Vehicle Description
1965 Mercury Parklane Marauder Hardtop
The Mercury Marauder nameplate made its debut in 1963 1/2 as a
model of each of the three Mercury full-size series, including the
Monterey, Monterey Custom, and S-55. For the first time for a
mid-year introduction, the Marauder was introduced as a "19631/2"
model, (as was an entire line of new, "sports" models from Ford in
many of the existing series). All 19631/2 Marauders were "coupes",
in two-door form only. The two-door notchback hardtop coupe was
listed at US$3,650 and 3,863 were manufactured. For model year
1964, the Marauder model was available in the base Monterey trim,
next level Montclair or top of the line Parklane. Marauders were
now available as four-door cars. For 1965, Mercury advertising
emphasized the car's luxury and close relationship with Lincoln.
The Marauder option continued to be offered in the Park Lane,
Montclair, and Monterey series in two- or four-door hardtop body
styles. These models were not promoted and not even mentioned in
dealer brochures. Marauders featured a small emblem on the "C"
pillar to distinguish them from other models. All full-size Mercury
hardtop coupes got the same "slant back" roofline as in the big
Ford, which was basically a more sharply-angled version of the 1964
Marauder roofline. Four-door hardtops got a new formal "limousine"
styled notchback roofline that was shared with Ford's Galaxie
hardtop sedans. Mercury continued to advertise the big-block
FE-series V8s as "Marauder" engines. For the 1966 model year, as
Mercury shifted away from full-size performance vehicles, the
Marauder was replaced by a repackaged S-55.
This 1965 Mercury Parklane Marauder allows you to enjoy a trip back
in time, as you travel down the forever winding PCH, (Pacific Coast
Highway). Presenting nearly as it was assembled, this survivor
Mercury is ready to be enjoyed all the while treating it's
passengers to a glimpse of what things really were like back in
good ole 1965. An important item of note is as this is a good
working example, but does suffer from invasive rust in the frame,
but more on that later. A muscle car in a red tuxedo if you will,
showing 43,000 title verified actual miles on the odometer.
Exterior
Red, Red, Cardinal Red that is, in good condition is the paint
color for this hardtop Parklane, which presents with some chipping,
fading and a few minor rust bubbles down low behind the rear tires.
This finish does retain a nice shine and is a color change from the
original Jamaican Yellow and Onyx. The brite work and chrome
bumpers are all there, correct badging and even the stainless trim
rocker spears and wheel lip moldings are present and accounted for.
All exterior lighting is in very nice original condition. The slab
steel sides, startedthis year, present well with faux vents leading
the way on the front quarters and a Parklane badge bringing up the
tail end of the rear quarters. I really dig the groovy mirrored
cathedral tail lights with their chrome divider bars mounted at the
very end of each rear quarter panel. The cavernous trunk displays
with its original JamaicanYellow finish and there is enough room
for this to be considered a good sized New York City apartment.
Finishing off the outside are 15-inch steel wheels with standard
turbine Mercury covers all wrapped in almost new thin whitewall
radial rubber.
Interior
Originalblack upholstery is seen throughout the passenger
compartment, as well as the carpet which is a low cut pile with
nearly no fading and some minor soiling A split back bench upfront,
and a bench across the rear are all in beautiful crinkle black
vinyl with various tuck and roll stitching in vertical and
horizontal patterns and finished off with decorative emblems in the
backs. In the center of the rear sprawling bench seat is a fold
down armrest. The black leatherette wrapped 2 spoke steering wheel
fronts the factory gauges in their black and brushed aluminum
ribbed housing. A heater and defroster is an option this car has
along with an AM radio and a thin band of dark wood applique
dresses the bottom of the dash. The door panels, in well padded
black vinyl, houses the chrome window cranks and even more cranks
for the wing windows as well as a huge applique insert dressed with
stainless trim, luxury at its finest! Rounding out the interior is
a crack free padded dash topper.
Drivetrain
A lift of the massive hood reveals the original 390 cubic inch V8
gracing the engine bay, and a 4-barrel carburetor is perched on
top. The bay shows with some patina on various surfaces but the big
V8 shines gloriously in all its orange/red painted splendor among
all the supple hoses and wires. Bolted to the back of this mill is
a 3-speed manual transmission with overdrive which sends power way
back to a 3.25 conventional geared Ford 9" rear axle.
Undercarriage
The basement...or undercarriage, shows patinaed underpinnings,
surface rusted dual exhaust and a fairly drip free oil pan and
transmission. The frame and flooring present with the factory
undercoating and a smattering of surface rust on the usual
suspects. We note theframe side rails have been heavily plated
covering what is believed to be invasive rust and on the driver's
frame kick up over the axle shows with heavy invasive rust for the
frame. The suspension is independent coil spring suspension up
front and a 3 link and coil springs on the rear, just the way the
engineers designed it. Drum brakes are all around, and this car is
now manual steering equipped, but our consignor has all the
original power steering parts to include with your purchase.
Drive-Ability
As we hop off the lift, and into this car we are in black interior
bliss. Just beautifully done and comfortable. Turn the key and we
are lit and ready to pull down on the dainty 60's design column
shifter. This car cruises nicely, turns well and has easy steering,
has good acceleration, and was a nice ride in the late summer sun
with the windows down. All looking aces for our test drive with all
functions well....functioning.
Overall, this car presents nicely, and mechanically is sound,but is
in need of some repairs or patchwork on the frame. It is a reliable
car with a nifty engine that through the years has stayed very
proper andfairly original. Join the collector car crowd with this
Mercury and show your neighbors and the world that "Mercury speaks
quietly of your good taste".
5Z67Z573267
5-1965
Z-St. Louis, MO Assy Plant
67-Parklane 2 Door Hardtop Fastback
Z-390ci 4bbl V8
573267-Sequential Unit Number
WARRANTY PLATE
BODY 63F-Parklane Marauder 2 Door Hardtop Fastback
COLOR 8A-Jamaican Yellow & Onyx
TRIM 46-Black Vinyl
DATE 27D-April 27th
DSO 17-Washington
AXLE 4-Ford 9" 3.25 Conventional
TRANS 2-3 Speed Manual W/Overdrive
Classic Auto Mall is a 336,000-square foot classic and special
interest automobile showroom, featuring over 850 vehicles for sale
with showroom space for up to 1,000 vehicles. Also, a 400 vehicle
barn find collection is on display. This vehicle is located in our
showroom in Morgantown, Pennsylvania, conveniently located just
1-hour west of Philadelphia on the I-76 Pennsylvania Turnpike. The
website is www.classicautomall.com and our phone number is (888)
227-0914. Please contact us anytime for more information or to come
see the vehicle in person.
