Featured is a solid and good looking 1967 Mercury Marquis Two Door Hardtop Coupe, a full size luxury automobile. It was Mercury’s full size counterpart to the full size Ford LTD
During it’s first generation,1967 to 1968, the Marquis was actually a two door hardtop version of the Mercury Monterey. The Marquis received a redesign for the start of the second generation in 1969 as did all Ford Motor Company models.
Mercury was positioned as a premium brand in the Ford Motor Company stable positioned between Ford and Lincoln as an entry level luxury brand and a less costly alternative to Lincoln. The Marquis essentially filled the same kind of slot that Buick and Oldsmobile did for GM.
The Mercury Marquis was produced from the 1967 model year to 1986. The Grand Marquis model was produced from 1975-2011. The Mercury models were placed between Ford models and the high end luxury Lincoln’s.
Ford Motor Company was producing two full size vehicles which in a way were competing against each other.
The difference of course was that the Mercury Marquis was pricier and more upscale than the Ford LTD. The major difference between the two brands is that Ford is targeted lower to middle-income buyers while Mercury was marketed to the more affluent.
The Grand Marquis Vs Marquis
The Mercury Grand Marquis first appeared in 1974 and represented the premiere model of the Marquis lineup. It started out as an interior trim level of the Mercury Marquis Brougham.During it’s production run the Grand Marquis was built almost exclusively as a four door sedan.
The Mercury Marquis and Grand Marquis competed against the Buick’s and Oldsmobile’s from General Motors.
Mercury Production Ends in 2011
When the Ford Motor Company pulled the plug on it’s Mercury models at the end of 2010, they said they wanted to concentrate on their Ford and Lincoln models. While Mercury’s market share had been declining up to it’s end, the Mercury however was always a superior vehicle to the average Ford and left a gap between the Ford and Lincoln series.
In 1938, Mercury’s cars would compete with mid-level automobiles from GM, Dodge and Chrysler’s DeSoto,but would be below GM’s Cadillac lineup. “Mercury was actually born because there was a niche between the deluxe Ford V-8 and the Lincoln Zephyr V-12,” said Bob Kreipke, corporate historian, Ford Motor Company.
While Mercury began it’s existence as a luxury vehicle just under the Lincoln, by the end of Mercury’s run in 2011 the automobile was thought of as a Ford with better trim and a slightly higher price.
1967 Mercury Marquis Specifications
For 1967, the standard engine for the Mercury Marquis was a 410 cubic-inch V8. The new Marauder engine featured a four-barrel carburetor and delivered 330 hp.
Standard transmission was a four speed manual. A three speed automatic was an option.
Brakes were four wheel hydraulic drums.
Dimensions include a 123.0 inch wheelbase, 218.5 inch overall outside length, 77.9 inch width, 55.1 inch height. Curb weight was 4,200 lbs.
1967 Mercury Marquis production totaled 6,500 vehicles with a price average of $4,000.
Additional Related Auto Museum Online articles are found on the links below…
Reference material for this article includes…55 Years of Mercury: The Complete History of the Big “M” by author John Gunnell…Fifty Years of Lincoln Mercury by George H. Dammann...Complete Book of Collectible Cars from the Editors of Consumer Guide.
1967 Mercury Marquis Collector Cars
The 1967 Mercury Marquis, the models first year, was built on as a two door hardtop coupe. In addition to that the production was relatively low at 6,500 vehicles.
As a nice 1960’s luxury car example, the 1967 Mercury Marquis is considered quite affordable to begin a collection with. Current prices all depend on condition, mileage, restoration details and age. Excellent examples at this time might be picked up at about $10,000.
(Article and photos copyright Auto Museum Online)