How many of you see a Mercury Montego and think, let’s go racing! Well, the Wood brothers thought exactly that in the 1970s, when with Holman-Moody they built one of the most famous NASCAR racers of all time, the Purolator #21. David Pearson drove #21 to victory many a time for Wood Brothers Racing. While this 1972 Montego sedan isn’t anywhere near the animal that brought home trophies, it’s tidy and cheap. The Montego was billed as the “personal-sized car with the big-car ride”, and it was named 1972 Car of the Year by Road Test magazine. Find it here on facebook Marketplace, with an asking price of $3750; the seller will also entertain certain trades. The tip came to us courtesy of Ted, and the car is located in Columbus, Ohio.
The second generation Montego was launched in 1972, when Ford moved away from unibody construction back to body-on-frame for its mid-sized cars. Frame construction allowed for weight savings and though it sacrificed interior space, it was deemed satisfactory for Ford’s downsizing endeavors. Ford split its chassis size according to body style: in 1972, the four-door sedan sat on a 118″ wheelbase, while the coupe rang in at 114″. A variety of engines were offered; this one is a 160 hp 351 Windsor V8 paired with a three-speed automatic. The seller replaced the fuel and accelerator pumps, and cleaned out the carb. He reports that it runs and shifts fine, but the brakes are shot and the tires are old bias plys.
We don’t know where this car has been all its life, but the interior is exceptional – the big gauges are clean, the upholstery is unblemished, the trim is bright. If I have a nit to pick: I don’t like the loose wiring under the instrument panel. The Montego was Mercury’s “personal luxury” entry, with the long hood/short deck styling of a muscle car. This car comes from the first year of the second generation, when a restyling pruned the front-end “beak” to a less extreme perimeter.
The seller notes a spot or two of rot on the fenders (I think I see a bubble on the high point of the driver’s side rear wheel arch) and surface rust on the frame. Meanwhile Mercury Montego sedan prices are in the basement, while the GT and convertible sell comfortably in the low five figures. Granted, this example will need some work but it could be brought to driving condition fairly easily; do you think it’s worth the asking price?
Thanks for the cool links Michelle. Pearson was a favorite. 🐺🏁
I just read Mike Hembree’s Petty vs. Pearson: The Rivalry that Shaped NASCAR, Stan. It was a pretty decent book if you like NASCAR history.
Michelle, great article and I’m going to second what Stan said about the link you posted. What a great photo of David Pearson side by side with Richard Petty. Those were some great years and time period!!!This old Montego is in fantastic condition unfortunately so many great cars were used up and scrapped when no longer financially worth it to repair them.
$3750? Hell yeah! But it’s a more door, but it’s in Columbus, a one tank trip for me. It’s got AC too, working or not. Just for the record though, body on frame was heavier. So why Ford chose to go backwards especially during a time of rising fuel prices, I don’t know.
The car was designed before fuel prices started rising, that didn’t kick in until late-1973.
Steve R
Reasonable price for an old family car in really nice shape. My parents had a 74 with the 302. It was underpowered, and lasted a long time for a neglected family car with 3 rambunctious kids. I hope it finds a good home.
Probably reasonable, I don’t do 4-doors. Maybe if I was a Uber driver.
How much money are you going to make as an Uber Driver at 12 miles per gallon?
Looks to be in good shape. Someone took care of it, for decades. Cheap. Cool 1972 Ohio plates.
I drove our family 1972 Gran Torino four door back in the day (essentially the same car). I can recall how they drove: smooth, quiet, and comfortable, but it drove “big”, if you know what I mean.
Looks a lot like the car Charles Bronson drove in the movie “The Mechanic”
This was the ‘70s as they really were, four doors and all. As much as I love that elusive ‘72 Montego GT, I’m kinda over the two doors is the only way to go mindset. In my opinion, many more doors are better proportioned than coupes.
I can still hear the warbly hissing off the belt driven accesories. Like it’s whispering celery, celery, celery. Under acceleration it turning into a wheezy wail.
This needs a “have you hugged your kid today” bumper sticker or one those “Love” vanity plates with the big L and a pink rose.
I like it, four doors and all. I’ve been a big fan of the ’72 Gran Torino Sport for a long time and the Montego is right up there with it. I could see myself and the Mrs taking this to get the groceries running the A/C. If I could ever find a Montego GT with front end damage I’d use this front clip, just need the hood with the scoops. This is a nice car worth the 3700.