Mercury Grand Marquis Marquis (1983)
for sale
Price: US $500.00
Price: US $500.00
No matter how old we get, we seem to just keep on having goals and creating projects to achieve them. .
. .until we're told that the cancer has come back, cannot be treated, and that the remaining lifetime is a matter of a few months.
AND please do take a look at another incredible old car I'm now forced to sell, in listing number
* ** ** **
Before getting that news last October, I bought this little jewel in September, for a dear friend who has fallen upon hard times and was left without transportation or the money to buy himself a car. He's disabled and I was at least getting by...and he would eventually find a way to pay me back. . .you'd have done the same, I'm sure.
This old girl seemed perfect -- 33 years old, classy and sorta' cool, a true time capsule that appears to have been hermetically sealed in an old person's garage, certainly showing a bit of individuality and
class, and including all the modern features we geezers need.
Here's the current N.A.D.A. Guides evaluation, showing it's original cost to have been OVER $11 Grand, and a current value of at least $3 Grand, being so original, complete and functional.
1983 Mercury Grand Maquis (sic)
LS 4 Door SedanValues Original
MSRPLow
RetailAverage
RetailHigh
RetailBase Price$11, 273$925$1, 975$2, 950Options: (change)Air Conditioning 10%10%10%6 Cylinder Engine -10%-10%-10%TOTAL PRICE:$11, 273$925$1, 975$2, 950NADAInteract
Value Explanations
Prices shown are retail consumer values and to be considered as selling prices. Trade-in values are to be determined by local dealers and are generally lower than values shown. Manufacturer Suggested Retail Price
Low Retail Value
This vehicle would be in mechanically functional condition, needing only minor reconditioning. The exterior paint, trim and interior would show normal wear, needing only minor reconditioning. May also be a deteriorated restoration or a very poor amateur restoration. Most usable ‘as-is’. This value does
not
represent a ‘parts car’.
Note: Some of the vehicles in this publication could be considered ‘Daily Drivers’ and are not valued as a classic vehicle. When determining a value for a daily driver, it is recommended that the subscriber use the low retail value.
Average Retail Value
This vehicle would be in good condition overall. It could be an older restoration or a well-maintained original vehicle. Completely operable. The exterior paint, trim, and mechanics are presentable and serviceable inside and out. A ‘20-footer’.
High Retail Value
This vehicle would be in excellent condition overall. It could be a completely restored or an extremely well-maintained original vehicle showing very minimal wear. The exterior paint, trim, and mechanics are not in need of reconditioning. The interior would be in excellent condition.* '100 Point' or '# 1' vehicle is not driven. It would generally be in a museum or transported in an enclosed trailer to concours judging and car shows. This type of car would be stored in a climate-regulated facility
So I got a ride from here in the Shenandoah Valley to New Jersey...and found original, brilliant paint and chrome, original & unused spare and jack, nearly-perfect interior, all the books, and an odometer that shows under 35K miles. ..and no earthly reason not to
believe it! The idiot who sold it to me said he put 75, 000 on his title application because NJDOT would not believe what the odometer said! It's obvious to me that the odo DID NOT turn over, and beyond that I really don't care, except for bragging rights.
This is an extremely well-cared-for SURVIVOR. .not visibly restored at all!
Then, I simply got into a car older than my youngest son, and drove it home with no problems! I have no doubt of its virtually total originality, and I really think that it is worth at least the N.A.D.A. high number!
Nevertheless, i
t's gotta' go...and for whatever we can get for it, to avoid extra hassles for my kids after I'm gone.
EVERYTHING ON IT-- radio, cruise control, power locks, etc., etc., worked, except one rear power window. Particularly good was finding that it has the (then) new AOD, helping me to get high-20's fuel mileage at 70-75 mph on I-78 & I-81!
In the sunlight, the original paint looks almost new; there is virtually no rust (just a few little surface knicks); the upholstery is just about spotless; the lights and gauges work; the radio plays -- blows my mind, as it will yours, since I believe that it has not been detailed...just washed off.
The steering column also seemed a bit loose (though all stalk, signal and wheel functions worked perfectly) and I discovered that the bracket holding it up had broken and been replaced with duct tape (really!).
Anyway, it surely needs a thermostat, since it didn't produce huge heat, and a better means of attaching the steering column. I was told that it had been converted to R-34, but you must assume that the A/C will need work. In addition, since this is a genuine survivor, all hoses, wires, fluids, gaskets, etc., etc., should be renewed, brakes and steering (both power, working properly) checked out, fuel system cleaned. ..and, of course, long-dated tires replaced.
I took it to the shop and told them to check out the car in general, the heat problem and the steering column, and was told that there was nothing seriously wrong with it. .but that I was an idiot to have driven it 400 miles at highway speed, at night and in the rain, on those old tires! (They were right about that, too, but I'm an old road warrior, and that's what I do...or, did!)
Now, almost unable to do anything for myself, there's neither time, money nor reason for me to continue to put this doll baby on the road, perhaps throwing good money after bad as I'll not be doing any more driving...and, without my management, it will become too costly for my friend. This gives you the opportunity to pick up an amazing, lovely survivor for almost nothing - with the opportunity to make it into a really nice survivor/driver for very little more!
Additionally, there has to be at least 99% good stuff on it, and you could just (ugh) part it out for a big profit, though I'd
hate to see that.
Please bid whatever you wish and make a non-refundable deposit of $300.00 or more upon winning the auction. You won't be disappointed and you will have reasonable time to move it out, at your own expense, of course. It will be made available to you for inspection by appointment, when one of my boys or friends can get with you. Call my cell - 757-927-8729 - or email me via ebay with questions or to take a look.
Since I'm out of time and patience, anyone with fewer than 10 net positive feedbacks needs to call me to reassure me that he's not some 12-year-old giggling and gaming the system.
Thanks, everyone!
update: 2016-03-03
Used |
“It looks, inside and out, almost exactly as it did the day it was delivered. It also runs, drives and performs that way. Like any other time capsule, it should be checked out professionally from stem to stern....BUT at age 76, I drove it the 400 miles home on the Interstate with NO problems and good fuel mileage!” |
VIN (Vehicle Identification Number): | 1MEBP8939DG640672 | Year: | 1983 |
Number of Cylinders: | 6 | Make: | Mercury |
Transmission: | Automatic | Model: | Grand Marquis |
Body Type: | Sedan | Trim: | Brougham |
Warranty: | Vehicle does NOT have an existing warranty | Engine: | 3.8 V-6, gasoline |
Vehicle Title: | Clear | Drive Type: | RWD |
Options: | Cassette Player | Mileage: | 33,500 |
Power Options: | Air Conditioning, Cruise Control, Power Locks, Power Windows, Power Seats | Sub Model: | Marquis |
Fuel Type: | Gasoline | Exterior Color: | Blue |
For Sale By: | Private Seller | Interior Color: | Blue |
Disability Equipped: | No |