Mercury Grand Marquis

Mercury Grand Marquis
Production period:	1982-2010
Class :	upper middle class
Body versions :	Sedan , station wagon , coupé
Previous model:	Mercury Marquis

The Mercury Grand Marquis was a model range offered since 1982 by the Ford group-owned automobile manufacturer Mercury . The model belonged to the full-size class in the USA . From 1974 to 1982 the most expensive versions of the Mercury Marquis were given the designation Grand Marquis .

The Grand Marquis was the luxury version of the Ford Crown Victoria , the production of which was also discontinued with the closure of the plant in St. Thomas ( Canada ) on August 31, 2011.

Grand Marquis (1982-1991)

1st generation
Mercury Grand Marquis, 1982-1987
Production period:	1982-1991
Body versions :	Sedan , station wagon , coupé
Engines:	Petrol engines : 4.9-5.8 liters (97-135 kW)
Length:	5425-5537 mm
Width:	1969-2014 mm
Height:	1410-1435 mm
Wheelbase :	2903 mm
Empty weight :	1634-1823 kg

From 1982, the model previously known as the Mercury Marquis was continued largely unchanged as the Grand Marquis, as the name Marquis was assigned to a smaller mid-range model from that point on.

A two-door coupé and a four-door sedan in the variants Basic and LS as well as a five-door station wagon were offered under the traditional Mercury name Colony Park. Only a 4.9-liter V8 in injection version (97 kW / 132 PS) or with a carburetor (108 kW / 147 PS) was available for private customers , while the 5.8-liter V8 with twin carburettors and 123 remained for police vehicles kW (167 PS) still available. All Grand Marquis models had a four-speed automatic as standard.

Mercury Grand Marquis, 1987-1991

In 1984, the performance of the engines was increased to 104/115 kW (142/157 hp) and 135 kW (183 hp) for the police vehicle versions. In 1986 the carburettor and the V8 engine used in police vehicles were discontinued, the 4.9-liter injection engine now developed 112 kW (152 hp). From 1987 the models were called GS (basic version) and LS, the two-door GS model was discontinued. Air conditioning was standard from now on.

At the end of 1987 the Grand Marquis received a facelift with a flatter and rounded front and a rear section that was also changed. The coupe was completely removed from the range. The Grand Marquis was built in this form until winter 1990/91.

Approximately 1.1 million copies were made within just under 9 years. In Venezuela the model was assembled by Grupo Consorcio 1390 SA and marketed under the model name Ford Conquistador . How many units were made there is not known.

Grand Marquis (1992-2010)

2nd generation
Mercury Grand Marquis, 1992-1997
Production period:	1992-2010
Body versions :	limousine
Engines:	Petrol engines : 4.6 liters (142–160 kW)
Length:	5395 mm
Width:	1976 mm
Height:	1445 mm
Wheelbase :	2906 mm
Empty weight :	1707-1774 kg

In the spring of 1992, Mercury presented a new series of the Grand Marquis, which from that point on was only available as a four-door sedan.

Mercury Grand Marquis, 1997-2002

Mercury Grand Marquis, 2003-2006

Mercury Grand Marquis, 2006-2010

Rear view of the Grand Marquis

Like the parallel models Ford Crown Victoria and Lincoln Town Car , which were renewed at the same time , the Grand Marquis was based on the Group's Panther platform and now had a separate frame with a body on top. This was about the same size as its predecessor, but with a c _w value of 0.36 (instead of 0.45) it was designed to be much more aerodynamic. Instead of the 4.9-liter V8 from the 1960s, a modern, 4.6-liter OHC V8 (193 hp / 142 kW, with double exhaust 213 hp / 157 kW) was used as the drive, which exceeded its power a four-speed automatic transferred to the rear wheels. A basic model called the Grand Marquis GS and a more richly equipped LS version were also offered.

From 1993 driver and passenger airbags were standard, in 1995 there was a slight facelift with a modified front and rear section.

For the 1998 model year an extensive model maintenance measure was carried out with retouching of the bow, the stern and the flanks as well as a revision of the interior. The 4.6 liter, which is still in use, has since developed 203/218 hp (149/160 kW). In 2003, the Grand Marquis received another refresh; The bow and stern were changed again, the frame modified and now manufactured using the hydroforming process. The recirculating ball steering was replaced by a rack and pinion steering. At the same time, the company introduced a sporty version of the Grand Marquis, resuming the model name Marauder , which was discontinued in 2004. From 2005 the model received an electronic throttle valve and in 2006 the grille was redesigned.

As of 2009 there were only two (LS Fleet and LS Retail) of the once three equipment lines. LS Fleet was only available to businesses, LS Retail was available to order from US dealers.

At the end of 2010, the Grand Marquis was discontinued at the same time as the Mercury brand, the last vehicle left the production line on January 4, 2011, making it the last Mercury ever.

Individual evidence

1. ↑ Flammang / Kowalke, Standard Catalog of American Cars 1976–1999, p. 680

literature

• James M. Flammang, Ron Kowalke: Standard Catalog of American Cars 1976-1999 . Krause Publication, Iola 1999. ISBN 0-87341-755-0 , pp. 655-697

Web links

Commons : Mercury Grand Marquis  - collection of images, videos and audio files