For your Fastback Friday enjoyment, I give you the 1972Mercury Montego GT. Big, brown, and beautiful, this high-performance luxury machine brings back memories of better, bygone days, with billowing big hair and blue blazers.
OK, enough alliteration already. Let’s check out this beast.
The second-generation Montego had a lot going for it, compared to the first generation – increasing dimensions, increasing performance, and a buying public that was in love with cars of size with big performance. Mercury’s answer to the Gran Torino SportsRoof was the Montego GT, and it was a big success for Mercury, Ford Motor Company’s longtime mid-range marque.
A few details from the ad:
For sale , a 1972 Mercury Montego GT fastback. This is one of 5,200 made in 1972. Car has a factory tach, gauge package, nine inch rearend, high back bench seat, disc brakes, hood scoops, larger front sway bar, rim blow steering wheel, and dual sport mirrors. Car was a 351 automatic, but now has no powertrain. The wheels DO NOT go with the car, it will have a set of steel rollers on it soon. Have a clear title and an extra p/s front fender that goes with the car. A 429-460 will fit and was a option on this car.
The 1972 Montego was the epitome of early Malaise personal cars – big and fast, but comfortable and plus. It was a very popular choice in its day, as an entire new type of car made its way into the market. Sadly, gas prices skyrocketed soon after this, the second generation, hit the streets. It wasn’t long before people were clamoring for better mileage, and the EPA/feds were only too happy to oblige.
So what do you think? It’s missing an engine, and the interior is completely shot, but for $2000, it could make a nice, cheap sleeper. Let us know what you think in the comments.
[Source: Springfield Craigslist]
I owned a ’73 Gran Torino GT fastback. Always loved this body style. A twin cam 4.6 and a 5 or 6-speed would make a nice stealthmobile.
Love the fact it doesn’t have the front porch bumpers the 73s had, the color is great but that trailer is to die for!
I thought you might like that!
With the small bumpers these were quite handsome, and more rare than the Cougar. 351C was pretty respectable and made a great highway cruiser. My sis-in-law had one that she really loved. I’d make no apologies driving this malaise-mobile.
The small bumpers really do make all the difference. What a difference one year makes.
Not the Montego the Brits and NZers recognise. But at least one person in the USA should recognise the doors. ( Looking at you, MD Harrell.) The MG Montego available as a 2.0 Turbo manual (& wagon)The Auckland traffic police ran a few as mufti cars. They were the last British cars run by Police in NZ.
http://photinus.me.uk/other_mgs/MG%20Montego%20Turbo%20cropped.jpg
http://photinus.me.uk/other_mgs/MG%20Montego%20rear.jpg
http://i.ytimg.com/vi/qdTu2YD6tSc/maxresdefault.jpg
MG Maestro?
Well done,(and Austin and Vanden Plas Maestros)The last desgin by David Bache who designed the P4, P5, P6, P7, P8, P9 and SD1 Rovers and the Land Rover and Range Rover
True, although this commonality of door panels is less helpful over here in the US these days than one might suppose.
Maybe you should get a Montego as well?
I could send one over? http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/used-cars/rover/auction-916494772.htm
http://trademe.tmcdn.co.nz/photoserver/full/396699104.jpg
It has occurred to me, but I may just wait for one of the Etsong/FAW Maestro/Montegos to reach the ripe old age of 25.
That’s a true masochist connoisseur speaking?
Ah yes.
All good things take time.
As well.
OR then there is this. Another Vanden Plas ?
http://www.aronline.co.uk/blogs/news/news-as-new-metro-vanden-plas-500-unearthed/
http://www.aronline.co.uk/blogs/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/1983-austin-metro-vp-500.jpg
I’m really digging it. Loads of potential. I can really see a nice restomod happening, drop in a Kasse big block with a six speed trans and 9″ rear with a total conversion to tubular arms and air bags. I wish I could afford to do something like this.