Promo Car: 1964 Mercury Marauder 25th Anniversary
Most vehicle manufacturers will produce a special edition vehicle to celebrate a milestone anniversary, and Mercury was no different. They rolled out a 25th Anniversary Edition of the Marauder, but our feature car is a cut above the average. It was ordered as the Pacific North West Lincoln Mercury Dealers Association promotional vehicle for the new model and remains in original and unrestored condition. Its overall presentation is impressive, with only a few minor flaws that a new owner may consider addressing. Due to its order status, it is loaded with almost every option available, adding a sense of style and comfort to a model offering excellent performance. If all that isn’t enough to tempt you, the seller’s decision to offer it with No Reserve may be too hard to resist. The Marauder is listed here on eBay in Oakland, California. Bidding sits at $9,600, and with No Reserve in play, a new home beckons this stunning classic.
The Marauder first appeared as a 1963½ model, with the company offering a single Two-Door Fastback body style. It expanded the range to include a Four-Door for 1964. Our feature car is one of those vehicles, and the production total for that derivative was surprisingly low. As an Anniversary Edition, our feature Marauder wears a paint shade called Anniversary Silver. Some people believe this was a one-year-only color, but it did appear on the Mercury color palette for 1965, carrying the name Pearl Gray. The seller doesn’t mention any prior restoration or repair work, suggesting the paint is original. If that is accurate, its condition is impressive. It retains a beautiful shine, and any flaws or defects are too small to show in the enormous selection of high-definition supplied photos. The chrome is original, with it and the other bright trim pieces shining as impressively as the paint. The glass is flawless, and the narrow whitewall tires add the perfect finishing touches to the classy exterior.
Lifting the hood reveals the Z-Code 390ci V8 churning out 300hp. That power finds its way to the rear wheels via a three-speed Merc-O-Matic transmission, with power assistance for the steering and brakes removing the physical effort from the driving experience. It may be a car with luxury leanings that tips the scales at 4,164lbs, but this Mercury is more than just a pretty face. If the driver pointed it at a ¼ mile, it would despatch the distance in 16.2 seconds before winding its way to 121mph. It may not be a muscle car, but it holds its head high against vehicles from the era with sporting credentials. The seller doesn’t specifically state this classic is numbers-matching, but the emphasis on originality suggests it is. It runs and drives perfectly, with this YouTube video confirming that. The engine sounds excellent, the transmission shifts smoothly, and this old girl gets up and moves when the pedal meets the metal.
Climbing aboard this Marauder is like stepping back to 1964. The only flaws worth noting are a couple of splits on the driver’s side of the front seat. Otherwise, the Black vinyl and cloth upholstery looks excellent, as do the headliner and carpet. The dash is spotless, and the wheel is crack-free. For those who crave luxury appointments, this interior comes loaded with almost every option a Marauder owner could wish for in 1964. The buyer receives functioning air conditioning, power windows, power locks, a power front seat, and an AM/FM radio.
Mercury produced a mere 6,060 examples of the the1964 Marauder in Four-Door Fastback form, but, as the seller states, it is unclear how many survive today. More telling would be how many of the remaining cars are 25th Anniversary Editions because the count will undoubtedly be low. For its rarity, the Marauder doesn’t command huge prices in the current classic market. It is possible that this one may not go higher than $20,000, although its condition and combination of optional extras could push the bidding to $30,000. At that price, the buyer still receives a lot for their money and will drive away in a classic guaranteed to turn heads. It has already received twenty-three bids, and I won’t be surprised if that figure climbs significantly before the hammer falls. Are you tempted to make a play for this beauty?
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Comments
Probably one of the most ‘unassuming’ Anniversary editions any car co. produced. To the average eye, it’s simply a silver `64 Marauder 4dr. hardtop. Wish there were more interior pics to see. Noticed the driver’s side rear glass wasn’t lowered; does it work? Perhaps just an oversight when it was photographed. A very nice, very straight and intact `64 for sure.
Beauty.
Nice stylish car, and the seller has an amazing amount of photos plus a ’64 Mercury Colony Park Wagon also listed.
This car has a few blemishes and an engine detail would help, plus the front seat and drivers armrest need some work, but a great cruiser that will make a Ford / Mercury fan happy…
Mercury changed their nomenclature so frequently that It’s hard to keep up. 1963 was the only year that the car itself was called a Marauder, and that was only the half year fastback. In 1964, you bought a Mercury (in this case a Park Lane) with a choice of Marauder engines. They were all Marauder 390 engines, with the two 427 Super Marauder bring available. My ’64 Monterey fastback had a 266 hp Marauder 390 with a two barrel carb.
All ’64 Mercurys were 25th Anniversary models, evidenced by a roundel in the center of the steering wheel saying so. Speaking of that steering wheel, with its four sections of different material they didn’t crack, they shrunk and the chrome dividers got loose between each section. They all did it. This is a nice car, with its original license plates still on it.
You lost me at “Mercury changed their nomenclature…”
What’s not to like? I mean love.
The name,,,Marauders were not very nice people,,,
You`d HAVE TO order this Sleeper w/427!
Oh, you have got to give Ford credit, they tried so hard, chrome applied with a patching trowel, but just couldn’t match GM in the 60s. Don’t get me wrong, ASIDE from the name( see comment above), this, I think, was the “Galaxie 500 ” of the Mercury line. This was the beginning of some really nice Ford products, and Mercury was for the folks, not quite ready for the Lincoln, but past the Ford. They weren’t cheap, however. I read, a new ’63 Galaxie 500 cost around $3grand, a Merc like this, almost a grand more. Was it worth it, a Ford with lockwashers? Apparently yes, Mercury had a huge following. If those morons didn’t make it into a rebadged Ford later on, and then killing the car altogether( duh, wonder why sales tanked), I’ll never forgive Ford for that. Funny, and not “Ha-ha” funny, someone will spend 5 TIMES this for that crappy Bronco( sorry, but those outrageous Bronco prices can serve as the cornerstone for that madness) when cars like this are still out there, for a fraction. Just shows, we, as a society, are so out of touch with automobiles, they don’t know what a nice car is.
Well stated, Howard; couldn’t agree more! The Bronco “Sport” is a turd; Escape with different sheet metal. The “real” Bronco admittedly looks nice, definitely Range Roverish, but apparently they have had some issues. My vintage ride is a 1987 Chrysler Fifth Avenue, and it never fails to get thumbs-up when I drive it, questions in the grocery store parking lot, and raves about the interior. It’s smooth, quiet, and drives better than most new cars, especially the silly (IMO) potato cross-overs.
I’m loving my new “real” Bronco. The Sport looks nice, but kind of spoils the name.
Most of us here would like to spend new car money on a classic, but then reality sets in and we need a vehicle to get us back and forth to the important places we need to be. In all conditions, including ice, snow, sleet, and hail.
Just like the “blasphemous junk” 2013 4 door Charger that came before it and provided 160K of trouble-free miles, I’m looking forward to enjoying this ride for many years to come.
Maybe when I’m retired and not worrying about a daily driver, I can join the “new cars are a waste of money when I can buy a classic” gang.
John, do you watch Better Call Saul? That’s what Mike Ehrmantraut drives and he’s a bad ass. Unfortunately, cars like that will never exist again.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vW2yc94Mcd0
Lets admit, we all grew up loving two door fast back models. But, this four doors stands out and would make any owner feel “Cool!”
You must remember that the mainline full size Mercury 4 door at the time had the Breezeway rear window, ala the 59 Lincolns
25th Anniversary of what? What am I missing here?
Read it again…the 25th anniversary of the “Marauder”.
The 25th anniversary of Mercury Division.
Raise your hand if you miss Mercury.
WOW!!! Just looked the pictures on eBay; what a sweet car! Great color, in immaculate condition, only flaw I see in the slight tear on the driver’s side front bench seat, easily repaired by a reputable upholstery shop. Guess the driver’s side rear door window is non-functional as it is not down in any of the numerous pictures. Whoever ends up with this beauty is in for many years of a phenomenal driving experience and praise at car shows. GLWTA!!!
I have a ’64 4dr Montclair breezeway 25th anniversary silver edition car loaded. Real classic car!
The photos are really impressive! They’re easily up to professional standards, worthy of a magazine advertisement or a Mercury sales brochure. They make this beautiful car look even better!
All it needs is for someone to replace that ridiculous spring antenna mast replacement. New, repro antennas were available in the past; assume they still are.
Yes – a power antenna would definitely clean up the look, especially without the little orange ball (76?) on the tip!
My dad bought a four door white four door with the rear window that would open up in the back when I was five years old.i would always poke my head through it and dad would close it on me lol while we’re going down the road lol. Dad bought the car from one of the church ladies.mom would drive it out to my grandpa’s farm in the back roads to it.she didn’t have a driver’s license either lol.my mother accidentally sat on a pair of scissors and I had to drive grandma me and my mother to the hospital I was ten years old and none of us had a drivers license back then lol. One summer we had a bad storm,a tree fell on top of the roof and totaled it out we loved that car too!
Can’t say I remember seeing many (or any) of these Mercs. So it must have died shortly after it’s 25th anniversary.
As with many cars, I like the back end of this car….better than the front end.
Mercury survived as a brand until sometime around 2010! Alot of interesting cars in that 46 years
HANDS DOWN,, the BEST full size Merc ever produced. We sold a ton of them.
1938 to 2011 is 73 years!
It was 1939…… And yet 1964 to 2010 is 46….. I think
Beautiful looking car. 1964 has always been my favourite year for the Mercury Marauder and Park Lane. This example looks brand new, like it came from the Lincoln-Mercury showroom floor. Given its condition, I’d pay close to its asking price.
Page 177 of the photos shows a disconnected pressure hose on the right hand side of the air conditioning compressor leading back to the firewall. What would that be for? Also the front psgr’s door armrest looks like it has been taped up or am I seeing that wrong?
I think I just OD’ed on beautiful car pictures. This car has been violated – LOL!
This is a REPLY to Eric B: thank you SO MUCH for that clip! Though I’d heard about this series, I’ve never watched an episode. In the one you sent he’s driving a black Fifth Avenue; mine is also black, so looks like it’s twin except that mine has a grey leather (Corinthian?) interior instead of the red velour. I’ve added some seasons of “Better Call Saul” to my watchlist!
Ha, got it and you’re welcome. The series is a prequel to the show “Breaking Bad”, which I’m sure you’re well aware of. May not really be everyone’s cup of tea and while it’s more interesting to watch Bad first, and then see the back story of characters that you already know, it’s not necessary to. Also, don’t expect to see Mike just constantly driving around, but the car is definitely on there plenty. When the show starts he has an old Caprice wagon I think and I’m not sure how long he has that for, but may be at least the first season. So, the Chrysler isn’t around right away. Also, I did call Mike a bad ass, but he’s also a bad guy. He was just trying to get away from another bad guy.
Yeah, and I watched a part of another episode where he was driving a non-descript older Buick. It does seem to be a “battle of vintage cars” as the guy in the rat rod Monte Carlo chases him. IMO that Monte would look FAR better had it been left original or restored to stock. Thanks again!