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Mercury Marquis
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The Mercury Marquis was a vehicle produced by the Ford Motor Company under its Mercury brand from 1967 to 1986. It began as a full-size car, but became a mid-size in 1983. Continuing as a full-size was the former top-level trim line, Grand Marquis. The midsize Marquis was phased out in 1986 by the Sable.
1967-68
The Mercury Marquis was introduced in 1967 as Mercury's top-line two-door formal hardtop, the only body style available in 1967 and 1968.
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Encyclopedia
The Mercury Marquis was a vehicle produced by the Ford Motor Company under its Mercury brand from 1967 to 1986. It began as a full-size car, but became a mid-size in 1983. Continuing as a full-size was the former top-level trim line, Grand Marquis. The midsize Marquis was phased out in 1986 by the Sable.
1967-68
The Mercury Marquis was introduced in 1967 as Mercury's top-line two-door formal hardtop, the only body style available in 1967 and 1968. Curiously, during these same years, the top-line four-door sedan and four-door hardtop models were called Mercury Brougham, while the top-line two-door fastback and convertible remained the Mercury Park Lane.
The 1967 Marquis came with the Mercury-exclusive 410 in³ big-block FE engine as standard equipment. The 410 was discontinued for 1968, replaced by a 390 in³ big-block. In both years an optional 428 in³ big-block engine was also available. The 1967-68 Marquis were similar to the Ford LTD, but were longer and more luxuriously equipped.
1969-72
These were known as the "Continental Styling" years, as Mercury was trying to market itself as an affordable Lincoln, rather than a more expensive Ford. A 1969 advertisement for the Colony Park wagon bills the car as "If Lincoln Continental made a station wagon, this would be it."
This generation of Marquis was available as a full line of cars, with two- and four-door hardtops, a convertible, and a station wagon. The new 1969 Mercury Marauder was based on the two-door Marquis. Marquis models came standard with a V8 with a two-barrel carburetor. The four-barrel 429 from the Marauder was optional. The three-speed C6 automatic was still the sole transmission.
This generation introduced the hidden headlights that were a Lincoln-Mercury trademark in the 1970s and also introduced rear fender skirts. Interestingly, metallic gold examples of the 1969 and 1970 model Marquis convertibles (very low production) were used for the final two seasons of the Green Acres TV series. These replaced the 1965-67 Continental convertibles that were used earlier in the run of the CBS comedy series.
1973-78
For 1973, the car received a redesign, giving it new energy absorbing bumpers that protruded from the body, a new roofline and a somewhat boxier overall look. Two- and four-door hardtops (the four-doors had frameless door glass and slim fixed center pillars) were available as the Marquis or Marquis Brougham. The 1975 models were slightly revised to look longer than the boxier '73-'74 range. The Grand Marquis was introduced as a luxury trim line in 1975 when the Monterey series was dropped and all full-size Mercurys took the Marquis name. Unlike the related Crown Victoria, which was an option package on the LTD Landau, the Grand Marquis was a trim level in its own right. Base and top-line Colony Park station wagons were available.
The big-block V8 became available on this generation, and the Cleveland replaced the 429 as the base motor in 1974. The 460 cid / 7.5 Litre V-8 was standard on the Brougham and Grand through 1977. The 351M entered the lineup in 1978 for a more economical option. In that year the 460 was reserved as an option for the Grand Marquis and Colony Park wagon only. Emissions regulations had taken their toll and by 1978, this motor generated a mundane .
Advertising billed these cars the best fullsize cars in America. A 1976 consumer survey showed the Marquis Brougham far superior to the competing Olds 98 LS and Buick Electra 225. The next year, the Grand Marquis went up against Cadillac's Sedan Deville and was again the preferred choice.
1979-82
The Marquis was downsized to the Panther platform in 1979. The car was designed to be more fuel efficient, and it was; losing some 800 pounds and over a foot in length. Broader expanses of glass and a lower hood line provided more visibility. Interior space increased with redesigned seats and door panels. The new styling also produced better aerodynamics. Gone were the hidden headlights and fender skirts that had graced earlier models, leaving a more contemporary look. The interior gained Lincolnesque white-face instruments with square gauges. Pillared hardtop styling was replaced with two- and four-door post models. As before, base and Colony Park wagons were available.
The 400 and 460 cid V8s were discontinued; standard engine was now the 302 cubic inch Windsor V8. The 351 Windsor engine was a rare option and is highly desirable today.
1983-86
The models were split in 1983, with the Grand Marquis remaining on the full-sized Panther platform and the Marquis name moved to the mid-size Fox platform, to the model that was formerly sold under the Cougar name. The mid-size Marquis sedans had the SOHC four-cylinder as the base engine. Wagons came with a six-cylinder standard. 1983 models could have the "Mileage Maker" I6, otherwise, the Essex V6 was available in all models and was the most common. The high output 5.0 L Windsor V8 was available in the rare Marquis LTS, sold only in Canada. Four-cylinder models got the C3 3-speed automatic, while the others received the AOD 4-speed automatic overdrive.
The Fox-based midsize Marquis was produced in Atlanta, Georgia until 1985 and Chicago, Illinois until 1986, when it was replaced by the Mercury Sable.
The Panther-based Grand Marquis continued in production, though it has been extensively updated and restyled at various intervals. The Grand Marquis may remain in production until at least 2010 as a 'civilian' alternative to its fraternal twin, the Ford Crown Victoria. A CAW contract agreement for April 2008 may also extend the life of St. Thomas Assembly until 2011.
External links
- - A resource for all early Foxes, inlcuding 1983-1986 Marquis
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