As a kid growing up in the ’80s and ’90s, my parents largely drove T-Birds and Mustangs, so our family road trips were not the spacious affairs of those who grew up in the heyday of the American station wagon. If that was you, it might be time to relive those long rides in this solid ’73 Mercury.
The whole point of a big station wagon is to carry around as many people and as much stuff as possible. Some wagons had the infamous rear-facing third seat, which offered a passenger carsickness along with some interesting views. The Colony Park brochure from 1973 displayed sideways facing “third” seats, and it appears that this example may have that option under the rear mat. Unfortunately, the seller doesn’t mention it in the ad.
Colony Parks did have a “3-way tailgate” that would open like a car door or a traditional wagon tailgate.
The seller points out that the front bench seat will need upholstery, and it appears that the dash pad may have a few cracks in it.
Aside from that, the interior is claimed to be in excellent condition, as this driver’s door panel attests. This Colony Park is loaded up with power windows, which all work except for the one on the driver’s door, which will need to be addressed before the new owner does any windows-down cruising.
The top-of-the-line engine in 1973 was the 460, which sits under the hood of our featured car. Unfortunately, the ’70s took their toll on the big block, which eked out just over 200 horsepower (the rating was not listed in brochures of the era). Although this Colony Park came with air conditioning, it is no longer working and will need some servicing.
Aside from the driver’s window and the AC, the seller points out that the headlight doors “have a vacuum issue.” He includes a walkaround video here and points out that it only has 90-something thousand miles and that he received it as a gift. He mentions that the car has been sitting for a long time, so it will likely need new tires. As many of us who have resurrected long-sitting old cars know, it will certainly have some bugs to work out, but that’s part of the fun.
Ford products from the 1970s didn’t have a good reputation for keeping rust away, so finding any 1973 Colony Park on the road isn’t a daily occurrence. Finding one that is nearly rust-free may be once-in-a-lifetime. Located in Idaho, it is on eBay with no reserve, and the current high bid is $2025. Aside from having to fill the tank, it may be your perfect road-trip machine.
This is a nice wagon. My father liked and bought Mercury wagons when we were kids in the 60 s. There were 4 of us. The one had the rear facing seat and the other had the side facing seats. They were a blast to go on vacation with. My mom loved them also as there was always plenty of room for grocery’s. So this one has minimal rust needs a/c repaired headlight covers fixed and power driver window repaired. Fix those things and have a sweet cruiser/hauler. Oh and if you still have a drive in theater in your area there great for that to. I sure would love to have this wagon but it’s all the way across the country from me. To the buyer enjoy it and to the seller GLWTA
Handsome wagon. Great colors, love the three-way tailgates. Someone might get a bargain here.
Aw, grew up with Mustangs and T-birds, such a shame. For the rest of us, the wagon was this ubiquitous vehicle that was the standard issue of suburbia. Big city folks didn’t have a call for wagons like country folk. Many times, the wagon trip signified a long boring ride to Aunt Frannies, and no fun once you got there. A wasted day, we thought. The “way back” was our only salvation. We couldn’t hear what boring things the grown ups were saying, or the ball game and they couldn’t hear us. I think this is an okay buy, full size cars with giant V8s have fallen out of favor, and I see older folks that have these in my town, they don’t go far. Our society has outgrown big wagons like these, when the duties have been given to 4 door pickups. This was from a time when a truck was a truck, and a wagon did it all and probably gets about the same mileage as newer trucks.
So,,,,you have 314 people that checked it out, yet struggling with $5 increments, pretty much tells the story of the future of big wagons, especially ones that need work.
Mine favored small cars, mostly Omni/Horizons with the occasional Escort thrown in. At least those consistently had four doors and opening rear windows in back.
These wagons are still desirable, here in flyover country. 15 years ago? You couldn’t give them away. Now? Grandpa’s clean garage dweller is bringing good money.
Nice old wagon. Be prepared to be nickle & dimed with this unit. They weren’t known for their reliability and 50 years on, unless modified, remain the same.
Well, I think this car is the sht. I bid on it and I just asked my wife if she’d like to fly out and bring it back. She’s fantastic, she said,,, bid on it. What a woman! Lol
Live the car car and hope we get it.
Matt, we may have married sisters, my wife has talked me into cars that I was thinking about buying telling me the good and bad and why we needed the car and as much as I hate to say this she was right, I think we better keep them.
Matt, we may have married sisters, my wife has talked me into cars that I was thinking about buying telling me the good and bad and why we needed the car and as much as I hate to say this she was right, I think we better keep them.