Built alongside the Ford Granada, the Mercury Monarch was something of an upscale compact. It was positioned above the Maverick-based Comet and below the mid-sized Montego. The car was in production between 1975-80 with more than 575,000 copies to its credit. This ’76 Monarch coupe would be considered a survivor except that it received a color change some years ago (from brown to white, so probably a good decision). Located in Fairchance, Pennsylvania, you could drive this Mercury home for $6,000 unless the seller accepts a lower offer here on eBay. Our thanks to Tommy T-Tops for this tip!
The Monarch’s name was borrowed from a former product of Ford Canada. Though it shared many of its underpinnings with the Comet, it would be the final evolution of the 1960-1965 Ford Falcon which also spawned the Ford Mustang and Maverick. A step up from the Monarch was the 1977-80 Lincoln Versailles a luxury compact car that wasn’t exactly what buyers were looking for. The Monarch only saw a single generation of production.
We’re told this Monarch is wearing a large assortment of new parts ($5,000 worth), but the seller doesn’t go into details as to what they are. It’s been garage-kept the most of its life and the prior owner often took it to car shows when it resided in Minnesota. It comes across as a solid car, but three colors are present: the white repaint, a brown vinyl half-top, and a black interior. When the Mercury’s color was changed, its emblems were never reinstalled, and the seller says he/she has them.
At 48,000 miles, the Monarch’s original 302 cubic inch V8 is there along with the same automatic transmission it left the factory with. But the 2-barrel carburetor is new. The car has a current inspection sticker and is ready to take a trip almost anywhere. I did a Google search for clubs catering to Monarchs and didn’t find one, so when you take it out for a spin, not too many people are likely to be familiar with it.
Might have to call the family in Pa. Always liked these. The 302 makes it have plenty of the “P” Word.
The picture from the rear shows a white vinyl top🤔
And later model tail lights. No amber turn units.
http://oldcarbrochures.com/static/NA/Mercury/1976%20Mercury/1976%20Mercury%20Bobcat%20Monarch%20Comet/image8.html
’78:https://www.barrett-jackson.com/Events/Event/Details/1978-MERCURY-MONARCH-2-DOOR-SEDAN-132936
Fair price, 43,000 miles… why repaint? I have 80,000 on an ’05 and the paint shines like a two year old car. The paint wasn’t that bad in the ’70s.
Nice car. Be skeptical about the mileage on any odometer that only records up to 99,999.9 before rolling over to zero.
Monarchs never had amber turn units. They were amber reflectors that never lit up. After the 1978 update they went to an all red lens.
Seller says the car was repainted white as it was originally brown. Although he doesn’t indicate it, perhaps the dark vinyl top was changed to white after the repaint and after the vehicle profile pictures were taken. (Considering the confusion caused by the contradicting photos, that would have been a good clarification for him to address in the listing.)
The Granada had two generations, 1975-1980 and 1981-1982. The Monarch became the Cougar in 1981.
Is that one of the rare color-changing landau tops? Like those Barbie dolls that change hair color in cold water?
It looks like someone has put false advertising on the engine The air cleaner cover says it is a 4 bbl carburettor. According to:
https://www.automobile-catalog.com/make/mercury/monarch_1gen/monarch_1gen_2-door_sedan/1976.html
Mercury did not put a 4 bbl carb on the 302 in 76.
$5000 in parts for a car worth $1000…
Monarchs and Grenadas were nothing cars when new, and now they are…nothing cars.
Personally I think the odometer has rolled at least once fairly clear car for its age
What a BUZZ kill ,black walls, black wheels and dog dish hub caps, absolutely not the way to build interest in this car.
Talk about a car you never see or think about anymore…
It’s good someone saved one.
My parents purchased a new Granada in 1976. Dove Gray Ghia model with a 302. Looked a lot better than it ran. Guzzled gas, was gutless, floated like a barge, and was not that quiet inside. When my parents quit driving, I got the Granada. Sold it and bought a used Fiat X1/9.
I like the dog dish and white letter tires.
Just think of the handling improvement after adding those Radial T/As. . . .
The front looks similar to the Aussie GM Holden HG Kingswood …..
My first thought too. Uncanny resemblance
According to the lettering on the gas filler door that car is a Mona_ch, not a Monarch.
They used to make a paint for vinyl tops, don’t know if it’s out there any more. Worked quite well and would turn a old faded top into a good looking top for a couple of years anyway, just so long as it was solid.
Always liked these, Seen a few sleepers in the day
I remember laughing at the TV ads for these when I was a kid. A couple of guys in suits would compare the Monarch to a Mercedes or Jaguar and conclude that it was better. There was also one where the Monarch owner got a parking ticket and the parking cop had written “Mercedes” on the ticket. Comedic gold!