This Mercury Monterrey has a very interesting history that is based on a platform that includes a 302-cid V-8 engine, automatic transmission, complete NASCAR-style brakes, upgraded suspension, full rollcage with a red and black exterior finish, along with the associated graphics from running, and winning the later day La Carrera Panamericana.

In short, Dr. Peter Frank was infatuated with this legendary race since visiting Mexico as a child on a family vacation. With his interest in vehicles and speed he decided to take this race on when it was revived by Loyal Truesdale and Eduardo Leon in 1985.

This car was located in 1989 and was taken to the same shop that had built the 1988 race-winning car for the La Carrera. Dr. Frank explained, “you need a battleax. You want to be sure your brakes, suspension and steering are top-notch. You want a strong engine. But since it’s a 2,000 mile race, you want to tend towards reliability rather than horsepower. The Mercury is a leaner, meaner Lincoln, slightly smaller, but you could still get that big engine in there.”

The car made efforts in 1990 and 1991 that were varying in success. In 1990 the car crashed out on the fourth day. In 1991 it finished sixth in the Turimo Mayor class, 12th overall. They entered the 1992 race with even loftier goals: to win their class and finish in the top 10 overall. By the third day in the 1992, Dr. Frank and Mark Williams found themselves in the overall lead and after the event concluded they had achieved the overall win by a 57 second margin. They had a top speed of 149-mph and averaged 121-mph. They beat the second car in the Turismo Mayor class by a whopping 13 minutes.

The car was then donated to the NATMUS Museum in Auburn, Indiana. It resided peacefully for five years before Dr. Frank “borrowed” the Mercury to once again give the race a try in 1997. This is but a small part of a very interesting story that will forever be with this Mercury Monterrey. It certainly is deserving of continued attention and, perhaps, many more spirited miles.

All proceeds from the sale of this vehicle are to benefit the NATMUS Museum in Auburn, Indiana.