11,350 Original Miles/25 Years in Storage/Numbers Matching 390 V8/3-Speed Auto

1968 Mercury Monterey

The Monterey Peninsula, in particular the City of Monterey is the gateway to the peninsula. Upon entering, the world changes and as you head south through Pebble Beach, Carmel, Big Sur, things get even better. Mercury introduced the Monterey in 1952, and immediately it was associated with the high end of the spectrum, emulating the peninsula it was named for.

This 1968 Mercury 4-door hardtop allows you to experience the better side of life as you travel down the forever winding PCH (Pacific Coast Highway). Several improvements and maintenance issues have been resolved after pulling this car out of storage courtesy a previous owner from a time of 25 years! She runs like a top, purrs like a kitten and presents like a cream puff and I think I've used all the car salesman lingo to help sell this consignment.

Exterior
Pewter Metallic in good condition is the paint color for this Monterey. A clean black vinyl top with shiny trimmings and no rust underneath is seen throughout. Brite work and chrome bumpers are all there, correct badging, and all exterior lighting in excellent condition. Gaps are a bit funky at places but overall, within acceptable tolerances just not perfect alignment. Elongated “boat” shaped vertical tail lighting which is iconic to this car is seen on the back and integrates with the rear bumper. Turbine style wheel covers with a central Mercury badge are on all 4 corners.

Interior
Like new original upholstery in black vinyl is seen throughout the passenger compartment, as well as original cut and sewn faded black carpet flood the floors. The split back bench upfront, and a bench across the rear are all presenting beautifully. The walnut veneer dash, in pristine condition houses all the essentials. A peek at the odometer reveals and confirmed by the consigner that only 11.350 original miles have been clocked on this car, so the 25 years in storage and subsequent work to bring it back from this time were well spent. Even in the trunk there is factory appearing finishes and panels.

Drivetrain
390 cubic inches grace the engine bay, and a 2-barrel carburetor is perched on top. This engine has undergone a complete overhaul and fresh tune up upon leaving storage in 2012. The automatic transmission has received the same treatment with flushed and new fluids added. A refreshed with new fluids power steering pump, checked and rebuilt alternator, distributor, and this car runs like new and is a very quiet smooth idler.

Undercarriage
Some surface rust coats the undercarriage, but it remains structurally sound and invasive rust free. A new fuel tank, rebuilt left and right front wheel cylinders, and a new master cylinder were attached at the time of the bring back from storage. Independent coil springs for the front and a 4 link with coil springs for the back along with drum brakes on all 4 corners can be seen underneath.

Drive-Ability
She fired right up and ran like a champ for our test drive. All functions were working just swimmingly. Interior is very comfy, and the exterior is looking fab with great handling and bias free panic stopping.

Overall this car presents beautifully, and mechanically is sound. Many hours have been put into this upon its removal from a time capsule storage and it shows nicely. Also, the mileage is nearly unbelievable (11,350!) It is a reliable car with careful use of NOS parts staying as close to original as possible. All original interior and mechanically sound those 25 years were well spent as was the money and parts put on after said 25 year hiatus.

VIN DECODE
8Z48Y544827
8-1968
Z-St. Louis, MO Assy Plant
48-Monterey 4 Door Hardtop
Y-390ci V8 2bbl
544827-Sequential Unit Number