[Shotimes] RE: OT - Autoweek stuff

[Donald Mallinson]

Carl,

I think my 245 hp 89 would give a Marauder a good go, but 
when I say the performance wasn't what I expected, I wasn't 
comparing it to any SHO, I was looking for my "next" step up 
to be dramatically stronger than my SHO's.  The Marauder 
maybe be faster in some respects, but it isn't that much of 
a step up.  The 300 hp Caddy STS will hand the Marauder it's 
doors without breaking a sweat!  Heck even the Deville with 
275 hp is probably a good match, that means the lighter new 
Bonneville with the Northstar and 275 hp would be in the 
same ballpark.

The car needed 350 real hp and a FORD name on it, not 
Mercury, to really get my attention.  Heck when it came to 
big performance cars in the 60's, the Marauder was totally 
OFF everyone's radar screens.  The 500XL was the hot ticket 
for the Ford faithful for a big car.  (Yes the Marauder of 
the 60's was probably just as fast as the 500XL, but it cost 
more, and said MERCURY on it, which meant few performance 
types ever bought one, sales were way low compared to the 500).

Don Mallinson



Carl Prochilo wrote:
> I don't know much at all about the history.  I do have an impression
> that there is some cult following out there and may be some
> aftermarket stuff for it.  Not sure.  Try racing and one and you
> might be surprised.
> 
> The Marauder is not a SHO for sure.  And to the point about Ford
> getting their clock cleaned, they first need a clock.  They've never
> really embraced the notion of the performance sedan since Don
> Peterson was in charge.