Epiphany

[Mike Poore]

The Pack Rat posted a thread asking about Vin numbers and build dates. I gave mine with a build date in Dec. '03 and member 427435 offered one with a build date in April '04. The difference between those two Vin's is 32,799. Since we all know there were not that many MM's made in the entire production run, I'll offer this explanation, based upon experience with early Mustangs.

When the Mustang was introduced it shared the assembly line with Fairlanes and Falcons. Numbers were assigned to the next car down the line, no matter what name plate it had. I suspect this is the case with the MM's with the additional numbers assigned to Grand Marquis or whatever else in going down the assembly line at the time. Think of it as an event counter; as in, whenever something comes past a given place, it gets the next number.

[jakdad]

The Pack Rat posted a thread asking about Vin numbers and build dates. I gave mine with a build date in Dec. '03 and member 427435 offered one with a build date in April '04. The difference between those two Vin's is 32,799. Since we all know there were not that many MM's made in the entire production run, I'll offer this explanation, based upon experience with early Mustangs.

When the Mustang was introduced it shared the assembly line with Fairlanes and Falcons. Numbers were assigned to the next car down the line, no matter what name plate it had. I suspect this is the case with the MM's with the additional numbers assigned to Grand Marquis or whatever else in going down the assembly line at the time. Think of it as an event counter; as in, whenever something comes past a given place, it gets the next number. You're exactly right. Our Lightning is no. XXXXXX off of the F-150 line in Canada. Those are just unit numbers and don't really mean a lot.

[rayjay]

Somewhat along these lines, I read somewhere here that the Marauder was considered a variant of the 03 GM, not an actual model all its own. I received my title from DMV last week, under model it said Marauder. Just kind of strange that this year its a model and not a package, but they made far fewer than in 03.:rolleyes: Sorta goes with the meaningless VIN #s.

[EbonyMarauder03]

The VIN # will designate a body code and until a model gets it's own body code it will list as the basic model. In 1994 my F150 Lightning came back as an F150 only. Also, as stated earlier the last 6 numbers are just a serial number and have no bearing on the production run on a specific model. If you would like more details from your VIN number just let me know and give me a fax number to send the report to. I work in the parts department at a Ford dealer.

[Agent M79]

Some additional VINfo (heh) here: http://www.mercurymarauder.net/forums/showthread.php?t=812
Summary: Our VINs are shared among the entire Panther platform.

[SergntMac]

Some additional VINfo (heh) here: http://www.mercurymarauder.net/forums/showthread.php?t=812
Good link, Agent, thanks, but I have to add some caution too. That link is from 2002, and a lot that 411 has improved now.

2004 MMs have a frame number all their own now, M79, while the '03s were M75.

The MM building began with 600000, but the numbers are not sequential to MMs, and are blended with all Panther builds. All you can glean from this, is which MM may be older than another. The earliest VIN I have seen posted here is 600045, which may be the first MM off the line after general production was opened.

Whether it's a Marauder, or a GM with a 300A/B trim package was in dispute, perhaps it will always be disputed. But, the major confusion was caused by independently maintained databases, like my insurace company maintains. When I bought my first MM in 2002, it wasn't listed and they called it a GM. When I came back with a second MM, it was listed and came up as a Marauder. I suppose plate registration and titles were likewise affected by a delay in updating. Nonetheless, it's still the same car.

This is where the "decontent" issue may get some fresh air. It may help us down the road to know when the 300B was released by VIN. I know the date was around 15 November, 2002, but I'd like to know after what VIN.

Any guesses on the VIN sequence for first 300B, or, last 300A?

[Mike Poore]

I know the date was around 15 November, 2002, but I'd like to know after what VIN.
Any guesses on the VIN sequence for first 300B, or, last 300A?
Mine's a Dec. '03 and has all the '04 stuff, in other words not a crossover model. #642852

[SergntMac]

Mine's a Dec. '03 and has all the '04 stuff, in other words not a crossover model. #642852
Sounds like you have a full dress 300B, Mike, and I suppose "crossover" is another way of looking at the decontenting of the 300As and the stuff L.M took away. So, let me ask this...

Who's the last to get a full size spare, dask clock, map pockets in the seats? I'm a 300A with VIN 623xxx, so, I'm not any help here...

[jgc61sr2002]

Mine's a Dec. '03 and has all the '04 stuff, in other words not a crossover model. #642852

Mike - Is your Marauder an 04 Model? According to the vin (642852) if it's an 03 it was built in late 02.

[jgc61sr2002]

[QUOTE=SergntMac]Sounds like you have a full dress 300B, Mike, and I suppose "crossover" is another way of looking at the decontenting of the 300As and the stuff L.M took away. So, let me ask this...

Who's the last to get a full size spare, dask clock, map pockets in the seats? I'm a 300A with VIN 623xxx, so, I'm not any help here...[/QUOTE

Mine was built in Jan.03 and is decontented. 300B vin667xxx. Marty probably has one of the last 300B's produced with all the 300A equipment with the exception of the full size spare..
All Marauders with traction control have the mini spare.

[jinxed]

Mine's a Dec. '03 and has all the '04 stuff, in other words not a crossover model. #642852
Mine was built 06/02 # 610199

[MERCMAN]

Mine was built 06/02 # 610199

6/02- #612014

[2003_MM_FYRE49]

[/QUOTE

Marty probably has one of the last 300B's produced with all the 300A equipment with the exception of the full size spare..
[/QUOTE]

Marty's MM was built on November 4, 2002, mine was built on November 11, 2002 and is still pre-decontented. I imagine the decontenting started shortly after my car was built.

[martyo]

Marty probably has one of the last 300B's produced with all the 300A equipment with the exception of the full size spare..

Marty's MM was built on November 4, 2002, mine was built on November 11, 2002 and is still pre-decontented. I imagine the decontenting started shortly after my car was built.

Well, mine is out of the running because it has been recontented with some less than stock parts.

40 years from now I will be watching the Barret Jackson auctions thinking to myself "If only I didn't have to be that big fish in that small pond...." as I watch pre-decontented 300B's selling for the then equivalent of a Superbird or some equivalent rarity.

[2003_MM_FYRE49]

Well, mine is out of the running because it has been recontented with some less than stock parts.

40 years from now I will be watching the Barret Jackson auctions thinking to myself "If only I didn't have to be that big fish in that small pond...." as I watch pre-decontented 300B's selling for the then equivalent of a Superbird or some equivalent rarity.

Marty, do you think it's possible to get some numbers from Merc on just how many pre-decontented MM's there were, I know we are of a very small number. I'd truely like to know just how many are on the road.

[Petrograde]

Well,.. mine was built 5 Sept 2002... One of the last 300A's??

[SergntMac]

Marty, do you think it's possible to get some numbers from Merc on just how many pre-decontented MM's there were, I know we are of a very small number. I'd truely like to know just how many are on the road.
"Merc?" You mean Lincoln/Mercury, and not our member "Merc," right?

Tim, I do not expect L/M to have any idea of what "decontent," or, "pre-decontent" means to them. These are our words, and definitions, not L/M's...

However, we may be able to add some significance to our MMs by tracking MM VINs on our own. I'm hoping to nail down (by VIN) when "decontenting" was put into effect on the production line. MartyO's MM is a very interesting build relative to that date, yet you move that date beyond his.

Can you share with us the last six digits of your VIN? If not here, could you e-mail that to me? Right now, I need only the first three digits of that sequencial VIN, and more will not go beyond me, promise. Drop me a line at Sergntmac@aol.com ...Thanks.

Anyone else here with VIN data? First blue, last blue? Likewise, first DTR, last DTR?

The last six of your VIN are the key, but not all last six. More like "6??xxx" should work for now. How about it, eh?

[SergntMac]

Well,.. mine was built 5 Sept 2002... One of the last 300A's??
Umm...

No?

[Mike Poore]

Mike - Is your Marauder an 04 Model? According to the vin (642852) if it's an 03 it was built in late 02.I'm a little confused by your question, John, but it's definitely an '04, with all the '04 stuff. Tiny spare, short o'head console, TC, AA engine, no grille rear speakers, and no front map pockets. If the first '04's were started at SR #600000, most likely in October '03, there must be some of 'em out there with numbers closer to the begining sequence than mine. Keep in mind, this car was on a dealer's lot until little over a month ago. The only reason for mentioning this is, I understand there's more than a thousand MM's yet unsold.

[gilby04]

I'm a little confused by your question, John, but it's definitely an '04, with all the '04 stuff. Tiny spare, short o'head console, TC, AA engine, no grille rear speakers, and no front map pockets. If the first '04's were started at SR #600000, most likely in October '03, there must be some of 'em out there with numbers closer to the begining sequence than mine. Keep in mind, this car was on a dealer's lot until little over a month ago. The only reason for mentioning this is, I understand there's more than a thousand MM's yet unsold.

Mike,
My '04 VIN is 610425, built 08/28/03, purchased 10/20/03.
Good luck with your VIN database.

[hdwrench]

I'm a little confused by your question, John, but it's definitely an '04, with all the '04 stuff. Tiny spare, short o'head console, TC, AA engine, no grille rear speakers, and no front map pockets. If the first '04's were started at SR #600000, most likely in October '03, there must be some of 'em out there with numbers closer to the begining sequence than mine. Keep in mind, this car was on a dealer's lot until little over a month ago. The only reason for mentioning this is, I understand there's more than a thousand MM's yet unsold.I was wondering if you had any links to the "over 1k MM's yet unsold" info. Since this was basically a limited production vehicle and there seems to be a surplus, maybe i can use that as a bargaining tool.

[martyo]

Marty, do you think it's possible to get some numbers from Merc on just how many pre-decontented MM's there were, I know we are of a very small number. I'd truely like to know just how many are on the road.

We could try, but the truth is when I spoke to Steve Babcock about the pre-decontenting and mis-build issues he left me with the impression that records of this were not kept.

[cruzer]

My VIN is 2MEHM75V63X658625 and shows 11/04/02 in the lower rt corner of my window sticker--I have all "A" features including the windshield--the bezel on my shifter is matrix--the shifter shaft is black and the leather knob is black. I have T/C and small tire.. The unusual thing is that "TRACTION CONTROL, ALL SPEED" is listed in the Standard Equipment list as the last item under "Functional "--To the right is a box listing:
KEY STANDARD EQUIPMENT--first item listed is :
MARAUDER-300B
then wheels,sound,floor shift,dual exhaust,performance handling equip,power adj. pedals---no traction control ??????
The paint is thick and has no problems--can you figure this out ??? Thanks for any help--e-mail me at nc32515@aol.com--use "NTM" in the heading please, Maury

[Mike Poore]

My VIN is 2MEHM75V63X658625 and shows 11/04/02 Maury
Maury, you just blew the hell out of a wonderful thoery with an ugly fact. Your MM was built on 11/4/02 with #658625 and mine has a Dec. 03 build date with a LOWER number #642852. It makes my head itch to think about it. :dunno:

[martyo]

Maury, you just blew the hell out of a wonderful thoery with an ugly fact. Your MM was built on 11/4/02 with #658625 and mine has a Dec. 03 build date with a LOWER number #642852. It makes my head itch to think about it. :dunno:

My build date is the same as Maury's (11/4/02) and my VIN is 655727.

Now what???

[rayjay]

Maybe the frames are VIN'd prior to assembly?

[SergntMac]

Maury, you just blew the hell out of a wonderful thoery with an ugly fact. Your MM was built on 11/4/02 with #658625 and mine has a Dec. 03 build date with a LOWER number #642852. It makes my head itch to think about it. :dunno:
Mike, remember that Maury has an '03 with a frame designation of M75 in his VIN prefix. You have an '04 with a frame designation of M79 in your prefix. This small change resets the sequential VINs, and the two model years should be tracked independently. OTOH, to my knowledge, there are no content/color issues to track with '04s, so, it just a matter of extracting age/DOB from the sequential VIN.

[Bluerauder]

My VIN is 2MEHM75V63X658625 and shows 11/04/02 in the lower rt corner of my window sticker--
I've got an '03 Blue MM. VIN last six is 669990 with a 01/13/2003 date. Hope that wasn't a Friday.

[Macon Marauder]

Not sure if this is true - or if it applies to us. Saw on a Mustang board that the VIN's are randomly generated within a range of numbers for security reasons. Something to do with the fact of there being more cars in a line than unique key/lock combinations. So if true, the cars don't necessarily come down the line in numerical sequence.

[Patrick]

I've got an '03 Blue MM. VIN last six is 669990 with a 01/13/2003 date. Hope that wasn't a Friday.

Your lucky it was a Monday!!

[Mike Poore]

Mike, remember that Maury has an '03 with a frame designation of M75 in his VIN prefix. You have an '04 with a frame designation of M79 in your prefix. This small change resets the sequential VINs, and the two model years should be tracked independently. OTOH, to my knowledge, there are no content/color issues to track with '04s, so, it just a matter of extracting age/DOB from the sequential VIN.
BINGO! that could be the answer. So, there were TWO runs starting at 600000. The M75 & the M79 frame designation. If I was to set up a database, just for grins, it would have to contain fields for both frames. This takes us to the next exciting question; how do they differ? Could it be that the '03 & '04 are two distinct models? Remember, some guys have titles calling the '03 a GM with a Marauder package, and, far as I know the '04's are called Marauders from the get go. There's talk about decontent, but there may be a lot more going on than just interior option/feature issues. Anybody want to bet Merc knows all this stuff already?

[jakdad]

BINGO! that could be the answer. So, there were TWO runs starting at 600000. The M75 & the M79 frame designation. If I was to set up a database, just for grins, it would have to contain fields for both frames. This takes us to the next exciting question; how do they differ? Could it be that the '03 & '04 are two distinct models? Remember, some guys have titles calling the '03 a GM with a Marauder package, and, far as I know the '04's are called Marauders from the get go. There's talk about decontent, but there may be a lot more going on than just interior option/feature issues. Anybody want to bet Merc knows all this stuff already? Ford calls the 04s GM. The insurance companies call them Marauders because they know what the M75 & M79 mean.

[Mike Poore]

Ford calls the 04s GM. The insurance companies call them Marauders because they know what the M75 & M79 mean.
Yeh, my Erie guy told me it's a high performance vehicle and charged me $45 extra a year. ;) Not bad considering the conniption he had when I got the Cobra.

[Bluerauder]

Yeh, my Erie guy told me it's a high performance vehicle and charged me $45 extra a year. ;) Not bad considering the conniption he had when I got the Cobra.
Mike,
You need to carry a couple "youthful" drivers on your policy. You won't even notice a $45 blip. :whistle:

[Mike Poore]

Mike,
You need to carry a couple "youthful" drivers on your policy. You won't even notice a $45 blip. :whistle:
Been there, done that. Fortunately he never bent any of 'em.:D

[cmalo]

Good link, Agent, thanks, but I have to add some caution too. That link is from 2002, and a lot that 411 has improved now.

2004 MMs have a frame number all their own now, M79, while the '03s were M75.

The MM building began with 600000, but the numbers are not sequential to MMs, and are blended with all Panther builds. All you can glean from this, is which MM may be older than another. The earliest VIN I have seen posted here is 600045, which may be the first MM off the line after general production was opened.

Whether it's a Marauder, or a GM with a 300A/B trim package was in dispute, perhaps it will always be disputed. But, the major confusion was caused by independently maintained databases, like my insurace company maintains. When I bought my first MM in 2002, it wasn't listed and they called it a GM. When I came back with a second MM, it was listed and came up as a Marauder. I suppose plate registration and titles were likewise affected by a delay in updating. Nonetheless, it's still the same car.

This is where the "decontent" issue may get some fresh air. It may help us down the road to know when the 300B was released by VIN. I know the date was around 15 November, 2002, but I'd like to know after what VIN.

Any guesses on the VIN sequence for first 300B, or, last 300A?

Hey! I just read this (12/23/04). I am the owner of 600045. I know it is a 4PP car, third of four cars built on March 12, 2002. I have been looking around for other early cars.

Chuck

[SergntMac]

Congrats, Chuck. Until someone disputes it, you own the first Marauder built. Merry Christmas, it's quite a present! You should contact LM and see if they can document this for you.

[Mike Poore]

Hey! I just read this (12/23/04). I am the owner of 600045. I know it is a 4PP car, third of four cars built on March 12, 2002. I have been looking around for other early cars.

Chuck
Y'know, guys, we really need to do this. It was I, in the beginning and some other guys later on who dug out, and saved the CORRECT info about the Mustang Feature car story, or it would have been lost forever. Ford nor L/M is in the history business, except when the advertising dudes get interested, and it's gonna be up to us to get the new generation Marauder story together and preserve it, or it too will get lost. A good serial number database with build dates is a good start, and until this thread got started I never realized there could be two MM's with the same last six digits in the serial number, for instance.

[Petrograde]

:bs:
Y'know, guys, we really need to do this. It was I, in the beginning and some other guys later on who dug out, and saved the CORRECT info about the Mustang Feature car story, or it would have been lost forever. Ford nor L/M is in the history business, except when the advertising dudes get interested, and it's gonna be up to us to get the new generation Marauder story together and preserve it, or it too will get lost. A good serial number database with build dates is a good start, and until this thread got started I never realized there could be two MM's with the same last six digits in the serial number, for instance.

I couldn't agree more Mike! :up:

[cmalo]

Congrats, Chuck. Until someone disputes it, you own the first Marauder built. Merry Christmas, it's quite a present! You should contact LM and see if they can document this for you.

Thanks Sergnt. I e-mailed Steve Babcock last April and he confirmed that 4PP cars were built in March '02. I have some "NEW MODEL" tags saved that came off the car.

I saw another thread in here somewhere about a VIN and build date database.

Chuck

[cmalo]

This is cmalo checking in. The early Marauder is still in the family. My son owns it and has it put away. The car is in beautiful, original condition. It is Marauder # 18 I think. He (my son ) has a certificate from Ford stating so. Can't remember the VIN but it ends in 00045. Car was 1 of 4 hand-built on 3/04/02, still have the "4PP" tags.

[MMBLUE]

This is cmalo checking in. The early Marauder is still in the family. My son owns it and has it put away. The car is in beautiful, original condition. It is Marauder # 18 I think. He (my son ) has a certificate from Ford stating so. Can't remember the VIN but it ends in 00045. Car was 1 of 4 hand-built on 3/04/02, still have the "4PP" tags.

That is awesome. ADAM has a build thread that conicides with owner. Make sure you get on it.

[WhatsUpDOHC]

This is cmalo checking in. The early Marauder is still in the family. My son owns it and has it put away. The car is in beautiful, original condition. It is Marauder # 18 I think. He (my son ) has a certificate from Ford stating so. Can't remember the VIN but it ends in 00045. Car was 1 of 4 hand-built on 3/04/02, still have the "4PP" tags.
Thanks for bumping this old thread.

Great information and links in those old posts.