Terms like “time capsule” are typically overused in the classic world, but that is the one chosen by the seller to describe this 1984 Mercury Grand Marquis Colony Park. It will set the teeth on edge for some enthusiasts, but the overall condition and preservation of this Station Wagon seemingly make it appropriate. It has no apparent needs beyond a new home, with the seller listing the Mercury here on eBay in Chula Vista, California. The seller set their BIN at $17,500 with the option to make an offer.
Mercury introduced its Sixth Generation Colony Park in 1979, following the industry trend by downsizing the new model compared to its predecessor. The company based its latest offering on the Grand Marquis range, and although physically smaller, its interior could still swallow an impressive tally of passengers and luggage. This Wagon rolled off the line in 1984, with its original owner ordering it in classy Medium Charcoal Metallic. The listing suggests it has led a sheltered life, and the lack of patchiness in a paint shade susceptible to such problems is impressive. The Wagon shines nicely, while the faux woodgrain is free from damage that might motivate the new owner to consider replacement. The panels are as straight as an arrow, and years spent in a dry climate have left this classic rust-free. The trim and original wire hubcaps look excellent, and there are no visible issues with the tinted glass.
If the Mercury’s exterior makes a positive impression, its interior raises the bar. Family Station Wagons often live a hard life, with the interior trim and upholstery generally bearing the brunt of any abuse. Upholstered surfaces can become worn and damaged, plastic components can be inadvertently broken, and it is common for these classics to look more than slightly rough around the edges. This Colony Park has avoided that fate, with its interior in exceptional order. Finding fault with its presentation is virtually impossible, and it would undoubtedly receive favorable comments wherever this classic goes. The condition is only part of the story because there is no shortage of creature comforts. The new owner receives leather trim and upholstery, third-row seating, air conditioning, power windows, power locks, cruise control, remote mirrors, a leather-wrapped tilt wheel, and an AM/FM radio/cassette player.
The seller supplies no engine photos in their listing, but standard Colony Park fare for 1984 included the fuel-injected 5.0-liter V8, a four-speed automatic transmission, and power assistance for the steering and brakes. Engine power dropped from 145hp to 140hp compared to the previous year, but a rise in torque from 245 to 250 ft/lbs balanced the equation. It isn’t a muscle wagon, but that wasn’t the object of the exercise. Mercury aimed to produce a vehicle with excellent load-carrying capacity that could cruise effortlessly all day at 70mph. They achieved that goal, and the fact it could do so while topping 20mpg made this the ideal weapon for cross-country family adventures. The seller is sparing with their information beyond claiming this Wagon has 26,555 genuine miles on the clock. They don’t mention verifying evidence, or indicate how well this classic runs or drives. However, if the physical condition is an accurate guide, the news should be positive.
Station Wagons remain strong performers in the classic market. The lack of new domestic models is a key driver behind this trend. Those not wishing to climb behind the wheel of an import must either compromise by handing over the cash for an SUV or search for a spotless classic like this 1984 Mercury Colony Park. This gem seems to need nothing and would suit a buyer seeking the best their money can buy. Is the BIN figure justified? That depends on whether the odometer reading can be verified. If so, the figure looks realistic. Of course, making a respectful offer would be the perfect starting point and would be my first move. Would you do the same?
Absolutely beautifull, the 5.0/aod combo will give years of reliability as will the whole car. Stations were a staple of life before Iacocca unveilled the minivan. Did that years still have the god awfull horn mounted stalk. That was not one of the better ideas from Ford.
What Robert said. That 5.0 will last almost as long as the 4.6. Anyway, with this mileage, this beauty is worth all the money. Wagons sell for more than many C3 Corvettes these days. A early 60s Chrysler sold last week for about $60,000. I grew up in the late 50s and early 60s. Dad only bought Pontiac station wagons, the big ones, the Safari. I had an 87 Caprice Estate until about 2003. Should have kept it.
Over the years, between Dad and I, we’ve owned 6 Ford or Merc wagons. All of them were great vehicles combining style, comfort, reliability, towing ability and roominess. Kinda missed that utilitarian boxiness so I now own a Flex.
This would be throttle body inj.not the multi port like 86 and up, maybe that’s why no under hood pics.
They did not change these yachts much over years except the bumpers. A girl I dated in high school family had a 73 that I rode in many times from NJ to cape cod ride likes cloud even way in the back
Load up the whole tribe, throw Aunt Edna up on the roof rack ⚰️🧳, and head for the coast 🛣 🌊 ⛱️ 🌞
I noticed a couple of items. One, the steering wheel seems to be recovered. Look at the stitching. Number two the emblems “Colony Park” missing off both sides of the quarter panels. These items may have been replaced on an all original vehicle! Just saying!
It was mentioned the car had a leather wrapped steering wheel. Looks like a factory one to me.
Don’t know about the emblems.
Hi, Folks! Wish I had the money for this one! I drive a 1988 Mercury Grand Marquis GS four door sedan with 362,000 miles on it, and no major beefs. Never had the 5.0 engine rebuilt, and it still uses no oil. Not as peppy as it once was, however — seems a bit tired these days. It does have a bunch of lesser issues, though, mostly owing to Chinese replacement parts. Those power windows and power door-locks eventually fail, and once you replace them, you will have to do so again and again. The driver’s side windshield wiper does not make solid contact with the glass, and repeated replacement of the arm does not solve the problem. And I DARE you, once it fails for the first time, to keep the cruise-control working for very long. The audiocassette player in the radio has one channel which drops-out intermittently — and I cannot tell you how many times I’ve had that fixed… only to have it fail again. But the basic necessities needed to drive anywhere reliably all continue to work well, even the air-conditioning: as high as the mileage is, I would drive my ’88 Merc. cross-country with no fear. As long as you maintain these cars, they’ll run dependably virtually for ever. People I know with Panther-based Crown Vikkis say the same, though those are not as pretty as the Mercury version. I bought mine quite a few years back, with 29,600 miles on it. I, too, thought that fuel injection came in 1986. As for the steeribg wheel on this deluxe California wagon, the blurb mentions a padded leather cover around the outside of it, so that accounts for the “re-covering”, Bob. As for the missing “Colony Park” emblems; are we 100% certain that the ’84 model year had those? I mean, this basic style began in 1979 and ended in 1991, with face-lifts in 1983 and 1988 which did not exactly confuse their identity. Along the way, they shuffled this and re-positioned that, wore various hub-caps — and who knows? — maybe dropped the “Colony Park” identifying trim at times? I was not especially young when these cars came out, and I no longer was paying rapt attention to each little change the way I had in the 1940s and 1950s. Considering the near-showroom state of this 39-40-year-old vehicle, I am inclined to give it the benefit of the doubt. Two detractions for me: the digital clock (I preferred the analogue version), and more importantly those leather seats (I find the velour option far more comfortable, and you do not stick to it in warm weather). Interesting to see a family utility-cruiser that evidently never carted children or lumber around. And I much prefer station-wagons to S.U V.s. Many times I could have used mine to be a wagon instead of a sedan — though I would protect it with a moving-blanket if I ever needed to load something in. I am hyper-careful with a car, and work hard to keep it nice. But I also DRIVE it — I do not display it in frozen animation as though I were running a museum; hence the high mileage on the one that I have (which still remains rust-free, by the way, despite my living where summers are brief and winters run nearly six months). AGE causes me one more quibble: when they down-sized these and made them pretty in 1979, they also LOWERed them — and climbing down in and up out takes a bit of personal internal discussion with my arthritis-stiffened joints!
Again, my comment vanished. I put a lot of time and effort into my remarks — and to post them, then have them disappear later, disheartens me and encourages me not to bother. Very sorry. I have not violated the rules, to my knowledge.
Needing an inexpensive 2nd car I took a chance on a well maintained 10 year old 84 Colony Park Wagon with 90K miles that had been babied by a senior citizen. I enjoyed it for another comfortable 100K miles before being able to afford a new vehicle . Only problem was 1 well below 0 winter morning when it started fine but after 3 seconds snapped the timing chain .
My Mom had an 83 LTD station wagon, and this brings back so many memories of long trips to see family. In the winter, we would fill the entire back up and drive north, my brother and I doing our best to ignore each other.
The way back seems to have been photographed with the same camera that Google maps uses for street view. Makes it look huge.
I give up! I just left a lengthy comment AGAIN, and it vanished after I posted it. So, I won’t bother now.
Somebody must not or doesn’t like you since only your comments complaining about disappearing comments appear nice 👍
I don’t know who would not like me, nor why. It seems to happen just on this one car.
My lengthy comment has re-appeared! Go figure. Confusing. Somebody DOES like me, after all!
Go you Harrison !! Free speech is alive LOL
The read ever comment before posting maybe it was just so long it took awhile to get through it
I read carefully through every comment, and mine indeed did disappear — for a number of days, even. I posted it; then the next time a new posting was notified to my email, I went to read it — and mine was GONE! I checked for it several times over the next coming days — and it still was not there amongst the numerous comments. Then, tbis moring, it was THERE again! Don’t know what happened…