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Mercury Marauder

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Mercury Marauder
2003–2004 Mercury Marauder
Overview
ManufacturerMercury (Ford)
Production1963–1965
1969–1970
2003–2004
Body and chassis
ClassFull-size
LayoutFR layout

The Mercury Marauder is the name of three different generations of full-size automobiles that were made by Mercury. During the 1960s, the Marauder was introduced as the high-performance model of the full-size Mercury line; its Ford equivalent was the Galaxie, for the 1963 through 1965 model years, and for a special model in 1969 and 1970. In 2003, the Marauder nameplate was revived as a high-performance variant of the full-size Grand Marquis. After lower than expected sales, the Marauder was discontinued at the end of the 2004 model year.

Origin of name

The Marauder name first appeared in 1958 on one of two MEL (Mercury, Edsel, Lincoln) engines sold by the division in the Montclair sedan and Colony Park station wagon. The 383 cu in (6.3 L) Marauder V8 engine was exclusive to the division, producing 322 hp (240 kW; 326 PS) with a 2 barrel or 230 hp (172 kW; 233 PS) with a 4-barrel carburetor. Optional was the 430 cu in (7.0 L) Super Marauder V8 with two four-barrel carburetors that was also the first U.S. production engine to break the 400 hp (298 kW; 406 PS) rating.

The official horsepower ratings of these engines were reduced for both the 1959 and 1960 model years. For 1960, the Marauder V8s were optional in Park Lane, Monterey, and Commuter models.

As Ford reorganized the Mercury line for the 1961 model year, moving the brand away from Edsel-based models and closer to the Ford brand, Mercury discontinued the Marauder/Super Marauder V8s. The Mercury Monterey adopted the Ford FE engines used by the Ford Galaxie.

First generation (1963–1965)

First generation
1964 Mercury Marauder 2-door hardtop
Overview
Production1963½–1965
Body and chassis
Body style2-door hardtop
4-door sedan
PlatformFull-size Ford
RelatedMercury Monterey
Mercury Montclair
Mercury Park Lane
Powertrain
Engine390 cu in (6.4 L) V8
406 cu in (6.7 L) V8
427 cu in (7.0 L) V8
Transmission3-speed manual
4-speed manual
3-speed automatic
1964 Mercury Park Lane four-door hardtop with Marauder roofline option
1965 Mercury Montclair Marauder hardtop sedan

The Mercury Marauder debuted as a mid-year model, sometimes called "1963½" models. The Marauder featured a sloping notchback roof design, in contrast to the reverse-slated "Breezeway" roofline with a retracting rear window that was also used by the (1958–1960) Lincoln Mark III, IV, and V series. The more "fastback" Marauder was available on the Monterey, Montclair, S-55 (1963 only), and Park Lane models. Additional Marauder features included bucket seats, a central console, and other trim items similar to those in the Ford Galaxie 500/XL. This more aerodynamic roofline was developed for campaigning in the NASCAR circuit, and possibly assisting these models to be more competitive in racing.

In 1964, the Marauder became available in a four-door hardtop sedan, also with a more fastback roofline.

Many components were common to Ford and Mercury models including powertrain choices for the Marauder that were identical to the full-sized Fords. The 390, 406, and 427 cubic-inch Thunderbird V8s, (which Mercury labeled Marauder and Super Marauder V8s) were available, with 3-speed or 4-speed manual, or a 3-speed automatic transmission.

The Marauder was discontinued after the 1965 model year, with the role of the performance-oriented full-size Mercury available in a S-55 model, which was dropped in 1967.

Second generation (1969–1970)

Second generation
1969 Mercury Marauder X-100
Overview
Production1969–1970
Body and chassis
Body style2-door hardtop
Related
Powertrain
Engine390 cu in (6.4 L) FE V8
429 cu in (7.0 L) 385 V8
Transmission3-speed FMX/SelectShift automatic
3-speed C6/SelectShift automatic
3-speed manual
Dimensions
Wheelbase121.0 in (3,073 mm)[1]
Length219.1 in (5,565 mm)[1]
Width79.6 in (2,022 mm)[1]
Height53.5 in (1,359 mm)[1]
Curb weight4,328 lb (1,963 kg)[1]
Mercury Marauder X-100 rear roofline design

The Marauder was reintroduced into the Mercury lineup as a two-door hardtop body style for the 1969 model year. It replaced the discontinued S-55. Repositioned from a performance model to a full-size personal luxury car, the Marauder was based on the recently introduced Marquis, sharing its front clip and much of its interior. However, from the windshield rearward, the Marauder differed from the Marquis. The design was similar to the Ford XL and Ford Galaxie 500 SportsRoof, it featured a "fastback" roofline with a tunneled rear window. The Marauder incorporated non-functional louvered side air intakes in the quarter panels. A performance trim level of the Marauder was marketed as the Marauder X-100. Largely for appearance purposes, the X-100 included bucket seats with a floor console housing a U-shaped automatic transmission shift handle. The X-100 also featured Kelsey-Hayes road wheels along with rear fender skirts.

The market for sporty full-size cars had disappeared, though, and production reached about 15,000 cars for 1969, and barely a third of that for 1970. While the market for personal luxury cars was expanding, the Marauder found itself competing against the Ford Thunderbird and Lincoln Continental Mark III; it was outsold by the Lincoln by nearly four to one.

Powertrain

Standard versions of the Marauder were with the 390 cu in (6.4 L) Ford FE engine. The Marauder X-100 was often equipped with the optional 360 hp (268 kW; 365 PS) 429 cu in (7.0 L) engine. With the 390, a 3-speed manual transmission was standard, with a 3-speed FMX automatic as an option. The only transmissions available with the 429 was the C6 automatic.

Revival (2003–2004)

Third generation
2003–2004 Mercury Marauder
Overview
AssemblySt. Thomas Assembly Plant, St. Thomas, Canada
Body and chassis
Body style4-door sedan
PlatformFord Panther platform
RelatedMercury Grand Marquis
Ford Crown Victoria
Lincoln Town Car
Powertrain
Engine302 hp 4.6 L Modular DOHC V8
Transmission4-speed 4R70W automatic (2003)
4-speed 4R75W automatic (2004)
Dimensions
Wheelbase114.7 in (2,913 mm).
Length212.0 in (5,385 mm).
Width78.2 in (1,986 mm).
Height56.8 in (1,443 mm).

For the 2003 model year, the Marauder name returned to the Mercury name after a 33-year absence. A full-size four-door sedan, the 2003 Marauder marked the first time since the discontinuation of the Monterey after 1974 that the division sold two distinct full-size model lines and the first time since 1960 that a Mercury full-size model was sold without a Ford equivalent.

In terms of configuration, the 2003 Marauder was similar to the 1994-1996 Chevrolet Impala SS in being called a full-size "muscle sedan",[2] Although Mercury traditionally was marketed as a competitor to Buick (and the discontinued Oldsmobile division), the Chevrolet Impala SS was based on the 1991-1996 Chevrolet Caprice, the primary competitor of the Ford Crown Victoria. Additionally, both the Marauder and Impala SS derived many of their performance improvements over their base vehicles from police vehicles (the Marauder from the Ford Crown Victoria Police Interceptor, and the Impala SS from the Chevrolet Caprice 9C1).

Development

In 2000, Ford chose to approve the production of the Marauder as a sedan for the 2003 model year.[3] At the 2002 Chicago Auto Show, Ford introduced a concept version of the Marauder as a preview of the production car. In a major change, the vehicle displayed was a two-door convertible (which began life as a 1999 Ford Crown Victoria LX) that was powered by a 335 hp (250 kW; 340 PS) supercharged 4.6 L V8 featuring a five-passenger interior similar to the Grand Marquis LSE with a center console mounted shifter for the transmission.[4] The 2002 Marauder concept was the first full-size Ford Motor Company convertible since the 1971 Mercury Marquis and Ford LTD and the first two-door full-size car since 1987.

Chassis

For the 2003 model year, the chassis of the Panther platform underwent extensive upgrades to improve structural rigidity, ride, and handling; the frame was completely redesigned. Many parts of the suspension were derived from the Ford Crown Victoria P71, along with its brakes. In a modification of the suspension design, the rear shock absorbers were moved outboard of the frame rails (a design later adopted across the Panther platform). As part of the chassis upgrades, the Marauder was fitted with rack-and-pinion steering, over the long-running recirculating-ball design used by the Grand Marquis.

Similar to the 1994-1996 Impala SS, the Mercury Marauder featured a more powerful engine than Grand Marquis. While still a 4.6 L Modular V8, the Marauder included the DOHC 4-valve version producing 302 hp (225 kW; 306 PS); the same engine as the 2003–2004 Mustang Mach 1 and the 2003–2005 Lincoln Aviator. The Marauder included the 4R70W 4-speed automatic in 2003 and received the upgraded 4R75W 4-speed automatic for 2004. The limited slip differential with a 3.55 rear axle ratio was standard. The aluminum driveshaft from the Crown Victoria Police Interceptor was also standard equipment.

Body

2004 Mercury Marauder

The designers sought to give the 2003 Marauder its own image although it derives parts from both the Grand Marquis and the Crown Victoria, with several trim parts unique to the model. It follows the monochromatic theme of the 1990s Impala SS; the only chrome trim on the vehicle is the window trim, wheels, and the Mercury grille and trunklid badges.

In the front, the Marauder shares most of its trim with the Grand Marquis; much of the rear and side trim is shared with the Crown Victoria. Both bumpers are unique to the Marauder; the rear features the model name embossed on the bumper and is redesigned to accommodate the larger MEGS tailpipe tips. The front bumper was redesigned with a central air intake added to improve engine ventilation along with twin Cibié fog lamps. The headlight and corner light lenses (from the Grand Marquis) had their non-reflective surfaces blacked out and the grille was painted black with a body-color surround. The taillight and reverse light lenses (from the Crown Victoria) were dark-tinted to the minimum of DOT standards. Unique to the Marauder, the center caps of wheels featured a revival of a 1960s Mercury logo (a silhouette of the Roman god Mercury).

The interior of the Marauder resembled the 2002 concept vehicle's approach with a center console transmission shifter, but the simulated wood trim was replaced by simulated satin aluminum trim. The instrument panel featured satin aluminum finished gauges along with a tachometer and a 140 mph speedometer (the latter shared with the Crown Victoria P71); to accommodate the tachometer, the voltmeter and oil-pressure gauges were relocated forward of the transmission shifter.

Sales

The 2003–2004 Marauder sales fell short of corporate forecasts.[5] After a production run of 11,052 vehicles, the Marauder was discontinued at the end of 2004.[6] For comparison, Mercury produced 179,723 units of its Grand Marquis counterpart during the same time. The number of Marauders produced per year in each color breaks down as follows:

Black Dark Pearl Blue Silver Birch Dark Toreador Red Total
2003 7,093 328 417 7838
2004 1,237 997 980 3,214
Total 8,330 328 1,414 980 11,052

References

  1. ^ a b c d e "Mercury Marauder X-100 (1970) full detailed specifications listing and photo gallery". Retrieved 25 January 2014.
  2. ^ Truett, Richard (5 November 2001). "Mercury follows Impala formula for Marauder". Automotive News. Retrieved January 21, 2016.
  3. ^ https://web.archive.org/20121007235813/http://media.ford.com/article_display.cfm?article_id=10953. Archived from the original on October 7, 2012. Retrieved January 27, 2011. {{cite web}}: Missing or empty |title= (help); Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  4. ^ Joslin, Tom (September 3, 2011). "Topless Mercury Marauder concept car on Ebay". Jalopnik.com. Retrieved January 21, 2016.
  5. ^ "Mercury Marauder sales fall short of goals". Automotive News. January 29, 2003. Retrieved January 21, 2016.
  6. ^ Wilson, Amy (March 22, 2004). "Mercury kills Marauder". Automotive News. Retrieved January 21, 2016.

Further reading

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Mercury Marauder.
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