Ford’s Mercury Division debuted the Marquis within the 1967 mannequin yr, as a sporty coupe primarily based on a stretched Ford LTD chassis. When the LTD bought an replace for 1969, so did the Marquis, and manufacturing of that technology of the top-of-the-line Mercury continued via 1978 (the Grand Marquis hit streets the next yr). The 1969-1978 Marquis was an enormous, imposing land yacht, and the Brougham model got here completely loaded with inexpensive luxurious. At this time’s Junkyard Gem is a Marquis Brougham from the primary yr of the Malaise Period, present in a Phoenix self-service automobile graveyard just lately.
This automobile seems to have spent a long time sitting outdoor in one of many harshest climates within the nation, and so it is in tough form.
The vinyl high acquired the complete thermonuclear therapy and is generally obliterated by now.
The inside bought totally cooked as effectively. Nonetheless, its unique opulence shines via if you happen to use some creativeness.
What hurts is that this automobile was full of many of the good choices, together with the mighty 460-cubic-inch (7.5-liter) V8 engine with four-barrel carburetor. The worth for the 460 was simply $76 on this automobile, or round $548 in at present’s cash. The bottom engine was a 429 (7.0-liter).
Energy numbers have been means down for 1973 when in comparison with a few years earlier, partly as the results of tightening emissions requirements however principally because of the change from gross to internet energy scores that started halfway throughout 1971 and was accomplished by the tip of 1972.
This engine was rated at 202 horsepower and 330 pound-feet. The one transmission accessible was a three-speed automated. We are able to assume that the unique purchaser of this automobile and its single-digit gasoline financial system had a tough time when the OPEC oil embargo hit within the fall of 1973.
Imagine it or not, air con was not commonplace tools on the ’73 Marquis Brougham (you needed to transfer as much as a Lincoln for that). This one even has the automated temperature management function, including a complete of $508 to the price of this automobile (about $3,661 in 2023 {dollars}). That AM/FM/8-track radio—or, in truth, any radio—was an extra-cost choice as effectively, with a price ticket of $363 ($2,616 after inflation).
The MSRP for the 1973 Marquis Brougham sedan (often called a “pillared hardtop” due to the frameless window glass) was $5,072, which involves $36,555 in at present’s {dollars}. Clearly, its out-the-door price would have been a lot larger with all of the choices.
If this automobile had been caught in a showroom when fuel costs went loopy late in 1973, it might need been marked down a bit because of the sudden aversion of the American car-buying public to gas-drinking behemoths. Nonetheless, the door tag tells us that it was in-built October 1972, lengthy earlier than Operation Nickel Grass. It was born at the St. Louis Meeting plant and offered via the Omaha gross sales workplace.
Would this automobile have been price restoring? Not in any case these 120°F summers exterior.
It had a greater trip than the Mercedes-Benz Grosser, in keeping with 50 skilled chauffeurs.
The one medium-priced automobile with commonplace steel-belted radial tires.
50 airline pilots thought it was extra comfy than a “$30,000 European city automobile.”
