junkyardjeff Posted June 15, 2020 Share Posted June 15, 2020 My 65 Custom 500 needs too much body repair so I put a deposit on a 65 mercury Montclair 4 door sedan that has a 3 speed over drive trans,it only needs some quarter panel repairs that my 65 needs but does not need a trunk floor and trunk seal lip repairs and the roof is nice and straight were someone in the past sat on my roof. The only thing I do not like is that it has in dash a/c,I had a 65 country Squire that had it and was a fight to just get the heat working,I now know what I am doing on them and do have some used and NOS a/c parts left over from the wagon. With the rear window that rolls down I am not going to be in a hurry to get the a/c working but since the heat and a/c has not been molested I hope it will work enough for heat for now. 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frank DuVal Posted June 15, 2020 Share Posted June 15, 2020 Wow, a three speed Mercury. And Overdrive to boot!👍 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JamesR Posted June 15, 2020 Share Posted June 15, 2020 Congrats on the purchase, Jeff! Looks like a very cool car and a great project! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bloo Posted June 15, 2020 Share Posted June 15, 2020 3 speed overdrive! NIce! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
58L-Y8 Posted June 15, 2020 Share Posted June 15, 2020 Glad to see this unusual '65 Mercury Montclair found an appreciative new owner. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lebowski Posted June 15, 2020 Share Posted June 15, 2020 (edited) Those "breezeway" back windows are great. Make sure you post some pics when you get it home and cleaned up and running.... Did you see this one for $1800 in Indiana with a rebuilt 390 which also has a stick? It looks pretty clean.... Edited June 15, 2020 by Lebowski (see edit history) 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matt Harwood Posted June 15, 2020 Share Posted June 15, 2020 This car was just a joy to drive--a literal little old lady special. It made me smile every time I got behind the wheel (except the tires, which were dreadful). Nice cars nevertheless. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
padgett Posted June 15, 2020 Share Posted June 15, 2020 There are a few four doors that are just neat. That is one. Congrats. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joe Cocuzza Posted June 15, 2020 Share Posted June 15, 2020 1 hour ago, Lebowski said: Those "breezeway" back windows are great. Make sure you post some pics when you get it home and cleaned up and running.... Did you see this one for $1800 in Indiana with a rebuilt 390 which also has a stick? It looks pretty clean.... I "believe" that IS the same car. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JamesR Posted June 15, 2020 Share Posted June 15, 2020 1 hour ago, Lebowski said: Those "breezeway" back windows are great. Make sure you post some pics when you get it home and cleaned up and running.... Did you see this one for $1800 in Indiana with a rebuilt 390 which also has a stick? It looks pretty clean.... I saw that. Looked like a screamin' deal. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TTR Posted June 15, 2020 Share Posted June 15, 2020 (edited) 1 hour ago, Matt Harwood said: ... the tires, which were dreadful. Yes, I agree on those dreadful looking tires. WWW’s give cars of this (& later) era a definitive (or at least, suggestive) appearance of a “P*mp-mobile” (not that there’s anything wrong with “that”, I guess ?). 🙄 Edited June 15, 2020 by TTR (see edit history) 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lebowski Posted June 15, 2020 Share Posted June 15, 2020 5 minutes ago, Joe Cocuzza said: I "believe" that IS the same car. Really? It looks a lot shinier in the for sale ad.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Morgansdad Posted June 15, 2020 Share Posted June 15, 2020 Cool car. Great buy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
padgett Posted June 15, 2020 Share Posted June 15, 2020 I had use of a gigantic Mercury 'vert with a 428/4-speed for a while, could really throw that around but just too big for me (was in my Jag period). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
junkyardjeff Posted June 15, 2020 Author Share Posted June 15, 2020 It is the same car. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tomcarnut Posted June 15, 2020 Share Posted June 15, 2020 Very cool! Looking forward to seeing it on a Southern Ohio Chapter tour! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
58L-Y8 Posted June 15, 2020 Share Posted June 15, 2020 What caught my attention on this '65 Montclair was the manual shift with overdrive. In 1972, my father bought a pair of '67 Mercurys, both four door hardtops. The Monterey was 390 Merc-O-Matic had taken a front hit, needed another front clip. Montclair was a towing package 410 with four speed on the floor! It had been hit in the rear, gave its front clip to the Monterey, its 410 and four speed to guys setting up drag cars if I recall correctly. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ted "Wildcat65" Nagel Posted June 15, 2020 Share Posted June 15, 2020 Very cool purchase. Congrats, and hope I see it someday in SW Ohio. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
junkyardjeff Posted June 16, 2020 Author Share Posted June 16, 2020 Going to pick it up saturday and looks like it will push back my frame swap project on my truck a couple months,I need to get it where its movable 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
junkyardjeff Posted June 16, 2020 Author Share Posted June 16, 2020 It looks like that Craigslist picture was taken a few years ago since the paint is dull. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Billy Kingsley Posted June 17, 2020 Share Posted June 17, 2020 I'm glad to see you saving that Mercury, but kind of disappointing to see the condition it is now. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
just me Posted June 17, 2020 Share Posted June 17, 2020 Congratulations on your purchase. Charley Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
8E45E Posted June 17, 2020 Share Posted June 17, 2020 (edited) On 6/15/2020 at 3:26 PM, junkyardjeff said: It is the same car. Hopefully it will get noticed at car shows. It must be very rare option in a Mercury of that year, with a two-digit, or very low three-digit production figure. The only car I ever saw that comes close to this one was a 1965 (Canadian) Meteor Rideau which was a genuine taxi-package car in an autowrecker's yard several years ago. If I remember right, it was the 240 six cylinder with standard transmission. I wish I looked to see if it had OD or not. I'm currently restoring a 1965 Studebaker Cruiser six-cylinder with an overdrive transmission, which was one of 74 made with that engine/transmission combination. I have the Production Order from the Studebaker National Museum confirming it. Unfortunately, your car is older than 1967, which is the earliest year one can obtain a Marti Report, that would provide a breakdown of the number of cars which had your engine & transmission combination. Craig Edited June 18, 2020 by 8E45E (see edit history) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JamesR Posted June 17, 2020 Share Posted June 17, 2020 5 hours ago, 8E45E said: I'm currently restoring a 1965 Studebaker Cruiser six-cylinder with an overdrive transmission, which was one of 74 made with that engine/transmission combination. I have the Production Order from the Studebaker National Museum confirming it. Craig Did Studebaker still put the Borg Warner R10 or R11 overdrive unit in their cars in '65? I know they did in the 1950's because they apparently had the same unit as my '54 Ford, which I'd like to get working again. It would be interesting to know if Jeff's recent old Mercury has the same unit, too. I know they used the R10 for a while, but I don't know how long. Good luck with your Cruiser restoration project. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
8E45E Posted June 17, 2020 Share Posted June 17, 2020 36 minutes ago, JamesR said: Did Studebaker still put the Borg Warner R10 or R11 overdrive unit in their cars in '65? Studebaker used the T86E overdrive transmission in 1965. Craig Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
padgett Posted June 17, 2020 Share Posted June 17, 2020 Back in the no fuel daze it was found that by drilling one hole in a Saginaw 4 speed case you could attach a BW overdrive. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aaron65 Posted June 18, 2020 Share Posted June 18, 2020 (edited) The '65 Mercury has one of my favorite dashboards ever, and it's hard to go wrong with a Breezeway window. I think you did really well here, but as my screen name attests, I think 1965 is the best model year for cars. If the Mercury were mine, I think I'd repair the rust behind the wheels, try to wheel out the paint to get some gloss back, and spot paint my patches. Then I'd just clean it up and drive it and repair things as needed. Edited June 18, 2020 by Aaron65 (see edit history) 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
junkyardjeff Posted June 21, 2020 Author Share Posted June 21, 2020 I got it home with no problems,I used a tow dolly and was a little worried about the old tires but since there was construction between Indy and Richmond I took Rt 40 and kept it around 55 and was a nice trip. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
junkyardjeff Posted June 23, 2020 Author Share Posted June 23, 2020 The rear springs seem to be sagging a bit so I found the old set from my 65 Country Squire that will be going in soon. 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
junkyardjeff Posted August 6, 2020 Author Share Posted August 6, 2020 It runs and now need to see why I can not get it to go into first or reverse,broke in the engine last night after work and got the charging system working tonight. The new looking voltage regulator was the problem. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frank DuVal Posted August 6, 2020 Share Posted August 6, 2020 Clutch not releasing? i.e.stuck clutch? Does it shift into 1st and reverse with the engine not running? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
junkyardjeff Posted August 6, 2020 Author Share Posted August 6, 2020 Column or linkage is frozen,it will go into second and third. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frank DuVal Posted August 6, 2020 Share Posted August 6, 2020 Disconnect the 1-R link to the transmission bellcrank and see if the transmission shifts OK. If so, time to R&R column and clean it up. They usually need the lower bearing adjusted anyway from years of wear. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
58L-Y8 Posted August 6, 2020 Share Posted August 6, 2020 Glad to hear you are making progress on that unique Mercury. Good luck as you proceed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John S. Posted August 6, 2020 Share Posted August 6, 2020 Nice combination, Breezway and Overdrive. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
junkyardjeff Posted August 6, 2020 Author Share Posted August 6, 2020 Found the problem of no first and reverse,there is another lever going from the clutch linkage to first and reverse linkage where the clutch has to be in for it to shift out of those gears. It was not adjusted right so it got removed until I can get it up enough to work under it so I will do that when I check the brakes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
junkyardjeff Posted August 7, 2020 Author Share Posted August 7, 2020 It went around the block but even with a brake pedal it does nothing so everything is froze up. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
junkyardjeff Posted August 16, 2020 Author Share Posted August 16, 2020 Today I got one rear wheel cylinder replaced (other will be in Monday) along with the rear springs and shocks and new rear brake hose and lines,the other night I got the interior and trunk lights working. I think the reason the brakes have a good pedal but nothing is the hoses are collapsed,could not blow air through the rear one. Waiting on parts to put the gas tank back in and should be able to start on the front brakes late next week. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cutlasguy Posted August 17, 2020 Share Posted August 17, 2020 (edited) Saw this one at Fall Carlisle 2015! What a cruiser! Edited August 17, 2020 by cutlasguy (see edit history) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
junkyardjeff Posted August 25, 2020 Author Share Posted August 25, 2020 Now that it has rear brakes it went a little further in the neighborhood and that o/d trans does not have a syncronized first gear,next step is new front wheel cylinders and hoses. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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