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![Mercury Eight]()
For many, any conversation about Mercury begins and ends with the Mercury Eight, better known simply as the "Merc". First introduced in 1945, the 1949 version is a true American icon. The streamlined sedan a popular sight today at classic car cruise nights where modified "lead sleds" sporting lowered bodies and custom paint jobs are a constant reminder of the good old days...both for car lovers and for the company itself.![Mercury Comet]()
How can you go wrong with a car with two astronomical names? The Mercury Comet first hit the road in 1960 as an upscale version of the Ford Falcon family car, and went on to become one of America's first muscle cars before being downsized by the energy crises of the 1970's. 1964 marked a high point for the model, with high-performance versions called Caliente and Cyclone burning rubber across the country. A run of 50 lightweight Cyclones featuring Ford's 427 racing engine are some of the most successful and sought-after drag racing cars of all time.![Mercury Cougar]()
Four decades too early to take advantage of any "Sex and the City" cross-promotional opportunities, the 1967 Mercury Cougar was the brand's stylish take on the Ford Mustang. With its sleek lines, flip-over headlights and sequential turn signals in the rear, the Cougar aimed to attract a more sophisticated buyer than the 'Stang, and did. But over the years it bulked up into a favorite of the mullet-hairdo crowd until style completely won out over any sporty substance in the late 1970's and the Cougar switched to the platform of the Ford Thunderbird, where it lived out the next couple of decades as personal luxury coupe.![Mercury Capri]()
The 1971 Mercury Capri, built in Germany, was a small, lightweight sports car meant to compete with the top imports. Popular in Europe, the four and six-cylinder Capri was a fuel efficient alternative to the ever growing muscle cars prowling America's roads and was one of the top-selling imports for a time. Eventually, the name succumbed to the U.S.A.'s lust for power, and was planted on the hatchback of a redesigned Ford Mustang in 1979.![Mercury Bobcat]()
Nothing says 1970’s malaise...uh....excitement like a rear-wheel-drive compact American hatchback, unless it’s one with a risk of explosion. It’s hard to believe now, but, despite its infamous recall, the Ford Pinto economy car was such success that in 1975 the Mercury Bobcat was born…it died in 1980.![1999 Mercury Cougar]()
Mercury may just now be driving off into the sunset, but the end started in the last century. The 1999 Cougar was the brand's last unique car that wasn't merely a clone of one of Ford's models. Unfortunately, the stylish front-wheel drive coupe had neither the sportiness or swagger of previous models that carried the name and floundered in showrooms until it was discontinued in 2002. Things got so bad that one dealer started giving Cougars away with the purchase of one of the equally slow-selling Lincoln Blackwood pickup trucks. Almost makes you wonder why one brand got killed while the other lives on.Memorable Mercurys
After 71 years in business, the Mercury division of the Ford Motor Company will shut its doors at the end of 2010. Dwindling sales sending the mid-level luxury automaker to that big lot in the sky parked next to the Packards and Pontiacs. But while it will soon be gone, some of Mercury's cars will never be forgotten, although a few of them should. We take a look at some of the best and bungled from the brand.
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- Memorable Mercurys
