This week, Ford announced the closure of its Mercury brand. And while we won't shed a tear for the loss of the Lynx, Mariner Hybrid or Milan, we're prepared to say that the Comet, Cougar and Marauder deserve a better send-off.
Edsel Ford — Henry's eldest son and a great influencer of automotive taste in his time — brought Mercury to life 71 years ago as a downmarket version of the Lincoln brand. It would be aimed squarely at Buick and Oldsmobile, which were rated by the public as something above the blue-collar Ford brand. Ever since, Mercury tried to find that nexus point of style, quality and value.
Whether in the form of a hopped-up Marauder powersliding to the top of Pikes Peak (yeah!), a two-door hardtop Commuter wagon or anything in between, Mercury vehicles always made a statement. The brand's most successful year came in 1978 when 580,000 examples were sold, but the company really achieved its critical success during the early 1950s, when the '49 Mercury set a standard for both style and performance.
On the racetrack or with a seaplane, these aren't your grandfather's Mercs. Actually, they are; you're just not your grandfather. Click through these photos of Mercury for the highlights (and some lowlights) that tell the story of a brand forgotten.
This is the art of Mercury.
To see some gorgeous, full-color advertising illustrations from the classic era of Mercury, follow this link to Straightline.
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tdiluv says:
05:04 AM, 09/30/2010
Where are the pictures of the FORD FALCON especially the "SPRINT" from "63 THRU 65" ?
04tuna says:
07:44 PM, 06/13/2010
I was never much a Ford fan, even as a kid I liked GTO's and 442's and Chargers, more than I did Mustangs. I didn't like Camaros until the 71's. But the Cougar was an exception. I liked hideaway heead lights I guess. Oh well. Nothing lasts forever.
atenza94546 says:
12:44 PM, 06/11/2010
Mercury had position themselves wrong since the beginning of the 90's and now it just too expensive to move on with new plan of re-tools for different vehicles. I see it is gone for now but maybe 10 - 20 years later some Ford Executive or other Brand may bring it back.
mrnosy says:
03:25 PM, 06/07/2010
O.K., enough teary-eyed nostalgia.Like Tom Petty sings"Shoulda known right then it was too good to last,God its such a drag when you're livin' in the past."
ff1825 says:
11:35 AM, 06/05/2010
How could you forget the Mercury Steve McGarrett drove in Hawaii 5-0?
btrdayz says:
06:53 AM, 06/05/2010
How the HELL do you omit the Mercury Cougar XR7 coupes from the 90's?!!! Probably the last good looking and desirable Mercury! Please update your photo history to include one. And I don't mean that Mazda based coupe either!
calspecial68 says:
06:58 PM, 06/04/2010
@wikiwiki:
I'm just on the cusp of being 18 and I completely agree with you. Live was just plain different then. They knew how to make 'em back then too. Shame that Mercury has to join the carmaker graveyard with greats like Pontiac, Plymouth, AMC, and many more.
Another thing I've never really enjoyed in this age: The peace of having the road to myself for an extended amount of time (or at least a minimum number of cars). The number of cars on the road these days is staggering. Actually its ridiculous. Most of it is because of kids my age jumping onto the road, but at least I'm using an old car instead of a new car.
matt310 says:
10:02 AM, 06/04/2010
You totally missed the 1989 Cougar XR7. Sure it wasn't as catchy a name as Thunderbird Super Coupe, but that 3.8L supercharged engine (with 210 heart-stopping hp) was sure pretty to look at in its day.
iskch says:
08:45 AM, 06/04/2010
Looking at the 1977 Mercury Grand Marquis remind me of 8 track and music from Barry White. :)))
wikiwiki says:
07:45 AM, 06/04/2010
@darthbimmer: I was speaking more of the life and times of America back then. The cars looked so original and awesome too but it was the country as a whole that I wish I could have experienced. No generation has had it great (WWI, WWII, etc.)but I feel that every generation after the 60s has seen a steady decline in the quality of life. I was born in the wrong era I guess. These pictures are awesome though. Ford is doing the right thing. Still a shame.