You really have to look long and hard to find anything to fault with this 1988 Mercury Colony Park LS. It is completely original and unmolested and is ready to be enjoyed by the person who is on the hunt for a full-size family station wagon. With a mere 51,000 original miles showing on its odometer, this rust-free classic should have many years of faithful service left in it for the next lucky owner. It is located in Phoenix, Arizona, and has been listed for sale here on eBay. Bidding is currently sitting at $4,895, and the reserve has been met.
The Oxford White Colony Park has spent its entire life residing in Arizona, and this has helped it to remain rust-free. It was originally purchased by an elderly lady who lavished care and attention on her pride and joy. It then passed to its current owner and has remained garage-kept since new. This means that the blazing sun hasn’t had an opportunity to inflict damage on the paint, and even the woodgrain remains in as-new condition. The panels appear to be arrow-straight, while the trim and chrome seem to be in first-class condition. The factory alloy wheels don’t look to have suffered from any damage or staining, while the original glass appears to be free from chips or scratches. All in all, the presentation and condition of this wagon should make it a head-turner wherever it goes.
Occupying the engine bay of the Mercury is the venerable Ford 5.0-liter fuel-injected V8, which feeds its 160hp to the rear wheels via a 4-speed automatic transmission. It almost goes without saying that the wagon is also equipped with power steering and power brakes. At 4,025lbs, the Colony Park is definitely no featherweight. However, that V8 does allow it to cover the ¼ mile in 17.6 seconds, which has to be considered to be very respectable for an 8-seat family wagon. The owner states that the Mercury has been properly maintained, and does have a genuine 51,000 miles showing on the clock. He doesn’t get specific on how the wagon runs and drives, but the fact that he states that he would have no hesitation in driving it right across the country augers well in that department.
It would seem that the original owner of the Colony Park liked her luxury touches, and the buyer is set to reap the benefits in that department. Overall, the interior presentation and condition are extremely impressive, with only some wrinkling of the upholstery on the front seat to indicate that this is a vehicle that isn’t brand new. The remaining trim, plastic, and the carpet, all looks to be in very nice order. As for interior appointments, the Mercury is fitted with leather upholstery, ice-cold air conditioning, power windows, power locks, a power front seat, an AM/FM radio and cassette player, a tilt wheel, cruise control, and that all-important 3rd-row seating. That should all combine to make any cross country journey a pleasant experience for the larger family.
The 1988 Mercury Colony Park wagon was not the biggest seller for the company, and only 9,456 people chose to part with their hard-earned cash to park one in their driveway. As is the fate with so many family wagons, many of those vehicles earned their keep by transporting larger families and a host of items around, and eventually became, worn, tired, and a fair percentage ended their days languishing in scrapyards. This particular one has avoided that fate and is probably as nice as you are ever likely to find today. With no new full-size station wagons being offered in the market today, it is examples like this that would come the closest to filling that void. This would help to explain why the bidding has been extremely strong and makes me wonder whether we have any readers who would want a wagon badly enough to bid on this one. If someone does, I wouldn’t blame them in the least.
Oh man, that’s outstanding. Good color combo, the engine shows cleanly, leather inside, and the rest of the car looks only a few years old. And you know its fully optioned when they have the smokers’ windows…but I have to say I’ve never seen one with the opera lights in the pillars–I thought only sedans got that with the ragtops. Oh! And 1988 means it’s using a MAF, so it’s easier to live with than other years of fuel injection. Absolutely terrific example. Such want!
No, these non-HO engines were speed density. Even the 49 state Mustang HOs weren’t MAF yet in ‘88.
Huh, TIL! I thought all 302s were MAF in ’88. When did they switch over on the Lo-Po? ’90?
I’m not sure without doing some internet research. I was guessing *maybe* 91? The Mark VII HO was always speed density and the 302s in the pickups and Broncos didn’t switch until ‘94 or ‘95, I believe.
I think the important question is can we put on a Paxton Supercharger, underdrive pulleys, shorty headers and, of course, the obligatory Flowmaster exhaust?
Panther Wagon Day!!
This looks like a really nice car.
I’d love to find something similar. This would make the perfect car for hitting swapmeets and garage sales as well as outings to the local track.
Steve R
The auction has been ended by the seller.
Steve R
CS and Todd, Non CA cars were for the most part speed density until around 1991. CA cars started mass air flow in roughly 1989 depending on production date and which vehicle. There is nothing wrong with speed density until modifications start to be in the 100 additional horse power range. Fuel economy is virtually the same. I just sold my 1989 LSC that had speed density and still have an ’88 5.0 Mustang that had speed density until the approximate 150 horses were added.
If you want a fantastic 1988 station wagon, here it is. Perfect family cruiser. Enjoy.
I like this better than the similar Crown Vic, but I still think the interior color needs some improving. No big deal, this one I would drive.
My nephew has such a car. But sadly, his
is in need of a full restoration. We live in
Florida and Mother nature has had her way with it. The leather seats are crispy
and the paint and wood trim are crying
for help but he just won’t sell it. Last
time I visited him, it was buried in sand
up to the axles. After reading your article
Adam, all I can say is what a waste.
I was going to bid.
‘This listing was ended by the seller because the item was lost or broken’
How cool, I just bought a 1:18 1989 colony park wagon on eBay, exact replica of this one, alot cheaper of course, only $130, and doesn’t burn nearly as much gas lol
what does ‘lost or broken” mean?
Probably meant to have a higher reserve and when it hit it, he got greedy and will list it again with new reserve, or got a good offer locally.
thanks, joe. nothing worse than a greedy flipper. I’ve been looking for a wagon for about 10 years. the prices are unreal. never thought they would become collectable. stay safe.
I just do not think a 5.0 litre is enough uumph to get this car around town.. for this beautiful wagon, I would rather see a 390 in her.
Actually, that little 5.0 does a pretty good job moving these tanks around. Way better than the Olds 307 does in a similar size GM product. Neither is a speed demon, but these big body Fords aren’t a complete disappointment in that regard, and give decent fuel efficiency to boot.
To go to one of these after an LT1 Roadmaster or Caprice might be a little depressing lol.
Ford hasn’t made the 390 since the last 60’s so there was no chance of that engine that would happen. Second the 390 wasn’t really a strong durable engine, that is why the 428 series came out. In the 80;s gas mileage was becoming important with the government pushing higher fuel economy standards. They could have put a 351 in the car, but that would have just eaten more fuel. None of the engines back then made much power.