PRA4SNW offers us this tip on a 1975 Mercury Monarch two-door coupe. The car is on craigslist as shown here, for what appears to be the bargain price of $3200. How much better deal would you need to get out to Albuquerque, NM and have a go at it? You might be even more tempted by a 22,000 original miles claim, and the statement that the car was “owned by a little old lady from Rio Rancho and sold at auction when she could no longer drive.” Supporting that claim is the fact that the car is essentially as-factory inside and out. It has the original Landau top. The interior looks, per the seller, like nobody has ever sat in it. So all’s a go, right?
Not so fast. The old lady didn’t drive this car much, but she sure used it up in some measures. The car is described this way (and we thank the seller for his honesty): “If you are looking for something to drive immediately, this is not it.” Why so? Because the transmission doesn’t shift properly despite having been rebuilt. Other mechanicals have been tended to, with a long list of repairs provided in the ad, including the shocks, alternator, water pump, starter, and more. Is this all the result of sitting, or how did nearly every mechanical system come in for attention? Maybe the seller is right in his suggestion that this car is a candidate to be turned into an “Old School Cruiser” or even a “Lowrider.” But then why did he take all the effort to replace so many parts? Perhaps his statement, “My loss and your gain,” is a true sign of giving up?
Maybe forget the Lowrider idea and just get this car to drive. Luxe touches include the already-mentioned Landau top (note the opera windows), full wheel covers with bright red centers, double side-spear moldings (Factory? Dealer add-ons? Let’s hear from the experts on that) and plush seating. There’s also a floor-mounted shifter and interior wood-grain accents. Oh, Mabel was styling in that weekly trip to Albertson’s for groceries. And if you jump in as next up, you’d be driving an original-year Monarch. Ford made this model from the 1975-80 model years, with the Mercury version called the Monarch and the Ford the Granada.
For some, one downside would be that this one has a six-cylinder. That might disappoint if the reason you’re buying this Mercury is that you never had a chance to have an old-school V8 under the command of your gas pedal foot in the old days. Still, nothing wrong with the Ford 250-CID inline six at all, though there’s a worryingly long list of what’s been done regarding the carb, headers, and electronics, as suggested above. Seems like someone just couldn’t leave well enough alone. The question to answer before making the all-important phone call, then, is where on the graph the line representing your cash investment intersects with the one that represents what you could get back if you, too, come to need space in your garage?
Why would you suggest lowrider? You are a silly person..have a cuppa tea and relax..leave it alone :P
The chrome valve cover and open element air cleaner must have reduced the quarter mile ET by a couple of seconds!!!
$700 car
$.07 comment.
Bit steep.
Try your $ 700.00 bid and see how that works for you .
Another Phorgettable Ford (and I like Fords). My brother had one of these and I borrowed it to take on a short trip while my car was in the shop. It was a completely underwhelming experience. He thought that it rocked. He’s considerably older than me. Go figure…
It’s not necessarily a rare car so dropping a built 351 Windsor and a T5 in it would be great stoplight bait…
And it has buckets!
I guess it depends on what you’re looking for, if you want that ride to shake up a can of paint then I guess lowrider but if you want a comfortable ride then leave it alone, personally I don’t think this car would look good lowered.
Rip out the slush box for a 5-speed (every car should be a manual), and let your imagination run wild with engine and suspension options.
I’d do a stroker 331 or maybe a 3.5 ecoboost.
I had a 78 Granada ESS 6cyl with a 4spd stick. My dad had bought it brand new and when he gave it to me in 86, it had 210k, I drove it to 270, for my work car. Changed the clutch once. No muscle car, but a good long driver
Swap out the front K member and drop a 302 in with a fresh transmission. Something in the 250 hp range. Keep the A/C and enjoy the ride. Always liked these shoe box cars.
Turbo LS =Fast Ford
Lowriders are an abomination to the automotive hobby.
A little old lady and that engine bay. Eeeuuhh don’t match unless her 50 something son on a youth kick did that to moms car. I would have left it stock and done a nice detailing. Aside that its a classic mid size with a few luxury touches and its nice.
Well enough alone? My buddy had a 1977 Monarch with the 250 six. it was literally the slowest car I think I have ever experienced! It was the butt of jokes in our circle and it was really hilarious.
And his had the more “powerful” 86 horse version. It made 70 horsepower in ’75, and Automobile_Catalog has 0 to 60 at 22.7 seconds.
I cannot describe you how slow this feels. Iti literally doesn’t feel like you’re even accelerating. In modern traffic, I think this would be terrifying.
So i see why they modded it. It’s a safety issue! I just hope that carburetor, air cleaner and tune items added some serious power.
The little old lady would no of been old 40years ago,use your noggin.
The most Iacocca of all the Iacocca-mobiles. Unlike the others which were aimed either at his own age group (LTD, Mark III, both Imperial revivals) or to meet the leading edge of the Baby Boom (Mustang, T115 minivans) Lido went for both with this one.
The Granarch was a car someone born in 1946-50 could feel like a real grownup driving in 1975, and something their empty-nest parents could trade out of a Big Car into without the neighbors thinking they were economizing out of necessity.
Way too much 1960 Falcon under the skin, the competition had moved on – the Chevy Nova and its’ badge-engineered brethren were four-door Camaros, the Dart-Valiant’s ruggedness was legendary and even the Aspen-Volare were better once their considerable bugs were worked out.
What are you smokin?
Seen a few pro street ,but just low rider no friggin way.
Had these 250 cid engines in the Australian Falcons, with extractors and a twin exhaust they put out an excellent exhaust note, nearly like a v8.
The valiant had a 265 cid 6 cylinder that never did sound anywhere near as good with the same setup
My dad bought a new 1973 Ford Torino with the 6 cylinder 250 cubic inch engine. I inherited the car from him in 1979. I never did any exhaust modifications to it, but as far as power, it was nonexistent.
A bargain for a vehicle that is not rusty, shows well and can be maintained for pennies. Cars like this keep you free of the payment club. If you don’t commute 300 miles a day, cars like this are a no Brainerd. I used an 80s Caprice for years and now it is retired for occasional days and I moved into an 84 Corolla that for less than 400.00 I replaced every suspension part and added a few items the car didn’t have from the bone yard. Next a decent repaint and this will carry me until I get bored and move to another orphan of the daily car club. I would buy it now if it were closer to me as a backup.
I have a 1977 Granada Ghia with the 302 and 39,000 miles. This car generates more interest at car shows than a dozen Mustangs. It’s a rare car that turns a lot of heads. Keep this one stock, drive it around and you’ll see what I mean.
Awhile ago Greg in Texas posted a comment suggesting an in line six BMW or Toyota engine swap into a car, I forget which one, that would have been completely inappropriate. This is not that car. I can see it with an overhead cam six. Oh hell. 302 swap, it’s a Fox body basically.
Not a fox body. Falcon maybe.
Burt, you are correct. The Granada derives its rear-wheel drive chassis from the 1960–1965 Ford Falcon.
I came upon this car at the same time as the mint Aspen that was also featured here a couple of days ago.
Both were obviously competitors of each other back in the day. I’ve never owned either one (Monarch or Aspen), but have driven each. My pick is the Aspen, it just felt more substantial.
When I was in my late teens, my dad worked at Ford. He leased a Monarch. He had the V8 I believe and it was loaded up. Column shift, power seats with all kinds of varying positions. That car was a dream to drive. Performance? No. But it wasn’t meant to be, but it was a smooth driving car and very driver friendly. It was brown.
Watch Power Block on YouTube made a sleeper with one of these: Full Build: Building the Ultimate Sleeper Out of a 1977 Ford Granada.
Rich, I saw that episode on Powernation. It made 500 plus horsepower with nitrous.
I remember the old Ford commercials, “Is it a Granada or a Mercedes. Can you tell the difference from the new Granada ESS and this $20,000 Mercedes 280 SE.” (Commercial from 1977) You can see it on YouTube.
In ’85 I traded ’77 F250, 4×4, 38 monster mudder’s, 7″ lift for 2 cars. Had life change of prenatal appointments for her. 1 was Granada inline 6, 4 speed, 4door, with bench seat. Commuted 130 miles a day. Loved that car. Sorry I moved up to average. When I see 1 for sale always check if it’s the same spec. And yes were hooking to car trailer.
I had a 1975 Granada with the 302, light green. I replaced the rear axle with one from a 1977 Monarch with a better gear ration. It increased the mileage 20 percent. Even back then the Granada would turn heads.
Leave it alone. nothing like original
A/C intact/work?
Do those front seats recline?
Lookin for a early black 4 door one with a black leather interior like in the old Merc mag ad.
Mine was a 4-door with reclining seats. Great car.
Looks like an easy car for the money.
Thought this and the Granada were pretty ugly when they came out. But then my first decade, the 60’s, was all muscle cars and big sedans. These left a lot to be desired both visually and what was federally mandated under the hood.
Fast forward 2020+, not bad for the money. And with some creativity I’m sure you can get some decent ponies out of that straight six. Visually, not so bad as back then, especially compared to all the jelly beans available now.
Strip the vinyl top, I’ve always hated them, and uncluttered some of the ‘luxury’ trim inside and out and you could have a real nice daily driver. Without spending a ton of money. Not to mention no computerization anywhere!
Nice.
I am not a big fan of vinyl tops either, but this one is in good shape and shows no signs of rust underneath. I think it will stay. I have a 69 Cougar XR7 with a black vinyl top that also will stay. However my 67 Mustang has already lost it’s vinyl top. It now sports a Wimbledon white paint with blue Shelby stripes. You do what you gotta do.
Good luck with the Monarch. Personally I’d hop up that 6 in-a-line that’s already in there. But a little ford v-8 will be an easy up grade. W351?
Might I suggest a 4speed stick? For the enhanced driving pleasure of course.
It’s perspective. I have always thought that these are absolutely beautiful. No squared headlights though. If you want 0 to 60 times get a gt500. Drive the I6 and enjoy the ride. Don’t worry, you’ll get there.
Bite your tongue young man. Let this car be! Just 2 or 3 model years later this car got twin opera windows according to the old car brochures. Slap a pierce of trim down the middle of that tiny window and, wah lah, it magically becomes an opera twindow. I was a kid in this era and will never understand the must have and love of opera windows and opera lamps on Buicks, Olds, and Caddys, tacky, tacky, tacky. I must admit I loved the tu-tone effect given to cars with a contrasting vinyl roof or landau roof. When I watch old episodes of CHIPS, I’m blown away by the colors of cars on the highway
Lowrider or leave it alone? These cars were terrible when new. So slow as to be nearly dangerous, and no handling whatsoever. How about buy it, drive it until it dies, then junk it?
It’s a Ford. That should answer all the questions involving all the mechanical repairs involved. I owned one of these pos for a while and was glad to be rid of it.
Bought a ’75 Granada with 302 automatic. Never had any trouble with the car, but wife didn’t want it, she wanted me to get a truck. I later got a ’76 Ford F-100.
Bought it today. 5.8 roller motor and AOD are in it’s future.
Congratulations ! The juvenile haters can , now hold hands and leap into an active volcano !