If we ever stretch past the budget in one of our Rough Start features, it is because we feel that the car is close enough to the spirit of the budget to warrant a look, and that’s where we find ourselves today, with a 1999 Ford Crown Victoria LX that has been morphed into a two-door convertible full-sizer. The photos kind of speak for themselves, so let’s take a moment and determine why this Vicki exists.
In 2003, Mercury took the angry version of the Panther platform, the Marauder, hacked off the roof, stretched out the front doors, moved the B-pillar back and gave the world the Marauder Convertible concept car. It somehow turned the otherwise dowdy Panther platform, already an endangered species on Ford’s books, and made it handsome. It wasn’t really showy, wasn’t really that powerful (the concept had an Eaton huffer on it and was claiming 335 horsepower on the show circuit) but it had a very handsome appearance. I wanted one badly when I saw the pictures, but of course, “two doors and convertibles don’t sell well” meant there wasn’t a snowball’s chance in Hell of it happening. Yet someone was inspired to create their own…we think…and for $5,800 you could have your own. The Fusion-like grille is actually a factory piece that was used on a special edition sold in Saudi Arabia and Kuwait…they love these big barges over there…and the seats are out of a Marauder. There is also a floor shifter and console setup that comes with the car. There isn’t a top or door/quarter glass for the car at all and according to the add, some interior details still need to be sorted, but it’s a full-frame, two door American V8-powered convertible that you could own. If “unique” is your byword, this is for you.
Oddly enough, Jalopnik found out a few years back that the real Marauder concept actually had a 1999 Crown Victoria LX VIN number when it turned up at a Pennsylvania dealership for sale. Makes you wonder, doesn’t it?
Craigslist Link: 1999 Ford Crown Victoria LX custom convertible
A convertible Crown Vic is one of those things that makes no sense if you write it out, but after seeing these pictures, the idea totally works.
Technically it’s not a convertable, as there is no top. Not a roadster with four seats either. It would be cool to make a ‘glass version of the original top that latches on like a Miata…
you know,that actually works.
wonder if they stiffened it or does it do the whole dash goes left,car goes right dance?
These are body on frame cars, so cutting the roof off should not make much of difference.
Just wondering what conv’t top would fit the CV.
Honestly, any early 1970s “midsize” cars would make a good starting point for a CV. I’d look at a 1970s Torino, Mopar B-body or Chevelle for a dimension base and start making adjustments from there. I don’t think that there is a car newer than 1975 that would fit the dimensions for a ragtop. I’d also be looking for a lightweight fiberglass roadster cap, like a Corvette, though the cost of a custom piece would probably be high.
Good news the price is now $4900. Bad news is I still cannot justify buying it. Cool build though.