1977 Mercury Marquis

The Mercury Grand Marquis was in production from 1975 through 2011. The first generation was built from 1975 to 1982 and served as the company's premium model of full-size sedans. The Ford counterpart was the Ford LTD, serving as a replacement for the discontinued Monterey with trim levels including the Brougham and top-of-the-line Grand Marquis. Power was from a 460 cubic-inch V8 with 4-wheel disc brakes optional on all four corners.

The Mercury Marquis had a 124-inch wheelbase and the station wagons rested on a 121-inch platform. For 1977, the base Marque engine was an overhead valve V8 displacing 400 cubic-inches and producing 173 horsepower. The Grand Marquis had a 460 cubic-inch unit with nearly 200 horsepower and 353 ft-lbs of torque. A SelectShift automatic was standard. The engine had DuraSpark ignition and a new coolant recovery system.

The changes to the 1977 Marquis were minimal and mostly cosmetic. New interior fabrics and body colors became available. Body styles on the base trim level included a hardtop, 4-door pillarless hardtop, and 6- and 8-passenger station wagons. The Brougham and Grand Marquis were a hardtop and 4-door pillarless hardtop. Total production reached 156,032 examples which accounted for 27-percent of Mercury's total 583,055 calendar year sales by U.S. dealers. New options for 1977 included an illuminated entry, AM/FM stereo radio with Quadrosonic 8-tape player, power moonroof, high-altitude emissions, simulated wire wheel covers, and whitewall radial tires. The Colony Park wagon was now an optional package on the Brougham trim level.

The Grand Marquis had power windows and tinted glass, a vinyl roof, fender skirts, Twin Comfort Lounge seats, a digital clock, automatic parking brake release, and paint stripes on the hood and decklid. Standard equipment on the base Marquis included blackwall steel-belted radial tires, power steering, and power brakes. The Marquis Brougham had a full vinyl roof on four-door body styles, a landau vinyl roof on two doors, fender skirts with molding, a clock, additional molding, and power windows.

by Dan Vaughan

The Mercury Marquis was produced from 1967 through 1986. For the first period of its life, it served as the Mercury counterpart to Ford's full-size vehicles. In 1983, the Marquis became a mid-size car, though the highest trim level (the Grand Maruis), continued as the full-size Mercury production line.

At the time of its introduction in 1967, the Marquis was similar to the newly introduced Ford LTD, but was more luxuriously equipped and had a longer chassis. Powering the 1967 Marquis was a 410 cubic-inch big-block V8 rated at 330 horsepower. The following year, a 390 big-block with 315 horsepower was used. During both these introductory years, the Marquis could be purchased with an optional 428 cubic-inch 'Super Marauder' V8 rated at 345 horsepower.

For 1969, the philosophy at Mercury switched from trying to be a more expensive Ford, to a more affordable Lincoln. The 1969 Marquis were available as a 4-door sedan, 2-door hardtop coupe, 4-door hardtop sedan, convertible, and Colonial Park Station Wagon. The front end styling was influenced by the second generation Lincoln Continental Mark III. It featured hidden headlight covers that were blended into the grille. There was an integrated bumper grille, a slightly protruding center section, and a horizontal bar style.

The 121 inch wheelbase platform was shared with the Ford counterparts. Power was from a 429 cubic-inch V8 equipped with a two-barrel carburetor. A four-barrel version of the 429 was available for an additional price. The only transmission available was the Ford C6 3-speed automatic. Power front disc brakes were optional.

The hidden headlight theme would become a trademark for the Lincoln-Mercury's during the 1970s. Special metallic gold colored convertible Marquis examples were used for the final two seasons of the Green Acres TV series. These Marquis served as a replacement for the Continental convertibles that had been used during the 1965-67 seasons.

The interior of the Marquis featured nylon carpeting, burled-walnut vinyl paneling on the doors and the dash, a steering wheel with wood-toned spokes and rim, and four door courtesy lights.

by Dan Vaughan