Most of us keep wish lists of things that we’d like to do or like to have. Car lists are something that most Barn Finds readers keep and keep editing over the years. This estate find, one-owner 1965 Mercury Park Lane Marauder can be found here on eBay in Clarkston, Washington with a $10,500 buy-it-now price or you can make an offer. Thanks to Larry D. for sending in this tip!
I make lists of things and I’m not sure if anyone younger than maybe 40 or so does that anymore, do they? Trips and other places to go and things to see, favorite movies and tv shows, home remodeling projects that we’d like to do. My car lists are my favorite ones. Being a nerd, I put a date on them and it’s fun to look back to see how my tastes have changed over the years and decades. The 1965 Mercury Park Lane has been on my list for years.
The lines on this car are incredible, and being a two-door hardtop Marauder model makes this one special. It’s also a one-owner rust-free car and that makes it extra special. The second-generation Park Lane was made for the 1964 through 1968 model years and the one-year-only ’65 grille is by far my favorite. This car appears to be in phenomenal condition but there are a few issues with the paint, unfortunately.
The interior is equally gorgeous but as with the exterior paint, it isn’t perfect inside. For the most part, the seats front and rear look like new but there appears to be a little seam split on the driver’s side bottom cushion. That shouldn’t be hard to repair and then you’ll be ready for any car show. Actually, it’s ready now, other than maybe doing a little work inside the trunk. I’d want to treat that surface rust ASAP if not sooner, if there is such a thing. You can see the under-dash AC system which isn’t blowing cold and there’s also an early under-dash 8-track player.
The engine is Mercury’s 390 cubic-inch V8 with a four-barrel carburetor and somewhere over 300 horsepower. They say that there’s a new gas tank and sender, fuel pump, water pump, carb rebuild, and tune-up. It starts right up and runs well. Hagerty is at $15,295 for a #3 good condition car with AC so this could be a good buy. Are there any fans of the 1965 Mercury Park Lane Marauder out there?
Damn handsome coupe. My first city roommate had the four-door version from ’65. “Mariah” was triple black and exuded comfort with the same 390 power.
I’m thinking that this design might have been one Elwood Engel left on the drawing board when he left Ford and went to Chrysler.
Scotty, I too have “lists”, but mine are mostly mental. My favorite list is also my “wish I had this car” list, and I can think back and note how my tastes and preferences have changed over the years. One change is that…. I like full-size models like this Marauder more than I used to. Somehow this model, with its straight-line styling, does not come across as boxy, in fact comes across as stylish. A nice car for the next owner.
I’ve always like the mid-60s (62-66) Mercurys, more than the Fords especially. The Marauder was actually Mercury’s version of the Ford XL, but better looking. This car seems to be a bargain at what they are asking.
Normally I prefer the 65 full-sized Ford…any model, and when it comes to full-sized Mercurys I prefer the 67 and 68, but this car would make me change my mind, it’s a beauty.
Unfortunately, most ” kids ” nowadays aren’t interested in cars like this…or maybe fortunately, because that keeps cars like this reasonable, apparently.
Nice slab side! And I have to agree with you regarding the designs.
Very nice 65, but I have to say my favorite we’re 66 where Mercury offered the 410 and 428 power plant. Had a few 410’s and they propel these big beauties nicely.
I was born in 69 and at the time my folks had a 66 Monterey with the 410. Still remember riding in it standing on the driveshaft hump hanging over the back of the front seats. Smooth car
An NOS example of that red plastic Ford accessory litter basket tucked into the passenger kick panel would set you back 500 bucks easy.
101/2 grand ONO seems like a bargain for this beauty. Better still, there ain’t dozens of them at every show.
Buy it. Drive it. Enjoy it.
I’ll have to see if Dad still has the red plastic litter basket laying around the garage or not. They transferred it from Ford to Ford over the years with some modifications to it. My mom worked at a Ford dealership from the late ’50s until 1969 when I was born and that trash basket was one thing I’m sure she bought while working there. We also had the Ford under-dash flip-out tissue holders and I’m pretty sure she still has the Rotunda dusting rags in the original red cans yet in a drawer at home.
Love this design. And it looks like it might be a great deal on a very clean original.
Many a car on here for the same money (and usually more for that matter) are in far worse condition and made in larger numbers. Dare to be different.
Nice car. GLWTS.
when i was a teen back in the 70s the town sheriff had one of these for his patrol car, Sheriff Amos and his wife would just cruise around town and country side in it, only saw him turn on the lights once
in ’65 my dad, a mechanical engineer, had a brand new Ford Country Sedan wagon with a custom ordered Squire interior. I felt just a little sorry for him when his brother, a “civil service” worker on a military base, came to visit with my cousins in the jump seats of a gorgeous ’65 Mercury Colony Park wagon. There was just no comparison.
I do believe the a/c is after market as I have owned 65 Fomoco products with factory a/c and the vents were built into the dash not hanging below. Nice car though which I would drive with great respectability.
God bless America
Where the phrase “as streamlined as a street brick” came from. But…it’s a good looking car.
I had one of these Mercurys only mine was a 1966. Cool car. I really liked it.
My family had the 66 Park Lane 2dr. hardtop in the same color. I got to pick out the details which were twin slanted retractable rear antennas, wire wheel covers, cornering lights.
It was beautiful but living in Oakland California then It felt sinful to want air conditioning so we didn’t get it. Then my dad was transferred to Florida and traded it on a 59 Ford galaxie 500 XL hardtop with AC and a white top
One of the greatest model names of all time. Anything with the name “Marauder” on it is pretty much guaranteed to be cool.
The Marauders were always Mercury’s luxury hot rod. The last time they were manufactured (in the early 2000s) a rich guy bought enough of them for the Florida Highway Patrol that practically every county had one. They made awesome pursuit vehicles on the interstates.
Auction update: this one ended with “best offer accepted”, whatever that was. Someone got a heck of a car here.