406/427 Full Size Mercury Trivia and Conclusions
There were 217 406 cars built vs 154 427 cars. 1962 production was 124 for less than half a year, while 1963 total 406/427 production was 176 (93 406, 83 427), then 64 in 1964, and 7 in 1965. It is clear that Mercury high performance sales started very strong, but then decreased consistently, even after the release of the 427.
Evidence also indicates that the 1964 Park Lane 427 was/is a very popular car, followed by the 1963 Marauder/S-55 427. While there were more 406 cars built, there are many fewer of them in existence today compared to the high end 427 cars.
Only 7 of the 29 documented cars are 406 equipped. None are 406 4V cars.
(So even though the 406 made up 58% of production (compared to 427) it accounts for only 25% of the cars around today)
There are 29 documented cars on this site, 5 cars in magazines, photos of 3 cars, and 24 other cars, for a total of 61 cars. This does not include possible duplicates or the 6 Akron PD cars.
19 of the 25 documented 1963-4 cars are Marauders. 2 are breezeway cars and 3 are convertibles.
(Clearly most Mercury people who wanted a 427 wanted it in a Marauder 2 door)
(It is also clear that if you were buying a 406/427 Mercury you were more likely to buy the top model S-55 or Park Lane)
Only 3 of the 18 427 cars are 4V.
(4V cars made up 30% of production, but only 18% of cars today)
Many of the cars have the "wrong" parts. Just not what they should have.
In all of the cases below I believe that these "wrong" parts were probably installed from the factory. Examples are;
S-55s having the "wrong" horn ring, having black trim instead of the red/white/blue trimmed center.
One of the 1963 S-55s has the "wrong" emblem on the rear package tray between the seats, but it is a pre-production car.
One of the 427 8V cars (1964) has the "wrong" valve cover stickers for a 427 4V engine.
Black and red are the most common colors with 14 black, and 13 red. Three cars are two-tone.
At least four of the 427 cars do not have transistor ignition.
To summarize; even among these ultra-rare one of a kind Mercurys, if you don't have a top of the line Marauder with a multi-carb engine in black or red, you have a pretty rare car. :)