Mercury Colony Park
Encyclopedia
The Mercury Colony Park was the top-of-the-line full-size station wagon
offered by Mercury
between 1957 and 1991. It wore woodgrain paneling on the bodysides and tailgate, as did the related 1957-1991 Ford Country Squire
and the 1958 Edsel Bermuda
wagons.
model, then switched to pillared styling for 1961.
The 1957-60 Mercury station wagons, as with the non-wagon models, are noted for having a basic body and chassis shared with no other Ford make.
The 1966 Colony Park was fitted with Ford's two-way "Magic Doorgate", which was designed to fold down like a conventional tailgate and also swing sideways like a door. Ford's dual-facing rear seats became available on the 1967 Colony Park. Mercury also introduced a feature where windflow was directed across the rear window through channels integrated and covered with the "D" pillar
. This also allowed fresh air to enter into the rear of the vehicle if the rear window was retracted into the tailgate.
On third-generation Colony Parks, the standard engine was a 390 cu in (6.4 l) FE V8 with 270 hp. From 1966-1967, the 410 cu in (6.7 l) FE "Marauder" V8 with 330 hp was an option.
series (Grand Marquis
from 1983 forward). Also in 1969, the Magic Doorgate was reworked to that it could swing sideways without having to roll the window down.
The Colony Park was as heavy as it would ever be with the 1969-1978 generation. Because of the car's sheer heft, Mercury equipped this generation with a 400-cubic-inch (6.6 liter) V-8 as standard, with a 460-cubic-inch (7.5 liter) optional.
Toward the end of this generation, the 351-cubic-inch V-8 became available, although it was less than desirable. Most surviving examples carry either of the two larger engines, as they were far more popular—not to mention more capable of powering such a heavy vehicle—when new.
V8 became the largest available in the Colony Park. All Colony Parks were equipped with standard 8-passenger seating and exterior woodgrain siding.
The 351 would be dropped early in the 1980s, as most customers deemed the 302 Windsor engine sufficiently powerful.
This generation of Colony Park would see few substantial changes during its 12-year lifespan, garnering only minor grille and trim revisions annually through 1987. In 1988, the entire front grille headlamp assembly (shared with the Grand Marquis) was redesigned for a more modern and aerodynamic appearance, and then in 1990, the instrument panel was revamped to allow the addition of a driver's side airbag.
When the Grand Marquis was redesigned with aero-styling for 1992, the Colony Park station wagon was dropped from Mercury's lineup. By that time, full-size station wagons were no longer popular due to the increasing popularity of minivan
s and SUVs. The last full-size station wagons, the Chevrolet Caprice
, the Oldsmobile Custom Cruiser
and the Buick Roadmaster Estate
ended production in 1996. In 2005, DaimlerChrysler
briefly reintroduced the Dodge Magnum
name on a full-size wagon, based on the LX platform
Chrysler 300
, but it was dropped in 2008.
Station wagon
A station wagon is a body style variant of a sedan/saloon with its roof extended rearward over a shared passenger/cargo volume with access at the back via a third or fifth door , instead of a trunk lid...
offered by Mercury
Mercury (automobile)
Mercury was an automobile marque of the Ford Motor Company launched in 1938 by Edsel Ford, son of Henry Ford, to market entry-level luxury cars slotted between Ford-branded regular models and Lincoln-branded luxury vehicles, similar to General Motors' Buick brand, and Chrysler's namesake brand...
between 1957 and 1991. It wore woodgrain paneling on the bodysides and tailgate, as did the related 1957-1991 Ford Country Squire
Ford Country Squire
- Third generation :Prior to 1961, all Ford wagons used a two-piece tailgate assembly that required the operator to lift the rear window up and locking it into place via a mechanical support, and then drop the tail gate down to fully access the rear compartment.For the 1961 Ford adopted a tailgate...
and the 1958 Edsel Bermuda
Edsel Bermuda
The Edsel Bermuda was a station wagon produced by the Edsel Division, and later Mercury-Edsel-Lincoln Division of the Ford Motor Company of Dearborn, Michigan, and sold through its Edsel marque in 1958...
wagons.
1957–58
In 1957, Mercury grouped all of its station wagons into their own series. From that year until 1960, the Colony Park was a pillarless hardtopHardtop
A hardtop is a term for a rigid, rather than canvas, automobile roof. It has been used in several contexts: detachable hardtops, retractable hardtop roofs, and the so-called pillarless hardtop body style....
model, then switched to pillared styling for 1961.
The 1957-60 Mercury station wagons, as with the non-wagon models, are noted for having a basic body and chassis shared with no other Ford make.
1959-1960
Mercury station wagons of this vintage had the longest wheelbase, the widest bodies and the most cargo space of any station wagon ever built by this make. Moreover, the 1960 Mercury Colony Park had the same 430 cubic inch MEL engine as standard equipment as the Lincoln Continental.1961–1964
The 1961-64 Mercury station wagons were the first since 1956 to share a body and chassis with Ford. This move was made because of declining Mercury sales from 1957 to 1960, and despite the obvious Ford origins of this generation of Mercurys, buyers began to return to the make. Indeed, the Mercury division's best sales years came during the early years when the cars were seen as little more than "gussied-up Fords."1965–1968
In 1965, Colony Park was promoted to "the Lincoln Continental of station wagons", when it was given the Lincoln Continental's suspension package (along with its cushy, floaterboat ride). It continued to enjoy this distinction through its final year.The 1966 Colony Park was fitted with Ford's two-way "Magic Doorgate", which was designed to fold down like a conventional tailgate and also swing sideways like a door. Ford's dual-facing rear seats became available on the 1967 Colony Park. Mercury also introduced a feature where windflow was directed across the rear window through channels integrated and covered with the "D" pillar
Pillar (car)
Pillars are the vertical supports of the greenhouse of an automobile — known respectively as the A, B, C or D-pillar moving in profile view from the front to rear....
. This also allowed fresh air to enter into the rear of the vehicle if the rear window was retracted into the tailgate.
On third-generation Colony Parks, the standard engine was a 390 cu in (6.4 l) FE V8 with 270 hp. From 1966-1967, the 410 cu in (6.7 l) FE "Marauder" V8 with 330 hp was an option.
 |
1969–1978
When the full-size Mercury wagons were restyled for 1969, they were no longer a separate series, and the Colony Park became a member of the MarquisMercury Marquis
These were known as the "Continental Styling" years, as Mercury was trying to market itself as an affordable Lincoln, rather than a more expensive Ford...
series (Grand Marquis
Mercury Grand Marquis
The Mercury Grand Marquis was a full-size rear-wheel drive sedan sold by the Lincoln-Mercury division of the Ford Motor Company; the Grand Marquis was the flagship of the Mercury lineup. The nameplate itself had been in use since 1975 as the premium trim level of the Mercury Marquis; the Grand...
from 1983 forward). Also in 1969, the Magic Doorgate was reworked to that it could swing sideways without having to roll the window down.
The Colony Park was as heavy as it would ever be with the 1969-1978 generation. Because of the car's sheer heft, Mercury equipped this generation with a 400-cubic-inch (6.6 liter) V-8 as standard, with a 460-cubic-inch (7.5 liter) optional.
Toward the end of this generation, the 351-cubic-inch V-8 became available, although it was less than desirable. Most surviving examples carry either of the two larger engines, as they were far more popular—not to mention more capable of powering such a heavy vehicle—when new.
1979–1991
For 1979, Mercury joined its Detroit rivals in downsizing its largest models, resulting in a car considerably smaller and lighter than its predecessor. With the downsizing, the former 400- and 460-cubic-inch engines were discontinued, and the 351-cubic-inch WindsorFord Windsor engine
The Windsor is a 90-degree small-block V8 engine from Ford Motor Company. It was introduced in 1962, replacing the previous Ford Y-block engine. Though not all of the engines in this family were produced at the Windsor, Ontario engine plant , the name stuck...
V8 became the largest available in the Colony Park. All Colony Parks were equipped with standard 8-passenger seating and exterior woodgrain siding.
The 351 would be dropped early in the 1980s, as most customers deemed the 302 Windsor engine sufficiently powerful.
This generation of Colony Park would see few substantial changes during its 12-year lifespan, garnering only minor grille and trim revisions annually through 1987. In 1988, the entire front grille headlamp assembly (shared with the Grand Marquis) was redesigned for a more modern and aerodynamic appearance, and then in 1990, the instrument panel was revamped to allow the addition of a driver's side airbag.
When the Grand Marquis was redesigned with aero-styling for 1992, the Colony Park station wagon was dropped from Mercury's lineup. By that time, full-size station wagons were no longer popular due to the increasing popularity of minivan
Minivan
Minivan is a type of van designed for personal use. Minivans are typically either two-box or one box designs for maximum interior volume – and are taller than a sedan, hatchback, or a station wagon....
s and SUVs. The last full-size station wagons, the Chevrolet Caprice
Chevrolet Caprice
The Chevrolet Caprice is a full-sized automobile produced by the Chevrolet Division of General Motors in North America for the 1965 through 1996 model years. Full-size Chevrolet sales peaked in 1965 with over a million sold. It was the most popular American car in the sixties and early seventies....
, the Oldsmobile Custom Cruiser
Oldsmobile Custom Cruiser
The Oldsmobile Custom Cruiser is large rear-wheel drive station wagon which was produced by Oldsmobile from 1971 to 1992. The Custom Cruiser used the same platform as the Buick, Chevrolet and Pontiac full-size wagons...
and the Buick Roadmaster Estate
Buick Roadmaster
The Roadmaster was an automobile built by the Buick division of General Motors. Roadmasters produced between 1936 and 1958 were built on Buick's longest non-limousine wheelbase and shared their basic structure with senior Oldsmobiles. Between 1946 and 1957 the Roadmaster was Buick's top of the line...
ended production in 1996. In 2005, DaimlerChrysler
DaimlerChrysler
Daimler AG is a German car corporation. By unit sales, it is the thirteenth-largest car manufacturer and second-largest truck manufacturer in the world. In addition to automobiles, Daimler manufactures buses and provides financial services through its Daimler Financial Services arm...
briefly reintroduced the Dodge Magnum
Dodge Magnum
The Dodge Magnum name has been used on a number of different automobiles. The most recent is a large rear-wheel drive station wagon introduced in 2004 for the 2005 model year and produced through to 2008. This new Magnum is Dodge's first car to use the new Chrysler LX platform, shared with the...
name on a full-size wagon, based on the LX platform
Chrysler LX platform
The LX platform is Chrysler's full-size rear wheel drive automobile platform for the mid part of the first decade of the 21st century. The LX was developed in America from the previous Chrysler LH platform, which had been designed to allow it to be easily upgraded to rear and all-wheel drive...
Chrysler 300
Chrysler 300
The Chrysler 300 is a full-size upscale car first shown at the 2003 New York Auto Show as a concept car. Sales in the U.S. began in the spring of 2004 as an early 2005 model year car. Designed by Ralph Gilles, the new 300 was built as a high-end sedan while the SRT-8 model was designed to be the...
, but it was dropped in 2008.
External links
- Grandmarq.net Forum dedicated to the Ford, Lincoln, and Mercury Panther Chassis