1965 Mercury Colony Park

Description

General:
This is a unique and interesting motorcar.
The color, condition, and optioning make it several steps above the typical offerings of the period.
The bright red and wood grained panel body over the red and burgundy interior make it sporty yet luxurious.
It is well optioned, powerful, and thoroughly sorted.
It is a very comfortable cruiser that is rock solid and rides smooth as silk.
Overall, the car is in very good condition.
It is a strong number 3 driver – not perfect but nice enough to show as is.
It is well sorted out.
I drive it periodically on multi-state road trips.
Performance:
o
Super Marauder 390 cubic inch OVH V8 engine (recently rebuilt)
o
Three speed, dual range automatic transmission (recently rebuilt)
o
Very strong acceleration
o
Cruises comfortably and keeps up with modern traffic with no problem
o
Fuel mileage is, um, nothing to brag about (15 highway with A/C on)
o
Rides extremely smoothly and handles like a ‘60s-era luxury car
o
New Radial WW tires help with handling and fuel mileage
o
Rebuilt front suspension and steering ensure safe and stable handling
o
Adjustable rear air shock absorbers help handling, load management, and trailering
o
Trailer hitch included (though not currently installed)
o
Brakes are rebuilt from the hoses down to ensure safe stops
o
Third row seat makes this a nine-passenger wagon
Lighting:
o
All lights (interior and exterior) work as designed
o
Including
§
Brake, turn, running, back up, and license lamps
§
Under dash courtesy lamp
§
Dash, ash receiver, ignition switch, and glove box lamps
§
Front and rear dome lamps
Appearance:
This car is a looker.
It gets a tremendous amount of attention because of its color, condition, and rarity.
Few station wagons survived, fewer in this condition, and even fewer with this level of optioning.
It appears that this car has been garaged most of its life.
Southern car therefore rust is minimal.
o
Correct optional spinner wheel covers
o
Repainted in bright red (from original white) non-metallic paint
o
New red vinyl headliner
o
New dash padding
o
New door cards though covers are original and in only fair condition
o
Original red and burgundy vinyl upholstery
o
New burgundy loop pile carpet
Optioning:
This car is well equipped with power, comfort, and appearance options and accessories including:
o
Super Marauder 390 engine produces something upward of 310 HP & 400 Ft. lbs. of torque
o
Aftermarket Holley Performance four-barrel carburetor
o
Dual performance stainless steel exhaust with crossover pipe
o
Three speed, Dual range automatic transmission
o
Air adjustable rear shock absorbers
o
Power steering
o
Power brakes
o
Full instrumentation including gauges for fuel, oil pressure, engine temperature, ammeter, and clock (the lattermost works intermittently)
o
Air conditioning (works well)
o
Tinted glass
o
Power windows (including rear window)
o
Power bench seat
o
Intermittent wipers (delay feature not working)
o
AM radio
o
Third row seat
o
Roof rack
o
Full spinner wheel covers
Mileage:
Odometer works.
It reads under 9,000miles.
I am certain that it has rolledover once but I don’t think it has rolled over more than once.
Exterior Body:
The sheet metal is clean.
The front right fender needs to be adjusted slightly.
There are no rust spots –either surface or through the metal.
I see no other evidence of significant collision damage or past rust repairs.
The color has been changed from white to bright red.
Someone went to a lot of trouble to disassemble the body before refinishing it.
The finish is good.
It shines nicely but it has enough imperfections to indicate that it was repainted a number of years ago.
It is not bad enough to warrant repainting at this time.
The wood graining is all original and in fair condition.
The fiberglass trim on the front left fender has a small chunk missing.
Easily fixed with body filler and sanding.
All fiberglass trim hardware (fasteners and caps) is present and in good condition.
Colony Park lettering on rear quarters is missing.
Underbody:
Typical for its age and mileage.
Recent minor rust repair in front footwells.
The trunk well (under the third seat) has rust and some perforation but it still bears the weight of a large adult.
The frame is solid and straight.
It has not been fully detailed.
Exterior Brightwork:
Chrome and stainless steel is all present and accounted for.
Front bumper, grille, and trim are in excellent condition.
The rear bumper is straight but the center bar could use re-chroming.
The factory roof rack side rails are present.
They are in fair condition with some pitting.
The cross bars are absent.
Glass:
All glass is tinted.
The windshield is brand new.
The window regulators all work and zip the windows up and down very quickly.
Two of the motors are brand new.
The windows all work from the master panel and individual door switches.
The safety lockout works as designed.
Weather Sealing:
Door and windshield weather stripping is brand new.
New side window felts, exterior rubber seals, run channel, and glass setting rubber.
No leaking noted.
The weather seal around the tailgate is missing.
The cabin sounds and feels well sealed.
There are no odd, musty, or moldy odors that would indicate past leakage.
Electrical:
Battery is brand new.
Wiring is all original and in good condition.
The clock works intermittently.
Wiper delay function doesn’t work.
All other accessories (and there are a lot of them) work as designed.
All exterior, interior, and dash lights work.
Horns work.
Dashboard:
All gauges, odometer, and indicator lamps work as designed.
Gauge faces are clear and easily read during the day or at night.
The dash padding is new and covered in correct burgundy vinyl – no cracking or fading.
The wipers work just fine.
The wiper delay feature doesn’t work.
Might be a matter of an adjustment.
All dash lamps work.
Heater, defroster, and air conditioning function perfectly.
Cigarette lighter in dash works.
Factory radio has recently been serviced and speaker replaced.
It works as designed and probably sounds better than when it was new.
Turn signals work but do not cancel consistently from LH turns.
There is a scratch in the paint on the knee bolster on the passenger side.
Left and Right footwell vents work as designed.
Interior:
Textured red with burgundy insert vinyl upholstery is all original.
Front seat shows signs of wear but back seat looks brand new.
Third row seat upholstery is also in excellent condition.
Clearly the seat was folded most of the time.
The cargo area side upholstery is clean and in good condition.
The cargo area floor is textured metal.
It needs to be refinished or carpeted.
The headliner appears to have been replaced recently and done well.
No tears or rips or loose seams. The carpeting front and rear is brand new with new jute backing.
The pedal pads show typical wear.
Brakes:
New or rebuilt from the hoses down including
o
New hoses front and rear
o
New wheel cylinders front and rear
o
New shoes front and rear
o
New drums front and rear
o
New hardware kits front and rear
o
New return springs front and rear
o
New adjuster parts on front
NOTE:
Wagons and performance cars came from the factory with heavy duty (3”) brakes on the front wheels.
The front drums on this car were too out of round to grind or reuse.
I was unable to locate new 3” wide drums so I replaced them with 2.5” drums and shoes for the sedans and coupes
They perform perfectly well for typical driving which is all I do.
If the car will be used to carry heavy loads or to tow a big trailer, it would be wise to restore the 3” drums and shoes.
I have since been able to locate brand new 3” drums and shoes.
I will be happy to restore the 3” brakes for the buyer for the cost of the materials alone – no labor.
The original 3” drums, shoes, and hardware come with the car though they’re pretty much scrap.
The new 2.5” fronts function far better than the old 3” stuff.
The rear brakes are the same across all full-size models.
The parking brakes work as designed and hold the car on reasonably steep hills.
Brake lights work as designed.
Bearings:
Repacked front bearings with new grease seals.
Replaced rear wheel bearings and axle seals.
Engine:
Clearly the engine has been recently rebuilt.
This happened before I got the car.
I do not know the extent of the rebuild though it runs exceptionally well, is quiet, powerful, and smooth.
It doesn’t smoke, burn, or leak oil.
Starts reliably, runs on the cool end of normal operating range.
Maintains good oil pressure.
Rated at 310 to 330 HP and approximately 400 foot pounds of torque.
With upgraded carburetor and exhaust systems, it probably produces upward of factory ratings though it has not been dyno tested.
Carburetor is a new aftermarket Holley Performance four barrel.
Fuel pump appears to be new.
Likely both were built to withstand modern fuels but I use only ethanol free premium anyway.
No problems with vapor locking or fuel percolation noted.
The engine will give many miles of trouble-free service if maintained properly.
Recently tuned with new plugs, wires, cap, rotor, points, and condenser and timing set to specs.
This car runs really beautifully.
Cooling system:
Recently flushed with new 50/50 low toxicity antifreeze.
Engine runs in the cool end of the normal, maybe mid-range in Southern summers with A/C on.
I have not replaced belts or hoses but they appear to be in good shape.
Transmission:
Three speed, dual range automatic transmission.
Recently rebuilt (fewer than 2,000 miles ago).
Refilled with Dex/Merc fluid rather than the factory original Type F.
Rebuilder said either is fine but to NOT mix the two.
The power steering system still uses Type F.
Still a little slow to downshift into first when cold but does fine once warmed up.
The drivetrain should give many miles of reliable service.
Rear axle:
Smooth and quiet.
Replaced rear wheel bearings and seals.
Have NOT replaced the rear axle lubricant.
No troubles or wear noted.
Exhaust:
Systems are reasonably new stainless steel with a crossover tube and minimal muffling.
Chrome tailpipe tips exit from under the rear bumper.
Definitely not factory correct.
The system has a very nice performance car rumble without being obnoxious.
It is not luxury car silent but it will not annoy the neighbors or attract undue attention from the police.
Steering:
Tight and recently aligned.
New ball joints upper and lower on both sides.
New tie rod end.
Power assist is very strong.
Doesn’t pull or wander.
Responds well to input.
A bit twitchy at highway speeds with crosswinds but one adapts quickly.
Tires are too new to notice any odd wear patterns.
Old tires aged out.
No wear patterns noted on old tires.
Suspension:
Rides remarkably smoothly, quietly, and solidly.
No banging or jousting over rough roads.
Shock absorbers are all brand new, rear shocks are air adjustable.
New upper and lower front control arm bushings.
New front springs.
New sway bar links.
Truthfully, it handles like a boat – but that’s the way it was designed.
The car leans on curves but it has never broken into a slide even when driven vigorously on twisty roads.
Rides like a dream at highway speeds.
It sits level front to back and side to side.
Slight rake when air shocks are fully charged.
Tires:
Brand new Nexen WW radial tires (P235/75R15).
They are mounted on new steel wheels designed for radial tires.
Fewer than 3,000 mile son them.
Documentation:
Comes with a factory shop manual, factory wiring diagrams, and service records since I have owned the car.
It is registered and insured in Alabama (anon-title state for older cars).
Registration is current.
The car is garage kept and used as a weekend driver.
History:
A VIN check returned what appears to be a salvage on the car at some point in time.
It is clear that the car has never been seriously – or even moderately wrecked.
Cannot tell when, where, why or even if this is accurate information.
I’m sharing this information in the name of full disclosure.
I have no history or documentation other than I purchased it five years ago out of North Alabama and the prior two owners were in North Alabama.
Work that I have performed:
·
Replaced voltage regulator
·
Replaced alternator capacitor
·
Replaced voltage regulator capacitor
·
Replaced all brake hoses
·
Replaced door weather seals
·
Replaced warped and rotted door panelcards
·
Replaced door moisture barrier and added extra sound insulation
·
Flushed radiator, new low-tox coolant
·
Replaced both low-beam headlights
·
Replaced 20 Amp breaker for power windows
·
Replaced window safety relay
·
Replaced all four shock absorbers, rear air adjustable
·
Replaced right inner tie-rod end
·
Replaced all belt molding weather seals (inner and outer)
·
Replaced window run channel
·
Replaced glass setting channel on all four side windows
·
Replaced many (35) of the side trim fasteners and caps
·
Replaced rear axle bearings, retainers, and axle housing seals
·
Replaced brake shoes at all four wheels
·
Replaced brake hardware at all four wheels
·
Replaced brake return springs at all four wheels
·
Replaced or repaired self-adjustment mechanisms at all four wheels
·
Replaced leaky vacuum reserve tank
·
Replaced HVAC water control vacuum valve
·
Replaced carpeting front and rear
·
Replaced speedometer cable
·
Replaced valve cover gaskets
·
Replaced windshield
·
Replaced dashboard padding
·
Repaired and reinforced front floor boards
·
Replaced glove box liner
·
Replaced RH A/C duct
·
Replaced cigarette lighter element
·
Replaced ignition switch (kept original key)
·
Re-coned radio speaker
·
Replaced two rear door window motors
·
Replaced rubber and plastic body plugs
·
Change oil and lubricated chassis regularly
·
Replaced and tuned ignition components (plugs, wires, cap, rotor, points, condenser)
Summary:
This is a rare, nicely equipped, comfortable, classy, well-sorted, full-sized, station wagon.
It is not perfect.
There is opportunity to bring the car to the next level of restoration because the bones are good and the difficult and expensive stuff is done.
What is left is detail stuff.
It is an unusual – and very attractive color combination.
It gets a LOT of attention.
Very few station wagons survived hard family use.
Even fewer were so well optioned.
Yours will definitely be the only one on the show field.
The vehicle is not perfect but it is mechanically sound and it looks good even fairly close up.
All deficiencies are readily visible –nothing is hidden.
It is a good driver and a decent show car.
You won’t want to drive it all of the time because of its rarity (and abysmal fuel mileage) but you will enjoy comfortable and reliable cruising with eight other passengers.
You will get lots of attention without getting arrested.
Here is a chance to own a full-sized Mercury from the point in time when the brand was closest to Lincoln in quality, style, and features.
It is a bit of automotive legacy that your entire family can enjoy without breaking the bank. It deserves to be preserved or restored.
If you plan to modify or otherwise butcher it, please find another car.
This one is too correct and too nice to mess with.
Shipping:
Buyer is responsible.
I will make the car available to a carrier.
I am experienced with shipping overseas.
I will work with the buyer/broker.
It can be driven pretty much anywhere in North America as is.
Payment:
Ten percent deposit within 48 hours and balance to be paid within seven days of closing of the auction and prior to pick up.
PayPal, wire transfer, cash at time of pick up, certified check, or personal check (as long as it has cleared prior to pick up) or any combination of the above are all acceptable methods of payment.
Pricing:
Price is fair and reasonable.
I have much more in it.
Consider my loss your gain – though I have had fun with it over the past several years.
It is a very unique car.
It is highly unlikely that you will see one like it thus the exclusivity factor applies here.
Additional information:
I encourage you to ask questions but I respectfully request that you do so in writing.
Reason:
For both of our protection we need to have the exchange of information documented.
I strongly encourage a pre-purchase inspection.
I will make it available for such.
It is currently located in Atlanta.
I am selling it because I would like more space in my building but I do not really NEED to sell it.
Please contact me if you need more photos.
Assurances:
I know of nothing about this car that is worth hiding.
I have had it long enough and done enough work on it myself to know it well.
I have tried to describe it completely.
The above being said, if within two days of delivery you determine that this car is not as represented, I will buy it back from you less 15% and any wear or damage incurred in transit.
All transport will be at your expense.
Special Request:
Please contact me if you are reasonably serious about procuring this piece of automotive history.
Otherwise, please respect that I am a man of limited means and time.
As much as I might enjoy chatting with you, I have other responsibilities that demand my time – and there are more potential buyers than there is of me.
Thank you for your interest.
This car is worth your consideration.