In the late 1960s/early 1970s, the Montego was Mercury’s version of Ford’s mid-size Torino. And, within the Montego lineup, the MX was a step up in trim compared to the base model. This sweet station wagon has been in the same family since it was new and has been well-kept, plus the 351 cubic inch V8 wears a handsome amount of bling. It’s being offered in Vancouver, Washington, and is available here on Facebook Marketplace for $18,995 (thanks, Blake W, for the tip!).
The Montego nameplate first appeared in 1968 for U.S.-built Mercurys, borrowed from Montego Bay in Jamaica. First-generation Montego’s were produced through 1971, including a significant restyle in 1970. That included a long hood with a forward-pointed nose that made the front end of the Montego one of the most distinctive of the era. Production numbers for the Montego MX wagon like this one were fairly low at about 3,700 units.
Few photos accompany the listing for this Mercury, but it looks sharp from what we can tell. We’re told the wagon has traveled 130,000 miles, which doesn’t show in terms of the paint or interior. The seller says the latter has been reworked, but nothing is said of the former. There is no rust, and we assume there never has been any. The engine bay looks tidy and no mention is made of modifications other than a dual side-exit exhaust.
One of the options on this wagon was the rear-facing third seat, something that was popular with these types of vehicles in the 1960s and 1970s. Who doesn’t remember pulling up to one of these at the traffic light and having some kids wave back at you? We’re told the Mercury is currently in Arizona and won’t arrive in Washington until later in the month (vacation, relocation?). I haven’t seen one of these Montego’s in years – what about you?
I used to see Torino wagons, but never the Mercury counterpart. This rare wagon looks like an excellent example.
I am a car nut and don’t ever remember seeing one.
I wonder if car insur companies wisened up & raised collision rate coverage cost on cars with “beaks”.
As stated,I’ve never seen one of these wagons. Unique car and color.
Sigh. Memory lane.
Did my drivers test in my mom’s ’64 Beetle with the autostick transmission. Took my date to the movies that evening in the family Montego wagon that evening. I’m not sure I was ready for the big car as my date expressed some concern as I clipped the curb pulling up to her house.
Her father let her out of the house with you driving that?
Mom’s Beetle had to have been a 1968 or newer. That was the first year Volkswagen offered the Autostick option.
Welcome to getting old. It’s a long, strange trip down Memory Lane. ;)
I wonder how many of the 3700 of these Merc’s are still around? Got to be only a handful. I can’t remember ever having seen one in the wild. And I owned a ’70 MX Bro’Ham. So I always was keen to spot a Montego on the road. Beautiful car!
I know of one that spent its last moments of driving in a demo derby back in the late 80s….
An example of how these wheels, often with white letter tires, can dress up most any car of this era. Even an otherwise bread and butter green/green (but rarely seen) Montego wagon. I like it.
The reproduction magnum 500’s look great, but are cheap Chinese garbage. I had a set on a Ranchero that was parked outside in a non humid part of California and they started to rust within 6 months, the caps took a little longer. They are also becoming played out, just like polished Torque Thrusts did 15-20 years ago. There are lots of wheel options available, both new and used that will look good and set the car apart.
Steve R
I would think & hope it rained on occasion & got humid temporarily there in Calf. I could just imagine what your repros would look like after being parked outside in humid Florida for 6 months! Even worse, if the repros rusted INSIDE A CALIF GARAGE! lol
On the other hand, all mechanical fuel pump exterior nice shiny housings(at least for GM strait 6 cyl ones – delco & various name manuf replacements) all discolored badly after a mere 6 months parked outside – wherever it rained occasionally – meaning got humid. & the pump was not rained or water splashed on either.
Yeah, the modern reproductions will rust from just sitting in the garage. You’ve to consistently polish them and apply wax and even then, it does not take long to get surface rust forming. Crazy how poorly chromed they are. I have a set of Olds SSI wheels (same thing as M500) that were purchased from Coker back in the late 1990’s, and despite being used off and on for many thousands of miles, they still look like new. Of course they were made in the states back then. Big difference in quality for sure.
If I had won the lottery it would be mine while it’s still here in Arizona.
The veritable unicorn. Looks nice in green with the wheels and tint. Bonus: air! The show goers will think you swapped the front onto a Torino.
And, from what’s visible, it looks like it’s the Cleveland engine. Another strong selling point.
These look great with hidden headlights, ghastly without. In 1970, hidden headlamps were standard on the Montego MX, MX Villager, and Cyclone GT.
They were optional on the other Cyclones. For 1971, only the Cyclones could have hidden headlamps. A family on the next block had a black, 1970 Montego MX Villager with discreet little 429 emblems on the fenders. I remember thinking how much cooler it looked than my family’s 1965 Impala wagon. I had no idea how special it was.
A ’68 Chevy Caprice wagon with the ultra rare hidden headlights option, & any ’72 Dodge Monaco wagon both have just as cool front ends!
Google them.& their 2 door coupe siblings.
AZ tags expired 2 years ago on the car.
A guy one street over has Alaska plates,he hasn’t been back there 8 years.
I can see a couple of mechanical modifications. most obvious the air filter what is underneath for a carb? Next is newer AC Compressor and it looks like a Ford electronic distributor. Nothing wrong with these modifications. If I had a few extra $$$ burning a hole in my pocket, I would be taking a trip across the CREEK (aka Columbia River) for a good look. Better than a new SUV.
Poor fella with the Vista Cruiser at show and shine.
His face fell when this thing showed up
I bought my 1st car at the age of 14, 70 Mercury Cyclone GT. Of course that beek was easy to spot and I only remember seeing a couple of wagons on the road. There was a long bolt that came up through the top of the grill with a washer and a wing nut, if you push it back the grill would hinge up out of the way. This was done in order to pass the headlight test for state inspection back in the day.