Have an opportunity to trade an OT car (which I value around 6K) for this 1963 Mercury Meteor. I have posted pics below. Any idea a good ballpark value for this year merc is?
That's easily worth $6K IMO. email me specs on OT car (billwnj at gmail) and I'll see what it's going through auctions for to give you an idea of actual value.
Meteor hardtop: rarer than any other except maybe the wagon. floor shift: seems aftermarket, as there's no center console running from the seats to the dash. Not a bad thing. (bench seat may eliminate the center console, my bad) Anyway, worth 6K IMO
the fender ornaments on the top are different on the front fenders. around here, that car will go for 5 range fairly easy I would think.
and with the missing antenna, I would say the car had a corner crashed out and then rebuilt, so, maybe it was changed due to rust, but If it was me, I would look at inner panels and structure, might see something they didnt want ya to notice. The fenders are different/replaced for a reason, might be as simple as rust but worth a closer look at that corner, just saying.
FYI - the front bumper is off of a 1963 Ford Fairlane, not off a Mercury Meteor. Thanks, Tom - Glass_Packs
Also the driver's side "horseshoe" trim (beneath the tail light) appears to be broken, it's one of the harder pieces of trim to find in good shape. Thanks, Tom - Glass_Packs P.S. - I'm betting that the motor has been replaced, judging my the timing chain cover.
Plus, the present owner must be REAL tall in order to drive that puppy. I think you should make the trade - immediately.
That is the factory trigger shifter.... a lot of those cars didnt have consoles especially since it is a bench seat car. That is either a later model engine or they just converted it to later serpentine type of belt drive too.
Never know... may have all Failane emblems on one side... LOL Saw more than one Mercury Lynx that came in on the truck that had all Escort badging on one side, Lynx on the other.
I wouldn't if you are looking at pure dollar investment 81 Vettes WILL go up in value where as the Merc is at top dollar and won't go any further. More buyers for a 81 Vette than the Merc. IMHO
OK... the emblem on the left fender appears to be for a 62 Meteor, the one on the right side, a 63. It also looks like there is an antenna on the left side, and a hole for one on the right. I have seen them with the antenna on either side.... since most dealers installed them they went anywhere. This car probably had the left fender replaced and it had a hole also !
Fairly rare car..... They only built 7500 of the 'Custom' hardtops, and under 5000 of the S-33 version (which should be bucket seats IIRC, special steering wheel, and maybe chrome valve covers). Do research the motor/trans, as this would have been a 260/early pattern T-10 as new; not so easy to swap to a later motor. At least the few missing/wrong parts are 'common' ones to all models. Mechanically, it's the same as the 62-65 Fairlane.
Interesting all the parts that you guys can see wrong on this car. I bet it was wrecked on the front corner and that is why the bumper and fenders are messed up.
Guy said the fender and bumper are from a fairlane. Says he " just installed sll new procomp dist coil and ignition, new holley 600 double pumper, forged pistions new valves and guides ported heads balanced, comp 280 extreme cam"
Should be an emblem on the driver side of the hood for '63. I'd have to look at my two cars, but I'm thinking the fenders between Fairlanes and Meteors are shaped different, so unless he grafted the top section of the original, or the photo reflection is hiding the difference on the driver side. I guess what we're saying here is that it's not a perfect car in terms of an original for dollar value, but the fun-o-meter might be worth it.... my 2 cents
True the fun o meter might be worth it, but I am hesitant to get a car someone just threw together for resale. I mean, if you are going to go to all the trouble to paint a car etc, why would you not get the right fender???
These are fun, but pain in the ass cars. Their front controls arms are different from a fairlane as well as rear springs. If you want to change to a later model motor you have to get creative with the motor mounts. All 63 2 doors are hardtops. They don't hold much market value and probably never will. But they do have smooth lines and get a lot of looks. I have a 62.
I like it, mis-que's & all. Fun factor doubles an 81 Vette IMO. Little factory 4-speed Fairlane-ish ride, & rarer to boot. I'd trade that unless the Vette was low miler & pristine.