Loch Ness Mel

This is the first (assuming the seller is truthfull) J code car I've ever seen.

Even the tan one presented as "the real deal" is an M code 383 just like mine.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=120642043352&viewitem=#vi-content

:TU:

 

Too bad it wasn't stored inside.

 

True, but to me the significance is incredible.

The potential last link in a long string of evidence.:beers2:

 

Better go for it Brian. This is too cool.

 

Wow that is a special car ,4 door no less!
What was the production of this engine in all body styles?

 

Doesn't the Super Marauder have a unique horn botton? Does the one in this auction look correct?

 

Poor thing, Looks lonely, needs Stefina Lovin'!

 

The "unique horn button" was a prototype and didn't go into production.

 

At the current bid of $820, isn't that worth it for just the air cleaner and fuel block????

 

Guess it depends upon the reserve. Some people think these "finds" should be at Barrett Jackson's economics because of rarity.

Neat car, think it would have had a home in Waterford if it had surfaced 5 years ago...at least for a while...

I've always had a soft spot for the 4 door hardtops of the late 50's. All time favorite is a tossup between a 56 Ford Town Victoria or a 56-57 Chev "Sports Sedan". Followed closely by the 57 Olds Fiesta wagon, the Mercury Montclair, Monterey or even Medallist Phaetons of 56-58 (like this).

Be curious what it finally does go for...lots of cars out there for good prices right now. People are hurting.....

 

There was a 57 4 door hardtop Turnpike Cruiser in Goshen that sold at an estate auction a few months ago. It was pink and grey, had cruiser skirts and everything. Sold for $28,000 in clean driver quality. The ebay example looks like it is going to have to be fork lifted onto a car hauler. I doubt if it could be pulled out of the dirt it is sunk into without breaking the frame apart. Doesn't the J in the vin on the ebay car show that it is an original 400 horse car?

 

what Dave said. It could very well have an enormous reserve.
Extremely cool car in any event. Looks like it may require a little "unearthing" to get it on a trailer. :shock:

Brian... I think you owe it to the history of Super Marauders to buy, restore and race it. :TU:

 

Yes.

He says he got the vin off of the sales reciept. Very cool. I've asked for verification on the car.

It would make this the first and only J code I have ever seen......and I've been watching.

Frank, the last ebay air breather sold for $2666 with a crack, I'd expect the bids to rise over the next several days.

If the J is verified I hope the winner knows the significance and doesn't just strip the parts.

 

I know what has been done is done, but why if the car was bought new and kept in the family - why let it sit out for 45 years? That car was probably ordered, so it was a special car. Geez, my Dad's 65' Catalina (also ordered) has been off the road since 1974 but the car has always been in a garage.

Does this have that push-button automatic trans?

The car should be saved, but it's not my money.
I mean, these late 50s cars I think are the most difficult to restore.
If you go earlier and earlier in auto history, the parts can just be fabricated.
The later cars either reproduction parts are available or one can find a clean donor car. For example, how much does just one tail light lens cost on this Merc?
So this is an original 400 HP car. I've never seen one.
This one bid to $37K (no sale) but was just a regular 430 4bbl with the 3x2s added:

http://www.mecum.com/auctions/lot_detail.cfm?LOT_ID=SC0509-79350
(Or is that the tan one that you are referring to Brian?)

There was a 58' Bonneville that I voted to be best of show at POCI (Pontiac Nationals) a few years ago. It won -3x2s, factory A/C, many options. The owner said it took 4 other cars to contribute parts to restore it! I just mention that to reinforce the fact that late 50s' cars must be the toughest (expensive) to restore. I still hope someone saves it.

 

That's the tan one I referred to.

When it was for sale from the Jerry Capizzi collection the vin was shown and listed in the sales book.

M code 383.

Nothing wrong with that but some folks have latched onto it as being "the real deal" and even gone on to say the factory units had aluminum valve covers and dealer had chrome.

Yet here is a real "real deal" with chrome. :TU:

I had to search out tailights and loads of NOS parts for mine. Even bought a parts car to get rubber parts that aren't available.

 

You can doo eet Brian!

I vote for a PSMCDR special one time four door exception.....

 

I'm still looking for the 4 speed 427/425 hp wagon exemption..... and yes, it was ordered that way when new.

 

Paper work.....

Originally owned by a South Bend local, last I heard it was in the Phoenix area.

 

It is the real deal.

Finally, proof positive that Mercury factory made 430 6V cars. :beer

 

Hope you get to make the trip to Forest Lake, Minnesota after the auction is over. :beers2: