Muscle Bound! Supercharged 2003 Mercury Marauder
The 2003 Mercury Marauder was like a bolt out of the blue. Talk about getting in a time machine; in 2003, those who were performance enthusiasts could buy a 302 net HP, full-size, four-door sedan that had real sporting intentions. Tame by today’s standard of Hellcat-powered Dodge Chargers, the Marauder was a notably big deal eighteen years ago. And today’s find has had some installed enhancements, so let’s look her over. This big Merc is located in Dearborn (Detroit), Michigan and is available, here on eBay for a current bid of $25,000 with 36 bids tendered so far.
The Marauder name was an old one for Mercury as it dated back to 1963 and continued off and on through 1970. After a dormancy of 33 years, the big M was back and available in any color a buyer wanted, as long as it was sinister black. And actually, that’s not completely true as there were other colors available but 75% of the two-year production run was in fact black. With a DOHC 4.6 liter V8, a taut suspension, heavy-duty brakes, 3.55:1 final drive ratio, eighteen-inch wheels, and rack & pinion steering, the old Panther platform was really stylin’. A four-speed automatic transmission was the only gearbox available. Total 2003 and 2004 Marauder output was approximately 11K units with 7,800 rolling off of Mercury’s St. Thomas, ON assembly line in 2003.
Our 17K mile example had a trip to Kenny Brown Performance and has been outfitted with a supercharger. Research indicates that the original Marauder prototype was in fact blown, but that enhancement didn’t make it into production. The seller claims drive wheel HP of 375 whereas stock net brake HP was 302 so that means HP has been enhanced by at least 100 and probably more. The 3.55 rear gear set has been up’d to 4.10 (there goes any semblance of the 17 and 23 MPG fuel mileage) and the seller estimates very low 13’s in a quarter-mile blast. Hauling this 4,200 lb. bomb to a straight and safe stop are 14″ slotted Baer brakes.
Based on the Grand Marquis (with or without the de Sade option) the Marauder went for a stealthy monochromatic look. The exterior of this example still possesses its original stock appearance other than the fact that it has been slightly lowered. Nothing is out of place, the finish appears to be perfect, requiring no attention. The chrome-plated five-spoke alloy wheels are stock items but the tire size has been altered with different sizes between the front and rear. Unfortunately, there are no interior images provided but there is no reason to assume that anything is out of place in the leather-upholstered bucket seat/center console equipped passenger compartment. The tachometer included instrument panel is unique to this model.
Big and beautiful is how I’d describe this Mercury. The ’94-’96 LT1 powered Chevrolet Impala SS proved that there was still a market for full-size performance and it was nice to see that Mercury, not Ford, tried to capitalize upon that interest. Let’s face it, 11K specialty models aren’t going to make a marque but it proved that Mercury still had a pulse and was capable of forging its own way. Too little, too late? Probably, as Mercury was permanently in the ditch by the end of ’10 but I know that I’m glad they went out swinging. You have to admit, pretty cool, right?
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Comments
I drove a stock Marauder back in ’03 and absolutely loved it. It was a big, comfy car that no one noticed was able to lay down some speed. With the blower, it would have been even better. Took several long trips in “mine,” and was really sorry to give it back…. No one paid much attention back then, and I guess they still don’t.
IIRC, Ford bolted a lot of police-package parts onto the Marauder’s chassis, but spared us the utility-grade interiors. A good tradeoff, as far as I was concerned.
Not sure about that $25K hit, though, and even less sure about the changed axle ratio. These were smooth mile-eaters, and I believe I’d keep relaxed cruising over sprint performance. Still, worth thinking about….
A Gear Vendors OD could solve the issue of highway cruising. Or return the original gear set for highway use and use a Gear Vendors underdrive for occasional spirited light to light fun. WIN-WIN-WIN
I’m sure I would go back to the original gear ratios and not too sure of the OD/UD option. I’ve seen several low miles cars listed for monies in this range. With the 4.10s it will limit the market for sure.
These Ford Transmissions are 4 speed with OD with a .70 to 1 ratio in 4th gear. Therefore, with a 4:10 gear the final drive ratio would be 2:87 to one. Not a bad highway gear.
Just a couple of things, the Marauder name was also used on some 50s models, and the 90s Marauder donated a lot of its “underpinnings” to the Ford P171 cop car we all know and love!
Terry, it was the other way around…the Police Package Crown Victoria (CVPI) donated a lot of IT’S “underpinnings” to the Marauder. There were no “’90’s Marauders”…save for maybe a prototype.
Anyone ever see the Kenny Brown Ford Windstar? That was also pretty wild for its time.
Loved these when new, Love it even more now.
“with or without the de Sade option” — good to see someone else remembers that ol’ running gag (heh) from the pages of Car and Driver back in the day.
Beat me to it. Vintage Jon Phillips stuff.
For sure a “Beauty & the Beast ” love it !!!!
While a great engine I thought I heard that these engines did not like being supercharged and could grenade themselves fairly easily if it were done?
Not true, just dont run more than about 100-125 hp more boost without reinforcing the bottom end. The stock bottom end is fine up to about 375 (net) hp.
Actually a misunderstanding of the OBD II system. Many would chip the 4.6 and #7 cylinder would lean out, burning holes in the piston, this was when the 4.6 liter was introduced. The best version of the 4.6 liter was the Dual Overcam 32 valve Cobra V-8. It found it’s way into Mark IV’s and Continentals (detuned in the Continental since the FWD transmission couldn’t hold up to the power.)
I had same engine in 04 Lincoln Aviator. The rear valves are problematic on these 4V mod motors. What a shame.
I had a Lincoln Aviator with same engine. I babied that thing but the 4V mod motors are notorious for rear valve issues due to no coolant flow to them. What a shame.
I remember when I 1st seen these I thought Ford missed the boat on this 1. The impala ss had established itself with the 94-96 offering and it looked better.
In 2002, I attended a 3 day high performance driving class at the Bondurant school in Chandler, AZ. A bunch of Engineers from Mercury and Ford SVT were there track testing a couple of Marauder prototypes. I actually got to go out for a few laps in the passenger seat with one of the Bondurant instructors.
To say it was an adrenaline rush would be an understatement. It’s one thing to turn hot laps in a track prepped Mustang. But I found it quite surreal to drift across the curbs of a racetrack in a platform typically associated with a taxicab. When talking to one of the engineers, they had no concerns about the motor (which is basically a Cobra 32v long block) holding up to the supercharger. They did manage to break (to tweak, but snap) a number of roll bars while we were there, which they were quite frustrated with.
Our lead instructor referred to the car as “the answer to a question nobody asked”,but I thought it was just straight badass. It’s a shame nore Mercury buyers didn’t ask the right question.