1965 Mercury Monterey

The mid-level Mercury was positioned between Ford and Lincoln in the Blue Oval's range of offerings. The Mercury offered buyers a luxury appearance at a reasonable price. Of the 291,134 Mercurys built in 1965, 80,373 were the Monterey. Body styles included a 2- and 4-door sedan, 2- and 4-door hardtop fastback, a Breezeway, and a Convertible. The 4-door sedan was the most popular with over 23,360 examples built. The four-door Breezeway sedan had a retractable rear window and a total of 19,569 examples were built. Power was from an overhead valve 390 cubic-inch V8 engine offering 250 horsepower.

The Mercury Monterey offered upscale style with down-market prices and married performance with luxury. For 1965, the full-size cars were overhauled and now rested on a 123-inch wheelbase and measured 218.4-inches in length. They had a torque box-equipped perimeter frame and a new four-wheel coil spring suspension offering improved handling. Styling cues were borrowed from the upscale Lincoln, with distinctive faux vents, slab sides, vertical tail lamps, squared fenders, and four headlamps in a horizontal bar grille. The interior had bucket seats, a central console, seat belts, heater and defroster, and carpeting.

The Marauder served as a trim package on the four Mercury full-size series from 1963 through 1965. For 1965 it was offered for both the hardtop coupe and hardtop sedan. The package added an emblem on the 'C' pillar to distinguish them from other models.

by Daniel Vaughan | May 2019