Had to get a new tow vehicle

Tony Shelton

BS Detector, Esquire
Well, the old Crown Vic finally gave up the ghost. I put almost 100k on it in 3 1/2 years. I think we took it to 32 states.

Made a big mistake and SeaFoamed it (against the advice of Jill's dad, a 23+ year ford mechanic) and it loosened up some crap that blocked the oil flow. Now it's got a knocking rod.

I just got a new Magnaflow exhaust on it a couple of months ago, a new intake and new brakes and rotors. The rest of the car is in great shape so I'll probably just replace the motor and keep it for a sales car. It was a great car and probably has lots of years left in the body.




So I had to get a new tow vehicle. I don't think there is another car on the market that can take the beating these cars take so I got another one.

This one is a Mercury Marquis LSE. I had determined I was going to get a Marauder this time, but with as much as I drive it would be a shame to run miles up on a Marauder and ruin it's value. So I did some research and found a Marauder Lite. The LSE was the interim car that was made with all the stuff the Marauder had, suspension, interior, etc, except a 2v instead of a 4v engine. Originally it was the S-55 concept car (with a supercharger) and once the motor was ready it became the Marauder.

Best guess is they only made between 2 and 3,000 LSE's.

It's got all the Marauder stuff including the center console, air suspension, HPP components etc including 3.27 gears (not locking :( )

I've added a custom cold air intake, larger throttle body and Maf, 240 amp alternator, larger anti-sway bar, HAWK HPS racing brakes, drilled and slotted rotors, Borla stainless 2 1/2 inch exhaust, SC3 Tuner and custom Dyno tune made just for this car, and finally a 850 watt sound system with a 10 inch Fosgate sub.

Stock it was 250hp now it's about 296hp

The only thing left to do to it now is put in 4.10 locking gears and the ADTR supercharger which should put it up to between 420hp and 450hp.

All that in a comfortable car that feels like driving the nation in a first class plane seat!

All this fun comes with a tradeoff, because Shelly wants an Audi. But I'll take that trade!

A quick Mustang in a Limo body!

Anyway, here is my new tow truck HAPPY HAPPY HAPPY:







And I LOVE these Borlas! It sounds a LOT deeper in person.


Thanks for letting me share some old man fun!
 
We call this a sleeper! sweet
 
Looks great tony, makes me question my choice for a 3 series.

Stick with the 3, much easier to park!

Funny you mentioned the 3. We got a shop loaner from BMW that was a 335 when they first came out. I think those are twin turbo.

I took it down a certain on ramp and drifted it all the way down the ramp and fell in love. But it was just too small for my big body.

After that I dreamed of having a big comfortable car that could drift like that.

And yesterday I drifted this thing all the way down the ramp and knew I had what I had been looking for!

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Congrats Tony! Car looks great!!
 
Very nice. Gotta love me some Fords. Even better when people involuntarily pull over to get out of your way.
 
You must be a hack!!! At least that is what I heard guys called that will do anything to fulfill their commitments.
 
I have to admit I am taken back that anyone in the US uses a car as a tow vehicle. I always though you all had Fat ass mega trucks that drank petrol like there was no tomorrow. Makes my little Toyota Voltz 1800cc seem almost ok. I have been to the gas station today and paid NZD $2.10.9 per litre. as of today NZ Dollar is equal to 83cents US, or $1.74 Us per litre. What are you currently paying for a 91 octane fuel.?
 
I have to admit I am taken back that anyone in the US uses a car as a tow vehicle. I always though you all had Fat ass mega trucks that drank petrol like there was no tomorrow. Makes my little Toyota Voltz 1800cc seem almost ok. I have been to the gas station today and paid NZD $2.10.9 per litre. as of today NZ Dollar is equal to 83cents US, or $1.74 Us per litre. What are you currently paying for a 91 octane fuel.?

Lol. I only use the car to tow for that one account. However I wouldnt hesitate to tow that small trailer behind the car if I had to go to California to do a small job. Our gas is about 90 cents a liter now. Pretty cheap. But I remember just 15 yrs ago complaining about having to pay 35 cents a liter in California at the boat dock!

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I have to admit I am taken back that anyone in the US uses a car as a tow vehicle. I always though you all had Fat ass mega trucks that drank petrol like there was no tomorrow. Makes my little Toyota Voltz 1800cc seem almost ok. I have been to the gas station today and paid NZD $2.10.9 per litre. as of today NZ Dollar is equal to 83cents US, or $1.74 Us per litre. What are you currently paying for a 91 octane fuel.?

You better be nice about my truck.
 
Yes I think we all have a "I remember when" story. I remember when I first started to drive 43 years ago petrol was 48cents NZ per gallon. Ah the good old days. unfortunately greed and BP have made fuel a shocking price here in NZ. we get screwed on a daily basis. Fuel can go up by 10-12 cents a litre and they always have some excuse. I remember one huge increase being blamed on hurricane Katrina. FFS!!! Never did figure how what happened on your neck of the woods affected the price of fuel in my tank. Petrol companies.!!! Any excuse for a price hike.
 
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