1978 Mercury Monarch with a STICK...!?!?!?

https://richmond.craigslist.org/cto/d/1978-mercury-monarch/6536005409.html

I did not even think you could GET a stick shift in a car like this.... who else has seen something
like this..!?!?

 

It appears to be factory, no PRNDL.... no radio.... no nonsense and no flair...

 

I have. I have even seen a three-on da tree '75 Granada - but it was a sedan. There was one of these in a manual someone posted here a few months ago if you go down a few pages.....

 

It's been mentioned on this forum before, but in 1981 Saddam Hussein ordered 25,000 (yes, 25,000) Chevy Malibus from GM Canada, configured as really low, low, optioned cars (but with A/C, naturally) and 3-speed manual transmissions, floor-mounted. Known as the "Iraqi Taxis", only half were delivered. The rest were sold off by GM cheaply to consumers in Canada. I actually knew someone who owned one. More about it here:

http://www.curbsideclassic.com/blog/automotive-history-snapshot-1981-chevrolet-malibu-iraqi-taxi/

Far-fetched possibility - but I wonder if Ford had a similar deal with some other country?

 

Yes, the Granada and Monarch, in both body styles, came with manual trannies, some on the floor, some on the column. One of the three Granadas at high school for Driver's Ed. was a 3 on the tree.

 

I don't think they were that rare.



Here's one with a V8 and a 4 speed.

 

Extremely low option. Also no radio or AC.

 

Most of those were just Point A-Point B-Point C cars, so no one ordered anything more than a backlight defogger. If the Fairmont hadn't been introduced, Dad likely would've bought a Granada, and that would've meant a 3 on the tree, instead of a 3 on the floor.

 

There's something appealing about it, just because it has no options. Judging by the shifter knob, it looks like a 4-speed. The shape of the structure under the hood seems mismatched with the exterior finish, like it might have been re-painted

 

I'm not a big Granada/Monarch guy, but I like this car and the price seems pretty reasonable. I also liked the red three on the tree Granada posted a while ago.

 

I was working for a Ford dealer for a very short while when the first Granadas started showing up. Very reasonably-priced when equipped with say the 250 - 6, Cruiseomatic, PS, PB, AC, and maybe the nice exterior decor package to jazz up the outside ... like this one:


But, if you wanted a loaded Ghia, your price tag is now in LTD territory........

 

That may be the most boring 1970's or later dash I have ever seen, if nothing else the extra A/C vents would break it up a little

 

Even with the radio that is a lot of fake woodgrain and one mind numbingly boring dash to look at. Just a speedometer in the middle and a little gas gauge to look at.

 

Who would have anything against this alternative?

 

While not great looking IMO, it is better to look at than the Non A/C Radio Delete Base Dash of the car for sale. Heck my Police car 71 Pontiac at least has a Clock, and various Police Knobs and switch's to play with.

But this car does have a 3rd Pedal & Stick shift to break up the boredom. Waiting for the sound of the Smogged out 200? I-6 to wind up to the best shifting point could be entertaining for a few miles. The only 70's Ford I-6 powered stick shift car I ever drove was a girl friends 2-door Maverick, it didn't inspire me in any way, it was more fun when it was Parked!