what we know
If you've read the travelogue then you know how I managed to end up with my 1966 Mercury Monterey Breezeway, and if you didn't and have some time to spare it makes for a good read. Otherwise the short version of the story is that in March of 2006 I purchased the car from a fellow in Klamath Falls, Oregon, drove out and towed it back home to Ontario. I've done some research into the cars history over and above the anecdotal information that was provided by the previous owner and have put it together here, along with a fair bit of reference information about old Mercurys.
The Merc was purchased by George Maxwell at PO Box 161, Bonanza, Oregon, and put into service on June 10, 1966. R. O. Moen was the salesman at McKinney Lincoln Mercury sales in Salem, Oregon who did the deal with George. George is a bit of a mystery, except we know he died and left the car to his son, whom we also believe has now passed away. I purchased the car from the third owner. It had under 22,000 miles on her when I picked her up, as verified by the Oregon DMV. So let's take this a step at a time, starting with McKinney Lincoln Merc.
McKinney Lincoln Mercury opened for business in 1954 at the corner of north commercial and center streets in downtown Salem. Although I've tried contacting a number of local dealerships in the area and the Ford Motor Company themselves, I can find very little info about the dealership online. It appears as though the dealership did not renew its business license in 1988, so that may have been the time they went out of business or were purchased by a new owner.
There are some more images of the dealership circa 1961 and a newspaper ad from the late 50's available here.
Now on to the car. Here we'll have a little history lesson about the various codes that come from the VIN plate and the data plate. For a full dictionary of all the various codes, please see the other info section at the bottom of the page. The VIN, or vehicle identification number for those who aren't strong with acronyms, contains the year of manufacture, assembly plant, body code, engine code and consecutive unit number.
The Merc's VIN when broken down provides:
Year of Manufacture '6' = 1966
Assembly Plant 'Z' = St. Louis, Missouri
Body Code '42' = 4 Door Sedan (Reverse Backlight aka Breezeway Rear Window)
Engine Code 'H' = 390 CID V8 2 Barrel Carburetor Special
Consecutive Unit Number '579985' = 79,985th unit scheduled for production
The Consecutive Unit Number (also known as the Warranty Number) was set to 500,001 for each plant, and was not model specific. So this is not in fact the 79,985 Mercury Monterey built in St. Louis. While I know that there were 14,174 Monterey Breezeways produced for the 1966 model year, I do not know what the lowest and highest Consecutive Unit Numbers are in order to gauge if my Merc is closer to the beginning or end of the production run. I have made inquiries to try and ascertain these figures and hope to then determine how mine is positioned within that 14,172. I'm also trying to figure out how many may still be on the road in North America, but that's becoming more of a challenge than I'd once thought...
The Data Plate contains what is sometimes referred to as Warranty Information, that is the trim levels and features (apart from options) that were installed on the car when it was built. The Data Plate lists the codes for body style, paint colours, interior trim, build date, District Sales Office (DSO), axle and transmission.
The Merc's Data Plate details are 50A-Z-M-2D-26E-54-1-8 which broken down provide:
Body Code '50A' = 4 Door Sedan (Reverse Backlight aka Breezeway Rear Window)
Primary (Body) Paint Code 'Z' = Medium Sage Gold Metallic
Secondary (Roof) Paint Code 'M' = Polar White
Trim Code '2D' = Parchment Crinkle Vinyl Bolster Crinkle Vinyl Insert
Build Date Code '26E' = 26 May 1966
DSO Code '54' = Seattle
Axle Code '1' = 3.00 : 1
Transmission Code '8' = Automatic Multi-Drive
The Owner's Manual for the Merc also indicates the following information:
Ignition and Door Key Number: FA0733
Trunk and Glove Compartment Key Number: FB0661
Date Placed in Service: June 10, 1966
Glossary of Terms
Breezeway Window - Breezeway means a power-operated retractable rear window, however the term was not generally applied to station wagons. The Breezeway window per se was actually only used on the 1963-1968 Mercury full-size models: 2- and 4-door sedans and hardtops, in varying series. 1967 and 1968 models featured a Breezeway window that only lowered 2" as opposed to earlier models that lowered completely. Starting in 1957, and continuing through 1968, Mercury occasionally advertised that its station wagons featured "Breezeway ventilation".
Marauder - "Marauder" was used to identify the higher performance engines starting in 1958, through 1966.
Monterey - The Mercury Monterey name was first used in 1950. It was a specially-trimmed Mercury 2-door sedan with a padded vinyl roof. See also: Ford Crestliner and Lincoln Lido. Beginning in 1952, the Monterey was a regular Mercury series, being continuously produced through 1974.
other info
The information below has been compiled from the introductory pages of my 1966 Mercury Service Manual. I would suggest for anyone who may want to rely on the information below to double check it in your own reference materials, or ask an expert. There are lots of excellent sources for information on the internet, including car clubs and restoration shops.
Dimensions (inches) and Weights (pounds)
| Overall Length | |
| Sedans & Coupes | 220.4 |
| Station wagons | 216.5 |
| Overall Height | |
| Hardtops | 55.1 |
| Sedans | 56.0 |
| Convertibles | 55.2 |
| Station wagons | 56.7 |
| Overall Width | |
| Hardtops & Convertibles | 79.4 |
| 4dr Sedan & Station wagon | 79.6 |
| Width at tread | |
| Front | 62.0 |
| Rear | 62.0 |
| Wheelbase | |
| Sedans & Coupes | 123.0 |
| Station wagons | 119.0 |
| Shipping Weight (no accessories) | |
| 4dr Sedan Breezeway (Monterey) | 3,966 |
| 4dr Sedan (Monterey) | 3,903 |
| Convertible Bucket Seats S-55 | 5,045 |
| Station Wagon - 9 Pass. (Commuter) | 4,331 |
Assembly Location Codes
Code Letter = Assembly Plant
S = Pilot Plant
Z = St. Louis
W = Wayne
Engine Codes
Code = Engine
H = 8-Cylinder 390 Cubic Inch (2-barrel Special)
Y = 8-Cylinder 390 Cubic Inch (2-barrel)
M = 8-Cylinder 410 Cubic Inch (4-barrel)
Q = 8-Cylinder 428 Cubic Inch (4-barrel)
P = 8-Cylinder 428 Cubic Inch (8-barrel High Police)
8 = 8-Cylinder 428 Cubic Inch (4-barrel, Low Compression)
| Transmission Codes | |
| Code | Transmission |
| 1 | 3-speed Manual Shift |
| 4 | Automatic (C6) |
| 5 | 4-speed Manual Shift |
| 8 | Automatic Multi-Drive |
The official Vehicle Identification Number for title and registration purposes is stamped on a tab attached to the top right side (weld flange) of the dash panel in the engine compartment (see left).
The Warranty plate is located on the rear (lock) face of the left front door panel. Do not use the "Vehicle Warranty" plate for title or registration purposes (see left).
How to Read FoMoCo Part Numbers
Ford part numbers (other than hardware parts) are coded in two basic ways: Regular parts have a four character prefix (LFLL), a four or five digit part number, and a one-letter suffix.
Example: C5ZZ-5255-F (Exhaust "turn-down" tailpipe on '65-66 289 4V Non-GT Mustangs)
Many body-style specific interior and trim parts use seven digits in the part number, the first two of which identify the basic body style application, with the last five identifying the specific part within a general body area. A three-letter suffix may be used, usually to indicate color.
Example: C6ZZ-6504290-BAB (Instrument Panel, 1966 Mustang, Black)
The following tables attempt to further elaborate on the coding of the various portions:
| Decades | |
| A | 1940's (often omitted) |
| B | 1950's |
| C | 1960's |
| D | 1970's |
| E | 1980's |
| F | 1990's |
Year
Last digit of year of introduction or revision
| Models | |
| A | Ford (generic) / Galaxie |
| C | Truck |
| D | Falcon |
| F | Foreign / Trans Am Racing |
| G | Comet (later Montego) |
| H | Holman/Moody HiPo Part |
| J | Industrial |
| L | ? |
| M | Mercury |
| N | ? |
| O | Fairlane (Later Torino) |
| P | Autolite (Later Motorcraft) |
| Q | ? |
| R | Rotunda (Generic) |
| S | Thunderbird |
| T | Truck |
| U | Econoline/Club Wagon Van |
| V | Lincoln |
| W | Cougar |
| Z | Mustang |
| Department | |
| A | Chassis |
| B | Body |
| D | ? |
| E | Engine |
| F | Engine Accessories |
| J | Autolite |
| M | Holman Moody |
| P | Auto Transmission |
| R | Manual Transmission |
| S | ? |
| U | ? |
| W | Axle |
| X | Muscle Car Parts |
| Y | Lincoln/Mercury Service Parts |
| Z | Service Parts |
Note: For 1940's parts ("A") the first character is sometimes omitted. Similarly, the final character is occasionally dropped at the whim of the Ford Parts Number creators. Thus, such items as "Ford Rubber Cement" may appear with a part number of "8A-19552-B", rather than "A8AZ-19552-B".
| Regular Parts - Part Identifier | |
| 1000 | Wheels |
| 2000 | Brakes |
| 3000 | Suspension & Steering |
| 4000 | Axle & Driveshaft |
| 5200 | Exhaust |
| 5300-5400 | Front Springs & Stabilizer |
| 5500-5900 | Rear Springs |
| 6000 | Engine |
| 7000 | Transmission |
| 8000 | Radiator, Grille, Cooling & Belts |
| 9000 | Fuel System & Fuel/Oil Gauges |
| 10000 | Charging & Instruments |
| 11000 | Starting |
| 12000 | Ignition |
| 13000 | Lamps and Horns |
| 14000 | Wiring |
| 15000 | Accessories |
| 16000 | Moulding & Ornaments |
| 17000 | Safety Equipment (Jack, Speedometer, Washer, Wipers, Mirrors, Bumpers) |
| 18000-18100 | Shocks |
| 18200-18700 | Comfort-Convenience Equipment (Floor Mats, Heater) |
| 18800 | Radio & Antenna |
| 18900 | Speakers |
| 19000 | Gasoline |
| 19100 | Fire Extinguishers |
| 19500 | Custom Accessories & Car Care |
| 19600-19900 | Air Conditioning |
Suffix
Single letter indicates specific application
Note: Subassembly parts or accessory kits may add an additional letter (starting with "A", then "B", and so on) following the Thousands digit in the part number identifier. Thus, we have a Mustang automatic transmission shift lever with part number "C5ZZ-7213-M", while the accompanying selector dial for a center-console equipped Mustang would be "C5ZZ-7A213-D".
| Interior Parts - Part Identifier | |
| 25 | Luggage Rack |
| 50 | Mercury |
| 53 | Lincoln |
| 54 | 4-door |
| 57 | Ford |
| 60 | Ford |
| 62 | 2-Door Sedan/Coupe |
| 63 | 2-Door Hardtop (Mustang Fastback) |
| 64 | ? |
| 65 | 2-Door Hardtop (Mustang) |
| 66 | Ranchero |
| 71 | Station Wagon |
| 76 | Convertible |
| 81 | Truck |
| 83 | Truck |
| 87 | Truck |
| 89 | E100 |
| 91-99 | Bronco |
Suffix
Single letter indicates specific application.
Three-letter code usually indicates color.
Note: As above, subassembly parts or accessory kits may add an additional letter, in this case following the Hundreds digit of the part number identifier. Thus the 1966 Rotunda Headrest Kit (Black) features Ford part number "C6AZ-62612A18-A"
Photos of McKinney Lincoln Mercury were taken by Ben Maxwell and are part of the Oregon Historic Photograph Collections and were purchased from the Salem Public Library.
