In 1958 Mercury introduced “a complete family of revolutionary new Marauder V8's with cool-power design”. They were based on Ford's MEL engine design (Mercury-Edsel-Lincoln) first released in the 1956 Lincoln. This new line of engines would be Mercury's first use of the Marauder name in a production automobile. There were four Marauder engines in the Mercury line for 1958 and only the low cost Medalist did not use a Marauder engine.
The Monterey and Commuter used the “Marauder 383” 2-barrel engine (312 hp).
The Montclair, Voyager, and Colony Park used the “Marauder 383” 4-barrel engine (330 hp).
Park Lanes came standard with a “Marauder 430” 4-barrel engine (360 hp).
And if you needed more power than this, all models were available with the exotic“Super Marauder” engine. This was a 430 6-barrel engine with an incredible 400 hp. It was the highest horsepower engine available in any American car in 1958. It was also a Lincoln-Mercury engine only, not available in a Ford.
Mercury Marauder engines were all about power. One 1958 Mercury flyer stated “the 312 hp Marauder V-8 in the attractively-priced Mercury Monterey gives you more standard power than you can get in the most expensive Buick, Oldsmobile, Pontiac or Dodge”. It also states that “Park Lane has the highest horsepower-to-weight ratio of any American car”. This was a great start for what would become a great Mercury name.
Engine production:
Marauder 383 2V (Monterey, Commuter) 97,052 less Super Marauder
Marauder 383 4V (Montclair, Voyager, Colony Park) 28,235 less Super Marauder
Marauder 430 (Park Lane) 9,252 less Super Marauder
Super Marauder 100 estimated
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