Learn more about one of the 70s finest luxury barges, the 1974 Mercury Marquis Brougham. This is also the car that Steve McGarrett drove on Hawaii Five-O.
Bill from Curious Cars seems to spend a good portion of each video complaining about the weather and animals that wander onto the property. I really enjoy how you present these cars with very relevant information and facts as opposed to sheer opinion. Yours may be more rare than the sedan and coupe but it is definitely the best looking. The Marquis’s are beautifully designed and elegant. Love the old land yachts.
Oh and about Bill on curious cars..He's got to be a part owner cause I'd let him go by now since he's on camera talking about having Covid Liquor..and his comments about Dalton..I usually skip thru that but unfortunately I have to sit thru comments about Canadians,kids and guns..This day and age with all our shootings that wouldn't fly..And I don't get the bird thing unless he's got a hangover..lol
Adam, I just want to say how much I appreciate your devotion to these largely unloved vehicles that the typical classic car community does not embrace. You inspire us fellow car nerds to seek out these classics and preserve them.
Nice car!! If you ever sold some of these vehicles after your done having fun I know I would love to know when and where!! Pretty sure other viewers would enjoy a nice Luxury Car by Adam!! I know I would!!
Hey Adam, the more I see of your Marquis Brougham the more I like it!!! The color is very rich & luxurious looking, the wheel covers are the best. The twin comfort lounge seats are very nice, I just wish that Ford hadn't discontinued the hi back twin comfort lounge seats, those are so comfortable!! The CB antenna really makes it look like Steve McGarretts car. Thanks for highlighting this beauty!!! 👍👍
That is a beautiful example of a 1974 Marquis Brougham. I've always preferred the big GM"s, but if I even found a sedan this nice, I would go for it. Thanks for sharing this bit of history 👏.
Beautiful car! I remember these Mercury's when I was younger riding to school in car pool. They always seemed like solid cars and well built and of course the ride was great. Heck, don't forget, you could cut a diamond perfect in the back seat over a cobble road!
Thanks for sharing Adam!! My dad had a 1974 LTD in this same color. Imagine my dismay at the age of 11 when he traded it in for a 1982 Light Spruce Green Escort. I sure missed that roomy LTD.
Reminds me of my Dad doing same with a nice blue 64 Park Lane traded for a new 1970 Gold 4 door automatic Datsun 510... even he couldn't stand it so he gave it to my mom and got a used 68 2 door Tbird with the 429. Now that was a nice car.
1982 Ford Escort sucks. He should have kept the 1974 Ford till 1987, and get a 1987 Ford. I like full sized, mid sized, and compact cars. I hated mini cars.
@@haneyoakie14 - Just having fun with ya man. I was in high school in the 80's as well. If my parents ever knew everything that went on in their cars i was driving........ i wouldn't still be living. I'll leave it at that.
@@christopherweise438 I could tell by your tone that we are kindred spirits. Mom and Dad have passed on now, so I guess they know all my secrets now. When I get upstairs, I might have some ‘splainin to do.
Thanks, Adam. My grandfather was a long-time Mercury owner, and had one of these in this exact color. Takes me back to the mid-70s! I don’t know whether he regretted the purchase when standing in the gas lines, but he didn’t try cutting diamonds in the back seat, like they showed in the ads.
In 1995 , I bought the exact same car for $200. It had 160,000 miles on it an burned oil by the gallon. I used to get friends and local gas stations to give me their used drained oil. I kept gallon milk jugs of black burnt oil in the trunk. When the engine clanked and the gray cloud of smoke got small and oil light came on, I'd add a gallon. It was the smoothest and most comfortable car I ever had. Mine had one big bench seat in front. The tree huggers always gave me the finger !
That interior is amazing for that age! What a find and in such a color was so typical. You know so much more about these cars than I do (and here I grew up in this era) and fancied myself being a know it all! You def take the cake. My neighbors across the street has a baby blue '76 Grand Marquis with darker vinyl top. I was more a GM kid at the time but still appreciated the over all look. Seems like yesterday, blast from the past!
You are an inspiration sir. My brother had a 77 Mercury Marquis 460 that was so comfortable and spacious. Incredible how the back leg room is about as big as the front.
That car is like new. Steve McGarrett would be happy to see it. Great find. Ahhh, those seat belt buzzers were like music. Thanks to "Rare Classic Cars" for another fine watch.......
There is something totally wrong about the CB Antenna that makes me like it a lot. At least it is period correct. Polished up it might look factory police! Vintage CB install would be cool. Great review love the seats.
For the seat belt interlock we used to keep the belts buckled and sat on top of them which would allow the car to start without wearing the belts... because who would want to wear a seat belt in 1974?
BITD the gent who fitted my sisters quarterhorse with shoes drove the most incredible Grand Marquis hardtop. Two tone brown, with the painted caps (like those in your trunk) with leather, moonroof, 8-track, power everything. 11 year old me was gobsmacked. Fantastic cars they be.
Bill is a gem. So is Adam. Both are real 'car guys with, uh, different perspectives. And Bill's advocation of keeping children and toddlers in a fixed position by any means possible is somewhat prophetic and ornithophobes are a little more common and sensible than you may know. That said I am an avid birdwatcher.
Check the blower resistor pack. If there's not good contact at those, you lose intermediate speeds, but since high speed bypasses the resistor pack, it isn't affected. Very common issue.
That's good. I actually think it's the coolant temp sensor for the system. Everything works fine if the interior temperature is >75 degrees when that sensor is bypassed.
My mom had this car. I was 4. The backseat was full of my toys. The non- pillared windows used to amaze me. Basically she drove while I climbed around like I was on a jungle gym. Those were the good old days. Lol!
Working at a full service gas station, I have to admit filling GM vehicles behind the license plate had one advantage. It didn’t matter what side the pump was on. Trying to route the hose across the trunk of a side fill was not well received if it would even reach. Those were the days…
Yes, the center fill has advantages. Ford introduced the feature in its 1952 line of cars. Others copied the idea and GM even "hid" the filler behind the left tail light or chrome trim for several years (1956 Chevy for example). Not all center fillers were down low in the bumper. Many were above the rear bumper in the panel between the edge of the trunk and the top of the bumper.
Adam, I would get rid of those pink heater core hoses and top spring bound generic radiator hose with OEM FoMoCo hoses and OEM clamps. this 1974 Marquis Brougham deserves it. What a nice find!
Eventually the Panthers will be classics, I do enjoy these cars alot they bring me back to the past growing up being driven around in these cars by my parents!! They truly are one of a kind!!
My grandpa Shelly had one of these, 2dr, black on white, in white. Grandpa Shelly worked at Mercury after WWII. He worked there a long time. He only bought Mercury’s. I’m a real Detroiter!!
Bill and Adam are the best. Bill just calls it like he sees it. So does Adam just in an understated way. Back in the 70s/80s it was normal and okay to say whatever came to mind. Better times.
Being in South Carolina, I know why Curious Cars brings up tge humidity all the time; when it's really heavy it's all you can think about. Years ago a guy down in Florida chewed someone's face off underneath an overpass. Back then it was said he went crazy on bathsalts. It wasn't bathsalts. It was the humidity! It can make you completely crazy and angry at everything.
Watched "The Seven-Ups" last night. 1972. Half your collection was in that film, Adam. Fords, Lincolns, Cads, Caprices, Impalas, Pontiacs, Mopars (cops) and even an Olds. Hard to follow the narrative cause was so into the rides.
Cool shout out to Bill! Curious Cars and Rare Classic Cars! The 2 best channels on you tube. You guys should meet up and team up for a review. That’d be the best video and hilarious. Just an hour of you guys driving around in an 70’s convertible through Florida!
Great review Adam. I love your enthusiasm for your newest addition. Like a proud new dad. I’d certainly be proud to own that. As a kid in the mid 70s I always had a fondness for these Marquis. I thought they were very special and well made.
I have a whole new appreciation for these beautiful mid 1970’s land yachts. Thank you Adam . I really enjoy watching all your videos . You are extremely knowledgeable about classic cars ! 👍
Hey Adam, loved driving these cars back in the day; solid, quiet, comfortable and secure feeling. You glossed over that AM/FM radio pretty fast. My dad bought a new F250 off the lot in '74, with an AM/FM radio. The truck cost $4,300, the radio was $360 of that total according to the window sticker. Serious option in the day. My uncle rebuilt the 460 in my Dad's 76 Grand Marquis wagon and used a 429 cam timing gear, it really woke that 460 up. I suspect all Ford was doing was retarding cam timing to reach their emissions goals then.
My mom had a Maroon '71 with a 428CJ engine. My dad worked at the Ford plant in Dallas . in those days employees could order cars through the factory. Anyway it eventually became my Hi School ride. It didn't make me cool but it was a great ride. I could fit 6 - 8 friends when going to a party or concert.
I remember a neighbor having a ‘74 Marquis Brougham that I loved as a kid. Same color, but the pillared hardtop. 1974 was always my favorite year for this generation, both from Mercury and Ford. Very nice example!
Gorgeous full sized Mercury Marquis Brougham - looks good in metallic brown color ... Really don't see brown cars anymore: trucks/suv 's - yes ... Someone took good care of this classic Mercury ! Slainte' ! Cheers !
Bill…… if I lived in your neighborhood, we be dangerous together. My wife would be quite jealous…. I love old American cars from my youth. In particular I love family cars and old pickup trucks. I grew up on a cattle ranch in New Mexico. My grandfather (1889-1981) homesteaded our ranch when New Mexico was a territory. My first memory of driving were grandpas pickups was a 1962 Dodge and second one was a 1965 Chevy. Ranchers drove their cars to church when weather was good. It seemed that the Ford LTD’s and GM Cadillacs along with Pontiacs and Oldsmobiles were staple brands.
Its 90 degrees here in South Florida. Ill attempt to send you some warmth in exchange for a little of your cooler weather. Watching your video now. Sure it will be excellent. PS- I took my drivers test in 84 in a massive 1978 Mercury Grand Marquis Brougham. Yes, I failed the first time as I had to parallel park that boat! Thanks for the memories.
Everyone ridicules cars of this era for their low power numbers but they don't understand that it's torque that makes them a relaxing, enjoyable drive. Who wants to be screaming a big block up to silly revs in a car that's obviously built for luxurious, quiet, reliable progress? You just want crack the throttle and feel the hammer in your back.
Wish your 1974 Marquis Brougham had the beautiful three spoke steering wheel (no cruise control), otherwise this is the most excellent survivor, equipped with many popular options. I always thought the 4-door hardtops were more popular than the pillared sedans, so I've learned something new. It was always amazing how smooth riding Big Mercury's were in the 70's. My family's Oldsmobile Delta 88 felt like a horse-drawn buggy compared to the neighbors plush Marquis Brougham ride. Thank you Adam for this review of "the one that got away".
Ford's Speed Control also cost you the good aluminum spoked steering wheel on the '82 and '83 Mustang GTs. In it's place came a LTD Crown Victoria-style wheel with the big padded rectangular center.
Adam, what a treat to see you do a full feature review of this car so soon after acquiring it! I did note a ffew things: on my '73: my cornering lamp relays are mounted on the inside lip of the LH fender -- I believe they are under the dash on your car; and they share the same solenoid that is "missing" one terminal. If you need to replace the fan/vacuum control switch/manifold, PM me -- I figured out a way to do it without removing the entire control head from the dash. And if you need an NOS one, I have a lifetime supply -- PM me as well.
I know I'm late getting to this one for a comment, but it's been hectic. My moms beloved HHR suffered a catastrophic transmission failure... that's what I get for commenting a few days ago about how my family had gotten lucky in not needing to buy a car in this market! Videos like this are a great escape to a better era of cars. Thank you so much for the video Adam, it's truly an awesome car! I'd agree it's one of the coolest of the 70s! Everyone has a Camaro- this is big and imposing and always stands out.
No way I could own that beauty and not go on a week or two road trip to nowhere in particular. Just point it in whichever direction you feel like and enjoy the ride.
Appreciate the clin d'oeil to Bill -- both your channels have taught me so much about these types of cars which I truly miss. Watching Columbo episodes help fill the void (lol). I love how the clouds gave a dramatic backdrop to your video, can't complain about that weather factor!
Hi Adam. Gorgeous car. I remember back during that era, Ford produced commercials for the Marquis and how it was "ride engineered". I think they had a guy in the back seat cutting a diamond to show how smooth it was. I think it's a toss up regarding the wheel covers. I like the deluxe covers but the color keyed ones are soooo period correct and something about them I just love. My dad purchased a brand new '77 Ford LTD Landau coupe, on the big 4th of July "sell-a-thon" at the local Courtesy Ford dealership in Denver. It came right off of the showroom floor. It had a big 460. I was 15 years old and so excited but my mom was mad. I learned to drive on the LTD and loved that car. Very smooth, quiet, and long hood. In any event, love the Marquis! Thanks for sharing!
Oh yes....Those big Merc's were fabulous!! I think that was the last year for points and leaded gas. That seatbelt interlock was so hated that the feds were forced to drop it the next year. What was maddening is that they would crank but would not start. People actually had cars towed to the dealership only to find out they had to fasten the belt.
Hey Adam, thank you very much for showing such a fine example of full size American car luxury at its pinnacle. The full size American car was disparaged decades ago and many people quickly sold these cars when gas prices went up for crazy sub-standard small cars. Driving a full size American car is FUN! And the view down the hood NEVER gets tiring especially with a nice hood ornament! I really enjoyed driving my 1963 Imperial Southampton hardtop in Alabaster White. Love the metallic brown color Merc and the metallic brown color keyed wheel covers. Hey! When are you going to get a 1973 Ambassador Brougham? Hope there is an "AMBO" in your future.
@Chris Goebel --- I just looked up your *1963 [Chrysler] Imperial hardtop.* My goodness, what a *_gorgeous_* car! It's funky and beautiful from every angle. To me, it seems to actually embody that notion of looking like it's "moving while standing still" that so many manufacturers tried to do.
Lovely car. I must say I love the look of the front and rear styling of the 75-78 Marquis and I like the quirky seat belt reminder buzzer. That is part of the personality of the car.
I remember in the 90s you could pick these cars up and the "Town Cars" in mint condition for $800--$1,200. I remember no one wanted them other than to buy and pull the engines out and put in a pickup truck...The demolition derby guys was the only ones that bought them.. What a beautiful car Adam!!! To die for!! I want one!!!
Looking at the brown interior brings back memories of my dad's 77 Country Squire, which shared many components with this car. You should leave the CB antenna, as it's very indicative of what was popular from that era.
As an alternate opinion, my parents bought one when I was of driving age, with 460 and twin-comfort high back faux-leather seats. It drew favourable attention. I hated it - a comfortable ride but a big lump that drank so much fuel the gauge was the main focus. Steering took one turn greater lock-to-lock than our other car, with a mass that made parking or a parking lot something to avoid.
Great auto. Please check out the Australian Ford LTD/ Landau of 1973 to 1976. See it here on you tube. It too has the same vacuum activated headlight covers. The Landau is a true pillar-less hardtop designed and built in Australia. It contains some parts and features from Thunderbird, Lincoln and Mercury. Super rare only round 1300 built. The centre grille too is die cast metal. LTD stands for Lincoln type design. Not Limited.
Love the "BIll from Curious Cars" reference !!!! You two should do a review together...it would be hilarious (if you could get a word in edgewise).....
Adam thank you again for a great review. Here's hoping you preserve more great rare classic cars in the future and that you share them with all of us on video. I enjoy your site so much and brings back memories many of these cars which I drove when they were fairly new.
Like the upgraded wheel covers and as always the big Merc’s are truly just sublime. Love the color/trim combo. Noticed someone forgot to check the Deluxe Seat Belt Option. Why they weren’t standard is hard to fathom, but they just looked so much nicer color coordinated and the chrome/aluminum buckles added a little touch of luxury and the seat belt buckles being a touch point the metal ones just gave a more luxury automobile feeling. IMHO. Of course, when you find a car that nice at that age, whether or not it has deluxe seat belts is not very high on the “must have” list.
Gun to my head and had to buy something past '72, it might just be this. Thanks for the opportunity to learn and appreciate this car! I think McGarrett's first Hawaii 5-0-mobile was a '68 Merc?
Man, that's a quiet car. It's so much like a Lincoln of the era. I always thought these were great looking cars back in the day, even though I was always a GM guy.
we would load up like 10 people and go cruising in my Grand Marquis . My buddy Peewe could stand in the back and talk to us up front, there would be a whole different conversation in the back seat. They are massive cars. 4 cores are pretty much required down her and iirc mine came with one.
Quite the prolific channel you've got going now, Adam. I'd say more so than I'd imagined it would become initially, so kudos for that. Please keep 'em coming.
Thank you for explaining the headlights doors system. I prefer the front look of the 75. A neighbor got one in the 90,s, looked brand new. Got into a fender bender a week later. Probably because of the big size of the car. Beautiful interior, altougth I find strange the front seatbelt colors appear greenish. lol Thanks for the video.
