- Seller: Jed R
- Location: Pataskala, Ohio
- Mileage: 53,000 Shown
- Chassis #: 3W62Y541737
- Title Status: Clean
- Engine: 390 V8
- Transmission: Merc-O-Matic 3-Speed
Some cars don’t even have to try because they are inherently cool. This 1963 Mercury Monterey Custom Breezeway is a perfect example of that thinking. Its styling is distinctive and eye-catching, with the power rear window offering unrivaled fresh air. However, this car is a cut above the rest. It is a two-owner survivor that is remarkably well preserved. Its original paint is stunning, and its gorgeous interior carries the hallmarks of a car that has been treated respectfully since Day One. The current owner has enjoyed this classic but feels that another enthusiast deserves the same experience. Therefore, he has listed the Breezeway exclusively with us at Barn Finds Auctions.
Cars from the late 1950s have always commanded attention, courtesy of their enormous fins and acres of chrome. Mercury proved in 1963 that flamboyance wasn’t a thing of the past when it released the Monterey Custom Breezeway. It integrated the reverse-raked power-operated retractable rear window from the earlier Continental to produce a distinctive vehicle. It struck a chord with buyers, with 39,542 people driving the 4-Door Custom Sedan variant off the lot that year. Our feature Monterey is a two-owner classic that came into the current owner’s care when the original owner passed away. It has been garage-kept and pampered throughout its life, helping to explain its stunning presentation. The Castilian Gold paint holds a shine that is beyond impressive for a survivor of this vintage. The close-up shots reveal no evidence of flaws or defects, while the panels are laser-straight. It is unsurprising that, considering this car’s history, it is rust-free. The only thing externally that is more impressive than the paint is the chrome. It shows no evidence of age deterioration, shining as beautifully as it did in 1963. The glass is spotless, and the retractable rear window works as it should.
Powering this Mercury is a 390ci V8, which sends 250hp and 378 ft/lbs of torque to the road via a three-speed Merc-O-Matic transmission. Performance was considered impressive for a car that tipped the scales at 4,164 pounds, with this Mercury capable of holding its own in the cut and thrust of city traffic or cruising at 70mph on the open road. The current owner has endeavored to protect this numbers-matching survivor’s originality where possible, only making a few minor changes to improve safety. Chief among these was rebuilding the booster and installing a dual-channel master cylinder to improve the brakes. He pulled the wheels and hubcaps to perform the brake work, intending to mark the hubcaps internally so each returned to its correct location. However, he found the original owner had already done that, such was their eye for detail. He also rebuilt the carburetor and fuel tank, replacing the fuel pump, sender unit, coil, and plug wires. Amazingly, he pulled the original plugs while administering the TLC to discover they were in as-new condition. He suggests the new owner should hand it to someone more experienced for a tune-up and inspection, but I find his description that it is a gas to drive very believable.
I have long admired classics from this era because manufacturers produced interiors that made every journey seem like a special occasion. This Mercury is no exception because the use of cloth, vinyl, paint, and chrome is stunning. The condition is hard to fault, with no evidence of wear or abuse. The soft trim is exceptional for its age, and the carpet has survived without significant marks or stains. The two-tone wheel is a highlight, as is the chrome dash fascia. There are no aftermarket additions, with the winning bidder receiving the power rear window, a power front seat, an AM radio, and a clock.
The Custom Breezeway Sedan accounted for around 20% of total Monterey production in 1963, but how many survive today is unclear. We have only previously seen four examples of the ’63 at Barn Finds, and if that is an accurate guide, you’re unlikely to park this gem next to an identical example at a Cars & Coffee. It is a genuine survivor, the likes of which you won’t see every day. Its needs are minor, and I can’t help but think the owner is right when he says there is no feeling like hitting the road on a warm day with the retractable window down and the front foot vents open. It is easy to imagine, but why use your imagination when you could experience the real thing by submitting a bid?
Bid On This Auction
Doug bid $8,900.00 2024-07-25 13:19:56
Donie bid $2,500.00 2024-07-25 11:52:35
Billd bid $2,100.00 2024-07-25 11:49:03- Doug bid $1,850.00 2024-07-24 21:09:00
JeffM bid $1,000.00 2024-07-24 09:15:01
Wasn’t this car featured as an auction car on this site a few months ago? Still looks like a nice car. Elwood Engel to the max. The vertical aluminum bars on the dash are a dead-ringer for the rear-end of the ’65 Chrysler.
Well if I had money, tell you what I’d do, I’d go to BFs, buy a Mercury or 2,,
From a time when a Mercury was not a rebadged Ford( or vice versa), or an Edsel. Oh sure, it still had all the Ford attributes, just in a little fancier package, I believe Mercurys mission all along. There’s no doubt, it was a popular car. If I added right about 80,000 ’63 Monterey Breezeways sold, almost half were the Custom. At about $3,050, it was almost $600 more than a Galaxie, that people were willing to pay. Pretty obvious, the back window was the cheese. I always thought the roof line on the Breezeway looked odd, almost cut off, and some concern about negative draft, and I don’t think it drives any different than a Ford, but for the person with good old pride, they drove a Mercury. Nice,,,no VERY nice car.
Mercury aficionados will tell you, the first “Breezeway” rear window appeared on the Turnpike Cruiser in ’57. It rolled down too.
Too many doors. But an interesting vehicle for sure. Like the script on the gauges.
I had the same thought. The font on the gauges is very unique.
Beautiful looking car. I’ve never seen one in person. I don’t see an asking price, but judging by its condition, I’d be willing to pay in the neighbourhood of $10,000 to $15,000.
Hey There, I have posted a reserve of $12,000. If you’re interested, lets talk.
How does the undercarriage and trunk look? Do you have any photos of these areas? Any rust or deterioration? Any exhaust leaks from the manifolds?
It’s an auction. Feel free to place your bid. Thanks!
This 63 Mercury is in stunning condition, and I usually don’t look twice at a 4dr sedan. The 1957 Mercury Turnpike cruisers first introduced the breezeway feature like this 63. I’m not sure if Mercury offered this in 2dr and 4dr hardtop versions, but I’m sure they did. Someone sure pampered this one.
I think it’s pretty incredible that this car has sixty one years under its tires and it’s in such remarkable condition. That is the essence of what makes this so desirable in my estimation. A lot of people throw out the term survivor about a vehicle when in fact it’s had some kind of refurbishment. This car is a survivor in the true meaning. Obviously its two owners have been great caretakers of this car. The next owner will have to take on the responsibility to keep it at the level so GLWTS.
Very pretty, not seen often car… will need a heater core as it disconnected… and that OEM windshield washer bag so proudly displayed is missing a hose to the firewall pump…
Fairly minor stuff to deal with, as this is a nice complete Mercury.
A friend of mine had this almost exact car in High School in1980 . It was a 300 dollar used car back then…
A breezeway with the window down, glasspacks, and a summer night.
Can’t beat that.
This example is about twice as nice as I would be comfortable buying.
I’m happy to answer any questions or provide any additional photos on this fine merc. Its not perfect but damn near. The gentleman who owned it before me probably didnt have a vapor barrier under the concrete in his shop, so there is a slight dusting of rust on the undercarriage, but the rubber in the springs and control arms is in perfect shape.
I ride bikes. I can fit a full sized 58 cm bike in the trunk without removing anything.
Reach out and I’ll be happy to ask and question, or provide any photos.
JR
If you could send photos of the trunk area and any of the underside, I would still be interested in this Merc.
We had one of these, identical except in white, when I was a kid. Cool car, with great interior design details. I recall riding down the back roads in the fall and watching the leaves fly past while looking out the rolled-down breezeway window. You do not want to see the results when they are T-boned though. Mom and sis were lucky to survive. Folded in half like a flip phone.
I always like the idea of the Breezeway rear window. I wonder why it never caught on with other manufacturers?
I’m guessing here , but I’d say it just wasn’t popular with the majority of buyers. Maybe it was a fear of kids flying out, or your hat or anything inside the car, or the fact that it was power and could fail in the down position, or maybe it was looked on as a new gadget and people just weren’t used to the idea of a power rear glass in a car.