Here is a classic automobile that you may not see too often. It’s a beautifully restored 1964 Mercury Park Lane Marauder.
The 1964 Park Lane was Mercury’s top of the line offering for that model year. The 1964 model year was also the Park Lane’s first year of it’s second generation.
The Place for Mercury in the Ford Stable
The marquee name was introduced in 1938 by Edsel Ford, Henry Ford’s son. The Mercury was also introduced in spite of the fact that Henry Ford didn’t believe he needed a new brand.
Mercury was created to be positioned between the Fords and the Lincolns. The price gap between the highest priced Ford model and the lowest priced Lincoln model was large. The Mercury was meant to fill that large price gap. Ford would consider the Mercury to be an entry level luxury car. This would be comparable to the Buick and Oldsmobile brand position at General Motors in relation to it’s Cadillac brand.
The Mercury Park Lane
When Mercury introduced it’s Park Lane model in 1958 the vehicle became it’s flagship offering. The Mercury Park Lane was produced in two generations. The first running from 1958 to 1960 and the second from 1964 to 1968. The Park Lane was produced as a full size two door and four door hardtop as well as a convertible.
The Mercury Park Lane Marauder
The Mercury Park Lane Marauder was known to be a powerful automobile. In addition to it’s superb power the vehicle was considered great in both comfort and handling. The 1964 version of the Marauder was a celebration of Mercury’s 25 year anniversary.
The Marauder was the performance offering for full size Mercurys and was produced in three distinct generations all of which were performance focused. Mercury Marauders usually came with bucket seats and offered a wide selection of V-8 engines. For the 1964 model year the Marauder with it’s performance engines was produced as a Montclair, a Monterey and as a Park Lane. The Marauder nameplate for Mercury meant that the model had Mercury’s most powerful engines. Many feel that Mercury’s purpose with the Marauder was to reestablish it’s power image which was largely ignored after the 1956 model year.
The 1964 Mercury Marauder had a new front end design which was the most significant change year to year. The 1964 Marauder came as a coupe or a hardtop sedan and was available in three trim levels.
One big event that spurred Mercury to build and market more powerful automobiles was when Parnelli Jones won a major stock cat race with a Marauder. That was followed up by more stock car wins in the years after.
Full Size Gives Way to Mid Size Muscle Cars
It’s interesting to look at the 1964 model year as a peak for the Marauder in respect to what was occurring in the automobile industry at that time. With the Ford Mustang coming out with a 1964 1/2 model followed by the Chevy Camaro in 1967, the powerful pony cars were coming out and they were generally mid size to compact models. Generally, automakers were putting in full size car engines into smaller cars.
Mercury did introduce it’s Cougar model in 1967 which essentially was an upscale Mustang and it sold well.
1964 Mercury Park Lane Marauder Specifications
Standard engine on the 1964 Mercury Park Lane Marauder was a 390 cubic inch V-8 delivering from 250 to 300 HP. For maximum power there was an option available for a 427 cubic inch V-8 with 410 HP. This was a new engine option debuting for 1964. The engines available on the Marauder models were certainly in the muscle car range of the 1960’s. It was reported that the 427 could do 0-60 in 7 seconds.
Transmission on the Marauder is a three speed manual and a three speed Merc-O-Matic.
Brakes are four wheel hydraulic drums.
Power steering, power windows and power brakes were also available.
Dimensions are a 120.0 inch wheelbase, 215.0 inch overall length, 80.0 inch width and 56.7 inch height. Curb weight came in at about 4,200 lbs.
Total 1964 Mercury Park Lane production was 18,700 vehicles. This was from a toral 1964 Mercury production of 299,400 vehicles. Mercury’s biggest selling model for 1964 was the Monterey.
Related Auto Museum Online articles are on the links beow..
1952 Mercury Monterey Convertible
Reference material for this article includes..55 Years of Mercury : The Complete History of the Big M by John Gunnell..Complete Book of Collectible Cars by the Editors of Consumer Guide..Mercury Gold Portfolio 1947-1966 by R.M. Clarke.
The 1964 Mercury Park Lane Marauder Collector Automobile
In addition to the attractiveness of the 1964 Mercury’s performance Marauder sub series which packed plenty of power, the model year also celebrated the 25 year anniversary of the Mercury brand. The Mercury Park Lane Marauder featured in this article is a great example Mercury’s performance know how in making the model a full size muscle car and a posh one at that.
For 1964, the Marauder was available in the base Monterey trim, next level Montclair and the top of the line Park Lane. In addition to degree of restoration, mileage, etc, the particular model of the Marauder will have an influence on the asking prices. .
Today, the 1964 Mercury Park Lane Marauder is rare and not often seen at car shows, etc. Current sale and auction results for the 1964 Park Lane Marauder appear reasonable for such a luxury car with power you’d see from top muscle cars of the era. Sales results for Park Lane Marauder examples in excellent condition can be found in a range from about $35,000 to $70,000.
(Article and photos copyright Auto Museum Online)