1966 Mercury Monterey Convertible

[VintageMusclecar]

I hate to even list this car, but it's time for someone to save this car while there's still something left to save, and right now I simply can't do it.

Long story behind this car that deserves to be told, but I'll condense it as best I can;

The car currently belongs to my father. Before that, the car belonged to my father's childhood best-friend who passed away around 1977, whereupon the car disappeared from sight. Around 7 or 8 years ago the car re-appeared locally, sitting in a side yard along the main drag in town with a "For Sale" sign on it. I immediately recognized the car, as did my father who'd passed by the car earlier that same day. Turns out my dad's friend's sister got the car when her brother passed away and had stashed the car away in a barn.

Dad purchased the car on the spot, and after I got it running & road-worthy again, dad began collecting a few parts for the car with the intentions of restoring it. Unfortunately, for a variety of reasons that never materialized, and the car's condition has only deteriorated since. I just recently took the car off the road as the front suspension is in dire need of a rebuild, and as such the car is not safe to drive anymore. As it is, dad's driving days are numbered, so there's no point in trying to get the car roadworthy again for him.

Here's the basics of the car as it sits:

On the plus side;

-Rebuilt original numbers-matching 390 engine. Bored .030, mild Crane hydraulic cam, stock 390 heads, factory iron 4bbl intake (not correct year) and a 600 vac. secndary Holley carb, Hooker Competition headers, rebuilt original Cruise-O-Matic trans & converter, 9" open rear with 3.00 gears. The engine runs perfectly.

-Interior is black vinyl with a bench seat and is in surprisingly good condition, including the dash & door panels. The carpet is intact, but faded.

-The body from the doors forward is in good condition save for a dented drivers door and a few other misc. dents here & there.

The not-so-good;

-The front suspension is completely worn out and needs to be rebuilt.

-The rear frame rails have rust issues. The drivers side has been repaired, and I'm sure the pass. side is ready for it as well. If it were up to me, I'd either find a good rear frame clip and replace the whole rear section, or even replace the entire frame if one were ambitious enough to do so.

-The quarter panels have rust issues, as do the rear sections of the rockers, and I'm sure by now there's some rust in the rear of the floors as well. The pass. side rocker is rough and the moulding has come loose at the back.

-The convertible top is shot and needs to be replaced.

-Rear bumper is junk.

Going back to the plus-side for a moment, dad did manage to obtain a replacement pass. side lower quarter panel skin and rocker skin, as well as a good used rear bumper (will need to be re-chromed).

This is definitely a serious project.

I feel funny even posting it here since this car is about as far-removed from a "Supercar" as you can get, but my father and I both have strong sentimental attachments to this car, and I'd really like to see someone who can appreciate the car rescue it while there's still something left to be saved. As such, I couldn't think of a better group of people than those here to present the car to, so here it is.

If anyone is even remotely interested, just let me know and I'll get some more pictures.

The asking price is $2000.00 and is negotiable.

Somebody please save me from having to list this on eBay.



Eric

[VintageMusclecar]

[VintageMusclecar]