In days gone by, manufacturers would often trade performance for luxury in some of their top-end models. However, Mercury offered buyers in 1969 the Marauder X-100. At more than eighteen feet in overall length, the potential was there for it to be a slow and wallowing barge of a luxury car. The company’s decision to slot something special under the hood gave these personal luxury cars excellent performance. Only a small number rolled off the line, and our feature car is a gem. It presents beautifully and is a turnkey classic seeking a new home. The Marauder is listed for sale here on Barn Finds Classifieds in Hazlet, New Jersey. The seller has set their price at $15,000, representing a lot of metal and power for the buyer’s money.

The 1969 Marauder X-100 shared design and styling features from several Ford and Mercury models, which could potentially have proved a disaster. However, rather than producing a “Franken-car,” the company succeeded in rolling out a vehicle with genuine style and presence. From its concealed headlamps to its Tunnel Roof, the car looks as low and sleek as buyers might have rightfully expected from a personal luxury car that had the Ford Thunderbird and Buick Riviera firmly within its gunsights. This X-100 presents beautifully in factory Code B Maroon with Matte Black on the rear deck. The seller indicates that the paint is relatively new and has a beautiful depth of color and shine. The panels are laser straight, and the fender skirts add to the car’s sleek appearance. The trim sparkles nicely, the glass is crystal clear, and the factory Kelsey-Hayes wheels look excellent. There’s no doubt that this classic would attract plenty of admiring glances and comments wherever it goes.

The Marauder’s interior offers occupants what appears to be acres of space, allowing everyone to stretch out in total comfort. They sink back into seats upholstered in supple leather, while the X-100 also features air conditioning, an AM radio, splashes of faux woodgrain trim, and a rim-blow wheel. The interior presentation is above average for a vehicle of this type and age. The seats sport the wrinkles that are part of the character of aging leather, but there is no physical damage visible. The remaining upholstered surfaces are similar, while the woodgrain trim shows no signs of fading or lifting. There may be a crack in the dash pad, but if there is, it is small enough that repair may prove a viable and affordable option. There are no visible aftermarket additions and no other issues requiring attention.

The base Marauder rolled off the line with Ford’s 390ci V8 under the hood, and while it offered respectable performance, Mercury didn’t perceive it as the right option for the X-100 and its more sporting leanings. That is especially true when considering that the car tips the scales at a not inconsiderable 4,191lbs. Therefore, every X-100 features the company’s 429ci V8 that produces 360hp. However, the motor’s outright power isn’t its strong suit, but it is the enormous amount of torque available to the driver that defines these classics. The engine churns out 480 ft/lbs at a mere 2,800 rpm, which is nearly enough to rotate the earth on its axis if the pedal meets the metal. It also blesses the car with the ability to storm the ¼ mile in 15.3 seconds, which remains impressive today, considering its size and weight. The seller indicates that the Mercury rolls on new tires and is in excellent mechanical health. It starts easily, runs well, and is a great driver. With the best of summer’s weather still on offer, spending a few weekends of relaxed touring behind the wheel of this classic sounds tempting.

This 1969 Mercury Marauder X-100 is an excellent option for an enthusiast seeking their first classic. It is especially true if they have a growing family because the X-100 offers enough leg and headroom for teenagers who may be cramped in other vehicles. It presents well, and is ready to be driven and enjoyed. If relative rarity is a consideration, the Marauder X-100 covers that base. While the company produced 14,666 examples of the Marauder during that model year, a mere 5,635 were the X-100 variant. It isn’t clear how many have survived after more than five decades, but the chances are the new owner won’t find themselves parked beside an identical classic at the next Cars & Coffee. Those factors combine to make this gem worth a closer look.