1973 Mercury Marquis

Hardtop

7.0L 429Cu. In. V8 GAS Naturally Aspirated

Automatic

3Z62N648480

Clear

GAS

We've all heard those tales of the elusive "little old lady" antique car; the vintage gem that only sees the light of day driving to church on Sunday and on trips to the grocery store and back. For me, this is as close as I've ever come to actually finding such a car in real life … an original, unmolested 1973 Mercury Marquis Brougham with a 429 V8 engine and just over 50,000 original miles. This is a numbers matching, all-original vehicle that has been in one town - and owned by one family - all its life. It's nothing less than a time capsule, and one that can be driven and enjoyed for years to come. It's an incredible car, and is a great opportunity if you're looking for a new project in the new year! Best of all, this car is priced with a very, very low reserve - someone is going to get a great bargain on this vintage beauty ... it's an investment that if cared for properly can only go up in value. Read on for details: HISTORY The car was originally purchased from a dealership in Roanoke, Virginia, where it has been all of its life and remains to this day. It was with its original owner until 1996, when it was purchased by his nephew with 47,000 miles on the odometer. The nephew of the original owner (from whom I purchased the car) is now in his eighties and sold the car only when he became unable to drive with age. It had been stored throughout the years under cover in a heated, expansive garage and driven only occasionally for pleasure (though it had been always tagged, registered, and insured.) I'm sure my gasp was audible when we pulled the cover off the car and I saw it for the first time. I spent the better part of a day with this old gentleman, hearing stories about the car, his memories of it and his uncle, and how (after pursuing it for years) he was quick to purchase it when he had the chance. From both talking to him as well as seeing the immaculate condition of the car, it was very clear to me that it had been both well-kept and well-loved throughout the years. It was like a member of the family, and even the smell of it made me think of my own grandmother's old Buick that I learned to drive in long ago. Much of the car's original documentation remains and the original sales receipt, manual, warranty identification "ownercard" and set of OEM Ford keys (in crisp, original condition) will be included with the sale. MECHANICAL Mechanically, the car is very sound and has been well cared for. It starts easily, reliably, and runs very well, with plenty of power from the massive 429 V8. Acceleration is smooth and quick and the automatic transmission shifts as it should with no problems. The tires are all-season radials with plenty of tread left and no uneven wear. While they're certainly older tires, they show no weather checking or cracking, and I'd feel safe driving them anywhere. A full-size spare is included with the original jack in the trunk. Engine is remarkably clean and with a thorough detailing would be ready to show (see photos). Though the car has obviously spent a lot of time sitting, it has been well cared for and stored properly. As with any unrestored old vehicle, there are a few areas that will need attention. First, the AC system will need a charge/conversion to modern R134a. Second, three of the power windows need their drive gears replaced (common wear item, about a $15 part) - the window motors themselves are working just fine. Lastly, I believe the car would benefit from a carb cleaning and tuneup which I would consider normal maintenance after having sat for so long. That's it! INTERIOR The interior of this car is, in a word, amazing. Aside from two minor age cracks on the dashboard (see photos here) the interior is almost entirely perfect - as pristine as anything I've ever encountered on a 40 year old vehicle. It is absolutely immaculate, without any objectionable odors or wear of any kind. Power mirrors and locks are working as they should and the power seats work perfectly, too. The best phrase I know to describe the interior is "vintage luxury." Everything about this old girl is designed for comfort, and when driving it one can't help but sink back into the plush seats, gaze across the expanse of the horizontal speedometer, and think that in a perfect world cars would still be designed this way. It's downright hedonistic. EXTERIOR The exterior is in very, very nice condition for its age. The stately dark green paint is still bright and shiny and certainly turns heads, right down to the iconic original fender skirts. There are a few very minor scrapes here and there (see photos) but nothing that, in my opinion, detracts from the original beauty of the car. It could certainly be easily restored to perfection according to the new owner's wishes, but I tend to like the patina and overall character that it has. Best of all, there is absolutely no rust on this car whatsoever. See photos for shots of the doors, pillars, rocker panels, quarter panels, and all areas of the body. The vinyl roof on the car (also dark green) is in wonderful condition with none of the rips, tears, sun fading, or degradation that is seen on so many of these. Vacuum-operated hideaway headlights work perfectly. So why sell? I bought this car to enjoy for my own personal use, and had planned on driving it while doing a mild restoration. However, a career opportunity and the impending long-distance move that comes along with it necessitates that I find this wonderful old car a new and appreciative home. The logistics of getting this car (along with several others and a couple of motorcycles) to my new home 1500+ miles away is just not practical, and thus it is being offered for sale … with great reluctance and the full knowledge that original, unmolested cars like this just don't come along every day. Please look closely at the photos, and bear in mind that this is not a show car by any means. It's a nice, highly original and dependable daily driver that can be enjoyed for years to come as-is while it appreciates in value. It would also be a terrific jumping off point for a full-on show quality restoration. I'll leave that choice up to the new owner. :-) Please ask any and all questions and I'll do my best to answer promptly and honestly. Serious inquiries can reach me by phone at 512-484-3186 between 9am-5pm EST. Vehicle has a clear title reflecting actual mileage, ready to be transferred to its new owner. TERMS - PLEASE READ CAREFULLY While I would much prefer a local sale and pickup with cash in hand, I'm more than willing to assist in shipping the car, too. All associated costs are, of course, to be fully assume by the buyer. If you're interested in having the car shipped or have other ideas, please discuss them with me before bidding. If paying through paypal, payment is expected in full within 72 hours of auction's end. A nonrefundable paypal deposit of $500 is due within 24 hours of auction's end to hold your purchase and pickup is expected within 7 days unless arrangements are made otherwise BEFORE BIDDING. Any exceptions to these arrangements must be discussed with me before bidding. I'm fair, flexible, and willing to accommodate in any way I can but I do expect honest, prompt communication and follow-through ... and I promise you'll receive the same from me! Bidders with zero or negative feedback ratings MUST contact me before bidding or (in the interest of thwarting scammers) your bid may be cancelled. Please note that this car is for sale locally and on several other online venues, and I reserve the right to end the action early in the event of a sale. However, once the reserve in this auction has been met I will *not* end the auction and the sale will be completed through ebay only. CLICK HERE FOR ADDITIONAL PHOTOS I've gone to great lengths to photograph this old girl from every conceivable angle so the buyer will know exactly what they're getting. Please review these photos (nearly 120 of them!) very carefully - they are an honest and accurate representation of the exact state of this wonderful vintage vehicle. On Dec-29-12 at 20:32:01 PST, seller added the following information: rorrer Store