For Sale: 1963 Mercury Monterey in Morgantown, Pennsylvania

1963 Mercury Monterey Custom 2 Door Hardtop

"Beautiful new outlook for big driving pleasure. Be prepared to have Mercury's unique Breezeway styling change your whole viewpoint on motoring. Driver and passengers see better, sit better, feel better, with clear vision in all weather, more headroom, sun protection and a breeze controlled by a power operated rear window. Other standard luxury features include courtesy lights, dual rear seat lights, front and rear armrests with paddle type door handles, electric clock and buck up lights." From the 1963 Mercury sales brochure.

For consignment, a 1963 Mercury Monterey Custom 2 door hardtop showing 39,663 miles, but the true miles are unknown. According to our consignor, and confirmed by data, this was originally a California car. The sales brochure dedicates a full page with an image of a bird taking cover from the rain in the "new Breezeway rear window."

Exterior
With a body like this, color is secondary to the appeal, but this still looks darn good in two stage Sultana White which is heavily accented with stainless trim on every panel, from the edge of the articulated waistline, the parallel spear below, ornamental accents on the rear fenders, window callouts, and a fantastic C-pillar border band complete with helmeted Mercury emblem. The wildly unique rear window cants inward and can be lowered, creating a cove-like space over the flat decklid. The front grille is vertically striated which is mirrored by the light panel in the back, here with some fading black paint but home to fantastic triple lights that include a white reverse lens in the middle. Getting extra close, we note imperfections that include cracks in the paint, chips throughout, some rust color along the drip rail, peeling clear throughout, rust blistering in various places, paint runs, dings in the stainless spear, deplating, rust, or uneven chrome on the bumpers, scratches, and surface rust on the rockers.

Interior
Veering from the original design but still clean and attractive are the red door panels with three layers that include vinyl, cloth, and carpet in horizontal bands. The vinyl and cloth stick around for the split bench and other than some light wear at the derriere, they present in nice condition. Remnants of the original configuration of red vinyl can be seen on the back bench which retains the varying stitch patterns and cabochon ornamentation. A three spoke steering wheel fronts a fantastically 60's dashboard combining a horizontal speedometer with round gauges in a jet-age inspired design. The ribbed mid panel holds many chrome knobs, vent levers, and the AM/FM radio. A sweeping dash pad shows a few cracks and the open floor wears a red carpet that shows some age. The trunk also shows use and a bit of surface rust throughout.

Drivetrain
Under the hood is a 390ci V8 with 300 horsepower, and an Edelbrock 4-barrel carburetor over an Edelbrock intake. It's mated to a Mercury Multi-Drive 3-speed automatic transmission, sending power to the Ford 9" rear with 3.00 gears. The bay presents its driver quality condition and includes Edelbrock finned valve covers. The car has power brakes and power steering.

Undercarriage
Some typical surface rust and metal oxidation are found on this otherwise simple and clean underside. We have dual exhaust traveling through stock style mufflers and exiting out back while power drum brakes occupy each of the four wheels. Suspension is comprised of coil springs in front and leaf springs in back.

Drive-Ability
We bring the 390 to life and set out onto the test loop where the 195/75R14 tires with a mid 2025 date code provide straight tracking and a bump absorbing ride. We note an exhaust leak but we also note good power underfoot and a fantastic, postless greenhouse that provides great visibility. Also of note, the clock and radio do not work but all other functions operate as intended. While Classic Auto Mall represents that these functions were working at the time of our test drive, we cannot guarantee these functions will be working at the time of your purchase.

An astounding twelve different Mercury Monterey configurations were offered in 1963 and other than the station wagon and convertibles, all featured the distinct breeze through rear window and epic rear light panel. We rarely see these as the mall and this one serves as a nice example of a very cool car with quintessentially 60's styling.

3Z63Z501732

3-1963
Z-St. Louis, MO Assy Plant
63-Monterey Custom 2 Door Special Hardtop
Z-390ci 300hp 4bbl V8
501732-Sequential Unit Number

WARRANTY PLATE

BODY 65B-Monterey Custom 2 Door Special Hardtop
COLOR M-Sultana White
TRIM 95-Red Crush Vinyl
DATE 17J-September 17th
DSO BLANK
AXLE 1- Ford 9" 3.00 Conventional
TRANS 4-Mercury Multi-Drive Automatic

Classic Auto Mall is home to more than 1,000 classic and collectible vehicles for sale via consignment in a climate controlled 336,000-square foot showroom (that's more than 8 acres!). The largest single location consignment dealer of classic and collectible vehicles in the country is located in Morgantown, Pennsylvania, just 1-hour west of Philadelphia off Exit 298 of the I-76 Pennsylvania Turnpike. For more information visit www.classicautomall.com or call us at (888) 227-0914. Contact us anytime for more information or to come see the vehicle in person. There is no guarantee of mileage. A $299 Dealer Administrative fee is not included in the advertised price. All prices are before state, city and county tax, tag, title and license fees. Out of state buyers are responsible for all state, county, city taxes and fees, as well as title/registration fees in the state that the vehicle will be registered. Classic Auto Mall is not responsible for errors and omissions. Please verify listings with dealer. Vehicles may require VIN verification and/or safety and emissions inspections to transfer ownership and register the vehicle in the declared state of residence. Please check with your local DMV office to ensure compliance with your states titling and registration process.

With so many great cars, you know we have a lot to talk about, and we do that each week on the Classic Auto Mall Podcast with host Stewart Howden. Stewart discusses new inventory as well as trends in consignments and car prices, while interviewing celebrities and automotive professionals about amazing cars and their history. Tune in each week to the Classic Auto Mall Podcast wherever you enjoy listening. You can also watch on YouTube!