Fernandina Beach Police Department
MEDIA RELEASE
December 13, 2014 11:20 a.m.
At recent parades, car shows and other local events, car enthusiasts have been enjoying the debut of the Fernandina Beach Police Department “Pirate Marauder,” a 2003 limited edition Mercury Marauder. The vehicle is assigned to School Resource Officer Al Smith and is designed to feature the iconic Fernandina Beach High School pirate. The vehicle has also been a huge hit with high school students and can be seen most days on the school campus.
The vehicle was donated to the Police Department by local resident Jack Heard of Oxley-Heard Funeral Home.
The limited edition Mercury Marauder has a naturally aspirated 4.6 L V8 DOHC (Dual Over Head Cams) producing 302 HP and 318 ft·lbs of torque; this engine has many parts — including heads, cams, block and rotating assembly — in common with the 2003–2004 Mustang Mach 1. The Marauder features a dual exhaust system with MEGS tailpipe tips, with newly developed chassis and suspension modifications – such as moving the rear shocks outboard of the frame rails. The Marauder was fitted with the 4R70W 4-speed automatic in 2003. The Marauder features the aluminum drive shaft from the Ford Crown Victoria Police Interceptor. The limited slip differential with a 3.55 rear axle ratio was standard fitment on all Marauders.
The interior of the Marauder has front bucket seats and a floor shifter with a center console; leather seats are standard. Instead of the simulated wood trim seen in the Grand Marquis, the Marauder substituted simulated satin aluminum trim in its place. The instrument cluster was Marauder-specific, with satin aluminum gauges (with a 140-mph speedometer borrowed from the Ford Police Interceptor) and the pressed electrical board designed to control them are model-exclusive. To make room for the tachometer, the oil-pressure gauges and voltmeter were moved to the center console.
There were 7,838 Mercury Marauders produced in 2003.