Vehicle Description
A lot of people like to joke about the dark days of the car
industry in the 1970s, and if you're one of them, please take a
good, long look at this 1976 Mercury Monarch Ghia. With just 8215
original miles (not a misprint), it looks, drives, and feels like a
brand new car. And guess what? It's actually a pretty great
car.
For reasons nobody knows, someone put this Mercury Monarch away for
posterity and it's about as close to new as you'll ever find.
Nobody was saving these cars, but finding one this remarkably well
preserved and with so few miles is always extraordinary. The white
paint shines with that soft gloss that comes from '70s enamel, and
even though it has been polished and sanded and buffed, it still
looks exactly right. Ford threw the Ghia name around a lot, hoping
that an Italian designer's name would add some cachet to their
lineup, and with the vinyl half-roof on this Monarch, it does look
dressed up. Obviously it has never been hit or wrecked and there's
joy in the way the doors close precisely and the way everything
feels virtually new. The chrome shines, the grille is in excellent
shape, the lenses are still brilliant, and even the pinstripes are
crisp and clear, not buffed away. It really is like a brand new
40-year-old car!
The maroon bucket seats were part of the Ghia package and we have
to admit that the interior is a bit more sporting than we expected.
The seats, of course, are in like-new condition, still firm and
comfortable and there are virtually zero scuff marks or creases in
the upholstery. Sure, there's plenty of fake burled walnut and the
very rectangular dash seems basic to us today, but when you slide
behind the wheel and everything moves with precision and feels
fresh, well, your opinion might change. And a Mercury Monarch with
a console and a T-handle shifter is pretty darned cool! This car is
loaded with options and everything seems to work, including ice
cold A/C, an AM/FM radio, those cool warning lights down on the
console, and a digital clock for the passenger. Color-matched floor
mats have been protecting the carpets for years and it appears that
even the spare tire in the trunk is original.
Ford's familiar 302 cubic inch V8 lives under the hood, and it's as
torquey here as it was in the later 5.0s. Ok, not quite that
powerful, but enough that the Monarch feels quick and nimble around
town. It's also incredibly smooth, so much so that you almost can't
feel it at idle. Sounds are muted from beyond the firewall and
you're reminded that luxury in the 1970s was all about isolation,
not involvement. As such, the steering feels smooth and effortless
and the brakes are surprisingly powerful. The 3-speed automatic
transmission shifts almost imperceptibly and it's got tall highway
gears out back that make it an easy cruiser at any speed (although
it looks like long trips were not on this particular car's agenda).
The underside is exactly as it was when it was delivered, with
spotless floors, correct markings, and an exhaust system with a
mellow, quiet tone that's entirely appropriate. Handsome Magnum
500-style wheels make the Monarch look sporty, and they're fitted
with recent 195/75/14 whitewall radials that might only be the
second set of tires this car has ever worn.
Heavily documented with an original build sheet, bill of sale,
title documentation, and a Marti Report, this is a neat find that
will always draw a crowd at shows. Where else can you buy a brand
new car with a V8 for so little cash? Call today!
