Excuse my severe geekdom....

[Donny Carlson]

I cannot understand for the life of me why there never was a Marauder die cast or Hotwheels or Matchbox car. Maybe it was licensing. Who knows.

But, today I got an early Christmas present -- an SSR key chain of a Smokin' Asphalt made from a die cast.

I'm hoping Santa got my letter requesting the laser cut crystal block SSR with the VIN number ....

http://www.chevymall.com/images/us//local/products/detail/sh8400_dt.jpg


Anywho, here's my keychain:


http://www.mercurymarauder.net/showcase/files/1/1/3/6/DSC00230.JPG

http://www.mercurymarauder.net/showcase/files/1/1/3/6/DSC00234.JPG

http://www.mercurymarauder.net/showcase/files/1/1/3/6/DSC00231.JPG

[Rider90]

We need laser cut Marauder crystal blocks...

[Donny Carlson]

We need laser cut Marauder crystal blocks...

When I saw this item, I thought a Marauder would be a hit.

This elegant etched crystal is a work of art. A detailed image of the Chevy SSR with your VIN# is laser-etched inside this solid 3" x 2" x 2-1/2" crystal block on a solid black base with reflective surface. The 3-D effect is mesmerizing.

The vendor for this orders it from the manufacturer, who drop ships it to you. The problem I see is licensing. This vender is licensed by GM to make and sell GM logo items, and would likely not touch a Marauder item without obtaining a license from Ford, who hasn't shown any interest in licensing any Marauder logo products.

[SergntMac]

Nice to see your left hand occupied, Donny, and with something functional too.

My left hand has one job, steering my Marauder wheel, while my right hand controls my MM shift, gear selection, and other stuff.

I once had a left handed gang-banger point at me left handed, with something significant in his left hand.

It didn't work out the way he expected.

[Donny Carlson]

Nice to see your left hand occupied, Donny, and with something functional too.

My left hand has one job, steering my Marauder wheel, while my right hand controls my MM shift, gear selection, and other stuff.

I once had a left handed gang-banger point at me left handed, with something significant in his left hand.

It didn't work out the way he expected.


That was the left hand of my evil twin, Mac. My palms are MUCH too hairy for exposing to polite company.

[chasrein01]

A guy here in Michigan will do it too. He was taking pictures of cars during the Frankenmuth Auto Fest back in September, so he was personalizing the crystals, not infringing on the "copyrights". I do have his card and contact info, but there's no web site on the card. (If someone wants it, pm me.)

[SergntMac]

I cannot understand for the life of me why there never was a Marauder die cast or Hotwheels or Matchbox car. Maybe it was licensing. Who knows. Actually, this is a decent question.

We had a few chances early on, I was in touch with the Franklin Mint, who promised to watch this web site and gauge interest, but it went flat. And, as it sometimes goes, some of our discussions turned sour. It didn't surprise me when they stopped returning my calls.

Then there was a hobbist on e-bay making 1/8th scale models, but the quality wasn't top notch, at least not in my eyes. I think the real answer is, there wasn't enough solid interest from us, therefore, no interest from the industries.

It's all about dollars, and with just 11,000 production cars and 200 confused owners here, the die-cast market does better with police car collections, IMHO.

[Marauderman]

All nice and all Donny--But I'd rather have and enjoy the Leather Jacket LM provided us owners , as you recall, than what GM gave you here -----I suppose thats the best way to look at it---I'm glad they chose jackets ...I consider them more useful and nice to show off in public.......of course .. what you have there is ok , but ...if I had to choose, it's the jacket ......Tom


I cannot understand for the life of me why there never was a Marauder die cast or Hotwheels or Matchbox car. Maybe it was licensing. Who knows.

But, today I got an early Christmas present -- an SSR key chain of a Smokin' Asphalt made from a die cast.

I'm hoping Santa got my letter requesting the laser cut crystal block SSR with the VIN number ....

http://www.chevymall.com/images/us//local/products/detail/sh8400_dt.jpg


Anywho, here's my keychain:


http://www.mercurymarauder.net/showcase/files/1/1/3/6/DSC00230.JPG

http://www.mercurymarauder.net/showcase/files/1/1/3/6/DSC00234.JPG

http://www.mercurymarauder.net/showcase/files/1/1/3/6/DSC00231.JPG

[Donny Carlson]

All nice and all Donny--But I'd rather have and enjoy the Leather Jacket LM provided us owners , as you recall, than what GM gave you here -----I suppose thats the best way to look at it---I'm glad they chose jackets ...I consider them more useful and nice to show off in public.......of course .. what you have there is ok , but ...if I had to choose, it's the jacket ......Tom

I agree, Tom. The jacket was a unique gift to the owner, something I haven't seen done before or since. It was a classy touch.

[txmarauder]

I agree, Tom. The jacket was a unique gift to the owner, something I haven't seen done before or since. It was a classy touch.
Done b4 by GM with the GNX grand national. Jackets for those now go for over 1k on ebay.

[Donny Carlson]

Done b4 by GM with the GNX grand national. Jackets for those now go for over 1k on ebay.

Learned something new! Thanks!

http://home.att.net/~buickGNX/GNX/memorabilia/jacket1.JPG

http://www.motorcities.com/media/image/640/03IOC263406903H/1987-Buick-Grand-National-GNX-black-H.jpeg

[RCSignals]

I agree, Tom. The jacket was a unique gift to the owner, something I haven't seen done before or since. It was a classy touch.


Ford did a leather jacket for at least one of the Harley Davidson edition pick ups.

I think they've done some others as well

[RCSignals]

Done b4 by GM with the GNX grand national. Jackets for those now go for over 1k on ebay.

Weren't those vinyl or nylon, and you had to pay extra for one?

[txmarauder]

Weren't those vinyl or nylon, and you had to pay extra for one?
It was a cheap jacket, nothing like ours. All 547 GNX owners got one along with some literature and pins. Gnx jacket was good enough for a wind breaker but that was about it.

[fastblackmerc]

How bout instead of the profile of an MM laser-etched we got the God's head laser-etched with your VIN number? I agree w/ Marauderman... the leather jacket is better.....

[Eric91Z]

I like both ideas, actually. The laser etched crystal (or even a nice die cast) would be nice to have on the desk. Then I would like to have the leather jacket to wear or display with the car. Too bad it is not available to us MM enthusiasts that bought our cars used, but plan on keeping them for a long time to come - longer than some original owners.

[fastblackmerc]

Too bad it is not available to us MM enthusiasts that bought our cars used, but plan on keeping them for a long time to come - longer than some original owners.
Check some earlier posts. Supposedly there might be some left-over jackets available for purchase.

[SID210SA]

Was the leather jacket limited to 03 MM owners or just thru certain dealerships or what...I bought my 04 new and that never came up...

[MM03MOK]

Was the leather jacket limited to 03 MM owners or just thru certain dealerships or what...I bought my 04 new and that never came up... Initial '03 and '04 owners get a jacket. A few didn't get their post card and called Beanstock directly and provided them with their VIN. There has been a loooooong wait in the last 6+ months for new owners to get their jacket. We also heard Beanstock would sell surplus jackets once they got the word. I put my name on the list in Feb. '05 and have heard nothing since.

http://www.mercurymarauder.net/forums/showthread.php?p=310120

http://www.mercurymarauder.net/forums/showthread.php?p=292323

Call Mike Keso 248 458 5196 Beanstock

[Eric91Z]

Initial '03 and '04 owners get a jacket. A few didn't get their post card and called Beanstock directly and provided them with their VIN. There has been a loooooong wait in the last 6+ months for new owners to get their jacket. We also heard Beanstock would sell surplus jackets once they got the word. I put my name on the list in Feb. '05 and have heard nothing since.

http://www.mercurymarauder.net/forums/showthread.php?p=310120

http://www.mercurymarauder.net/forums/showthread.php?p=292323

Call Mike Keso 248 458 5196 Beanstock


Is Mike still the guy to call? It seems the second link says a female has taken it over? Any idea what they will end up selling them for price wise?

[MM03MOK]

I see that now...Kelly Reeves. Try the old number and see where it gets you. $150 was the price mentioned for the leftovers. Sizes would be limited and it was first come, first served.

[Eric91Z]

I see that now...Kelly Reeves. Try the old number and see where it gets you. $150 was the price mentioned for the leftovers. Sizes would be limited and it was first come, first served.


Tried the phone number and it is Mike's number. Left a voice mail, but guessing I won't get a call back based on the other posts around here. And $150 for leftovers, if they have a XXL, would be AWESOME!!! Better than both of the 2 left on ebay.

[Eric91Z]

I just spoke with Mike and he did verify that he is still handling the jackets. He verified that the did get my voice mail earlier today and has forwarded that information to the warehouse to check status of inventory. He said he would get ahold of me once he hears back and verified my phone number again.

Nice guy. This would be cool if something worked out.

[MM03MOK]

Glad to hear you made contact, Eric.

[Eric91Z]

Glad to hear you made contact, Eric.


Thanks for the information and pointing me in the right direction.