There are a lot of 1970s automobiles you don’t see much of anymore, and the Mercury Monarch is one of them. And that’s not because there weren’t many built – to the contrary, more than a half million surfaced between 1975 and 1980. This Monarch is from 1977 and is said to have just 7,250 miles – that was the number when it was listed here on Facebook Marketplace two years ago. Perhaps it sold and the seller forgot to take it down, or it’s still in the barn in Bridgeport, Vermont. The asking price then was $9,900. Our thanks to Dennis House for this low mileage tip.
The Monarch and its Ford counterpart, the Granda, were born in 1975 as upscale compact alternatives to the Comet and Maverick. They would remain together in production for six years. For 1981, the Monarch was discontinued but the Granada was treated to a rework and soldiered on. The first-generation Granada sold more than two million copies, so there were a lot of these badge-variants running around back in the day. We suspect they were considered as disposable as the Comets and Mavericks were, so restoring these cars isn’t likely cost-justified.
Very little history of this automobile is provided, but the seller does say the mileage is documented (how?). For some reason, it found itself parked in a barn for what may have been a long time. The seller doesn’t describe its running condition, only to say the car is “excellent.” But it has managed to have three owners over the past 47 years,
This car has Ford’s 302 cubic inch V8 and an automatic transmission, typical of family sedans of the day. The Monarch was a step up from Granada but a level below that of the similar Lincoln Versailles (which wasn’t considered a success). The green paint looks faded, but the interior appears fine, although the photos are rather dark. If this automobile is still available, would you have an itch for one of these 1970s Mercury’s?
Looks like a very nice Monarch. Like the Granada we reviewed last week, I consider these an example of successful marketing. I especially like the mint green/ dark green colors. Good to see a regular family sedan which has survived and looks to be in great condition.
I always liked the lines on Granada/ Monarch and despite the Lincoln Ver- Sigh I thought these cars gave good value for the money at that time!
And being basically based on the first generation Falcons, A boat load of fisrt generation Mustang upgrades are in the mix! These are a BETTER value NOW even more so than when they were new! (And yeah..you heard that from a Chevy guy!)
Actually in 81, the monarch was discontinued by name only. With the refresh of the granada, it’s mercury twin was the cougar, offered in both 2 and 4 door models, and a wagon for 82 only.
and they were Fox bodied cars in 81 ; near clones of the Fairmont and Zephyr , which were out at the same time
I had a Zephyr 2 door with a floor shift automatic and buckets. Velour interior. Power everything. Really liked that car except it was a 6 cylinder and I was a kid and all about speed. Sure would like to have it today.
Really nice and I’ve always been a fan of the Monarch/Granada but I’m not sure, even with the 302 if it’s worth the asking price. But then you think about how much a “good” daily costs these days and it makes me think twice. It may not be a Lincoln Versailles but they ride pretty close and it looks comfortable. Although, why is it still being advertised? Usually means something is wrong with the title or the car that the seller isn’t providing. Buyer beware.
If I were to buy it, it would be a ‘driver’ and not a trailer queen with low miles. Nothing collectible about these; they’ve just been run into the ground and junked is all. New hoses, belts, fluids, a carb. adjustment if needed and I would drive it every day.
Realize the vast majority of Barn Finds arent meant to be daily drivers. They are collector’s cars/trucks people buy to enjoy in car shows or weekend excursions. You are better off taking that money and buying you a used late model, Fiesta, Escape or Taurus for daily use!!
My oldest brother bought a new 76 Granada. It was not a car for a gravel road. The power steering lines ran under the lower control arm to that goofy slave cylinder. Burnt up several power steering pumps until I figured out a way to run lines straight back beside the motor mount over the cross member and down to the cylinder. Don’t remember what I did but I know I didn’t use lines for a granada to do it. That year 302 was tough, one day I was riding with Gary and he said the gauges was showing that the motor was getting hot, he kept going till the poor thing lost power and quit running, we let it cool off and filled it full of water and it ran fine for several more years. I just knew it had to of cracked a head but nope, it was fine. I never got that lucky with my stuff
Nice looking car, to far away to go check it out and see if it’s worth it.
What is forgotten from the Monarch lineup was the brief appearance of the top of the line Grand Monarch. It had a very short production run until the Versailles appeared. It in turn was directly competing with the Cadillac Seville.
All of them were aiming at the same demographic in the late 1970s of midsize luxury. I seen to recall both the Grand Monarch and Versailles came with 351 V8s as a selling point for speed, power, and reliability despite the gas crisis of the day. Other luxury cars were already using 4s and 6s instead. Cadillac had their V8-6-4 around that time as the penultimate of all three types, though it was problem plagued and gave owners lots of grief.
My Dad bought a Monarch in ‘76, the year I graduated college. Great car (which a friend of mine quickly dubbed ‘Moonrock’). It was metallic blue. Dad had never owned a Mercury before and found he truly liked the car. Seeing this car brought back some great memories. 1976 living in Newport Beach, driving to Laguna Beach in the Mercury, Hollywood Boulevard, Huntington Pier. Haven’t lived there for 50 years, both the Monarch and my Dad are long gone but I do have some good memories.
Like you many memories live on 👍. Now as a Vintage Rolls Canardly (Roll down one hill and Canardly get up the next), Memories light the corners of what’s LEFT of my mind! Thankfully we can recall much better times for the automotive industry. Can’t imagine today’s vehicles 🤮 bringing ANY good memories!
Ah the days of aspirational names! Monarch had been used for Canadian Mercurys. Even Granada had an inviting ring. And the days of Mercury as a full range Marque. Monarch was definitely upscale. But for me, On to VERSAILLES! 🏰. AND WHY that luggage rack? Did anyone ever really use it? Reminds me of faux leather straps on trunk of some 70s Thunderbirds, causing a review calling it Bondage⛓Bird 🐦.
Ver-sigh was a quick answer to the ( great) Cadillac Seville, essentially a rush job! The Ver-sigh was replaced in 82′ with the beautiful ❤️ slope back continental ( My Dream Car) ! In 77′ I would want a Seville, in 82′ A conti!!
Well, my friend, it’s been a while! Hope all is well! Just never could embrace first generation Seville (although really liked earlier full size Seville and subsequent bustle backs). You probably know that in 🤔 56 DeSoto had a coupe using Seville name. GM allowed one year use, but insisted on exclusive use of name. Also liked the bustle back Continental.
The 1st gen Seville was a nice looking car and pretty comfortable for a fancy Nova. The 1st gen was also light years better looking than the second generation that rolled off the showroom floor looking like it had been rear-ended at the factory, but the Continental of the same era had a kind of pre-crashed look too. If memory serves me, I think the original Seville came with rear disc brakes too.
Ad lists it as a ’74, and in “Bridport”. Lotsa things that make you go hmmm here on the surface
* sorry, in the Description it’s listed as a 74
It is called Bridport, VT- Not Bridgeport
No vinyl roof, thank goodness. The equally useless trunk rack sorta makes up for it.
I bought one of these, Mercury Monarch in this very same color. It is called Jade Green. I bought mine with very few options. I had the 6 cylinder engine and standard transmission. At the same time I had a company car that was a Ford Granada that was fully optioned. The Grenada was a brown and did have AC.and a cowboy interior. Loved both these cars for a few years. Never had a mechanical issue with either car.
I talked to the owner of this Mercury as I live near. He said the car has not been started in several years and some of the paint is coming off of the hood because the hood is galvanized. He is willing to negotiate the price.
I am in disagreement with you over the 1976-1979 Cadillac Seville similar to a Nova. The Seville was a car all to itself. It had it’s own frame and body. It did share the engine, 350 with almost the complete GM line up. I had a 1976 Seville in a bight yellow with a yellow leather interior. I had this car in the California desert and the AC was terrific That yellow was very bright and stood out One of GM’s best colors..
Say what you want these are still good looking cars fifty years on. The light green color looks fresh against the jade interior. Another perfectly fine car to roll down the road in. See you on the 2-lane.
A friend had a 1975 Monarch GHIA.
Royal Blue Dark Red Leather Interior and White Vinyl Roof.
We called it the Patriot Mobile
It was a dependable good running vehicle that we did a lot of cruising in.
He put 150,000 miles on it before it literally started falling apart a d went to the junkyard.
First generation Granadas and Monarchs WERE upgrades from their Maverick/Comet brothers. Were the “great” cars? IDK and to be fair they’re ALL just evolved 1960 Ford Falcons. But like the invincible MoPar “B” (and dare I say “R””) body, They always seemed to be around and repackaged for the times. Since these ARE “Falcons” (and thus, first generation Mustangs..) there IS some legit fun one can have with these. An awesome ‘sleeper’ awaits!
I’m gonna buy me a Mercury and move it up and down the road …
If you’ve got the Money 🎵 Why not buy a few 🎶 And while you’re at it 🎵 please buy me one too🎶 Crazy for a Mercury! 👍
I have owned both a Monarch and a Granada. I have to believe that these cars were on a much larger frame over a Comet/Falcon. Much heavier, wider, longer, much better heavier ride. I am sure they were produced at a different assembly plant. At Kelsey Hayes we supplied a heavier brake assembly for these and a larger wheel also.