The Montclair was Mercury’s mid-range full-size product sandwiched between the Monterey and Parklane in 1965. The 4-door sedan, like the seller’s example, came with the “Breezeway” rear window which meant the glass was lowered and raised by the flick of a switch. Located in Aurora, Colorado, this vehicle looks to be in decent shape, though needing work after being off the road for six years. For $3,500 you can tow it home, finding details here on craigslist. Mike F. found this interesting tip for us.
Mercury may have chosen to name this car after the city with that moniker in New Jersey. But that may be lore since the Mercury Division has been dead for 15 years to verify. These Mercs used a square-sided body in 1965 and 1966 that reminds me of the possessed automobile in the 1977 James Brolin flick, The Car (who remembers that one?). We suspect the engine under the hood here is a 410 cubic inch V8, similar to Ford’s 390. The engine and automatic transmission haven’t been used since 2019.
The body and paint look fair and there is no mention of rust though it looks like the machine lives outdoors. The odometer reads just under 74,000 miles, but the seller says it rolled over some time back. There may be issues with the title, so the Mercury is being sold on a bill of sale, the same way the seller bought it. Maybe you can get that straightened out since it looks too nice to be a parts car. This was one of about 20,000 4-door pillared sedans produced in 1965.
It looks like a decent $3500 (offer $2850) fixer-upper Breezeway Merc.
I can’t imagine it has 174K on the odometer. 74K seems a bit light, but I’d believe that over 174. I’d scoop this up if it were closer; shipping costs a lot!
Correct me if I’m right, but the 410 in the Mercury was a one-year offering in 1966. I remember looking at a white ’65 Monterey waaayyy back, it had a 390. Also, ’65 was the last year for the Breezeway. Safety concerns axed it (little kids or dogs crawling out the back and falling onto the freeway) so in 1966 the big Mercs got a handsome new roof. Also, the Mercury name may have disappeared 15 years ago, but the cars lost their uniqueness by the mid 70s, most being redecorated Fords.
Actually, the reverse slope breezeway roof remained an option for 1966. When the car was reskinned in 1967 the breezeway option kept the normal roofline and the rear window came down about 2 inches. It was kept up through the 68 model year but Mercury also had a flow through ventilation set up going by then. 1968 was the last year. Mercury and Continental played around wit the concept from 1957 through 1960 previously. It was an interesting idea then as air conditioning when available was expensive and everyone smoked everywhere then. It never caught on, though.
The 410 was a two year offering in 1966-67 and consisted of the base bore of the 390 with the longer stroke crank from the 428 for improved low end torque.
Yeah I also thought that the 410 was one year only offered in either 66 or 67. Probably this one has the FE 390. Good price for someone wanting a 4 door sedan,and I don’t mind 4 doors as long as it’s a hardtop.
Breezeways are cool. Never understood the panic over Junior falling out of the rear window, across the trunk, and onto the freeway. What about rolling down the door window, or opening the door? 🤷♂️
Just FYI: 410 is a 390 with a 428 rotating assembly.
possible title issues it sounds from the description could be a problem. why not put the caps back on the wheels and church it up a bit. cool color combo