.
My thoughts exactly. You can’t see the damage inside the trunk or to the frame but with a new deck lid, rear fascia, and driver’s side tail light, you’re road worthy. I like the idea of the donor engine for my Foxbody though.
How fast was that truck driver going when he backed into the car?
Salvage but clean title?
Me, I’d fix it! The asking price is more than reasonable and it would be a cheap way into the hobby for me. And with classic car prices still out of reach for a lot of folks out there, this to me is a no brainer. Yeah, you might spend, say, $6K to $8k to repair the body damage, but you’ll still
come out ahead with a really nice
daily driver when finished. Now,
if I only had the cash to buy it and a way to get it here to Florida.
Not without a hitch, but here’s your car. Since it was hit pretty high there may not be a lot of lower structural damage. How much to make it driver?
Looks to me like a good man with a frame machine could pop out the left 1/4 panel and maybe the right 1/4 would need a tug. Replace the truck lid and the fascia and be almost good to go.
Doesn’t have to be perfect to be a driver.
I’ve driven these Mercurys for years as a cab driver , they run forever ! But ! If you want one , 2003 and up ride and handle better , the rack and pinion made a big difference .
you can bet the seller got between 5k-7k for the damage. car is and clean low miles. i just had a 97 Bonneville get totaled w/ 105k miles and got 6300.00 from the ins and kept it. somebody most likely texting hit this.
Same Panther chassis, engine, and transmission as the Crown Vic. Lots of low mile parts for a CV
Its a good deal but it says frame is rusted out and no pictures of it
I’ve seen cars worse than this driving on the roads here in Georgia. Without safety inspections and a clean title (’86 and newer), almost anything can be put on the road.
Best suited to an auto-body student with access to the tech school’s shop and looking for a cheap first car that can double as a rolling resume.
My 1988 Mercury Grand Marquis has the 5.0 engine with 423,000+ miles, and it is tired, and I even am in New York State!. I would buy this in a heartbeat for its engine and transmission alone, if it were a 1986-1991 Grand Marquis or Crown Vikki. And if its cassette player still played on both channels, I’d rob that too! My interior still is excellent, and my body isn’t half-bad, either. It has seen every winter, and yet its frame is still clean. Tragic, what happened to this one!
I wonder what the texter was responding to, when the rammed this Mercury?