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Mercury Montego
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The Mercury Montego, (presumably derived from Montego Bay, Jamaica) was a mid-size vehicle in Ford's Mercury line from 1968-76. The name had first been used in 1967 on the Meteor Montego, the top trim level in the Mercury-derived Canadian Meteor line. The name was resurrected from 2005-07.
Montego was introduced for 1968 as an upscale version of the intermediate Mercury Comet, which it eventually supplanted after 1969.
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The Mercury Montego, (presumably derived from Montego Bay, Jamaica) was a mid-size vehicle in Ford's Mercury line from 1968-76. The name had first been used in 1967 on the Meteor Montego, the top trim level in the Mercury-derived Canadian Meteor line. The name was resurrected from 2005-07.
1968-1976
The Montego was introduced for 1968 as an upscale version of the intermediate Mercury Comet, which it eventually supplanted after 1969. It was essentially a twin of the Ford Torino. The Cyclone was a high performance variant of the Montego through 1971.
The 1968 models were available in four body styles: four-door sedan, two-door hardtop, station wagon and convertible, in base and fancier MX trim. In 1969, a luxury MX Brougham trim level was added.
For 1970, the convertible was dropped, but new four-door hardtops and woodgrained MX Villager station wagon were added to the model selection. The 1970 and 1971 Montegos (and Cyclones) were notable for their striking forward-thrusting hood and grille centers. Concealed headlamps provided extra distinction for 1970 Broughams and Villagers.
The 1972 Montego (and Torino) was fully restyled. Whereas previous Montegos (except wagons) had been produced on a single wheelbase with unitized construction, the 1972-1976 models were built body-on-frame and used a 114-inch span for two-door models, 118 inches for sedans and wagons. Although Ford called the four-door sedans "pillared hardtops" (they used thin "B" pillars), true four-door hardtops were not offered in this generation. In 1972 and 1973, a sporty fastback coupe called Montego GT (mirroring Ford's Gran Torino SportsRoof) was offered, replacing the Cyclone.
Montego sales through 1973 ranged from fair to decent, but were subsequently depressed by gas mileage concerns, and in-house competition from an all-new 1974 Cougar cast in the personal luxury mold and the more efficient Monarch introduced for 1975. After the original run of Montegos ended in 1976, an expanded line of Cougars for 1977 effectively took over its role in the Mercury lineup.
Six-cylinder engines were offered in Montegos through 1973. V8 power--up to a massive 460 cubic inches from 1974 forward--was available throughout the entire run.
2005-2007
Mercury again used the name for their 2005 version of the Ford Five Hundred, which along with the Mercury Milan filled the Mercury Sable's place in the brand's lineup. The Montego had a standard 3.0L Duratec DOHC 24 Valve V6, and 6-speed automatic. A CVT transmission was optional, along with an all-wheel drive system. The Montego was classified as a fullsize/large car. The car started at an MSRP of $25,000. Although highly praised by owners, the Montego experienced lackluster sales through the 2005 and 2006 model years.
The Montego was built in Chicago, alongside its former cousins, the Ford Five Hundred and Ford Freestyle crossover. This plant formerly built both the Ford Taurus and Mercury Sable. The Montego was marketed in the US and Mexico, however it was not sold in Canada as the Mercury line had been discontinued there.
Discontinuation of the Montego
Along with a minor redesign, the 2008 Five Hundred was renamed the Taurus, and the Montego was renamed the Sable as it was felt that these long-standing nameplates had better consumer recognition. The new Sable went on sale in Summer 2007 and featured a new 3.5L V6 already available in the smaller Lincoln MKZ.
External links
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- - The first Mercury Montego & Ford Five Hundred enthusiast web site
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