This 1974 Mercury Marquis Brougham is an attractive driver that came from the Midwest before landing in Milford, Massachusetts, where it’s currently listed for $4,900. The Marquis is equipped with the 460 V8, which in 1974, suffered from reduced power output compared to prior years. Still, as far as cruisers go, this Ford LTD sibling will provide endless comfort and gobble up highway miles with ease, cruising from show to show. Find it here on craigslist.
Like cars made in the modern era, many Mercurys leave a lot to be desired because you don’t have to squint real hard to see their cheaper Ford underpinnings. It’s a shame companies like Lincoln still haven’t figured out how to build captivating vehicles that don’t amount to being a restyled Ford model, but such is life. This Mercury oozes class, certainly more than its LTD sibling was capable of, and still looks regal today. Chrome and paint both appear to be quite nice.
The interior is the living room on wheels you’d expect, with no shortage of leather, carpeting, and other soft touch surfaces to reward your senses. The seats appear untorn with the rear seat showing even less use. The armrests still look quite robust and no noticeable sagging or bunching of the material is noted. Cold factory A/C still works and other comfort features include power windows and driver’s seat. Factory carpeted floor mats are also included.
The 460 saw duty in Lincoln models at first, but was later offered as an option for the Marquis line. Up until 1972, the large V8 mill generated impressive numbers, with close to 500 lb.-ft. of torque on board. Following that, however, the compression ratio was lowered and output dropped to 212 b.h.p. and 342 lb.-ft. of torque. Regardless, hustling a Mercury Marquis isn’t the point of owning a land yacht like this – it’s simply to cruise in style and total comfort.
Kind of funny, marketing in the 70’s. I worked at a place, where the asst. manager ( little power a dangerous thing, thing) had a car exactly like this. He was kind of a schmoe, didn’t quite make enough to sport the Lincoln, but for him, close enough. And they are nice cars, too, just not quite a Lincoln. That’s one heck of a “coffee can” vacuum canister. While they have stout mechanicals, I think electrical and vacuum demons will drive you nuts.
Juice can
Those coffee cans were under the hood of practically every Ford product of that era.
These cars look like the old fat guys that drove them.
I laughed out loud at this comment. Growing up had a neighbor with one of these in brown. He was was short, chubby and wore those polyester sans-a-belt slacks, usually brown or black. Always smelled of Old Spice or Brut and slicked back his hair. He was found dead one morning in the car outside the local Legion. Keys in the ignition and slumped over the wheel. The speculation was he had a grabber the prior night when he left the bar. He was a regular there and friends thought it would have been fitting if he checked out while on the bar stool. Guy used to roll in in the wee hours and his wife nagged on him all the time. They had some epic battles and used to wake us up in the summer months when we had our windows open. We always thought Harry went to a better place.
I used to have one. Would love to have one again.
Pretty nice car. Certainly not for everyone, but if you want something to “cruise in style and total comfort” for not much money, this would be fine.
Aside: my opinion on new Lincolns is that the latest ones (especially Aviator) are way more than “restyled Fords.” They are quite impressive.
I bought one in 1979. Big wonderful car. Trunk was rusted out and the rear bumper rusted off. Car was prefect from the back windscreen forward. Was a great cruiser , 100 MPH across the Seney stretch in the UP. Crap for gas mileage.
Can’t imagine a $4900 price tag for this, yeah it does look like it’s in good condition, but still it’s a 1974 Ford (oops, sorry, a Mercury).
If you want to see a 1974 coupe version of this car that’s not in quite as good condition in my area priced at $12000, click below. I hope nobody pays anywhere near that:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/1974-Mercury-Grand-Marquis/283639810667?hash=item420a400a6b:g:uNUAAOSwGzBdn82u
For a nostalgic person with a connection to 1974 Mercury’s, it’s a steal, especially in that condition. Jump in and drive it home…as long as you top off the tank (she’s a thirsty beast).
My parents subscribed to Consumer Reports back in the day and being a “car kid” I devoured the annual car issue. I remember the ’73 and ’74 full sized Fords and Mercurys as having “Toyota like” reliability across the board- the exact opposite of the same year GM and Chrysler cars. So with the exception of dried out vacuum hoses like Howard mentioned, I’ll bet you could jump in and drive this one across country with few concerns, floating on a cloud. Just don’t plan on passing any gas stations.
I doubt it will sell for $4900. In the mid 90’s, I bought cars like this at the local auction for $200 to $500 in the same condition. Don’t think they have appreciated that much.
At the right venue i.e. Hershey this car would bring considerably more as the Europeans and Brazilians love the big four doors.
I had a 70 I believe Mercury Marquis Brougham!! 428 and it was like driving a cloud!! Drove the car two months and sold it!! Couldn’t afford to put gas in it!!! Could of, should of, would of!!!! Great car!!!
I cannot get the contact info. Always showing..an Error occured. Can Somebody give me the Contact info? … Mail: rforabosco@hotmail.com Thanks in Advance
Steve McGarrett drove a hardtop in the last years of Hawaii Five-O, it was triple black, what a beast…
I had a 72 Mercury Marquis I bought in 1989 with the 460 CID 4V carburetor. Loved the car, the looks, and the ride quality. I sold it to a car collector 2 years later due to 6-9 MPG. Bought a new 1992 Grand Marquis which I loved just as much, but was so happy to get 20 MPG plus!!
Very interesting color. I had one of these in dark brown metallic/cream interior, vinyl top. Guess it was around ’84 when I had it. Even back then the vacuum hoses were a problem. But, still, a great car.
Sold it to lease a new ’84 Camaro Betlinetta. Now THAT was a problem car!!!
My mother had one like this in white and blue. Loved that car! One night after leaving my grandmothers house my mother pulled over to let my dad drive, by the time they got back in a drunk driver slammed into us head on. Totaled the car but luckily no one was hurt. If I find another white and blue one, I might have to make it mine.
TWO WORDS
“Book em Dano”
OK that might be three!
Book ’em Dano, Murder One.
Dear all, can anyone tell me the contact info for this amazing Mercury? The link doesn’t work . And i really want to buy the car.
There’s a phone # in the Craig’s list ad!! It’s 508-498-5789
Thank YOU very much
Wrong contact info on a Craigslist advert.
Hard to fathom….😁😂🤣
Thank You :-(
Uncle Buck needs a replacement.
even a smogged out the 460 is a good motor – smooth, no red light beater by any stretch, but is right at home at 80 all day if you can afford it.
If this isn’t a fake ad, this could be a decent purchase. I say that because I like these big tuna boats, not because I think the price is that great.
In the recent past, I had a 1976 Thunderbird, every bit as nice as this car appears, & I couldn’t unload it. It had the sunroof, low miles, all features worked, was clean & solid.
I ended up selling it to a friend for $2800. I should have kept it. Or maybe I should have advertised it here lol.
If I could only own one car, for the remainder of what I hope to be a long life…this would be the one.
I have a 1972 Ford LTD coupe, but I really miss the covered headlights which are my passion.
I had one of these also. In dark brown, beige top and interior. Loved that car. That’s been my first and only Mercury
My uncle left me 2 Grand Marquise Brougham’s 73 & 74 both still run. both needs paint and one needs some interior help. no dents no rust. Great cars. Any interested party’s are welcome to email me.
@Don – We would be happy to auction them for you.