I was 16 when my parents bought a brand new 1978 Grand Marquis. I learned to drive on that thing. It was a magnificent car. Fully loaded except the sunroof. There has never been a more quieter, smoother ride than the Marquis up to the '78 model. I'd give anything to have that car today - even with its gas guzzling 400 V8.
I have to say, back in the late 80’s a coworker of mine drove a 1972 Marquis Brougham. It really was the best riding car I was ever in. Very quiet too.
My father had a '72 Mercury Meteor Rideau 500 2dr hardtop( Same body style as your Marquis) here in Canada. As an 11yr old I was completely in love with it. My mother wondered where I went one day and found me napping in the back seat. Guess I just enjoyed spending time in it. Unfortunatley it rusted away and I was never able to drive it.
Adam has raided plenty of cars from our precious Canadian automotive heritage. He has a beautiful 1968 Meteor with just 2,100 miles that is probably my favourite car in his whole collection. BTW I live about a mile from the river that gave your father's car its name. 😁
I never tire of the sound of Large Ford/Mercury car doors closing from that Era…so pleasing. This car captures that perfectly. Thanks for the great video Adam!
My uncle bought a new Marquis every 3 years from the day they came out until he died in 2002. They were beautiful cars. They rode incredibly well too. Handling wasn't their strong suit but, back then, people didn't drive their luxury cars like sports cars. Your Marquis is gorgeous! As far as it being the MOST comfortable car ever made, I think that honor goes to the 1974, '75, and '76 Cadillac Fleetwood Talisman. 😁😁😁😁
Same here. We always had Mercury Maquis Broughams. So comfy. I don't know the engines all that well but I know our 72' had the 429. Nice power. My first car was a 1974 Lincoln Town Car. My friends and I still talk about that car. I wish I could find a car that comfortable now. Nothing lile cruising in a 70's Merc or Lincoln.
I had a '73 in the blue metalflake paint and black landau roof. The 2-door Brougham with the 460ci motor was a solid cruiser but with just enough attitude - for California freeway driving it was the perfect car. It was my first car - I was the second owner in 1979 - and I would happily buy another one today if I could find one in good shape. You can't describe the ride to someone who's never been in a land yacht in their life, and that interior with those two plush sofas and the snow blowing AC - whenever my friends and I went anywhere, we took the Merc.
I personally like the front and back ends of the '71 over the '72 - the wall-to-wall taillights on the '71 Marquis and '71 Ford LTD were absolutely stunning at night.
I can dig what you're saying bro, I bought a 71 Mercury Marquis coupe 429 engine for 700 bucks from a friend I think it was the mid-80s either way out of all the cars I've ever owned that was one of my, favorite cars of all time. Being this was a marquis video I had to check it out. And I agree the 71 looked better than the 72 s.
My Dad bought me a 1974 Mercury Marquis Braugham in Green as my first car when I turned 16 in 1988. I remember it had a 429 engine and I had the biggest engine in high school. Mine was also 4 door version and the other kids in school called it a boat. Horrible gas mileage when you punched it but no lack of power. Some great memories with this car.
Beautiful car. Many years ago, I had a '66 Mercury Montclair. It got 8 mpg. The best ride of any car I've ever owned. Did I say it got 8 MPG...on the highway...
Wow. That car is absolutely beautiful. Everything except the stupid seatbelt light. Totally an after thought. I would love to add something like this one to my collection. Thanks for sharing. You can tell the quality of everything in these early 70s fine automobiles
I had a '73 Monterey 400 and it would go 120mph all day long. Also, 20mpg when freshly tuned due to the ultra-tall rear end. Outstanding road-trip vehicle and we frequently seated 8 on the way to classic rock concerts. 😀
This car and these types of cars really stand out as a very short part in time for this design where personal luxury and comfort were emphasized. It was essentially two couches, one in the front, one in the back, going down the road. This car would be a dream to cruise in on a straight highway.
I cannot find the right words to descrive such simbol of the early seventies. She is one of the coolest cars I've ever seen; the shape, the size, the colors. She is the epitome if cool
I owned a 1972 Lincoln town car and I can say it was the best riding car I’ve ever ridden in. The car was a tank, we would just sit on the hood while at the drive in .I wish I still had it today.
Another favorite of mine! Seeing your new Toronado, followed by this old friend, reminded me of a neighbor of ours. He had a 1968 Toronado and traded it on a 1971 Mercury Marquis Brougham coupe. Two of the very best of the upper medium price class. And he was a grade school principal, which shows that anyone with a decent job could afford a nice car. Not that way today.
In high school, a friend's mom had a Nash Metropolitan ... which was cool. Then, she upgraded to the Mercury Marquis Brougham ... I thought it was the coolest car I'd ever seen. So smooth, such perfect execution. Understated luxury.
@@charlesb7019 It WAS! Then she gave the metro to the son, who overhauled the engine in auto shop. Wow, what a TINY little 4-banger it was, I remember thinking.
Its hard to imagine how reasonably priced the old school cars were compared with today. Considering what all you get. Look at what went into these beauties.
The small bumper models of all these luxury cars were very stylish prior to the front bumper nightmare of 73'. These cars were unloved in their day, but today people can appreciate the elegant details of these old designs.
Delicious color. The 1969-74 models are my favorite. The hidden headlamps on the early years with the shared actuator are ever so elegant in operation.
My Dad had one like this in 4dr. He said it was the favorite car he had owned, and he had hundreds if not thousands in his lifetime. Many of those were Cadillacs and Lincolns, his favorite was that old Mercury.
So many of these got derbied without a moment's thought to how wonderful they were to drive. The Mark series Lincolns from this era were very similar. I have a '75 MkIV with 460 and this car reminds me a lot of what owning it is like. Having a coupe of this size all to yourself is indescribable.
My grandparents had a 72 Monterey hardtop coupe. Red with vinyl top. Almost no options. Was a beautiful car. They only used it for special occasions and it was always garaged. They sold it for $1600 in 1985 and gave 400 to each grandchild. These videos of your Mercurys brings back so many memories.
I still remember the smooth ride of my 74. My young family put many miles on that car in the 10 years we drove it. Sure, it was down on power but the tall gears made the gas mileage useable for a daily driver. You didn't go anywhere in a hurry. Just floated along...
Being from Europe, those cars are amazing to see, so different and cool, but the landscape and residential streets too!! They are so unique and lovely👍🏼😉
My Grandmother had the 4 door version of that Mercury same color as well. That car was huge, loved riding around in it. Granddad had it delivered Christmas day with a giant red ribbon and bow. Great memories. Thank you for the video.
In the late 70s a good friend bought a '73 Thunderbird (baby blue with white leather interior) that came with the 429 engine, which was whisper quiet and powerful. That Thunderbird was such a sublime cruiser and just a great looking car overall.
I owned this car from 1984 to 86. Purchased used for very little. Mine was 2dr coupe as well, white with a cranberry red padded cloth top and interior. It was the most comfortable car I ever owned. It rode like a dream. Had to get rid of it as it burned oil like crazy. Still miss that car.
There is so much attention to detail on this car. You can see thoughtful touches and quality all over. You can see the Lincoln influences on this car and the many cars that came afterwards. I noticed the Lincoln emblem over the years as well. They tailored this car to a buyer who wanted a Lincoln but could not buy one would look at this car and the models afterwards and consider that model. Thank you for sharing the details and the features. It is appreciated Adam.
@@middleclassretiree I understand. I do not know when it started as you do, but you could see that Lincoln influence down to Mercury theme or trend was stayed with the brands for decades and you could see it on so many levels.
Years ago, I had a 1972 Mercury pocket facts salesman's guide in my auto literature collection. I remember it said something like "Marquis kinship to the Lincoln Continental should be emphasized to the buyer not quite ready to step up to Lincoln".
Great, informative video as usual. I wasn't aware that the 429 was still available on FoMoCo products as late as 1972. It's amusing all of the subtle styling changes from year to year much more pronounced back in the day that with today's cars. I agree, that is a very elegant and classy looking car, actually regal looking. I preferred Ford full sized trunks of that time frame to GM big car trunks which were much shallower with the fuel tank directly underneath. Another thing I didn't realize was the accessibility of the heater core. Genius. I remember the pneumatic door locks of the time frame from my Dad's Lincolns of the same period.
Ford kept the 429 in production in their large commercial trucks well into the 1980s, like dump trucks. My local county road crew has one from that era and it proudly wears the original 429 badge and has the motor under hood. It sounds great while it's laying tar lol
Yes! The pneumatic locks - I did have a friend whose mom drove a full-size Merc (I am thinking now it was a '71 but it was nowhere near as luxurious as this Brougham) and he had great fun demonstrating those door locks because, well, it sure sounded like a [bodily gas release]. I think we both got told to stop playing with the rear door locks while riding to our Cub Scout den meeting!
It looks very similar to the 1972 Ford Thunderbird that we owned. The T-bird had the optional 460 4-bbl engine. It was by far the most comfortable vehicle that we ever owned. The engine had so much torque! Great cars.
I remember those when they were new. My dad brought the Lincoln version ( Continental) home in 74. I was about 16. It was very comfortable…like sitting on your couch driving😂😂
I remember when these were new - I thought they looked like a large GM or Chrysler car that had melted from sitting in the sun. Now they look rich,tasteful, and supremely comfortable. Funny how my tastes have improved over the years! Lol
I enjoy watching a car channel where they don't just talk about Shelby Mustang's or Dodge Daytona's. These are cars I remember seeing regularly when I was younger and it's nice to see them in great shape and actually driven.
I HAD THE 1972 MERCURY MARQUE BROUGHAM WAGON THAT I BOUGHT IN 1980...IT WAS A "LAND-YACHT" WITH EVERY OPTION EXCEPT A TOILET AND RUNNING WATER!😊 MY 2 BOYS LOVED THAT REAR-FACING SEAT IN THE BACK...AND FULL LEATHER THRU OUT MADE IT GREAT FIR KIDS...THAT CAR WAS ONE OF THE BLESSING I TRULY GAVE THANKS FOR!!!
This takes me back again, thanks Adam! My dad had a 1972 Marquis Brougham 4dr hardtop in triple green=what a beauty! Had the comfort seats, cruise, climate, he was so proud of it, and yep, what a ride. Smart to put duals on yours, because the 429 was really strangled with a single exhaust.
We seem to have very similar taste in cars, except I prefer 2-drs and any color but black. I absolutely love Mercurys and the 1971-72 are definitely favorites. Impossible to find anything that rides (or looks) like these today. I love muscle cars, too, but it's so refreshing to see something different like Mercury, Lincoln, Pontiac, Cadillac, Oldsmobile, Imperial, Dodge, Plymouth (love the 1967 Plymouth VIP "fast top") and Chrysler.
I love the skinny windshield pillars and the rear view mirrors. My 2010 Impala has these gigantic pillars and big ol' rear views built into them - it creates such a huge blind spot I'm moving my head back and forth by a foot to see if anybody's coming.
My 1st car was a 1971 Ford LTD 2 door. Very similiar car. It was very comfortable, quiet and a great distance cruiser. You just had to stop at most every gas station as 16mpg was the best it could achieve on a flat highway with its 400 V8
I remember when I used to go on holiday to Florida I would see little old ladies driving these sorts of cars to go to the local supermarket. All original they just go on forever.
Thats another thing I miss about old cars, when trunks were wide open and long instead of deep holes you need to literally crawl into to reach the back.
You’re amazing Man Adam. I think your channel has to be close to one of the fastest growing Subscribers I’ve seen in front of my eyes. Almost 100K. And the real Awesomeness is you. Well, spoken, detail oriented the cars that us boomers loved and grew up with. Well Done 👍
Adam, thank you again for taking the time to make these videos, as well as sharing some of your car collection on your channel. Your's is a favorite subscription that is eagerly viewed. This was a particular stroll down memory lane as I had a 70 Marquis Brougham as a first car. Wish I had it now.
My father in law bought a 1972 Mercury Marquis four door brand new. He let me drive it in 1981, about 4 years before he traded it in. What a wonderful car. Congratulations on finding your gem. She’s a beauty.
l was in high school when this came out. I loved the four doors and I loved the two doors, and a relative had a green Colony Park. My parents were GM people but I thought this was so much more attractive than my parents' Grand Ville. Great video!
I live in the UK, and my friend had a 4 door version. Felt fine driving around the country lanes over here. Although it was a very cold January and his passenger window was stuck in down position, so side of my face frozen by the end of the day.
I had a 72 4 door green Marquis Brougham I bought in Houston, Oct 1982 for $500.00. It was an awesome cruiser. A drunk rear-ended me at a stop sign. Dented the panel below the bumper that you could barely see. Their insurance paid me $480.00- pretty much paid for the car. I had it for a few years then inherited a newer, easier on gas car that was also a pretty good cruiser - my grandmother's 79 Cordova. It was 9 years old with 22,000 miles on it when I got it. A 318 V8 that got about 22 MPG doing 70 with the A/C on. Miss my Marquis!
I never paid attention to how almost all the Late 1960s - early 1970s cars all had a similar pattern with the pointed front corners until I viewed this channel
I remember these cars. When I was 18yo. I worked as a pkng. attendant in HOLLIWOOD CA. While going to college in 1973. I parked cars for tips (I'd have work for free just because I wanted to drive). Unfortuneliy what I remember about these cars is that; 'THEY SLIPPED OUT OF PARKING'. 😱😮☹
I'd drive it every day, and listen to nothing but James Brown. Godfather of soul. And don't even think about eating those greasy fries before we get home cause pappa don't take no mess.
Your Marquis is nice! My father bought one new in 1969 .. 429 4v Brougham. I was 4 years old. Fast forward to 1980. I was sneakin that car out after school before I had my drivers license. One of the coolest cars I’ve ever owned
