Convertible 390 4bbl marauder engine/4 speed/3.89 axle Barn find survivor

Description for Mercury Monterey 1964

I've owned this 64 Monterey for over 15 years and haven't made much progress with the restoration. I found it in Wilmington. Ohio. where it had been owned by the same person since the early 70's. Its an original Z-code 390-300hp car with its original engine. toploader 4 speed and 3. 89 open axle. The only options are deluxe wheelcovers. power seat and power steering. Previous owner wrote a letter to Ford requesting production data on his car. and received a reply that there were 2592 Monterey convertibles manufactured. but there was no further info available. How many were 390/4 speeds? I've been told by collectors that this combination is rarer than the 427/4 speed production because it was uncommon for someone to order the big block without stepping up to the 427 or 406. We guess maybe 25 of these cars were ordered new? I've seen one Park Lane 4 speed convertible. and a few 4 speed coupes. but never another Monterey convertible. I tried to get a Marti report. but they are not available for 1964 Ford/Mercury. It ran when I bought it. but I decided to freshen the engine. The shortblock was rebuilt with quality parts and professional machinework - Clevite bearings. Fel-Pro gaskets. stock compression ratio hypereutectic pistons. double roller timing set. etc. It is . 030" overbored. Heads were also rebuilt with new springs. keepers. valve job. Flywheel was resurfaced. distributor rebuilt and tuned on a Sun machine. bellhousing painted. and I have the oil pump. gaskets and some new brake parts in boxes. The radiator was also professionally restored with a new core by Powell Radiator (the best in Ohio). Engine needs heads and sheet metal installed. and a cam of your choice. All the accessories - pulleys. alternator. valve covers. intake. carb. etc are original to the car and boxed up in the trunk. Even the original trunk mat is presentable. and I kept a vintage Delco battery that was in the car when I bought it (its no good. but looks cool). The body is solid but has some rust through in quarters. headlight eyebrows. and corners or the trunk where it meets the wheelhouse. The floors. doors and rockers are have no rust through that I can find although there are small rust chips in the paint all over. Doors open and shut nicely with no sagging or binding. I recently did a detail job on the original paint and it shined up very nicely. If you wanted to reinstall the engine. do the brakes and fuel system. and repair the cosmetic rust this would be a very presentable cruiser. Frame has light surface rust all over. but no rust through. Its not as clean as a western car underneath. but not a rust bucket either. Interior is very nice. Chrome is weathered and dash pad is hard. but seats and carpets are clean and original. Good glass all around. The convertible top worked when I bought the car - top is tattered but bows are excellent. I have some other parts available at extra cost - NOS right front fender. Arizona left fender. quarter patch panels. Also a set of NOS adjustable FE rocker arms and shafts I've been saving for this engine. Car rolls freely and everything can fit into the trunk for shipping. One of the original 14" wheels is de-mounted and included in the trunk. Jack and handle included also. There are over 50 photos on my flickr account. Please email and I'll send you a link 64 Mercury. The car is seriously for sale. The buy-it-now of $4000 is a great price but I'm open to offers. Car is located in Cincinnati. Ohio. zip 45206. Car has clear Ohio title. Questions/Inspections welcome. We will work with a shipper if you choose to send one. We also have experience with international sales. so foreign bidders are welcome. We ask that they arrange shipping out of the US. but I can arrange shipping to any US port city. Thanks for looking!