Rumors regularly surface suggesting that at least one domestic manufacturer is considering reintroducing a Station Wagon to its model range. However, that has proven to be nothing but hot air so far, meaning those seeking a Wagon must either purchase an import or turn their attention to the classic market. This 1987 Mercury Grand Marquis LS Colony Park could be an ideal candidate if you are in that situation. Its presentation is almost flawless and features third-row seating for added versatility. It is loaded with virtually every option a buyer could select in 1987 and is currently listed here on eBay in Warren, New Jersey. The seller set their price at $14,999 with the option to make an offer.
By 1983, Mercury’s sole surviving full-size Station Wagon was the Colony Park. It would soldier on in the face of generally diminishing sales until the company brought down the curtain in 1991. This Colony Park presents superbly following a recent repaint in its original shade of Midnight Canyon Red using a clear-over-base process. The paint holds a mirror shine, and the faux woodgrain shows no evidence of significant flaws or deterioration. The panels are as straight as an arrow, and the underside shots confirm this beauty is rust-free. The Wagon would have turned plenty of heads when it rolled off the lot, and it is sure that with numbers decreasing due to natural attrition, it would attract plenty of attention today. The trim is in excellent condition, with the chrome roof rack a practical touch. The factory turbine wheels are free from the typical stains, and the glass is crystal clear.
The seller supplies no engine photos, but the only drivetrain combination available to 1987 Colony Park buyers was the 5.0-liter V8, coupled with a four-speed automatic transmission. The V8 wasn’t the most potent engine on the planet, although its 160hp and 280 ft/lbs of torque produced competent performance and the ability to cruise effortlessly when loaded to the brim with passengers and luggage. The seller confirms the odometer has rolled over, with the Wagon now showing 102,000 miles. The bulletproof nature of the drivetrain components means it should offer years of reliable motoring, especially since it appears to have been meticulously maintained. The seller recently fitted new plugs, wires, a cap, a rotor, an air filter, a fuel tank, a pump, and injectors. It also received an oil change and fluid flush and is a turnkey proposition that runs and drives perfectly.
Family Station Wagons typically live hard lives, and it is common for this to show on the interior. Sticky fingers and dirty shoes can wreak havoc on cloth and vinyl, while loose items in the cargo area will scuff carpet and scrape plastic. This Colony Park has avoided those pitfalls and presents exceptionally well. The rich Red cloth is excellent, the carpet looks remarkable, and the cargo area is impressive. There is no evidence of abuse, UV damage, or visible aftermarket additions beyond upgrading the air conditioning to R134a refrigerant. It is also nicely equipped, promising an enjoyable and comfortable motoring experience. The new owner receives power windows, power locks, a six-way power driver’s seat, cruise control, third-row seating, a tilt wheel, and an AM/FM radio/cassette player.
The sales figures tell the story of the American Station Wagon, exposing how minivans and SUVs eventually took their place in driveways. Sixth Generation Colony Park sales peaked at 17,421 vehicles in 1984, but slumped to 10,691 in 1987. That was the last year the total crept into five-figure territory, and with the writing on the wall, the last one rolled off the line in December 1990. It is unclear how many survive, but, more importantly, how many are as nice as our feature Wagon. This Mercury could be the ideal choice if you’re planning a family cross-country road trip this summer.
Now that’s a wagon! So much nicer than the Fairmont Squire from the other day for about the same money, and it has (upgraded) A/C, a 302 and lots of power options.
GLWTS
I’d like to see how total L-M wagon sales looked in the time period you cover. Starting in calendar 1986 this chromey 1979-look woodgrained beast shared a showroom with the Sable wagon that only gave up towing capacity compared to it and looked like The Future. Same thing going on at Ford Division; sometime in 1986-88 they ran a commercial for their wagons showing the Escort, Taurus and Aerostar with the Country Squire conspicuously absent.
Guessing somebody out there could look up those production numbers if they’re that important to you…for some reason.
Tauruses sold very well for a while (just as Marquis’s and LTD’s did back in their heyday), then along came the SUV commercials…the “future”, with nary a Taurus in sight.
Like driving a cloud 😌 🌥
This Mercury has to be the most carefully driven and maintained 102,000 mile car, that hasn’t been restored. That I’ve seen in quite some time.
We were excited about this car, until we saw that it had a lien reported on it by Experian. Never buy a car with a lien, we found this out the hard way.
There is no lien on the car any more. That was paid of in the early 90s
This is the car that got me hooked on the Panther chassis. Mine was a Country Squire. I have since owned 5, 2 wagons, 2 sedans and a Town car. Excellent vehicles, and I used to bleed Chevy orange…
In 1989 I was a senior in h.s. I had saved up for a 1972 beetle. I asked a girl who lived acroos town to go to the prom with me. she said yes. She lived by the venue so it wasn’t too far to drive, her parents okayed me driving her. The evening of the prom i went to pick her up and the bug woldn’t start. I asked mom if I could use her 86 Ford Countrry squire wagon (couldn’t get another car that late). When I pulled up to her door, Mr Petersen came out and said NO, NO, No, your not taking my daughter in that! So, he drove us to the prom in his 1988 Celebrity (almost as embarrassing as the wagon)
EMBARRASSING??? I drive a 1988 Mercury Grand Marquis with all the options and 370,000 miles (so far). It has given great service, though I sometimes have wished that it were a wagon. Over 100K miles at this price would scare me a little, since that is about when “things” begin to “happen” — and those can add-up. As for the interior “showing age”: outside of abuse, these materials were/are virtually impervious to wear. My ’88, with high mileage (to say the least!), still looks about “showroom” inside — even the driver’s seat. Mine is a GS, not an LS, and so the steering-wheel is rather “plain jane”. However, I prefer the rich woodgrain dash, to all of that flashy aluminium trim! *mine has a tasteful narrow strip, only. Had I ordered one of these, new, I would have asked for the LS version, but with a GS dashboard. And let me tell you, that faux wood HOLDS UP!!! It still looks new, doesn’t fade or crack — and I have no garage for my poor car. The half-vinyl top also doesn’t dry and crack. But the rich deep blue-green tinting on the upper part of the windshield DOES fade-out from the sun. Yet the padded dashboard-cover not only isn’t cracking — it still is supple and soft! The paint is faded to dull, and no amount of polishing will fully restore its shine. The pin-striping is 70% worn-off. Rust is claiming the clips holding snap-on caps on faux wire-wheels hubcaps. But what amazes me, is how most exposed items on these cars simply do not age. Expect to have a bullet-proof drivetrain without a lot of power at 35-45 m.p.h., except for a touchy tranny. You can drive one of these anywhere, without fear of a breakdown; but you might have a power door-lock and/or power windows problem. My audiocassette player is intermittent on one channel, and I’ve had that same problem repaired a half-dozen times. The A.M. section on the radio always has been rather poor on distant stations. I can’t keep the cruise-control working, either. And the driver’s side windshield wiper-arm is a continual difficulty. Seat belts no longer retract when released. But we’re talking 370,000 miles, here! Any day, I go out, I turn the key, and she starts, runs and drives. Isn’t t hat the name of the game? And what a comfortable ride! To CV Panther: thT Fairmont is older and has far fewer miles on it…