At over 19 feet in length, this car is easy to see. And as “Mr. Sound Effects” (Wes Harrison) used to say, “If you’re going to make a scene, be seen.” Is that too obscure a reference? For anyone under 50, probably. There’s no better way to be seen than in this gorgeous 1978 Mercury Grand Marquis. The seller has it listed here on eBay in Denver, Colorado, and they’re asking $13,999, or you can make an offer. Thanks to Russell G. for the tip!
I’m guessing that late 1970s cars aren’t on too many top-ten lists among Barn Finds readers, but I could be wrong. It looks like the last 4.5 decades have been very gentle on this uber-luxury car. The seller has uploaded dozens of photos, and I don’t see a flaw inside or out.
The Mercury Marquis second-generation cars were made until 1978, and they were almost a foot and a half longer than the next version. If you want to make a scene, be seen… wait, I already said that. If you want to be seen, you want this car, not the Marquis that came next. The Grand Marquis was the top trim level for the Marquis, and it was played against other top cars, like the Chrysler New Yorker, Oldsmobile’s Ninety-Eight, and others.
The interior is equally gorgeous in blue velour, faux woodgrain (hey, it was all the rage), power everything, and it all looks like it’s right out of a brochure; it’s so perfect. The back seat is roomy enough for almost anyone, and the trunk also looks like new. We don’t see the underside, but the seller says this car is “super flawless” without one door ding and no signs of rust.
The super-clean engine compartment is where Ford’s 460-cu.in. OHV V8 lives, if I’ve decoded the VIN correctly. It had 202 horsepower and 348 lb-ft of torque and is backed by a three-speed automatic. This car has only traveled 77,000 miles, and it looks like a museum piece. Would you daily drive this big, beautiful Grand Marquis?
This is one very nice Grand Marquis. When these were new and I was much younger, I remember thinking “who in their right mind would want a vehicle like this? Give me something smaller yet powerful and sporty, or maybe economical but sporty.” Today, I have a greater appreciation for the qualities these big rear-wheel-drive American cars have in spades. Such as room, quietness, smoothness, and presence.
Thanks Scotty, good job.
Thanks, Bob, and everyone. It’s hard not to like this big beauty.
I’d give you yet another thumbs up, Bob, but apparently that’s now a feature reserved only for members!
Yeah such BS
WOW! A genuine LAND YACHT! Pure Perfection. Especially appreciate that glorious color, similar to a 60 Montclair owned by parents friends. The velvet seats add to the OTT excessive luxury. I once owned a 78 Town Coupe and regret letting it get away. As usual, I must declare It’s HUGE? It guzzles gas! It pollutes the air! It scares the birds! Other cars part like the Red Sea to get out of its way! What’s NOT to love? A true Bon Marche. Only MY age, distance, and inability to care for it prevent a buy it now. Another example of Mercury putting the GRAND in Marquis!
The first thing I noticed when I saw this Grand Marquis is that its not brown….. Or green…. I have nothing against those colors at all, but its nice to see one from this time period in such a beautiful shade of blue and with the white top and also the white rub strip going all the way around.. That 460 has lots of torque and will certainly move this Merc down the road effortlessly. Its so strange, I don’t remember seeing many Mercury’s from this
time period in the 70’s. I remember there being plenty of LTDs and Lincolns, but not these. I can’t get over the condition of this one. Absolutely beautiful. I can only imagine the smile on the face of the original owner when they proudly drove this off the lot. Really nice find and weite up too Scotty. Thanks
Had a 1974 Grand Marquis in brown with a beige interior and vinyl roof. Loved the size of that car.
The 70s were weird with colors, but at least they had colors. Now, nothing but monochromatic black, white & grays.
The blue really makes this one pop. I’d love to drive it too!
I’m sure there’s an answer for this out there, but typically, was there a conversion factor to determine the difference between the SAE Net and SAE Gross horsepower ratings? You have a 460 that is making 202 hp net, but I wonder how much less that actually is from the gross figures for the 460 made in 1971…
I usually figure about a 30% drop from gross to net. I came this conclusion from a vehicle I’m extremely familiar with – early Broncos. In ’71, their 302 was rated at 205 hp. In ’72, they switched to net hp and the rating on the same engine was about 140 hp. YMMV.
Had a 78 ex Georgia State Patrol LTD with the 460, got 10mpg on the Interstate, not fast but great exhaust sound when you floored it.
I loved that Wes Harrison and his sound effects. He was fantastic. Thanks for the memory.
Hey, that’s great to hear, John! I grew up listening to his albums, and we saw him at a few camping shows over the decades, the last one being in 2009. My brother and I got our pic taken with him, and that’s quite a memory. “And so ends the story of the big duck hunt, nobody got him…”
I’m on the right, with the cheesy mustache. I was scrunching down about a foot, so I didn’t tower over Mr. Harrison.
Holy cow – now we know what Scotty looks like!
Ha, and that ain’t sayin’ much… Of course, that was 16 years ago.
NOT a complaint. Just an observation, I noticed a few comments on this LAND YACHT. But not as many as on sports cars. Guess not as many Barn Finders are focused on speed as opposed to Comfort. I keep coming back to this post, with sweet dreams of actually buying it. It is in Denver, HOME of DYNASTY. Definitely Rocky Mountain High!
Well, as Scotty pointed out cars like this one aren’t on too many top-ten lists among readers in here. However, even if there are less people who would choose a comfort over speed of sports car, I’m one of them and I would take a malaise-era yacht like this Merc instead of any sports or muscle car, be it Mustang, Camaro, Challenger or other Corvette. I just love these OTT luxury boats and wish I could afford to buy it, however, I guess only thing I can do now is to join you in dreamig about owning it, Rick. But what a great dream it will be!
I worked on many of these. A great solid platform and lots of bling. I’d love to have this one. That blue is beautiful.
The price, shows that Colorado people still have not outgrown getting high.
As a high schooler just about ready to take driver’s ed, a friend of the family bought one like this in white. I remember my dad saying that if anything happened to our ’74 Electra, this would be the only car to replace it, as the next year they planned to chop it down to a smaller car. Alas, we kept the Buick, but Would’ve loved borrowing this Grand Marquis for Prom… Beautiful car. GLWTS!
I was so amazed that this car was 19ft. I had to look it up myself! That is big. But the styling seems to make it look less gigantic. It’s a glorious land yacht in astonishing condition. The price seems like a bargain.
Step Grandfather bought a new pale yellow Marquis sedan in ‘75. Replaced his rusted out ‘69 Bonneville 428 that was my favorite. He was a former State Highway Patrol officer in Connecticut and liked his big, fast cars. The Pontiac was both those but literally on its last leg due to the tin worm. He hated the full size GM products of the mid 70s but liked the Merc’s styling and the reputation Mercury had on previous decades for performance. Unfortunately, this generation missed that memo. Despite the 460, the combination of tremendous weight and emissions controls and a super tall axle made the huge Marquis a real slug. Once up to speed, the tall axle was less of a hindrance and it would sail along at 80+ all day with another 20-25 mph to go. It ended up being his last car and served him and the next owner well. But for an ex Trooper, he needed a more authoritative performer than anything that was available in ‘75
My in-laws lived on the shore in New Jersey. They and almost every senior out there had one of these! They drove just as smooth as any Cadillac or Lincoln. They also had a Crown Victoria, almost the same car.
What great cruisers they were!!
I inherited a ’76 from my Grandfather. It is akin to driving a waterbed.
Haha Tony that’s a perfect analogy! I’ve driven many of these land yachts, first time I heard driving like a waterbed!
I may have too use that in the future
Hi Angel! I’ve always wanted one but life and my late wife got in the way. It was the ’90s and I was buying small cars to make her happy at the expense of my back and hip joints. Those hard as a rock seats and literally no suspension in those tin cans left my back screaming. I did have a ’79 Ford Granada sedan that I
liked but when gas went up, back to the econo boxes again. There were times I’d get out of our Chevy Cavalier
unable to straighten up for at least 10
minutes after leaving the car. How I wished that my doctor would prescribe me a big sedan like this so that I could be comfortable on long trips and delivering newspapers. But that was then, and this is now. I still
have yet to feel the blissful comfort of a cushy seat and a floaty ride that these cars offer. And this one is right up my alley 460 and all. Our K-5 is okay for what it is but it can’t come close to the presence and character this car exudes. Have a look at the ’59 Cadillac sedan not far on the page from this car. I think you’ll like it. Well honey, it’s time for me to hit the sack
and catch up on some rest after the move to our new apartment on Monday. Still haven’t got my shop open yet and won’t have until I get our
deep freeze up on bricks again. BTW
I can’t write to you til I find my tablet
which is still packed up somewhere.
Good night Angel 💋 night all.
Friend had a white over red 69 convertible, everybody loved it.
78 Mercs were the only known model that the Missouri State Highway Patrol waived their rule of ‘trade in at 45-50,000 miles’, and let the troopers keep running them to 60-75k miles, as they were universally loved by the officers.
The speed limit was 55 back when it was sold and gas was cheap. the 10 mpg was probably average then. The current 75 interstate speeds with a three speed will drop it below 10 mpg..plus the gas is not good quality now. That big car is best on the highway. I am planning a 2600 mile round trip in my Ford Excursion it will cost me $1000 in gas. This big car will cost the same but be a much better ride than my Excursion…lol
I just drove from Las Vegas, NV to Baltimore, MD in January. Most gas prices until I hit the east were around $2.25. Once I hit East Tennessee and Virginia and Maryland it was a little over $3.00
It cost me approximately $300 in gas getting about 400 miles per tank full in my 2008 Hyundai Santa Fe 3.6 V6. If my calculations and memory are correct. Averaged 70 mph all day.
Around town I only get 200 miles per tankful.
Angel which way did you drive. I am in Denver and was going to drive 80 to the Toledo area. Gas here in Denver area is about $3.00.. Thanks
Thank was a long you did, holy smokes.
Hi Jeff. I took route 40 all the way through Tennessee. Was going to take it through North Carolina to Route 95 but west NC 40 is still shut down from the hurricane damage so I had to head north through Virginia.
I’ve taken Route 70 across country twice and Route 80 once. Route 40 was a nice drive. Ive also taken Route 10 from Florida to Texas.
I am going to be towing a trailer so I was going to drive old hwy 36 until it ends in Indianapolis then go North East. Towing an empty trailer at high speeds on 80 is rough. I have made this trip many times and cant say I have ever enjoyed it. Thanks for the input. Tennessee, Kentucky and Virginia are scenic. My drive is flat and boring.
I didn’t want to tow my car behind a moving truck so I put everything in storage and drove the car. Going back later for the junk. Or maybe I’ll move back thete who knows?
Driving out from east to west on Route 70 I towed the car.