1979 Mercury Durango (Prototype?)
Only the most die-hard Blue Oval fans likely remember the Ford Fairmont Durango, which wasn't a factory-built machine. Rather, Ford designer Dick Nesbitt came up with the idea for a pickup version of the Fairmont, which The Blue Oval opted not to put into production. However, National Coach, a custom-car builder based in Gardena, California, did wind up building around 212 examples of the car/pickup, and we've seen a couple surface in recent years, though this is the first time we've come across a Mercury Durango.
This 1979 Mercury Durango is currently being auctioned off at Hagerty, and it reportedly pre-dated the Ford version. This particular example left the factory as a Zephyr, and then underwent its major transformation. It's believed that this was actually a pre-production prototype for the National Coach Works' Ford Durango, in fact, which would make it a pretty cool slice of automotive history, if that is indeed true.
Like the Ford Durangos that followed, this Mercury Durango traded its rear roof section, back seat, and trunk for a fiberglass pickup bed, along with a tailgate and revised rear end, in general. It also has plenty of brightwork to accompany its tan exterior paint and multi-color graphics.
Power comes from the naturally-aspirated 302 cubic-inch Ford V8, mated to a three-speed automatic transmission.
Whether or not this Mercury Durango is the prototype that started it all remains to be seen, but the tea leaves certainly suggest that it is.
https://fordauthority.com/2026/03/extremely-unique-1979-mercury-durango-heading-to-auction/
I found the link to this article at:
https://justacarguy.blogspot.com/2026/03/the-ford-fairmont-durango-wasnt-factory.html
Make it a 5-speed and I would use that as a parts/grocery getter, plants and garden stuff, run the kids down to a local pond kind of truck.
ReplyDeleteI would rather have an El Camino, but that's an overall handy vehicle to have. I'd drive it proudly.
DeleteI seriously looked.hard at a 59 Chevy El Camino back in the day. 409 and a 4 speed, dude wanted $2000 fkr it. I passed. One of my regrets...
ReplyDeleteTom762
My uncle had a '69 El Camino that eventually became mine, not titled to me, but kind of took over because he had another truck and I drove it so much. Eventually when he passed away, one of his sons sold it out from under me without so much as a heads up or a chance to buy it myself. I was pissed.
DeleteEverything about that piece, as interesting as it is, screams of the Carter-inspired doldrums that infused the era.
ReplyDeleteThat, and understeer.
I was never a fan of the grill treatment from that era. Like putting lipstick on a pig. And the 302 back then with all the wonky emissions control on it probably made all of 58 horsepower. Actually 140 per google. On paper, maybe. Interesting bit of history, but I'd gladly take something 10 years older or 10 years newer, either way.
ReplyDeleteI'm almost always happier with something 10 years younger.
Delete10 years newer and we're talking the special edition Chevy SS pickup, single cab, short bed and the 454 c.i. V8. I came " " this damn close to buying one straight outta college but couldn't quite make the loan. Ended up with a GMC single cab short bed with a 350 fuel injection. I'd take another one of those, please.
DeleteIf you can' t tow a car hauler it ain't no truck
ReplyDeleteYeah, I've never owned a truck without a hitch.
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