Grand indeed. At a hair over nineteen feet in length, this 1978 Mercury Grand Marquis is grand in every way. You’ll need a grand-sized garage to dock this big beauty inside. At under 4,700 pounds, it’s still lighter than a lot of new SUVs but don’t think that’ll help the gas mileage any. The seller has this grand luxury car posted here on craigslist in Hopkins, Minnesota and they’re asking $7,290 or best offer.
I think this is gorgeous even though the late-70s is a favorite era for negative comments due to some quality control issues, evil gov’ment reg’a-layshuns, emissions requirements, big bumpers, etc. Ok, now that I talk it through, maybe they’re right but I still like cars from this era. This one would be perfect with my polyester Sansabelt slacks, white shoes, white belt, big mustache, and haircut with “just the lobes showing”.
The seller didn’t include any photos showing the rear of the car other than one showing the top of the trunk lid, which is a little unusual. Sadly, what isn’t unusual is that they haven’t included any engine photos. Sigh, it’s 2021 and things haven’t changed much, craigslist-ad-wise. I have to believe that the engine looks as clean as everything else does and they say that this beauty has a mere 42,000 miles on it which is amazing after over four decades.
Also odd for such a nice luxury car, there is not one photo showing the back seating area at all. Again, we have to assume that it’s as nice as everything else appears to be and they mention in their listing that there are more photos coming soon. They mention that this is a barn find and a former California car and that it’s in mint and/or pristine condition. 1978 was the last year of the second-generation Marquis and they had a big redesign for the 1973 through 1978 models.
Here’s where I’d normally post an engine photo but since there isn’t one, here’s another look at this gorgeous time capsule. Mercury had several engines available for the Grand Marquis in 1978 including a 351 Ford with 145 horsepower, a 402 Ford with 160 horsepower, and a 460 Lincoln with 202 horsepower. The seller doesn’t say which one this is and there’s no VIN listed in keeping with staunch craigslist policy (cough). But like pool or pond, anything would be good here. Have any of you owned a Mercury Marquis of this vintage? Given what used cars are selling for today, this could be a good buy.
What a beauty! I gotta believe as loaded as this car is, it’s gotta have the 460. Maybe I’m wrong, but this is only a half step away from being a Lincoln.
Wish I had the money & space for it!
I’m with you Scotty, I love this era car too. Even with all of the negatives, this era is just flat out cool.
My Father bought a 1977 LTD Landau which was the same car different badging. It was his last new car, and the car I learned how to drive in. Took my driving test in it, it came to the parallel parking test, and my Father had taught me well. I pulled that 4700 lb beast in on the first try a half inch from the curb. Even the DOT guy was impressed, but my Father was so proud. I remember that like it was yesterday, I get choked up thinking about it and I am 58.He was the best Father ever, and I miss him everyday.
This is a fantastic vehicle! Is this a hardtop or a pillared sedan? Across all makes, I thought ‘77 was the last year for hardtops?
It appears have frame less door glasses with a post in between. A lot of makes during this time were doing it that way thanks to FMVSS. Boy, do I miss hardtops with all the windows down.
It weighs about as much as a new Explorer but It’s 30″ longer. Cars were proportioned differently then.
Is this a de Sade edition, Scotty? BTW, I am glad you follow the Herb Tarlek rule that the belt color must match the shoe color. Anything else is a major fashion faux pas.
It becomes a de Sade edition when the gas tank is empty
I’m the less-than-pristine Grand Marquis.
When the Ltd was no longer enough, enter the grand marquis; and grand it was . While muscle cars lost their balls in the 70’s, the land yachts got bigger. That back seat.
Minimum 4 spots at the local Walmart to accomadate this baby
I believe the seats were recovered, and they should match the color of the door panels.
Nice find and a great write-up, Scotty. This Mercury gives up very little to the four-door Continental of its day. +1 for Sansabelt!
You can’t find anything today that rides as smooth that these older land yachts did
Look at the paint on the trunklid and the top rusting and peeling…….PRISTINE?????
I usually don’t try to pick these cars apart, but, there’s a hole in that plastic piece between the grill and the bumper, no cornering lights and to me the front sear looks kinda weird. Why is there newspapers opened up on the floor passenger side?
I love these land yachts and they are pretty much all I owned and drove growing up.
Just the other day BF had a ’73 Marquis and I mentioned I had a ’74. The ’74 looks more like this ’78, but they are all gorgeous.
John Candy, Uncle Buck. LOL
Grandma drove it to church on Sunday after pulling tree stumps with it on Saturday.
Another FoMoCo I’d like to obtain is the ultra rare 1969 Mercury Marauder flat black trunk lid. That’s a beautiful car.
Angel Cadillac Diva, you have excellent taste in cars!
Parents had a 73 Marquis when I was in high school, could hall a bunch of friends! We called it the blue whale! A lot of good times!
Not sure if more photos were added later, but the Craigslist showed a picture of the VIN which shows that it was made with a 390
1960-1969 Ford VIN decoder / 8Z66S629989 – VIN number breakdown
1968 Ford!
VIN: 8Z66S629989
Production Year 8 1968
Assembly Plant Z St. Louis, MO
Body Style 66 Ford 4 Dr Hardtop (LTD)
Engine Code S V8 390 CID
Production Sequence 629989 629989
Thank you, love.
I currently have a 78 Grand Marquis coupe with 1700 original miles. It’s antique cream with the gold velour interior. I bought the car 2 years ago with 909 documented miles. It’s been a fun car and gets thumbs up every time I take it out. It has the 460 CI engine. Only drive it a few times a month, so I don’t worry about the miles per gallon.
If you pull up the ad and look at the pics, I believe that odometer reads 47 thousand plus miles….not 42 thousand. Still a beauty but give accurate info.!
It’s a pretty car, just the type I like. But more info needs to be provided before you can get more interest.
Pull in those bumpers and drop it an inch or two and it would look sweet.
In image 6 in the ad, shows a Ford scuff plate. Why would a Mercury have Ford scuff plates? I don’t think they are original to the car.
Good observation Mike. Same with the trunk lid. Doesn’t look right. But not a bad price if it runs well. I have a 460 in my Lincoln and it can’t get out of it’s own way!
Many mercury’s and Lincoln’s have ford scuff plates as does my 76 continental. Just like many gm cars of the era all said Fisher body. The front filler panel isnt broken to my eye. That appears to be the power cord for the engine block heater laying over that panel.
9 chances out of 10 it’s the 460. Rarely you will find a mercury with the 400 CID engine but most were optioned up to the 460. The 351 may have been available but I’ve never seen a merc with the 351.
The upholstery also appears to be the factory unlevel cloth trim package. This same seat design and fabric type was used on 77 and 78 mercury’s fro. The Monarch on up. Leather was also optional on some.
I would like to also see more photos but from what shows looks to be pretty nice to me