A Question for Alan

[byersmtrco]

This is a question for Alan Tast.

I can't find my William Wonder Thunderbird "Bible" at the moment.

Did Ford ever put an M-motor in a Monaco? We had a local awhile back selling one (Big $$$$$$$$$$) Nice car, but it didn't have the proper vin designation (for the motor-it was a real Monaco.)

Thank you,

John Byers
San Jose,Calif

[Alan H. Tast, AIA]

"M" in a Monaco?

NO! Production of M-series'63s ceased shortly after the beginning of January '63, while Monaco production began around mid-January '63 on through end of '63 production. Sales literature during the period the Monaco was offered did not even mention the M-series engine.

Why no "M" in the Monaco? Too many complaints from owners of engine fires, poor mileage, hard to keep in tune, etc. With the upscale sedate, hard-to-please clientel Ford was aiming the Monaco at, the last thing they would want to do is have a lot of irate owners, warranty work, etc.