Well, Pat L has done it again—found us a car with just enough intrigue to be beyond the usual, “I’ll bid on that” status. This one’s a 1968 Mercury Montego, available here on craigslist, with an asking price of $4,000. It’s living in the Bakersfield, CA area, so if you’re from the east, figure in a bit transit bill to get it to where you are. But if you’re local, think of the possibilities—tune it up and let it go. Grow a mullet. Bakersfield is that kind of town.
There are some operative facts you need to know. First, the Montego has back fees due on it that will demand $800 to clear up, so factor that into your offer. Second, the original ad said that the images you see are from when the seller got the car. It gave no indication of how long ago that was, and don’t assume until you know. That seems to have been resolved now, but the images are mostly detailing the flaws, namely rusty spots and bad paint. Does the fact that the car is pictured with a tow strap attached to the front bumper scare you at all? It might well should, added to the fact that the seller says he’s driven it only once and that it needs some “fine tuning.” His idea was to drop a 532-CID engine between the shock towers. You buying the car will save that from happening. It apparently has a 302, but there’s no claim as to that mill’s originality. Nor is there any indication of the history of the car. Is any of that recoverable? Do we even know whether the car is a base or an MX? Maybe your way to add value to this car is to discover more about it, and restore it that way.
The Montego, with its funny concave nose, isn’t for everyone, but if you buy this car, what would you do with it? You can’t answer “nothing,” because let’s be real—a brown Mercury Montego with a rusty body and 70s high-school wheels (I can just hear the comments now) isn’t exactly something to preserve. So it’s have at it.
I’d find a color like Candy Apple Red, or maybe Wimbledon White, that complemented the black interior. Alongside that, I’d have to figure out what to do with the vinyl top. Replace it? What color? Then I’d put dog dish hubcaps on it, the kind my dad had on his 1971 Ford Wagon. Get rid of that hood scoop. All of this would move the car away from the near-Duke-boys (I know that wasn’t a Ford product) appearance it has now and make it into the mid-sized cruise-mobile it was intended to be. Starting with a $4000 price tag, this might just be achievable.
Those back fees only apply if you register it in California.
If an out-of-state buyer gets it,they won’t have to pay them when
they register it in another state.
Got a console!<
I’d like to see Brian K purchases this car and put his money where his mouth is.
Oh, I HATE following people like “Dave”, that have nothing good to say. Give me the business, and leave the authors alone( 10th notice) All I can figure, is you are one unhappy, possibly wealthy person. Odd, a commentor named “snotty” has a cordial response.
Okay then, moving on, I think what the seller meant is they planned on dropping a 352 big block, and the not sure what “don’t look right”, maybe the 10 million miles? The Montego was just a step above the Torino, like all Mercurys. Folks on a budget got the Torino, folks a little higher in the company,drove Montegos. I read, in some cases, the Montego ($2682) was less than the Torino( $2772), but most Montego buyers loaded them to the hilt, as shown here. Priced right, for once, 302 does okay, and GUARANTEED, not another one like it. Very cool find.
lol!
I’m not on Barn Finds every day like I used to be (for some reason I am on here more when I am drinking lol), so I haven’t noticed Dave’s comments much. You all know when I see people making constant rude, condescending comments, I sometimes get rude with them. I’m not sure why, I just don’t like bullies.
I’ll be watching, but really…what can I do? In person, a lot. But from here I am a keyboard warrior lol.
As for the car, it is really cool!
I like the colors, although normally in my mind brown & black shouldn’t be on the same surface.
Buckets & console? Sweet!
Rare? He’ll yes! Big plus!
Rusty? A bit, but I am in Wisconsin…I am used to that lol.
The price? Cheap for what it is. Part it out & it is worth more.
I would keep the color and rims , get it running and drive it. Cheap enough
Leave the commenters alone Howard doesn’t everyone get there say??
I want to apologize for telling you to “shut up” way back, that was uncalled for. Yes and no. Apparently, I’m the BFs “punching bag”, and most seem to single me out for MY views. I was raised, one should be polite and cordial and opinions can be expressed without making someone feel stupid.
For example, “Dave” seems to think it’s his job to call out the author as if “his” money couldn’t buy this. The post has nothing to do about the car, just has to get a couple words in, usually derogatory. I’m here for a different reason, I actually enjoy the site, and the authors renditions. My gripe is, with comments like “Daves”, it’s turning into a Facebook related deal, bound to happen in a unmoderated forum like this.
You have a lot of views and you feel the urge to tell the world every single one.
He also has a lot of knowledge about the more obscure that we see here, and I for one welcome that kind of experience regardless whether we all agree with each others opinions or not-hence the right to express one’s opinions in this forum and especially this country.
Carry on, Howard-I don’t always agree with everything you say, but in this forum we should all agree to have the right to disagree.
Okay, now I’m done. Anyone wanna buy a soapbox??
I’m in agreement with Connecticut mark. Not everything needs to be modernized and sent to Barrett Jackson. As for the highschool rims. I just bought an entire Torino to get those rims for my 70 Ranchero. Just saying.
Much much prefer these rims over the hideous cheap crap look of dog dish. I believe my English friends would refer to them as a dog’s breakfast lol.
I had a 69 MX and the 302 2bl was an absolute beast of a car. Had a lot of fun racing this car sleeper for sure. Thru a rod on Hempstead Tpk NY. And away she went.
It has lien paperwork which could be mechanic’s lien or storage lien (tow yard) not a big deal!
J&SDRPG. special. You get what you pay for. the fact that this one has a lein means whoever buys it pays off the lien before moving it. Local or out of state make no difference.
Sorry, Howard, think you missed on this one. 532 = poked & stroked 460.
https://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=ford+532&docid=608053338253241627&mid=5D5E8BE27C22928CA2625D5E8BE27C22928CA262&view=detail&FORM=VIRE
Thanks, man, I just figured a typo, 532, 352,,you know.
I learned something new.
That WOULD be fun lol!
I always wondered why they didn’t resurrect the Meteor name for this car as that was the midsize model for 62-63… Maybe to avoid confusion with Canadian Meteor?
I always considered those wheels and a jacked rear end to be more Starsky & Hutch than Dukes. Regardless, they’ve got to go.
It has always baffled me why people think look down on Mercury when it was an up scale from Ford. It seems to be the same with Pontiac it was a definite up scale from Chevrolet. This Merc was nicely optioned with a console. It would make a very nice cruiser. The seller says he had a 532 I believe that Howard is right in thinking he meant 352. While the 352 was a good reliable engine they were not known for performance.
I agree!! Certainly no different then the relationship between Plymouth and Dodge…
A lien sale means that a lien was completed, anybody that might of had interest in the car did not step up and pay off any storage or labor. The problem that I found when I talked to the DMV in AZ. they wanted a title in my name before they would transfer it. Maybe you could get a CA. title without getting up to date license plates but I’m sure that they would want a big fee… I would love to have this old girl, build a 347, 411 gears and get a AOD tranny…
Dog dish hubcaps…..seriously. lol
This could be a really nice car and it’s kind of rare.
Wonder if the next owner will add sidepipes?
Hope not.
Nice car. Deal with paint issues, lose the whitewalls, warm over the 302, and go. The only thing that don’t look right is your grammar.
Montego MX – would be cool to take this one. media blast it, fix any issues and then go with a color that complements the interior. Keep the 302, rebuild it with a good mild cam and a 500 or 650 carb. Would be a sweet ride that you do not see every day. I’d be tempted to retrofit a Fairlane dash because the four round bins just look cooler.
Had one of these as a winter beater. Loved the car, just it had been on too many salty roads and tin worm was eating it up. Think MX was the fancy one which mine was not. Did have the 302 and always started. Quick story, knew it was my winter car. Saw it on the back of a car lot where I worked that day. Test dove it during lunch and asked if I could put it in the lift of a station across the street. Sure, well u joints shot, exhaust was in need of a pipe, and brakes needed work up front. Rotor was getting eaten up as pads shot. All of a sudden the car starts cranking on the lift, we lowered the car and it’s cranking, so I took the keys across the street, told the salesman the car was across the street doing strange things. I would give them 200 bucks gave him my number. He said nope and then called me that night. Drove it home next night maybe 15 miles very carefully. Made the repairs and sold it that spring for 500 bucks. Win win…..
The color and top are what make this car. Perfect example of the era. Gotta love Howard’s crystal ball too.
Don’t be hatin’ on the ET slotted mags. Back in the ’70’s that and SS Cragars were the go to rims. I’d love to have a set today.
I’d buy this thing if I lived locally, and could actually see the lien in person. There’s no way in Hades I’d ever do anything over the interweb with a seller like this.