Hidden for 30+ years

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Purchased new in 1963 by a newlywed couple in the Des Moines, Iowa area was this Mercury Monterey sedan. After one year of marriage, the couple divorced, and the ex-wife hid the car for 32 years, refusing to return the car to her ex-husband. So begins a unique Car Story.
 

This Mercury Monterey 4-door sedan was kept in storage in a family factory in Iowa until 1973. The building was sold, and the car was moved to the ex-wife’s garage, then to her nephew’s garage and eventually sold to the first car collector in year 2000 with just 4,600 original miles.

Eventually the car made its way to Fraser, Michigan, where I purchased it in mid 2019 with 6,975 miles showing. The car is ALL 100% stock and an unrestored survivor. The paint, trim, chrome, interior and all parts are original, except for maintenance items to keep the car road ready. Two minor areas of paint were retouched; the trunk lock was repainted due to the lock being jammed, and the top panel of the driver’s door was resprayed.

The VIN number reveals a VERY rare production automobile. This is a S-55 sport model, which only 1203 four-doors were made in 1963.  However, this VIN has a “Y” denotation in it which indicates a lower horsepower no charge option using a two-barrel, single exhaust configuration. ONLY 50 WERE BUILT WITH THIS ‘Y’ VIN number.
 
This car was reviewed by FoMoCo in 2007, and was referred to as “ A Survivor in Kind”. The car was also featured on the TV show ‘My Classic Car’ in 2008 with the host Dennis Gage reviewing the condition. Signed memorabilia validates the TV show event, stored in the trunk.
 
‘Monte’ as I refer to her as today, is used strictly for car shows and parade events, adding 500 miles yearly to the odometer. Current mileage is 9,300 miles.
 

I look forward to many years of sharing this car story and seeing the smiles from people who remember the ‘Breezeway’ power rear window that retracts into the trunk area. Let’s keep rolling! jwmagnusson@yahoo.com

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