Pre-Production Front Bumper?

[GT500P71]

Hey guys,

I mostly post on CVN, but figured this would be a better place to get more info on this.

I recently purchased an MM bumper cover, and unlike the production bumpers, this one has an indented channel running the whole width, very much like the crown vic bumpers. The channel is the same height as on the CV bumpers as well, ~.75".

https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7078/14034215522_7f52f0f233_b.jpg


It is clearly all one molded piece, and it has a Ford part number on the inside. The writing reads as follows:

3W3D-17D957-A
(PUR) POLYCON LITE
POLYCON INDUSTRIES M300P
MADE IN CANADA


https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7197/14057433483_e8df1310bb_b.jpg


I searched the part number on Google, and got nothing. From a quick browse of MM photos, it looks like it might be the same bumper that is on this car:

https://ci5.googleusercontent.com/proxy/H2sBN9t9L30LS9vyRvJ0lAkkunuaVU dr588Tv2dYDBrnkx1ZkQvNqTv7AO9I NPeUEsK9t1y-iiSo9QHiaJKNethZGYWejI9hCz_Ars JISCSfV7frMHDkBeGVFk_BbWo=s0-d-e1-ft#http://img2.netcarshow.com/Mercury-Marauder_2003_800x600_wallpape r_06.jpg


Any info on the bumper would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks!

[Comin' in Hot]

http://www.singleblackmale.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/you-cant-handle-the-truth-meme-generator-you-want-the-truth-you-can-t-handle-the-truth-9789dd.jpg

[GT500P71]

From that reply I'm guessing it's a crappy reproduction or something?

I know very little about the after-market reproduction bumpers for these cars, hence the thread.

[Comin' in Hot]

From that reply I'm guessing it's a crappy reproduction or something?

I know very little about the after-market reproduction bumpers for these cars, hence the thread.

I don't think anyone knows what it is, if its not two bumpers grafted together then you might have something really rare.

[GT500P71]

It is most definitely one piece. There are no glue joints, or any signs that it was ever grafted together, and the whole thing is the same color urethane as well.

it's all one really smooth, uniform surface.

[PuntyMario]

ford parts have ford emblems on them dont they?

[Blown3.8]

Where did you buy it from?

[GT500P71]

ford parts have ford emblems on them dont they?

Fair point. I assumed it was a Ford # based on the number format (number, letter, number, letter - 5-6 characters - etc....), but there is no concrete thing linking it to Ford I can find.



Where did you buy it from?

I bought it from a long time CVN / CV.ca member, who bought it a few years back off craigslist from a guy in Detroit.

[gdmjoe]

Did some spelunking and you definately have a official (and rare) Marauder front bumper cover ... Guelph, ON (location of Polycon Industries) is just up the road (401) from St Thomas, ON (plant assembly line location).
.
there is a 02Nov2003 post at CrownVictoria.net regarding that part # (3W3D-17D957-A) as being for the Mercury Marauder front bumper cover. *That post also referenced a MercuryMarauder.net post though the URL is now not found.
References:
http://www.crownvic.net/ubbthreads/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=294500

http://www.mercurymarauder.net/modules.php?op=modload&name=FAQ&file=index&myfaq=yes&id_cat=5&categories=Basic+Informationud er+Marauder+Part+numbers
the production part # for front bumper cover is 3W3Z-17D957-BA
.
the part # that is noted as 3W3Z-17D957-AAA (unpainted) in the MercuryMarauder.net FAQ (http://www.mercurymarauder.net/forums/faq.php?faq=part_numbers#faq_e xterior_specific)
.
that front bumper was on the Marauder shown in the November 2001 Hot Rod article (http://www.gdmjoe.com/marauder/documents/2003marauderHR.pdf)
http://www.gdmjoe.com/marauder/documents/hotrodmarauderconceptfrontbump er-r.jpg
that front bumper cover was on the pre-production Marauder that was introduced at the 2001 Chicago auto show ...
http://www.gdmjoe.com/marauder/documents/concept200201.jpg

[ajdereicup]

How much did you pay for it might I ask and how much would you want for it if you were to sell it?

[Bruce Wayne]

very cool indeed

[Curless]

Very nice find! I'd restore it and hang it on the wall in my garage...RARE indeed!

[clintons4]

that front bumper cover was on the pre-production Marauder that was introduced at the 2001 Chicago auto show ...
http://www.gdmjoe.com/marauder/documents/concept200201.jpg



This one at the Chicago auto show does not have fogs :confused:. It looks like the one in the magazine.

[gdmjoe]

clintons4 - This one at the Chicago auto show does not have fogs :confused:. It looks like the one in the magazine.
It also has the Crown Victoria side marker light(s).

But then the CV or CV-like parts shouldn't be a surprise since the Marauder program started in 1998 based on the CV platform. The earliest public rendition that I have is from the 1998 SEMA (Specialty Equipment Market Association).
.

[GT500P71]

Joe, thank you for the info! The part numbers are interesting to me, especially since they seem to go up in revision "Letter" from my bumper to the production unit.

Surprisingly I have never seen the article by HotRod, but that is most definitely the same style bumper as the one I purchased. I wonder how many were made? I am surprised this one managed to find its way into private hands, as most prototype / initial sample vehicles end up being crushed.

I wonder who snuck this home from Ford!:) More importantly, I wonder if the rear bumper still exists, as it looks like it carries the same Crown Vic style molding channel, ending at the embossed "Marauder" logo. Also, take a look at the corner lights, it looks like there is a ~1/2" strip of black paint covering the outer rear edges. It is a subtle, but good looking change, as it hides the portion of the light where the housing meets the lens. It would be cool to source all of the original parts off the initial prototype, and create a tribute.


That photo you posted of the concept car from the 2001 Chicago show is interesting in its own right. It appears to be a stock Crown Vic header panel, with a Mercury "Waterfall" style grille in the same shape as a stock Crown Vic grille. The bumper looks to be a modified Crown Vic unit as well, with no "kick-downs" in the bottom grille opening towards the edges.

Thanks again for the info, I find it all very interesting!

[GT500P71]

Also, I'm not really looking to sell it, as I just got it!

My original intent was to paint it Performance White, and mount it on my 2000' Grand Marquis, however since it has a fair amount of rarity associated with it, I may reconsider.

I think a wall decoration would be cool though! The bumper, a header panel, and the headlights / corners painted like the photo above. You could make it look like one of those "wall crashing" sculptures.

[Curless]

Also, I'm not really looking to sell it, as I just got it!

My original intent was to paint it Performance White, and mount it on my 2000' Grand Marquis, however since it has a fair amount of rarity associated with it, I may reconsider.

I think a wall decoration would be cool though! The bumper, a header panel, and the headlights / corners painted like the photo above. You could make it look like one of those "wall crashing" sculptures.


I would not put it into use...it truly is a one off at this point. We could ask Steve Babcock about it, he has been awesome with info on production changes and the reasons why.

[GT500P71]

I would not put it into use...it truly is a one off at this point. We could ask Steve Babcock about it, he has been awesome with info on production changes and the reasons why.

Yea, I don't really plan on it at this point. I appreciate the history of these cars more than how much better my car would look.

That said, anyone want to trade? One pre-production bumper for a good condition, well painted, Performance White MM bumper + fogs? :D

[GT500P71]

Here is a pic of the bumper mounted on a car from a previous owner (not who I bought it from):

http://carphotos.cardomain.com/ride_images/2/4473/1741/23680870002_large.jpg?v=0

I actually really like the strip going all the way across, it adds something to the bumper, makes it less plain in my opinion.

[RubberCtyRauder]

Don't think you will find a Marauder bumper here that is painted performance white..:eek:

[Zack]

I have a chubby looking at that bumper

[PuntyMario]

What you need to do is make a mold of that so it can be reproduced lol i bet thered be a few who would love to have a prototype. Then encase the original in gold. Profit????

[Curless]

What you need to do is make a mold of that so it can be reproduced lol i bet thered be a few who would love to have a prototype. Then encase the original in gold. Profit????


Yeah, I'll go $8 for a copy of it....

[massacre]

It's a pretty cool bumper, and it is definitely rare, but just putting it aside forever doesn't sound like a great option either. Making copies of it would be pretty sweet, you could keep the original aside and then put a copy on your car. And maybe sell some to people I know they would sell pretty fast.

[GT500P71]

Don't think you will find a Marauder bumper here that is painted performance white..:eek:

I realize, I was mostly kidding :D

(That said, if someone feels like spraying a nice OEM bumper white and doing a trade, I may actually be interested.)



And about making copies of it; I have no means or money to spend on making a professional, many-use mold. At most, down the road I might make a few carbon/kevlar reproductions of it, but if that ever happens it would be years from now, and I would likely only make a couple as the mold would not hold up to extended use.

[boatmangc]

http://www.gdmjoe.com/marauder/documents/concept200201.jpg[/indent]
[/list][/QUOTE]

Me, more chubby over the rims!

[PuntyMario]

I would buy a copy in a heartbeat. Hell, carbon fiber the ****nit out of it.

[ajdereicup]

Don't think you will find a Marauder bumper here that is painted performance white..:eek:


The Frauder is white. But IDK about performance white. Or my spelling of Frauder. All I know is that it's sexy looking in white

[GT500P71]

I did a quick search, and couldn't really find any photos of a white Marauder.

Anyone have a photo / link?

[J-MAN]

Would make a great wall hanging. Sure would like to stop by some time and see it........at night.......when no one's home.......:D

[MOTOWN]

I did a quick search, and couldn't really find any photos of a white Marauder.

Anyone have a photo / link?

Yeah just google 05 BWP (Bright white pearl) Marauder:rolleyes:

[88CuttyClassic]

Definitely one of the more interesting threads since i been here. Owning a few limited production cars i get really into this rare stuff.

[gdmjoe]

http://www.gdmjoe.com/whitemm.jpg

http://www.gdmjoe.com/marauder/2004whitemm.jpg

http://www.gdmjoe.com/marauder/marauder-white.jpg
*Have more pic's of this one.

[a_d_a_m]

I really wish they would've offered a white Marauder. Totally sharp.

[GT500P71]

Interesting, thanks for the pics Joe!

They do look sharp in white, though I think I am more a fan of the gloss black grille slats as opposed to monochromatic white.

Having changed my mind yet again, I am probably going to get it resprayed white, and it will end up on a my 2000' I am rebuilding. That car will see only limited use, so I'm not too worried about anything happening to it, and the paint is just that, paint.

[GODFATHER]

http://www.gdmjoe.com/whitemm.jpg

http://www.gdmjoe.com/marauder/2004whitemm.jpg

http://www.gdmjoe.com/marauder/marauder-white.jpg
*Have more pic's of this one.
this is so bad ass love the white

[RubberCtyRauder]

I like white cars , trucks most times but I am not really feeling the white Marauder. Maybe it's too close to a cvpi

[Mebot]

Moby dick lol

sent from a Samsung Galaxy far far away..

[jwibbity]

black out the wheels, tailights, and add a chin spoiler and that thing would be bad ass!!!

[TP Derrick D]

http://images.craigslist.org/00s0s_ij6RzCdM0Yz_600x450.jpg

http://images.craigslist.org/00C0C_fcVh44B934i_600x450.jpg

http://images.craigslist.org/00u0u_a1dfXZpE9uP_600x450.jpg

This one use to be SB, its for sale

[gdmjoe]

At one time I was contemplating a ghostvic as a counterpart to gothvic - ebony and ivory ... bright white.
.
monochromatic trunk panel.
.
brushed/satin chrome - taillight trim, grille, window trim.
.
brushed/satin Ford oval emblems.
http://www.gdmjoe.com/silverovals.JPG
*Still have these.
.
set of Marauder 300A full-size spares.
http://www.gdmjoe.com/mmspares01.jpg
*Had acquired 4 *new* never-been-used, however, -SOLD-
.
LX sport|Marauder light flint interior.
*Had both. Sold the Marauder and LX Sport seats. Still have all of the interior trim.

[88CuttyClassic]

Full black wheels look awful. The only thing that white car needs is the grill bars and window trim blacked out. Kinda like a 80s monte SS would look in white.

[gdmjoe]

88CuttyClassic - Full black wheels look awful.
Not ALL that awful ...

http://www.gdmjoe.com/gothvic/pictures/GothVic-1.jpg

http://www.gdmjoe.com/gothvic/pictures/gothvic-2.jpg

Not mine .....

http://www.gdmjoe.com/miscellaneous/2001lxsportblack-k9t8m.jpg

[88CuttyClassic]

Not into the "murdered out" look. You basically lose the style of the rim. Black with polished lip is nice though

[jwibbity]

Not into the "murdered out" look. You basically lose the style of the rim. Black with polished lip is nice though

i think the black wheels with polished lips look the worst, :puke:

[RF Overlord]

Steve Babcock stated at the AACA Museum gathering during MV9 in Hershey that if the car hadn't been cancelled, white was going to be the next colour offered.

[a_d_a_m]

Full black wheels look awful. +1, haven't seen one instance where I'm a fan. Just cheapens the look of the cars.

[Mr. Man]

Steve Babcock stated at the AACA Museum gathering during MV9 in Hershey that if the car hadn't been cancelled, white was going to be the next colour offered.
True dat Baub. It would have been the light color to replace the DTR. I don't recall if he said it would have been police car white or a metallic.