Want a 1 of a kind Marauder?

[kirk]

Recent discoveries have lead me to wonder about some of the more unique and rare Marauders produced. One of the reasons I bought and kept my first Marauder is because I wanted something unusual. Sounds like at least some of you feel the same way. After all, it seems like everybody and his brother has a Corvette or a Mustang. In fact, I had a 1966 Mustang when I bought my Marauder S-55. Bye bye Mustang.

What's better than a Marauder? How about a one of a kind Marauder? There could be more of them out there than you think. I know about quite a few of them, though I'm sure not all. I already have my one of a kind Marauder, but I can't afford to buy them all, so I wanted to share what I know in case any of you are looking for that very special Marauder (assuming that they come up for sale some day).

Let's start with one we all know, and the one I think is the most special one of a kind, the 2002 convertible. It is the only Marauder concept I know of that was not destroyed, and the only real Maruader convertible in existance as a result. Not only is the car a one off, but so is the engine in it, and it is also a Marauder. Doesn't get any better. It's out there and has already been sold several times.

Wanta guess what the next rarest Marauders are? It's not the older ones. It's the gen-3 everyone on this site loves so much. There are 4 stand out cars from 2003-4.
A single 2003 was built without audio according to FPG.
A single 2003 was built with standard audio.
Two 2004s were built with standard audio and a CD changer, one DTR and one SB.
I'm not suggesting any of these 4 cars still exist, but if they do, someone should find them. You could have your own one of a kind Marauder.

Next up in the rarety category are the old 427 cars, including the one 406 car that I own. There were less than 100 of these built, but there are 15 of them known to still exist and they do come up for sale now and then. If you get into colors and options each one of these cars is a one of a kind. I'll list them in order of how rare I consider them to be.
1965 Marauder with a 427 8V, there were 7 427 Mercs built in 1965 and none are publicly known to exist today. But who knows what might be hiding out there.
1963 Marauder S-55, 406 6V, there were at least 2 built, mine is the only one known to still exist.
1964 Park Lane Marauder 2dr, 427 4V, there's one out there, and a guy drove it for 30 years never knowing it was a one of a kind until just before he sold it.
1963 Marauder S-55, 427 4V, there were probably about 9 of these built, there's one known to exist.
1964 Monterey Marauder 2dr, 427 8V, only one known to exist.
1964 Montclair Maruader 2dr, 427 8V, there are at least 2 of these out there.
1963 Marauder, 427 8V, there are at least 2 of these out there.
1963 Marauder S-55, 427 8V, there were 21 of these built, 3 are known to still exist.
1964 Park Lane Marauder 2dr, 427 8V, there are 4 of these know to exist.

They're getting less rare now, but you can still find some gems. I don't have any production numbers, but Marti would on these.
1969-70 Marauder with a 3-speed manual trans. I've never seen one but have to believe they built a couple. Wonder if there are any out there.

Any 1963-5 Marauder that does not have a 390 automatic will be pretty rare.

And finally, any Marauder that has an optional rear end will be pretty unusual.

Did I miss any that YOU know of?

[Turbov6Bryan]

I would like to know where out there the first production 2003 marauders are...

Say cars 1 through 15. Those would be rare and more desirable than a higher production # car in my opinion

It would be nice to get those vin #s and check with the DMV to see if any are registered

Heck they could be parts cars out there right under our noses :)

[kirk]

I would like to know where out there the first production 2003 marauders are...

Say cars 1 through 15. Those would be rare and more desirable than a higher production # car in my opinion

It would be nice to get those vin #s and check with the DMV to see if any are registered

Heck they could be parts cars out there right under our noses :)

Ya, I forgot about the 4PP cars. How many were there and how many left?

I've also seen 3 other pre-production 1963 Marauder S-55s. All 3 built 5 days after mine, and all with 390 4V automatic. Like mine, none of them have fender flags.

Then there are the Triology company cars. What ever became of those?

One of the 1963 P Jones cars is still around.

Lots of very unique Marauders if you think about it.

[badass mm]

where is the born on date don't have man date on drivers door

[Shornaday]

Yes, the certification label on the Door Jamb only gives the month and year that your Marauder was manufactured. Two ways you can get the actual date the Marauder was "born on" or "manufactured on" is thru the Ford Performance Group or a Marti Report.

You can purchase a marauder certificate thru Ford Show Parts at this link: http://www.fordshowparts.com

Once you get to this URL type Marauder in the keywords search block and it will take you to the page for the Marauder Certificate. The price is now $45 and maybe $5 for shipping. Certificates include production date, production number, and specific color breakdown. Also included with the certificate is a complete production breakdown for the model year.

You can also get more information by ordering a Marti Report. Go to the following web site and you can learn a little more about the Marti Reports: http://www.martiauto.com/reports2.cfm

Below is part of the information from my Marti Report:

IMPORTANT DATES
ORDER RECEIVED: 09/04/03
CAR SERIALIZED: 09/04/03
BUCKED: 10/03/03
SCHEDULED FOR BUILD: 09/04/03
ACTUALLY BUILT: 10/03/03
RELEASED: 10/04/03
SOLD: 11/24/03

On Marti's web site you will see what the terms mean. Lot of info there. I am not sure how much the Marti Reports are at this time. There are times when Marti gets backed up and they will stop taking orders.

Hope this helps.

[Shornaday]

Was a Trilogy Concept car ever built?

[Shornaday]

Or the S55 Concept car, was this by an individual or did Mercury actually build this one.

[Mr. Man]

Haggis has a 1 of 1. I'll let him explain.

[Bluerauder]

Was a Trilogy Concept car ever built?


Jerry Barnes from Dearborn owned Trilogy #1 and #2. Trilogy #1 had the ground effects bumpers as I recall. Saw them both at Marauderville III (MV3) in Detroit in August 2005. They were at the Trilogy Open House during Marauderville. He also ran #1 at Milan Drag Strip that weekend.

[kirk]

I mentioned the Trilogy cars because I believe Jerry worked pretty closely with Ford to develop those, but it was not a Ford product.

The 2003 S55 was a Mercury product but I have to believe that car was destroyed.

[Haggis]

Haggis has a 1 of 1. I'll let him explain.

I have the only Marauder, first and only owner, that came from the Dealer with a S/C.

[kirk]

I have the only Marauder, first and only owner, that came from the Dealer with a S/C.

I don't think I've heard this story. Tell us more.

[hotford]

^^^^^^^^^second that^^^^^^^^^^

[8UWITH6]

Or the S55 Concept car, was this by an individual or did Mercury actually build this one.

Very cool. I have never seen these pictures. I would have owned one of these cars a lot sooner had they come to production as pictured!

[Mr. Man]

I don't think I've heard this story. Tell us more.
Since Haggybaby seems to be sleeping I'll try to explain and he can fill in any errors when he wakes up.

Haggis bought his MM new. He had heard about the Kenny Brown S/C upgrade so he ordered the car from the dealer with the Kenny Brown "option". Mercury(STAP) sent his car directly to Kenny who did his magic and then sent the car to Haggis' dealer where he picked it up. All Other Kenny Brown cars went from the factory to the dealer to Kenny and then back to the dealer. This is how I understood his explanation.

[Joe Walsh]

Since Haggybaby seems to be sleeping I'll try to explain and he can fill in any errors when he wakes up.

Haggis bought his MM new. He had heard about the Kenny Brown S/C upgrade so he ordered the car from the dealer with the Kenny Brown "option". Mercury(STAP) sent his car directly to Kenny who did his magic and then sent the car to Haggis' dealer where he picked it up. All Other Kenny Brown cars went from the factory to the dealer to Kenny and then back to the dealer. This is how I understood his explanation.

............................ :hmmm: even I drove my marauder a few miles before I started modding it....:D

[kirk]

Since Haggybaby seems to be sleeping I'll try to explain and he can fill in any errors when he wakes up.

Haggis bought his MM new. He had heard about the Kenny Brown S/C upgrade so he ordered the car from the dealer with the Kenny Brown "option". Mercury(STAP) sent his car directly to Kenny who did his magic and then sent the car to Haggis' dealer where he picked it up. All Other Kenny Brown cars went from the factory to the dealer to Kenny and then back to the dealer. This is how I understood his explanation.

I'd say that counts as a one of a kind. Woo Hoo! :banana:

[Haggis]

Since Haggybaby seems to be sleeping I'll try to explain and he can fill in any errors when he wakes up.

Haggis bought his MM new. He had heard about the Kenny Brown S/C upgrade so he ordered the car from the dealer with the Kenny Brown "option". Mercury(STAP) sent his car directly to Kenny who did his magic and then sent the car to Haggis' dealer where he picked it up. All Other Kenny Brown cars went from the factory to the dealer to Kenny and then back to the dealer. This is how I understood his explanation.

Close, but no cigar.

When we were looking for at the Marauder and took it for a test drive I was very disappointed it its lack of power. Then Chris found out about Kenny Brown and I called and talked to Kenny's project manger David Fry. He gave us a code to give to the dealer to put on the ordering form. Like most dealers he had no clue. So the car went from the St. Thomas plant to Kenny's shop in Indy and then to the dealer, where I had purchased it and the whole deal went on the 5yr payment plan and was covered under warranty for the 3yrs-36,000 miles.

Unlike all the other cars that Kenny, Reinhart or Trilogy built, they were already bought and driven off the dealers lot, then were S/C as aftermarket.

[Catfish]

It would be tough finding these "rare" audio cars. I'm guessing the owner's at the time probably didn't know (or care) about their rarity and upgraded their stereos. Even if they kept their standard audio that system could have failed by now and been replaced. I might be a bit biased but I think a more desirable car that could be called rare is a sunroof car in DTR or SB.

[kirk]

It would be tough finding these "rare" audio cars. I'm guessing the owner's at the time probably didn't know (or care) about their rarity and upgraded their stereos. Even if they kept their standard audio that system could have failed by now and been replaced.

This is true, but if they are going to be identified or found it will only get harder with time. I wonder if FPG would be willing to ID the VINs?

I will also say that being a one of a kind will not by itself make them desirable or valuable. But if you are looking for a one of a kind Marauder, there ya go.

[hotford]

i have a one of a kind Marauder.........its all mine........lol

[LOWBUCKMM]

My uncles 03 is the earliest build 03 marauder that I have seen. 4/02 is the build date I believe. Is there any older ones that you guys own?

[WhatsUpDOHC]

While we're on the subject of rarity, how about sequential build numbers?

[05crownsport]

Rarity is interesting. Is there a number attached to 2003 silver birch, light flint interior, and the audiophile stereo without a 6 disk changer?

[Bluerauder]

Rarity is interesting. Is there a number attached to 2003 silver birch, light flint interior, and the audiophile stereo without a 6 disk changer?

Only 178 Silver Birches in 2003 with Light Flint. Just 79 came with the Audiophile without 6-CD Changer (but that includes all 417 -- 2003 Silvers). If distributed equally to Light Flint and Dark Charcoal interior cars, there would only be 34 with your combination. Don't think that we can find out for sure. So you are either 178, 79, or 34 .... take your pick.

[a_d_a_m]

My uncles 03 is the earliest build 03 marauder that I have seen. 4/02 is the build date I believe. Is there any older ones that you guys own? That would probably be a 4PP car then. I would call Ford and/or order the certificate to be sure.