Mercury made some ferocious muscle cars back when those original beasts roamed the earth. The 1969 Montego shown here on ebay is not exactly one of those, being motivated by a 302 V8 with a two-barrel carb backed up by an automatic transmission, but it does have some desirable qualities for those who want to pilot something out of the ordinary. The car in question here has a mere two bids, sending it to a $2,000 price. That’s not a viable outcome, as the seller has the reserve set higher. We just don’t know how high. In any case, the winner will go to Oxford, North Carolina to take possession.
Mercury and NASCAR go back with a blast to the era this car came from (and before). This model came out in 1968, lasting until 1971 to comprise the Montego’s first generation. On track Mercury had a fantastic year in 1969, when the Mercury Cyclone Spoiler II rocketed to multiple victories at the hand of Cale Yarborough. This cast a halo effect back onto the entire Mercury lineup, and super fans had the chance to buy either a Cale Yarborough Special—white and red—or a Dan Gurney Special—white and blue. Win on Sunday, sell on Monday, indeed! How does that play nearly 60 years later? Could you map the appearance of one of those specials onto the blank canvas that is the car in question? You’re going to have to paint it and redo the interior one way or the other, unless you’re into “patina,” which for a while was a thing, and maybe still is, in some corners of the collector car world.
No doubt about it, this particular Montego is a bit of a beater. It should and probably will scare you that the seller’s admission that there are rust pinholes in the floor next gives way to the fact that they have been “repaired” with fiberglass, resin, and POR 15. Or maybe that’s minor, floor pans easily replaced. The rest of the body except for the deck lid is said to be solid. In addition, the seller has replaced what looks like all the soft mechanical parts—fuel and brake lines, and so forth, so you could jump in and drive. No knock and no smoke would be the order of the day.
So what do you do with this car? You get as many clear images of the Wood Brothers race cars of the era as you can, and create what would have been seen had you been in charge of homologation of the Montego for 1969. You’re up for a project that’s part engineering, part art, and all fun, aren’t you? There’s always the alternative—restore this car as the two-door large sedan that it is, and drive it like Richard Petty isn’t on your tail waiting to pass as he follows you into turn one at Daytona. But where’s the fun in that?
Fun write-up Brian. I’m a stock-first kind of guy, but this well-used example might not lend itself to a restoration. But it might make for a great Wood Brothers Cale Yarborough tribute car. The white and red #21 of this era is almost as iconic as the blue #43 Richard Petty cars. Just suit yourself and have fun with it.
Aside: To me it is super-impressive that the Wood Brothers racing operation is still in business after all these decades, and still a family operation (though with tons of support from the powerhouse Penske organization). And their loyalty to Ford, and Ford’s loyalty to them.
I’ve been a huge fan of the Wood Bros. for years, cheering on every success.
What about taking that car and doing Yarborough on one flank and the other guy on the other side. You can look at only one side at a time, after all :)
Two different sides, that’s the best idea!
The eBay ad lists this as a 71
What a cool old car! I forgot about these. The interior would be a bit of a challenge for me, but I’m always willing to learn!
This car has great lines, is begging for a clean new paint job and 429. Perhaps some torque thrusts. It can hold its own with the Torinos
It’s not a 69
That’s not a 69 – it’s a 70 or 71….
I have a perfectly good 429 sitting in my garage that came out of a 1971Ford. This would be the perfect candidate for that engine,and replacing floor pan is not hard to do, and I know a good upholster man wish it was closer
Not a pretty car.
“it needs interior and paint”
Or, it needs inside and outside.
First this is a 1971.
I know I bought it! it’s not for sale any longer wish barn finds would not say it is for sale, “Brain”
This is my fourth Montego, my third I made #21 car.
I sanded it and painted it satin black raddle can, so it will have one color.
mag 500 rims 15×7 245-60-15 front Rear15x8 274-60-15 rear.
just making a hot rod. found out the base model production # was 9,623
and this is a a/c car. i am the fourth owner. The car was sitting for 20+ years has 96, + miles he bought it and flipped it to me. The reserve was very high.
We don’t say that it’s still for sale. If you click on the eBay link you can clearly see that the listing has ended.