If there was ever a car that tweaked my gizzard, this 1969 Mercury Marauder X-100 is that car. I know, I’m usually a lover of small, often Japanese vehicles, and oddball vintage battery-powered vehicles and other unusual vehicles. But, man, this car! This all-original beauty is listed on Hemmings with an asking price of $6,700 and it’s located in equally-beautiful Salt Lake City, Utah.
I literally have dreams about finding and restoring a car like this. One with all of the parts and pieces still there, but they just need a good going-over. Original is king and this red devil is all original, according to the seller. Plus, are there many other cars out there with a name as cool as a Marauder X-100? I think not. The trunk area should be flat/matte black on the X-100 Marauders and I’d want to restore that back to original spec, but I’m funny that way.
The second-generation Marauder X-100 was new for 1969 and it was no slouch in the performance department with 360 horsepower on tap. Just over 5,600 examples were sold in 1969 and another 2,600 were built for the 1970 model year when they stopped production. The first-generation cars were produced from 1963 to 1965 and they even made a four-door version at that time. For the ’69-’70 models they were just big, beautiful two-door sedans. Jack Lord could only have dreamed about driving a Marauder X-100 on Hawaii Five-0. The Marauder X-100 came with rear fender skirts and the seller says that they come with it, so the missing one on the passenger side must be there somewhere.
The first thing I notice, after seeing if a vehicle is a manual or automatic-equipped car, is if the dash top is cracked. Unfortunately, this one is cracked. Hopefully a new one can be sourced or otherwise restored. Other than that, this interior looks like it could be cleaned up for the most part and would be ready to hit the streets again. The unique U-shaped automatic shifter is a nice touch, in my opinion. It really relates to the aircraft-sounding X-100 name. This car has an aftermarket AC system installed, which is good and bad. Good in that having AC in the summer is usually better than not having it, and bad in that it isn’t a stealth factory unit and there’s that clunky black box hanging from the bottom of the passenger side dash. The back seat looks like it’s never been used but there are no photos showing the front seats so I always assume the worst.
This marauding engine is a 429 cubic-inch V8 with 360 hp. Even though this car weighs about 4,400 pounds that much power will move it along very nicely. The seller says that this car “Runs great–owner can drive off.” I would love to drive this one off and right into our garage – if it would fit. I ran into that problem recently with another giant car so if anyone is interested in this great looking X-100, you’d better make sure to measure your garage first!
Mercury cars are finally getting some love in the market. I did not know Ford ever used a horseshoe shifter. Looks like a good car to take your time with and make it cherry.
These are super cool. This one can be lightly gone over and look great.
Al of the floor shift automatics from Ford from about 1968 up through the ’70s used the horseshoe shifter.
I’ve been wanting one of these for awhile. This one is weird because it doesn’t have ac or power windows and locks. Hard to find and parts are VERY scarce.
I can remember the walk to high school and seeing one of these in someone’s driveway every morning. Fire engine red, matte black…was the highlight of my early morning walk. Until Susan McMaster discovered mini-skirts that is.
Trunk blackout treatment was an optional delete if I remember correctly.
I had forgotten about these big bruisers,very cool styling,
for a big boat,and all the power you would need,unless you
were racing.This car looks very nice,and original….you will
probably have a very hard time finding another in this condition,
all of the Merc only trim appears good and useable.
These were really cool,nice to see one again,also scarce,
iam sure eventually these and other Mercs will be worth more,
since Mercury is sadly a memory now…..
I knew of one like this that was a 390 with a 3 speed manual trans with manual drum brakes, power steering and no A/C. What an oddball that car was!
A great car from time past
We had one of these at (my father`s L-M dealership) the garage. It sat between an Eliminator and a Scout. The `ole man finally got rid of all three. I still dream about these three!
Miguel, I don’t remember ever seeing a horseshoe shifter in the states. My 69 Torino console shifted automatic has a t-style shifter. Maybe the Mexico market had different shifters. You have pointed out a few different specs on other cars recently.
The horseshoe was used on the full sized cars.
Here is a picture of a console from a 1968 Ford XL.
Right, just on the full sized cars. The smaller sporty models such as Mustang, Torino, Cougar, Montego/Cyclone used a T handle shifter for the automatic transmission.
My 68 Ford XL has the exact horse shoe style shifter as this X100, just gold instead of red.
Neighbor had one parked between his garage and some pine trees. Parked when it was still as shiny as my 13 yr old view on life. I could see it from our kitchen table and often dreamed of cruising around in it. Every year it got a little more faded and covered in a few more pine needles. One time many years later I went home to visit and the neighbor had moved and the car was gone and so was my dream. The end.
Anyone who parks a car under trees where the trim and seams and vents and drains can fill with leaves or pine needles, should be SHOT. My brother once bought a 313 Barracuda (or ‘Cuda?) that had been parked like that – he bought it after dark and didn’t notice the 3×5 inch hole rusted through the firewall from all the pine needles that had plugged the vent drain.
Love these and Chyrsler 300 Hurst. Big beautiful cars.
Lot of cash for this. Unless you just want it. I’m sure it’s rare but just doesn’t do anything for me. Too each his own.
i think i could love every bit of this car except the front end.
I had this exact model when I was too young and stupid to realize what I had. Wisconsin winter’s took their toll. Salvaged many parts. Would love to have another. Interested folks should Google the Black Widow Marauder. That is the best one I’ve seen. Mine was the red and flat black.
May the Lord be with ye if ever one of these sails into the side of your aluminum F150…
The vinyl roof negated the Matte Black on the deck lid.Sold mine 2 years ago and have regretted it ever since.
This is what my Marauder looked like. Beautiful.
These have a version of the Magstar wheels as factory equipment. They look very similar to the Magstar wheels found on 1967 Shelby GT500’s, but the flashing or backing plate around the lug nuts is much wider than on the Shelby Magstars.
I’ve got a bunch of parts for these I was hoping to use in a restoration someday, but as this was proves, they’ve moved out of my price range now.
Seeing a beast like this is so refreshing against the nauseatingly monotonous parade of “the usual suspect” muscle era cars and the drones that think they are so unique. Not my bag, in terms of desire to own, but it sure puts a smile on my face seeing something like this.
Very interesting car here, but it is kind of strange to me how much the rear fender skirt can change the look so much. With it the car reminds me a bit of a big Chrysler, without the skirt it comes across like a Pontiac or Buick, but that’s just me. Great looking car either way and rare. The 429 was a gas hog an a half, heavier than the 428 they replaced too.
I would love to have this! Nice find! I would love to pull up next to the latest electric self driving car in this at the stop light!
This is one of my Holy Grail cars. It’s nice to see there are still a few around.
We have a ’70 which was lower production than the ’69. Sure would like to find a set of mag stars. Any thoughts?
A thorough detailing could go a long way here.
Always liked these. Only ever used to see the plain Mauraders which lacked the cool goodies and those gorgeous wheels.
If we’re mine, I’d plan to eventually eliminate the vinyl top and go matte black on the trunk.
The trunk may be original. When ordered new the buyer could choose to delete the black trunk for credit. If indeed this is the original from factory scheme it ought to be left alone (in my opinion when admiring an original ride)
Love it. Dunno know what it is but the overall vibe of this thing is somehow working on me.
Skirts/5-spoke wheels/C-pillar/hidden headlite treatments make it especially attractive to me. Wonder what the original Center Caps were like..
Neighbor had one parked between his garage and some pine trees. Parked when it was still as shiny as my 13 yr old view on life. I could see it from our kitchen table and often dreamed of cruising around in it. Every year it got a little more faded and covered in a few more pine needles. One time many years later, I went home to visit and the neighbor had moved and the car was gone and so was my dream. [muffled sob]
I restored my 69 Marauder X100 a couple of years ago; originally a rust free Nevada car. Mine is loaded with options (pwr windows, cruise, intermittent wipers, AM/FM, tilt, plus console and buckets) and is factory red with red interior.
I am currently working on a frame up restoration. 1970 Merc Marauder, was originally my dads car. Motor grew….I stroked the 429….😆.
Dad passed a couple of years ago so I have not worked on it since, I always wanted to finish and throw him the keys.
Anyway things have slowed down some and time to get back to finishing the last ten percent. Thanks a great article.
Here’s my BarnFind…1969 X-100 that hasn’t been on the road since 1981.
Original Ford keys, signed Owners Manual and original Registration
Only 87000 miles!
Steve that is a beautiful car you have. Always loved these and the CHRYSLER 300 HURST. I’M sure you are very proud to own that beauty. Wonder what happened to the car in the original post.
Thanks SC/RAMBLER!…I’m still working on it and getting ready to show it at the Lone Star Hot Rod Show coming to Austin April 11-14
Just picked up a ’69 X-100 in great shape but any spare parts I can find now instead of when I need them would be a plus.
Just bought a 1969 Mercury Marauder X100 it’s been in storage for 20 years, it was restored in the early 90’s black interior bucket seats console electric windows, locks air cruise 429ci red exterior and matte black rear can’t wait for spring to get running
After reading these comments, I’ve decided to buy the 69 Marauder X-100 my buddy’s elderly mom is selling for the amazing price of $700. It still runs fine and only needs a few things to get it back on the road. Mainly just tires cause it’s been sitting so long. Due to her old age, she would go start it every now and then but didn’t feel comfortable driving it, so she’s gonna finally sell it. Sounds like this $700 will turn out to be one heck of an investment!