Mercury Marquis: Difference between revisions

Mercury Marquis
1969 Mercury Marquis 4-door sedan
Overview
Manufacturer	Mercury (Ford)
Production	1967–1986
Body and chassis
Class	Full-size (1967-1982) Mid-size (1983-1986)
Chronology
Predecessor	Mercury Montclair Mercury Park Lane
Successor	Full-size: Mercury Grand Marquis Mid-size: Mercury Sable

The Mercury Marquis is a model line of automobiles that was marketed by the Mercury division of Ford Motor Company. Deriving its name from a French nobility title, the Marquis was sold across four generations from 1967 to 1986; through its entire production, the model line was the Mercury divisional counterpart of the Ford LTD. Initially introduced as the flagship Mercury range, the Marquis line was later expanded to include the Mercury Grand Marquis slotted above it.

Mercury marketed the first three generations of the Marquis as a full-size sedan (alongside the Mercury Colony Park station wagon). The fourth generation was a mid-size sedan, as Mercury split the Marquis and Grand Marquis into distinct product lines for 1983. As Ford transitioned its product ranges to front-wheel drive, the Marquis was withdrawn after the 1986 model year, replaced by the Sable (the Mercury counterpart of the Ford Taurus).

For its first three generations, the Marquis was produced in Hapeville, Georgia (Atlanta Assembly), Hazelwood, Missouri (St. Louis Assembly), and Pico Rivera, California (Los Angeles Assembly); the fourth generation was produced by Atlanta Assembly and in Chicago, Illinois (Chicago Assembly).

First generation
1968 Mercury Marquis
Overview
Production	1967–1968
Assembly	Hazelwood, Missouri (St. Louis Assembly Plant) Pico Rivera, California (Los Angeles Assembly) Hapeville, Georgia (Atlanta Assembly)
Body and chassis
Body style	2-door hardtop
Related	Mercury Monterey Mercury Park Lane Brougham Ford LTD Meteor Montego/LeMoyne (Canada)
Powertrain
Engine	390 cu in (6.4 L) FE V8 410 cu in (6.7 L) FE V8[1] 428 cu in (7.0 L) Super Marauder V8
Transmission	3-speed FX/MX automatic (1967) 3-speed FMX automatic (1968)
Dimensions
Wheelbase	123.0 in (3,124 mm) (1967)
Length	218.5 in (5,550 mm) [2]
Width	77.9 in (1,979 mm)
Height	55.1 in (1,400 mm)

For 1967, Mercury introduced two model lines to serve as the counterpart of the Ford LTD. Slotted above the Park Lane, the Marquis was a two-door hardtop, with the (Park Lane) Brougham offered as a four-door hardtop; both model lines were offered with a vinyl roof as a standard equipment. The Marquis differed from the LTD with the use of higher-specification interior trim (wood trim in place of simulated wood, optional leather unavailable on the LTD)^[3][4]; as with other Mercury sedans, the Marquis used a four-inch longer wheelbase than its Ford counterpart.

In contrast to other Mercury model lines, the Marquis was fitted with a "Twin Comfort Lounge" seat, combining the 3-passenger capacity of a bench seat with the individual legroom adjustment of bucket seats^[3]; in various forms, the design would gradually replace full bench seats in American cars during the 1970s and 1980s.

For 1967, the standard engine for the Marquis was a 410 cubic-inch Marauder V8, producing 330 hp; exclusive to Mercury, the 410 was the optional engine across the full-size Mercury model line.^[5] A 4-speed manual transmission was standard, with a 3-speed automatic as an option.^[3][5] For 1968, the 410 was replaced by a 390 cubic-inch Marauder Super 390 V8, producing 315 hp; shared with the Park Lane and Brougham, the engine was optional for lower-trim full-size Mercurys.^[6] A 3-speed manual replaced the previous 4-speed, with the automatic returning as an option.^[6] For both years, the 428 cubic-inch Super Marauder V8 was an option, producing 345 hp.^[5][6]

Second generation
1969 Mercury Marquis convertible
Overview
Also called	Meteor LeMoyne (Canada; 1969-1970) Mercury Marquis Meteor (Canada; 1977–1978)
Model years	1969–1978
Assembly	Hazelwood, Missouri (St. Louis Assembly Plant) Pico Rivera, California (Los Angeles Assembly) Hapeville, Georgia (Atlanta Assembly)
Body and chassis
Body style	2-door hardtop 4-door hardtop 4-door pillared hardtop 2-door convertible 5-door station wagon
Related	Mercury Grand Marquis Mercury Monterey Mercury Colony Park Ford LTD
Powertrain
Engine	351 cu in (5.8 L) 351M V8 400 cu in (6.6 L) Cleveland V8 429 cu in (7.0 L) 385 V8 460 cu in (7.5 L) 385 V8
Transmission	3-speed C6 automatic 3-speed FMX automatic
Dimensions
Wheelbase	121.0 in (3,073 mm) (wagon) 124.0 in (3,150 mm) (2-door, 4-door)
Length	229.0 in (5,817 mm)
Width	79.8 in (2,027 mm)[7] 79.6 in (2,022 mm)
Curb weight	4470 lb (2-door) 4508 lb (4-door)

For 1969, the second generation of the Marquis made its debut; effectively replacing the Park Lane, the Marquis was expanded to a full range of body styles, slotted above the Monterey in the full-size Mercury line. From 1975, Mercury reduced its full-size range solely to the Marquis (including the Brougham and Grand Marquis trims).

In Canada, the Meteor brand marketed the Marquis as its flagship Meteor LeMoyne from 1969 to 1970. After the 1976 closure of the brand, Ford Canada continued the use of the Meteor name within Mercury, selling a Marquis Meteor as a base trim level for 1977 and 1978.

The second-generation Mercury Marquis shares its chassis with the full-size Ford model range introduced in 1969, using a rear-wheel drive perimeter frame chassis. Following a tradition starting in 1961, Mercury sedans were given a longer wheelbase than Fords, with the Marquis built on a 124-inch wheelbase (compared to the 121-inch wheelbase used by Ford sedans and Ford/Mercury station wagons). For 1970, the chassis was adopted by Lincoln for the Continental, extended to a 127-inch wheelbase.

The suspension design was carried over from the previous-generation full-size range, with a live rear axle suspension (3-link design) and double wishbone independent front suspension (with a front stabilizer bar), with coil springs at all four wheels.^[8] Front disc brake and rear drum brakes were standard, with four-wheel disc brakes introduced as an option in 1975.^[9] "Sure-Track", an early form of anti-lock braking, was introduced as an option in 1973.^[10] Power front disc brakes were optional.^[11]

For the second generation of the Marquis, Mercury revised the powertrain line. Along with ending its Marauder branding for engines, Mercury replaced both the 390 and 428 FE-series engines with a 429-cubic inch 385-series V8. A short-stroke version of the Lincoln 460 V8, the Marquis offered the 429 with 2-barrel and 4-barrel carburetors (320 and 360 hp, respectively).^[12] The manual transmission was discontinued, paired solely with the 3-speed Ford C6 heavy-duty automatic. During the 1972 model year, the Marquis received the 460 from Lincoln as an option (replacing the 429 outright for 1974^[13]).^[14]

As the 1970s progressed, Mercury began efforts to improve emissions and fuel economy of its full-size range; following the discontinuation of the Monterey and the introduction of the Grand Marquis, smaller-displacement Ford 335 engines replaced the 460 as the standard engine offering. For 1975^[15], the 402 cubic-inch Ford 400 V8 was introduced (largely as a successor to the 429), with the 351 cubic-inch Ford 351M V8 becoming the standard engine for the Marquis in 1978.^[16] In California and for "high-altitude" use, the 400 remained standard equipment; regardless of usage, the 460 (standard on the Marquis Brougham and Grand Marquis through 1977) remained available as an option until the end of the generation.^[17] The C6 transmission remained paired to the 460, with the 400 and 351M using the lighter-duty FMX transmission.

Alongside the previous two-door hardtop, the second-generation Marquis was expanded to a four-door hardtop, four-door sedan, and two-door convertible; the Colony Park station wagon became part of the Marquis line.^[17] The second-generation Marquis underwent a revision in 1971 and a complete redesign of the exterior in 1973.

For 1969 and 1970, the Mercury Marauder returned as a distinct model line derived from the Marquis. Largely replacing the S-55 (discontinued during 1967), the Marauder was a fastback personal luxury coupe, combining the front bodywork of the Marquis with the body (and 121-inch wheelbase) of the Ford XL/Ford Galaxie 500 SportsRoof.^[17]

For 1969, the Mercury full-size range was redesigned (alongside its Ford counterparts); the Marquis remained a counterpart of the Ford LTD model range. Alongside the addition of four-door sedans, the Marquis line gained a station wagon, as the Colony Park woodgrained station wagon was integrated into the model line.

While the Marquis four-door shared much of its roofline with its Ford counterpart, the two-door hardtop was given its own roofline. The front fascia of the Marquis adopted many elements from the Lincoln Continental, including its hood and grille proportions and chrome-topped fenders; the Marquis, LTD/Galaxie/Custom, and Continental each received their own horizontal taillamp design. Initially sharing its hidden headlamps with the LTD, the usage of the design largely became exclusive to Lincoln-Mercury flagships after 1970, including the Marquis, Lincoln Continental, and Mark-series (the LTD Landau became the only Ford to use the configuration). The system was vacuum-operated, closing the headlight covers using a vacuum canister powered by the engine; as a fail-safe. the system was designed to retract the headlight covers following any vacuum loss.^[17]

For 1970, the Marquis saw few visible changes to the exterior and interior. In compliance with federal safety regulations, all full-size Mercurys received a new steering column, with a rim-blow steering wheel replacing the previous horn ring design.^[18] Alongside the woodgrained Colony Park, a Marquis station wagon (without wood paneling) was introduced.^[19]

For 1971, the Marquis underwent a revision of the exterior and interior; the convertible body style was dropped (along with the Marauder fastback). Distinguished by the elimination of vent windows and framed door glass (for sedans and station wagons), Mercury saw the introduction of the "pillared hardtop", a sedan combining a thin B-pillar and frameless door glass (to mimic the appearance of a pillarless design).^[20] The revision also included the use of fender skirts and wraparound taillamps. The dashboard underwent a redesign, clustering the instruments and controls closer to the steering wheel.^[21]

For 1972, the grille shifted to an egg-crate design (with a similar panel between the taillamps). In line with federal mandates, the Marquis adopted seatbelt warning buzzers.^[17][22] For the first time, the model line introduced a power sunroof option (requiring the selection of a vinyl roof).^[17][23]

• 
  1969 Mercury Marquis sedan
• 
  1969 Mercury Marquis sedan (side view)
• 
  1970 Mercury Marquis convertible
• 
  1971 Mercury Marquis two-door

For 1973, the Marquis underwent an extensive mid-cycle revision. Largely coinciding with the addition of 5-mph bumpers for the front and rear fascias, the roofline of the Marquis saw a complete redesign.^[17] Two-door and four-door versions both received a new roofline; the two-door received larger side windows, while the four-door received a sleeker roofline. While the four-door shared its roofline entirely with its Ford counterparts, the design distinguished Mercury sedans from the Lincoln Continental. The interior saw a revision of the trim and seats, with a redesign of the dashboard (clustering the instruments behind the steering wheel and the secondary controls to the center of the dashboard^[24]).

For 1974, the grille underwent a redesign (nearly matching that of the Continental), shifting to a vertically-oriented layout and eliminating the eggcrate trim of the headlamp covers. Following their addition to the front fascia the year before, 5-mph bumpers were added to the rear. The Grand Marquis name made its first appearance, used as an interior option package for the Marquis Brougham.^[25] In response to pending safety regulations, this was the final year of production for the four-door hardtop bodystyle.

For 1975, the front fascia saw several revisions, with a larger radiator-style grille (with the "Mercury" block lettering replaced by a script above the left headlamp); in contrast to the Ford LTD Landau and the Lincoln Continental, the headlamp doors were revised with chrome border trim and a crest emblem. The rear fascia received padded vinyl trim (body color or contrasting) between the taillamps. While Ford and Lincoln added B-pillars (and opera windows) to their two-door sedans, Mercury retained its hardtop roofline.

For 1976 though 1978, the Marquis saw few visible changes; in 1976, a Landau vinyl roof option was introduced for Brougham and Grand Marquis two-doors, while all versions of the Marquis were marketed as "Ride-Engineered"^[26] (promoting its successful ride comparisons against more expensive European sedans of the time). For 1978, the Marquis was given a redesigned grille, retaining a similar radiator-style design.

Alongside the 1978 Chrysler New Yorker two-door, the 1978 Mercury Marquis was the final pillarless two-door hardtop (with retractable rear side windows) offered by an American automobile manufacturer.

• 
  1973 Mercury Marquis 2-door hardtop
• 
  1974 Mercury Marquis Brougham 4-door pillared hardtop
• 
  1974 Mercury Marquis Brougham 2-door hardtop
• 
  1974 Mercury Marquis Brougham, rear view
• 
  1978 Mercury Marquis Brougham two-door hardtop
• 
  1978 Mercury Marquis Brougham two-door hardtop, side profile
• 
  1978 Mercury Marquis Brougham two-door hardtop, rear view
• 
  1978 Mercury Marquis Brougham four-door pillared hardtop
• 
  1978 Mercury Marquis Brougham four-door pillared hardtop, rear view

At its 1969 launch, the second-generation Marquis adopted the Brougham trim name from the Park Lane, serving its the highest trim line. Following its 1974 introduction as an option package for the Marquis Brougham, the Grand Marquis was introduced in 1975 as the highest trim line. Following the discontinuation of the Monterey after 1974, all full-size Mercury sedans took on the Marquis nameplate.^[17]

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 1965-1967 Lincoln Continental convertibles that were used earlier in the run of the CBS comedy series.

Third generation (Panther)
1980 Mercury Marquis 4-door sedan
Overview
Model years	1979–1982
Assembly	Hazelwood, Missouri (St. Louis Assembly) Hapeville, Georgia (Atlanta Assembly)
Body and chassis
Body style	2-door sedan 4-door sedan 4-door station wagon
Platform	Ford Panther platform
Related	Continental Mark VI Mercury Grand Marquis Mercury Colony Park Ford LTD
Powertrain
Engine	302 cu in (4.9 L) 5.0L Windsor V8 351 cu in (5.8 L) Windsor V8
Transmission	3-speed C4/SelectShift automatic 4-speed AOD automatic
Dimensions
Wheelbase	114.3 in (2,903 mm)
Length	212.3 in (5,392 mm) (sedan)[27] 217.7 in (5,530 mm) (wagon)[28]
Width	77.5 in (1,968 mm)[27] (sedan) 79.3 in (2,014 mm)[28] (wagon)
Height	54.7 in (1,389 mm)[27] (sedan) 56.8 in (1,443 mm)[28] (wagon)
Curb weight	3,635–3,918 lb (1,649–1,777 kg)[27][28]

For the 1979 model year, Ford downsized the Ford and Mercury model lines, introducing the all-new Panther platform; within Mercury, the third-generation Marquis model range made its debut. In comparison to its 1978 predecessor, the 1979 Marquis was seventeen inches shorter and over 1,000 pounds lighter. For the first time since 1955, the full-size Mercury station wagon was produced with a curb weight under 4,000 pounds.

Although the redesign of the Marquis resulted in an exterior footprint smaller than that of the intermediate-segment Mercury Cougar sedan, the Marquis gained interior space over its predecessor through careful design, with slimmer seats and door panels; a taller roofline and larger area of glass improved visibility.

During the 1970s, Ford had shifted towards increased parts commonality in its full-size model lines; the introduction of the Panther platform would mark a further increase of shared design. For the first time, not only would Ford and Mercury full-size cars share a common wheelbase, but the Ford LTD and Mercury Marquis shared nearly their entire bodyshell, with many non-visible components shared with the Lincoln Continental/Town Car and Continental Mark VI. In addition to a common wheelbase, the LTD and Marquis shared a common roofline (differed only by trim); in place of the pillared hardtop, four-doors and station wagons were produced with fully framed door windows. In a break from 1970s styling themes, the Marquis and LTD abandoned hidden headlights and rear fender skirts (GM full-size sedans would retain the latter to 1996).

While both model lines shared a common bodyshell, several detail changes were made by stylists to distinguish Ford and Mercury full-size sedans from one another. In place of the egg-crate grille of the Ford LTD, the Marquis was given a vertically oriented grille (similar to the 1980 Cougar XR7), with parking lamps similar to the previous-generation Mercury Marquis. While the LTD was fitted with square taillamps, the Marquis was given full-width taillamps (bordering the license plate). Adopted from the Mark series, the Marquis was styled with (non-functional) fender louvers behind the front wheels. Each division received its own dashboard, with Mercury receiving an instrument panel with square white-face instrument bezels.

The Marquis was again offered in a standard trim, Marquis Brougham, and the Mercury Grand Marquis made its return. In Canada, a base-level Marquis Meteor trim was offered through 1981. A two-door sedan and four-door sedan was offered, alongside two Marquis station wagons: a body-color Marquis wagon and a woodgrain trim Mercury Colony Park wagon.

The Marquis received a minor exterior update for 1982, deleting the front fender vents and front bumper grilles.

Central to the downsizing of Ford full-size sedans, the Panther platform adopted smaller-displacement engines in the interest of fuel economy (though a V8 engine would remain standard). The 400 and 460 cubic-inch V8s were withdrawn in favor of Windsor V8 small-block engines. As Ford had begun to phase in metric engine displacement, the standard engine was now a 4.9L (rounded up to 5.0L) V8, the former 302 V8 was shared with the Mercury Cougar and Mercury Monarch. As an optional engine, a 5.8L V8 (the 351 from the Cougar XR7) was offered.

For 1980, a 4.2L V8 was added as a standard engine on base-trim versions of the Mercury Marquis, with the 5.0L engine becoming standard on four-door versions of the Marquis Brougham and Grand Marquis.^[29] In 1982, the 5.8L V8 was dropped from the Marquis line in the U.S But continued to be offered in Canada.^[29]. In 1979-81 the 351M was offered in Canadian spec cars with the optional heavy-duty towing package only paired to the C6 transmission. When introduced for 1979, both V8 engines were paired with a 3-speed SelectShift automatic. For 1980, the Marquis received the 4-speed AOD overdrive automatic transmission as an option. A 1980 option for the 351 V8, for 1981, the AOD became the sole transmission for all three engines.

Fourth generation (Fox)
1983-1984 Mercury Marquis 4-door sedan
Overview
Also called	Ford Cougar (Venezuela)
Model years	1983–1986
Assembly	Chicago, Illinois (Chicago Assembly) Hapeville, Georgia (Atlanta Assembly)
Body and chassis
Class	Mid-size
Body style	4-door sedan 4-door station wagon
Platform	Ford Fox platform
Related	Ford LTD Lincoln Continental Mercury Cougar (1980-1982)
Powertrain
Engine	2.3 L (140 cu in) Lima I4 3.3 L (200 cu in) Mileage Maker I6 3.8 L (232 cu in) Essex V6 4.9 L (302 cu in) 5.0L Windsor V8
Transmission	3-speed C5 automatic 4-speed AOD automatic
Dimensions
Wheelbase	105.6 in (2,682 mm)
Length	196.5 in (4,991 mm)
Width	71.0 in (1,803 mm)
Height	53.8 in (1,367 mm) (sedan) 54.4 in (1,382 mm) (wagon)
Curb weight	3,001 lb (1,361 kg) (sedan) 3,108 lb (1,410 kg) (wagon)
Chronology
Predecessor	Mercury Cougar
Successor	Mercury Sable

In 1983, Ford updated the styling of mid-size Fox platform sedans and station wagons; additionally, a number of product lines were shifted. Mercury reverted the Cougar back to its traditional role of a two-door personal-luxury coupe, discontinuing its unpopular 2-door and 4-door sedans and wagon models. To fill the gap, the Marquis name was taken from the full-size Mercury line. Ford had done the same thing as the LTD had replaced the Granada. Versions manufactured in Venezuela were marketed as the Ford Cougar. ^[30]

After 1983, the Panther-based Grand Marquis continued in production. The 1979-1982 version was produced nearly unchanged until the end of 1991, when it was redesigned for the 1992 model year. With minor evolutionary changes, the design of the 1992 Grand Marquis remained in production for 19 model years, when Mercury ceased all production in January 2011.

The midsize Marquis was produced in Hapeville, Georgia until December 13, 1985 and Chicago, Illinois until January 3, 1986, when it was replaced by the front-wheel drive Mercury Sable.

The mid-size Marquis sedans had the 2.3 L SOHC four-cylinder as the base engine. Wagons came with a six-cylinder standard. 1983 models could have the 3.3 L "Mileage Maker" inline six, otherwise, the 3.8 L Essex V6 was available in all models and was the most common. After 1984, the inline-6 engine (dating to 1963) was discontinued. The high-output 4.9 L 5.0L Windsor V8 was available in the rare Marquis LTS, sold only in Canada. Four-cylinder engines were paired with the C3 3-speed automatic along with the 3.8 L V6 models; the rare V8 models received the AOD 4-speed automatic overdrive from the Grand Marquis.

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Mercury Marquis.

• Four Eyed Pride - A resource for all early Foxes, including 1983-1986 Marquis