The Legend of the Florida Highway Patrol Mercury Marauder, the Fastest, Rarest Panther of Them All
The FHP once got a gift that turned into the fanciest Police Interceptors around.
Ever hear the story about the rarest, and fastest, Panther body Ford sedans ever made, the FHP Mercury Marauder?
According to the Florida Highway Safety website, Christmas came early in 2004 for the Florida Highway Patrol when an anonymous benefactor donated a fleet of 18 modified Mercury Marauders. The Marauder is the most powerful factory-spec of the Ford Panther family tree; it was produced from 2003-2004 and rated at 302 horsepower. As a bonus, all 18 of these cars were purpose-built pursuit specials.
This gang of Marauders went full Blues Brothers in terms of modifications. Better brakes, rear sway-bars, upgraded cooling, ECU tune with the top-speed limiter removed, digital video and infrared cameras. These cars were now capable of cruising at 150 mph without vibrating your coffee mug.
