Is this Merc responsible for the 03 Marauder

[Mr. Man]

Not saying your car didn't attract some attention, but Steve Babcock (Program Manager for the Marauder) has told us at a number of Maraudervilles that the major inspiration was the the '94-'96 Impala SS. It was originally going to be a Crown Vic BlackHawk but was given to Mercury for reasons I can't remember now.

Ford already had enough variations of the Vic so Steve went to Mercury.

Ford wanted the Blackhawk and Mercury wanted the Marauder. Ultimately the final decision was made by Bill Ford after hearing arguments from both parties.

I wasn't aware the Marauder was ever proposed to have the 5.4.

Steve wanted the 5.0l pushrod first then after that idea was scuttled by Team Modular the 5.4l was next up. It wouldn't fit with out massaging the engine compartment of which he didn't have the budget for.

 

[04 Quicksilver]

Does someone have an answer for post 17?

 

[Mr. Man]

Why do they rust on the inside bottom of the rear doors? Is it a plugged up drainage hole or something like that? Thanks.

BW
Rust Never Sleeps

Does someone have an answer for post 17?

You answered your own question. IIR there are two weep holes with plastic doors on the inside bottom edge that need to be kept clean and working. Front doors too I believe.

 

[decipha]

too bad the 5.4 didn't make it to production, would had been titties

I could see some modified lightning/harley blowers making their way

 

[tutbo2256b]

The blue car i pictured front frame passenger side wasthe first to rust. Had to replace the front torq box and later the frame rail on that side from front box to rear. main cause was the battery leaking acid over time. These days i often mix water and some baking soda remove battery and pour and or spray it around the battery location and into the frame.
Just did it to a Zephyr Z7 i am doing some restoration on. Neutralized a lot of acid.

 

[RubberCtyRauder]

The blue car i pictured front frame passenger side wasthe first to rust. Had to replace the front torq box and later the frame rail on that side from front box to rear. main cause was the battery leaking acid over time. These days i often mix water and some baking soda remove battery and pour and or spray it around the battery location and into the frame.
Just did it to a Zephyr Z7 i am doing some restoration on. Neutralized a lot of acid.[/QUOT]

The box era and aero era cars ,I believe, had poor placement of the a/c drain and drained pretty into the frame rail causing that right side area to rot from inside out

 

[TrueBlue]

Mercury Marauder Introduction - Hot Rod Nov 1, 2001

The Hot Rod article from November 1, 2001 had a lot of information for the upcoming Mercury Marauder, such as the reasons why the 5.4L engine or the Eaton-blown supercharger on the 4.6L weren't used. https://www.hotrod.com/articles/47438-2003-mercury-marauder/

Some of the more fascinating plans were the 2006 facelift and the X-100 "feature car" for later in '03 with headers, an X-pipe exhaust, Baer brakes, Edelbrock valve covers, and 19-inch wheels. All of this was based on a business case of selling 15,000 Marauders per year. We all know how that turned out. Interestingly, if the Marauder was considered rare at 15,000 units per year, it shows just how rare it really is with only 11,000 produced over its two year life span.

Also, to appreciate just how much the Marauder was valued at the time, its picture was located next to the Ford GT on the folder for the Ford 100th Anniversary Commemorative coin. I won this coin from Autoline Detroit and cherish it very much. There is one available on ebay. https://www.ebay.com/itm/FORD-100TH...-COIN-WITH-OFFICIAL-FOLDER-MINT-/392088822136

 

[crownvic97]

The blue car i pictured front frame passenger side wasthe first to rust. Had to replace the front torq box and later the frame rail on that side from front box to rear. main cause was the battery leaking acid over time. These days i often mix water and some baking soda remove battery and pour and or spray it around the battery location and into the frame.
Just did it to a Zephyr Z7 i am doing some restoration on. Neutralized a lot of acid.[/QUOT]

The box era and aero era cars ,I believe, had poor placement of the a/c drain and drained pretty into the frame rail causing that right side area to rot from inside out

That’s what did in my 97’s frame sadly.

 

[NorthShoreChiMM]

Garage Kept + No snow + No Rain from factory and your almost guaranteed no rust for life.