I once believed people bought Station Wagons out of necessity rather than personal preference. I couldn’t see why someone would opt for a vehicle I considered cumbersome when these Wagons were generally derived from what I felt were more desirable sedan alternatives. I was wrong, but it took personal experience for me to have that light-bulb moment. It was then that I recognized the inherent versatility of the design, and I remain a committed Wagon enthusiast. Buyers seeking a new Wagon today must consider foreign brands because no domestic manufacturer features an option in its product range. Therefore, those preferring a genuine American model must look to the classic market, which is where vehicles like this 1988 Mercury Grand Marquis LS Colony Park could fulfill their needs. The seller states they believe it could be the nicest original example in existence, and the supplied photos make it hard to dispute that claim. They would like to retain this two-owner gem, but with a new home ready for construction, they need the cash to get the roof over their head. Therefore, they have listed the Colony Park here on eBay in Prescott, Arizona. The bidding has raced beyond the reserve to sit at $17,500.

The Colony Park became part of Mercury’s landscape in 1957, and our feature Wagon rolled off the line as part of the badge’s Sixth Generation. Different paint shades are often a reliable guide to when a particular vehicle was produced, and Brown was one of the signature shades of the 1980s. Therefore, this Mercury’s Deep Sandalwood paint is unsurprising. The faux woodgrain provides a striking contrast that prevents the vehicle from looking heavy and ungainly. The exterior presentation is hard to fault, with the paint sparkling and the flawless woodgrain. There are no signs of bumps, bruises, or abuse. It has spent its life between the dry climates of California and Arizona and has been garage-kept since Day 1. That makes its lack of rust and unbaked appearance unsurprising. The trim and glass are as impressive as the rest of the exterior, as are the wheels and narrow whitewalls. The longer I examine the photos, the more I believe the owner’s claims about its condition is not hot air.

Mercury had equipped the Colony Park with some mighty engines during its production life, but that found under the hood in 1988 was one of the more conservative powerplants. That is not to say it was bad because the bulletproof 5.0-liter V8 pumped out a respectable 160hp and 280 ft/lbs of torque. This fed through a four-speed automatic transmission to the rear wheels, while power assistance for the steering and front disc brakes were standard inclusions. The ¼-mile ET of 17.6 seconds was largely irrelevant to most buyers, but it was still considered respectable for a vehicle tipping the scales at 4,019 lbs. There is no shortage of positive news with this Colony Park. The seller confirms it has been serviced by the selling dealer its entire life, making it possible they hold evidence confirming the odometer reading of 68,675 genuine miles. The vehicle is numbers-matching and unmolested, running and driving perfectly. Mercury focused heavily on its luxury credentials with most of its products, and the seller’s claim that this Wagon is whisper quiet seems par for the course. If the winning bidder wishes to fly and drive this baby home, that should pose no problems.

Life inside this Mercury would be comfortable for everyone, with the supple leather trim, air conditioning, power windows, power locks, six-way power front seats, cruise control, remote mirrors, and tilt wheel ensuring that its occupants felt pampered. It is unclear what in-car entertainment the original owner specified, but tunes now come courtesy of a Sony radio/cassette player. Finding anything to criticize inside this classic is challenging, with the condition supporting the claim that although it has spent its life in warmer climes, it has remained protected from harsh UV rays inside a garage when not prowling our roads. The front bucket seats exhibit the creases that are an integral part of leather’s character, but there is no appreciable wear or physical damage. The back seat is even better, while the remaining upholstered surfaces, plastic, and carpet are excellent. My only criticism is the deterioration of the leather-wrapped wheel. It looks slightly strange, but its appearance might be salvageable if the winning bidder hands it to a specialist for attention. Otherwise, this interior needs nothing.

The Sixth Generation Mercury Grand Marquis Colony Park was considered a sales success, but plummeting volumes by 1988 sealed its fate. Buyers were turning away from full-size wagons in preference to smaller variants, vans, and SUVs. Only 9,456 buyers put their hands in their pockets to buy one in 1988, and that figure continued dwindling until Mercury retired the model in 1991. The action on this classic has been intense, and I’m unsurprised it has received twenty-one bids at the time of writing. I expect that figure to grow substantially before the hammer falls, but even if it doesn’t, a third owner is only days away for this stunning survivor. Would you like to be that person?