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View Full Version : Happy Homecoming Defyant Marauder: 10 years later



DEFYANT
10-28-2014, 09:14 AM
Hard to believe it has been 10 years to the day since I bought my Marauder new. I remember buying this car because of my familiarity with the CVPI and Ford performance. At the time, my first wife had a 2001 Mercury Villager mini van that was acceptable, but boring. I also had a 98 Cobra Mustang. That car was sweet, named, you guessed it, Defyant Cobra. The plan was to dump the mini van, keep the Cobra and the Marauder. All was on track until I explored the hidden recesses of this web site.

I discovered just how rare these cars were. I did not know Ford cancelled production when I took ownership. Damn, I had a modern classic in my driveway! At the time, this community was much more dynamic. Oil wars, supercharger wars, drag racing wars, bling wars, you name it wars were in full swing. What ever side or products you aligned with, Logan was the man with the buttons and didn't hesitate to show you the door. Eaton swaps were only a theory. THIS was the only place to be for these cars.

My Marauder had a paper tag and was bone stock. Smelled new and had tits on the tires. The very first mod was to take out the extra piece of insulation over the OEM sub on the rear deck. It has been a slippery slope of mods ever since. Lisa kept the Villager, I sold the Cobra, Defyant Marauder was born and then the modding got serious.

I'll spare the details, most of you know the car or you can click the link in the signature. With in 5000 miles, most of the main go fast goodies were done. I wanted to do it right (IMO) and enjoy this car the way I envisioned it should be. Over the last ten years, Defyant Marauder has taken me all over the country for various get togthers. From Michigan to Florida to countless trips to Long Island, NY and everywhere in between, this car has done her job well! Despite the abuse of drag racing! I've only had on major failure - the transmission. And that is totally my fault thanks to that huge burnout at SSHS7, November 2007. Even still, She got me home safe and quit 2000 miles later!

Above all, this car has connected me with people and new life long friends across the country. I am eternally grateful for that. I dont get to the meets as often as I used too. In those days, I'd take off work to hang out. These days, I work on my days off for extra cash! Being a single Dad, I need what I can get! I'm lucky in that I really enjoy my work.

Today, Defyant Marauder is "track retired". She's not going to go any faster with the current mods. I think 12.0x all day and a dip into the 11.9's is respectable enough for this car. She is resting in the garage with 85872 miles on the clock. Ready to go on another adventure. She has a few "marks of character" here and there. Like tattoos, there is a story for each. She may not smell as new, and the tires have been swapped out so many times, I've lost count! But she has nicer tire tits on those Nittos!

So here is a :beer: to ole reliable Defyant Marauder; You have truly lived up to your motto of "Comfort, Class and Hair on Fire Performance."

Bluerauder
10-28-2014, 09:21 AM
Above all, this car has connected me with people and new life long friends across the country. I am eternally grateful for that. I dont get to the meets as often as I used too. In those days, I'd take off work to hang out.

Congrats on 10 years, Charlie !! :up: The DEFYANT Marauder is legendary among the beginnings here. I certainly am glad to call you a friend. Even remember your first outing in MarauderLand with the CAM members at Big Bat's on the Eastern Shore of MD. Here's to 10 more years of fun !!

DEFYANT
10-28-2014, 10:00 AM
Congrats on 10 years, Charlie !! :up: The DEFYANT Marauder is legendary among the beginnings here. I certainly am glad to call you a friend. Even remember your first outing in MarauderLand with the CAM members at Big Bat's on the Eastern Shore of MD. Here's to 10 more years of fun !!

Thanks Charlie. MarauderMark took a pic of me following him there where we met. We hooked up with BigDogJim along the way. I'll have to dig it up and post it.

Jeffonebuck
10-28-2014, 11:11 AM
Congrats on the ten year anniversary ! I would of loved to been here in the earlier days,,lots of Dedicated Members and info and glad a they are still around. :beer: :flamer:


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Bradley G
10-28-2014, 11:28 AM
Great post!
:beer:

Bluerauder
10-28-2014, 12:05 PM
Here is the earliest pic that I could find. CAM Meet at Big Bat's, 20 Feb 2005. Recognize any of these guys ?? No car pics .... weather must not have cooperated that day.

Turnout for that meet was a little thin .... Haggis, Ladyhawke, Mike Poore, Merc, DEFYANT, MyTMerc and Bluerauder. I think that the March 2005 "Super Rod" magazine was the one that profiled "NAVCHAP's" car. I had him sign that edition when we were in Detroit for MV III/Woodward Dream Cruise.

http://www.mercurymarauder.net/gallery/data/500/medium/100_94651.JPG

Here are the first pics of your car that I could find from the CAM Meet at Big Bat's, 9 April 2005 ...

http://www.mercurymarauder.net/gallery/data/500/medium/100_9511.JPG

http://www.mercurymarauder.net/gallery/data/500/medium/100_9519.JPG

http://www.mercurymarauder.net/gallery/data/500/medium/100_9520.JPG

DEFYANT
10-28-2014, 01:46 PM
This is the pic MarauderMark took en route to that first meet.

http://www.mercurymarauder.net/gallery/data/500/medium/defyant1.jpg (http://www.mercurymarauder.net/gallery/showphoto.php/photo/24169/title/defyant1/cat/500)

Cheeseheadbob
10-28-2014, 02:00 PM
Still having those night terrors of comparing our time slips from Cecil, Capital, Atlanta...? :D

Fun times with you Bro and a bunch of great memories!!! :burnout:

Motorhead350
10-28-2014, 02:04 PM
Tits is not in the filter!

Nice write up!

Enjoy another ten years.

WhatsUpDOHC
10-28-2014, 04:53 PM
Great post on a legendary ride and your MM.net experience!

Seneca
10-28-2014, 06:19 PM
Kewl read! Cheers to another ten!

DEFYANT
10-28-2014, 07:41 PM
Still having those night terrors of comparing our time slips from Cecil, Capital, Atlanta...:D

Fun times with you Bro and a bunch of great memories!!! :burnout:

It was the best of times, and the worst of times! Haha! Bro, the stories of us at the track are my favorite! Even when I won, I somehow lost! LOL

Cheeseheadbob
10-29-2014, 05:28 AM
Getting in the time machine on our run back from Detriot... :D
It was the best of times, and the worst of times! Haha! Bro, the stories of us at the track are my favorite! Even when I won, I somehow lost! LOL

martyo
10-29-2014, 05:37 AM
I give this thread three thumbs up!

71cyclone
10-29-2014, 07:15 AM
I give this thread three thumbs up!
Looking back , I wish I bought a MM in 07 as opposed to 11:beer:

Bigdogjim
10-29-2014, 09:04 AM
It was the best of times, and the worst of times! Haha! Bro, the stories of us at the track are my favorite! Even when I won, I somehow lost! LOL
Great write up! :up: I remember the "early" days when no one knew anyone...:lol: For me it's 12 years and counting, but this is about your dream:beer:

See you at another meet one day!:banana2:(old friend)

Ms. Denmark
10-29-2014, 03:16 PM
Great to read, Charlie. Good guy....good car....good times! Look forward to seeing you in June so put Carlisle on your calendar now.

jimlam56
10-29-2014, 03:53 PM
Good read Charlie!
I've made many lifelong friends as a result of owning a MM.
I was just telling one of my sons the other day that I will never sell mine...

MarauderTJA
10-29-2014, 06:59 PM
Geez Charlie, you are bringing tears to my eyes.:bigcry:. Congrats on 10 years:beer:. Hopefully I will have another Marauder before my 11th anniversary. Miss all you old Marauder guys...........and the SC wars.....was seriously entertaining.

sflrainmaker01
10-29-2014, 08:33 PM
Yep! Great read and I love the picture in your sig! :up:

sflrainmaker01
10-29-2014, 08:34 PM
Yep! Great read and I love the picture in your sig! :up:

merc
10-30-2014, 01:44 AM
Those pictures bring back memories. You played an important role in my marauder performance history. I loved your silver birch so much that I purchased one after the murder of my black 03. :beer:

Shermanator
10-30-2014, 11:59 AM
My first "call out" from Charlie. We never did run, what a same it surely would have been a good contest and fun. good wishes always.