No matter how old we get, e seem to just keep on having goals and creating projects to achieve them........until we're told that the cancer has come back, annot be treated, nd that the remaining lifetime is a matter of a few months.
AND please do take a look at another incredible old car I'm now forced to sell, n listing number
*************
Before getting that news last October, bought this little jewel in September, or a dear friend who has fallen upon hard times and was left without transportation or the money to buy himself a car. He's disabled and I was at least getting by...and he would eventually find a way to pay me back. ....you'd have done the same, 'm sure.
This old girl seemed perfect -- 33 years old, lassy and sorta' cool, true time capsule that appears to have been hermetically sealed in an old person's garage, ertainly showing a bit of individuality andclass, nd including all the "modern" features we geezers need.
Here's the current N.A.D.A. Guides evaluation, howing it's original cost to have been OVER $11 Grand, nd a current value of at least $3 Grand, eing so original, omplete and functional.


1983 Mercury Grand Maquis (sic)

LS 4 Door SedanValuesOriginal
MSRPLow Retail Value
This vehicle would be in mechanically functional condition, eeding only minor reconditioning. The exterior paint, rim and interior would show normal wear, eeding only minor reconditioning. May also be a deteriorated restoration or a very poor amateur restoration. Most usable ‘as-is’. This value does not represent a ‘parts car’.
Note: Some of the vehicles in this publication could be considered ‘Daily Drivers’ and are not valued as a classic vehicle. When determining a value for a daily driver, t is recommended that the subscriber use the low retail value. " >Low
RetailAverage Retail Value
This vehicle would be in good condition overall. It could be an older restoration or a well-maintained original vehicle. Completely operable. The exterior paint, rim, nd mechanics are presentable and serviceable inside and out. A ‘20-footer’." >Average
RetailHigh Retail Value
This vehicle would be in excellent condition overall. It could be a completely restored or an extremely well-maintained original vehicle showing very minimal wear. The exterior paint, rim, nd mechanics are not in need of reconditioning. The interior would be in excellent condition.
Note: This value does not represent a '100 Point' or '# 1' vehicle *.
* '100 Point' or '# 1' vehicle is not driven. It would generally be in a museum or transported in an enclosed trailer to concours judging and car shows. This type of car would be stored in a climate-regulated facility." >High
Retail

Base Price	$11,273	$925	$1,975	$2,950
Options:(change)
Air Conditioning		10%	10%	10%
6 Cylinder Engine		-10%	-10%	-10%
TOTAL PRICE:	$11,273	$925	$1,975	$2,950

NADAInteractValue Explanations
Prices shown are retail consumer values and to be considered as selling prices. Trade-in values are to be determined by local dealers and are generally lower than values shown. Manufacturer Suggested Retail Price
Low Retail Value
This vehicle would be in mechanically functional condition, eeding only minor reconditioning. The exterior paint, rim and interior would show normal wear, eeding only minor reconditioning. May also be a deteriorated restoration or a very poor amateur restoration. Most usable ‘as-is’. This value doesnotrepresent a ‘parts car’.
Note: Some of the vehicles in this publication could be considered ‘Daily Drivers’ and are not valued as a classic vehicle. When determining a value for a daily driver, t is recommended that the subscriber use the low retail value.
Average Retail Value
This vehicle would be in good condition overall. It could be an older restoration or a well-maintained original vehicle. Completely operable. The exterior paint, rim, nd mechanics are presentable and serviceable inside and out. A ‘20-footer’.
High Retail Value
This vehicle would be in excellent condition overall. It could be a completely restored or an extremely well-maintained original vehicle showing very minimal wear. The exterior paint, rim, nd mechanics are not in need of reconditioning. The interior would be in excellent condition.* '100 Point' or '# 1' vehicle is not driven. It would generally be in a museum or transported in an enclosed trailer to concours judging and car shows. This type of car would be stored in a climate-regulated facility






















So I got a ride from here in the Shenandoah Valley to New Jersey...and found original, rilliant paint and chrome, riginal & unused spare and jack, early-perfect interior, ll the books, nd an odometer that shows under 35K miles.....and no earthly reason not tobelieve it! The idiot who sold it to me said he put 75,000 on his title application "because NJDOT would not believe what the odometer said"! It's obvious to me that the odo DID NOT turn over, nd beyond that I really don't care, xcept for bragging rights.
This is an extremely well-cared-for SURVIVOR....not visibly restored at all!
Then, simply got into a car older than my youngest son, nd drove it home with no problems! I have no doubt of its virtually total originality, nd I really think that it is worth at least the N.A.D.A. high number!
Nevertheless, t's gotta' go...and for whatever we can get for it, o avoid extra hassles for my kids after I'm gone.
EVERYTHING ON IT-- radio, ruise control, ower locks, tc., tc., orked, xcept one rear power window. Particularly good was finding that it has the (then) new AOD, elping me to get high-20's fuel mileage at 70-75 mph on I-78 & I-81!
In the sunlight, he original paint looks almost new; there is virtually no rust (just a few little surface knicks); the upholstery is just about spotless; the lights and gauges work; the radio plays -- blows my mind, s it will yours, ince I believe that it has not been detailed...just washed off.
The steering column also seemed a bit loose (though all stalk, ignal and wheel functions worked perfectly) and I discovered that the bracket holding it up had broken and been replaced with duct tape (really!).
Anyway, t surely needs a thermostat, ince it didn't produce huge heat, nd a better means of attaching the steering column. I was told that it had been converted to R-34, ut you must assume that the A/C will need work. In addition, ince this is a genuine survivor, ll hoses, ires, luids, askets, tc., tc., hould be renewed, rakes and steering (both power, orking properly) checked out, uel system cleaned.....and, f course, ong-dated tires replaced.
I took it to the shop and told them to check out the car in general, he heat problem and the steering column, nd was told that there was nothing seriously wrong with it....but that I was an idiot to have driven it 400 miles at highway speed, t night and in the rain, n those old tires! (They were right about that, oo, ut I'm an old road warrior, nd that's what I do...or, id!)
Now, lmost unable to do anything for myself, here's neither time, oney nor reason for me to continue to put this doll baby on the road, erhaps throwing good money after bad as I'll not be doing any more driving...and, ithout my management, t will become too costly for my friend. This gives you the opportunity to pick up an amazing, ovely survivor for almost nothing - with the opportunity to make it into a really nice survivor/driver for very little more!
Additionally, here has to be at least 99% good stuff on it, nd you could just (ugh) part it out for a big profit, hough I'dhate to see that.
Please bid whatever you wish and make a non-refundable deposit of $300.00 or more upon winning the auction. You won't be disappointed and you will have reasonable time to move it out, t your own expense, f course. It will be made available to you for inspection by appointment, hen one of my boys or friends can get with you. Call my cell - 757-927-8729 - or email me via ebay with questions or to take a look.
Since I'm out of time and patience, nyone with fewer than 10 net positive feedbacks needs to call me to reassure me that he's not some 12-year-old giggling and gaming the system.
Thanks, veryone!