(first posted 10/11/2015) Just a few days ago, we looked at 5 rare Lincoln-Mercury models. Who would have thought that a luxury division that has generally had a small lineup and a mid-priced brand that often sold simple rebadges of Fords could have proved to be treasure troves of obscure special editions and forgotten limited-run models? Today, here are five more.
Sable Voga
Production years: 2009
Total production: ?
An interesting demographic trend that was occurring with Ford’s defunct Mercury brand was an increase in Latino and female buyers, as well as buyers new to the brand. The Fusion-based Milan, for example, was seeing sales to Hispanic buyers grow twice as fast as the overall segment. Mariner and Milan sales were both achieving conquest sales of over 40%. Mercury was throwing events at night clubs and shopping malls and even sponsored Miami Fashion Week in 2006. It was at this event that Mercury previewed its Voga trim line (Spanish for “vogue”), auctioning off for charity a fully-loaded, one-off Milan Voga. The name would appear in earnest in 2009, as Mercury introduced Voga editions of the Milan, Mariner and Sable. The latter appeared just as its donor vehicle was axed from the Mercury lineup, presaging the fate that awaited the Mercury brand for 2011.
Sable Premier
Ford CEO Alan Mulally had famously chided his new employer for allowing the Ford Taurus and Mercury Sable nameplates to be discontinued after years of neglect. For 2008, Ford would re-apply the nameplates after a brief absence on heavily revised versions of the disappointing Ford Five Hundred and Freestyle and Mercury Montego. Revisions included a more powerful 3.5 V6 engine, six-speed automatic transmission and freshened front and rear styling, among other tweaks. The rechristened Sable featured an attractive waterfall grille and Milan-esque headlights; the overall effect was more modern and youthful.
Sable Voga interior
The Sable Voga was even more stylish with some chrome accents, 18’’ 7-spoke chrome-clad aluminum wheels and a charcoal black interior with cashmere-colored leather trim and black accents. Exterior colors were limited to White Suede and Tuxedo Black. Alas, the availability of this option package didn’t reverse the slide of Sable sales; in fact, there seems to be some confusion as to whether the Sable Voga was even released, despite being featured in brochures and press releases (hence why there are only two pictures featured). As the Mercury brand re-centered around the relatively successful and stable-selling Milan, the Montego had seen sales volumes dwindle from its Sable predecessor and even its Sable successor couldn’t stem the tide (the Milan also overtook the Grand Marquis in sales in 2008).
Sable Premier
It’s interesting that Mercury had finally started to establish a distinctive sense of style for the first time in decades but was shut down anyway. Their cars were not dramatically different from their respective Ford counterparts, but there was still some degree of unique interior and exterior treatment involved as with the latest GMC trucks. However, with Lincoln reaching downmarket and Ford offering increasingly more expensive models (eg Taurus SHO, Flex Limited, Focus Titanium), there was no room for Mercury. It didn’t help that the brand had been mismanaged, being deprived of crucial crossover models. However, the more youthful and diverse demographic it was attracting evidently found something desirable about the brand. One wonders if they stayed in the Ford fold or if they left for other companies, as with former Pontiac, Oldsmobile and Saturn buyers.
Aviator Kitty Hawk
Years produced: 2003
Total production: 865
The Aviator Kitty Hawk edition commemorated the centennial of the Wright Brothers’ first powered flight, and served as the official vehicle of the Experimental Aircraft Association’s Countdown to Kitty Hawk of which Ford was a sponsor. Based on the impressive, new-for-2003 Aviator, the $2,295 Kitty Hawk Edition was available only in black with a rear spoiler, chrome-and-argent grille, mink zebrano wood trim and premium black leather seats with an image of the Wright Brothers’ plane embossed on the seats.
As far as limited editions go, the Kitty Hawk was very tastefully done. The truck itself was already extremely handsome inside and out, and despite its humble Explorer origins it managed to hold its own against rival luxury SUVs. The interior was first-rate, handling surprisingly good for a conventional SUV and the 4.6 DOHC V8 offered plenty of power if not fuel economy. These were expensive trucks and quite close to the Navigator in price at $45,000, but offered superior dynamics and manoeuvrability without sacrificing feature content: standard fitment included heated/cooled seats, HID headlamps and rear park assist. Unlike most Lincolns up to this point in time, the Aviator only received one special edition as it was axed after just three years on the market.
Capri Black Cat/Le Cat Black S
Years produced: 1976-77
Total production: ?
For 1975, Ford’s popular Capri (sold through Lincoln-Mercury dealerships) was heavily revised; North America received this Capri II for model year 1976. Gone were the rather busy side creases and non-functional side vents, and a cleaner Capri emerged. The Capri II was also more spacious and practical than ever before thanks to a newly-added hatchback: cargo space more than doubled to 22.6 cubic feet with the rear seatbacks folded. Power steering was available as an option, there was a 2 inch wider track for better handling and revised rear springs for a smoother ride, although the revised car was heavier overall. With fresh styling and numerous improvements, the Capri II looked set to storm the sales charts in a post-OPEC oil crisis world. The availability of a Black Cat special edition, with a very in vogue black-and-gold color scheme, seemed to be the cherry on this delightful little European parfait.
The Capri was once the second best-selling import in the US, but sales were down for the Capri II. Its sophomore year saw it become simply “Capri” once more. The “Black Cat” was also renamed, mystifyingly, to “Le Cat Black S”. It was distinguished still by gold-painted steel wheels, black/gold cloth seats and heavy-duty suspension. There was also a “Rally Cat” special edition with dual racing stripes and a rear decklid spoiler. Capri buyers had a choice of two engines: the 2.3 Lima four, with 88 hp and 116 ft-lbs, or the imported 2.8 Cologne V6 with 109 hp and 146 ft-lbs. Alas, the latter featured a new carburettor that proved to be unreliable.
Sadly, 1977 would be the last year for North American sales of the sporty European compact; it would live on elsewhere until 1986. There were some leftover ’77 examples registered as 1978 models, but no ‘78s were officially imported. Why was the Capri cancelled? Some cite unfavorable exchange rates – a major concern for a subcompact or compact offering, given the price-sensitivity of those segments’ shoppers – but Ford would introduce the imported Fiesta for 1978, also sourced from Germany. Given the Capri’s more overtly sporty role in the lineup, one would think it could justify more of a premium, and there was indeed a premium: the Capri range was priced around the $4500-5000 mark, while the similarly-sized Mustang II hatchback started at $3900. A sporty European compact wouldn’t return to Lincoln-Mercury dealers until the 1999 Cougar, and it was very much the spiritual successor to the Capri: both were based on humble European Ford family sedans and both featured a raft of special editions. Perhaps it should have been called Capri, but in the intervening years the name had been used on both an American pony car and an Australian roadster. And unfortunately, there was no black-and-gold edition for the ’99 Cougar.
Town Car Continental
Years produced: 2010-11
Total production: ?
The Town Car name originated as an option on the Continental, before becoming its own line. The Continental name continued on a separate model, but things came full circle as the Continental was axed for 2002 and once again the two names were mated together in 2010: this time, on the Town Car Continental edition.
While Lincoln has had many eye-catching and luxurious special editions before, the Town Car Continental was a half-assed effort on a car that had experienced years of decontenting and neglect. The Continental package consisted of 18-spoke polished wheels wheels already available on the Signature Limited and Signature L, a couple of badges, and “Continental” stitched on the seats. The Continental edition was a poor use of a 71 year-old nameplate, a forgettable footnote in a line of distinctive special editions, and a lousy send-off for the Town Car. Fortunately, Lincoln is introducing a striking new flagship that will proudly wear the Continental name once again and feature the kind of modern technology and performance the Town Car was deprived of.
Grand Marquis LSE
Years produced: 2001-03, 2005
Total production: ?
The 2001 LSE model was Mercury’s first performance-trimmed full-size car in 30 years but it was so subtle and so rare, it has been almost completely forgotten. It boasted various mechanical improvements, but nothing that hadn’t already been available in the Performance & Handling option package. After two years, the LSE was axed before being brought back briefly in 2005 and axed again. It seems performance and handling were low priorities for the Grand Marquis’ core demographics, retirees and rental car companies, as even the Performance & Handling option package would be dumped a few years later.
“LSE” was one of those nebulous sport edition nameplates that Mercury would occasionally dust off, like LTS. The name was so close to other Mercury trim levels that a quick search through any automotive classified site will yield a bunch of mislabelled LS models. The LSE was noticeably different to drive than a Grand Marquis LS or GS, but cosmetic changes were limited to different wheels and a buckets-and-console interior set-up.
The mechanical improvements included a dual exhaust, heavy-duty suspension with revised shocks, springs and stabilizer bars, and a more powerful version of the 4.6 V8 with 235 hp and 276 ft-lbs of torque (15 and 9 more than the regular 4.6, respectively). The rear axle ratio was also 3.27:1; lesser Grand Marquis models had a 2.73:1 ratio.
The LSE trim would continue to be offered in offered in 2003, the year the Panther platform was heavily modified with a new frame, new shocks, rack-and-pinion steering and overhauled front and rear suspensions. During this year, Mercury introduced the Marauder; it was priced around $5,000 higher but had 67 more horsepower and 42 more pound-feet of torque, and it also looked meaner inside and out. The LSE’s modifications over the lesser Grand Marquis models were similar to those that would have featured in a Trailer Towing package back in the day. Although the Marauder was a commercial disappointment, the LSE’s sales were surely much lower and the latter would disappear for 2004 before reappearing in 2005. After a year, Mercury gave up on its sport trim: the heavy-duty suspension and higher output V8 went back to only being offered in the Performance and Handling package. The modified suspension and slightly more powerful engine represented worthwhile changes, but the LSE was scarcely advertised, barely changed visually and never very popular with buyers. By this point, the Grand Marquis looked more like a Crown Victoria than ever before and the neglect became tangible: the chassis revisions for 2003 would be the last major revisions to an increasingly dated car, and the Grand Marquis would die with the Mercury brand in 2011. The last Mercury ever made would be a Grand Marquis.
We have so far been to Kenosha, Flint (second part) and Dearborn. Is it time to visit Auburn Hills next, or should we head over to Lansing or Pontiac?
Related Reading:
CC for Sale: 1981 Lincoln Town Coupe
Not Often Seen Curbside Classics: Lincoln Continental and Mark VII turbo diesel
Curbside Classic: 1970 Mercury Marauder X-100
I think a performance version of the Cologne V6 would have be great for the Capri II. With the very low output of the 302 in the Mustang II, A HO, say 140hp 2.8 would have been much faster than the less expensive, but heavier Mustang II V8. To justify the DM premium, more than a paint and stripe package was required.
Great post, William! That ’76 Capri Black Cat is probably my favorite Ford product of the ’70s. I remember reading a comparison between it and the Chevrolet Cosworth Vega in an old R&T, and the Cosworth (which probably cost 50% more) came out on top, being faster and more “European” than the Capri. (Go figure.) Actually, I would gladly take either car. And I agree that “Le Cat Black S” is too much.
The only one of this bunch I ever saw, and then saw more than a couple of them, was the Black Cat Capri.
For that matter, they could call that model whatever they wanted. To our crowd (F1 fans) it was the John Player Special Capri. And we were amazed there was no commercial tie in.
The UK version was the Capri II S though it had the 3.0 V6 (that had originated with the British Mk.IV Zodiac) and RS alloy wheels. Paint and interior trim were about the same, but the headlights were the integrated pattern:
http://www.autojumble.world/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/04_capri_mk_ii_s.jpg
Krabb Racing turned the factory JPS Capri into this:
More here: http://oppositelock.kinja.com/the-john-player-special-youve-never-heard-of-1703325903
The black-and-gold of the Black Cat was a nod to Lotus’s chief sponsor. the John Player Special cigarette brand. The engine was a Ford-Cosworth and – unusually – the Formula One world champion was American, Mr Mario Andretti. The Lotus 78 was one of those cars sometimes described as a “flying fag-packet” – fags as in cigarettes, of course.
The most recognizable livery in Formula 1 in the 70’s. Probably tied with the faded blue/orange Gulf livery for the second-most recognizable livery in racing (after Ferrari red, of course).
Toward the end of their runs, the Sable/Montego were very nicely turned out cars. I agree wholeheartedly that both Ford and GM got the message to distinguish their mid line cars more than they had been in the recent past. What bugs me now is that I was a fan of those mid line cars, having owned various Mercurys, Oldsmobiles and Pontiacs. Here we are now with Chevys and Fords that really don’t excite me and a range of cars from other makers that leave me with the same emotion. Meh.
It’s been said that the “One Ford” program is just that, there will only be one Ford to purchase. But with Mark Fields in charge, at least we see a little interest in reviving Lincoln as a viable worldwide competitor in the Luxury range. Whether or not Ford will make that come true is entirely speculation at this point, especially looking at Cadillac’s uneven re-entry to the luxury market. Cadillac has at least a ten year head start over Lincoln, and it’s not like the Germans will relinquish their formidable lead any time soon.
I was a big fan of the Euro-Capri myself, especially after having seen them in action in a ADAC sponosored race near Munich, Germany back in the 70’s. Back when they were new, I was a bit too young to drive, but my one older brother was old enough to buy one new. But in 1977-78, the Deutsche Mark to Dollar relationship was very bad and it was not a possibility for him then. Later, I bought several of the USDM Capri (III?) new but the 1986 version was my very favorite. Then, Ford killed the model in the US. Then, they replaced it with a horrible Australian assembled Mazda mongrel of a convertible, that ruined the name forever.
I’ve seen Grand Marquis LSEs, but never spent any time in one. It’s odd they would have released these cars about the same time as the re-incarnated Marauder. I guess in some weird way the Marauder was supposed to be the “halo” car of Mercury. To me, as a Mercury fan, the Marauder was a flop. Other than the different exterior dress there wasn’t a whole lot to recommend the car. If they hadn’t split their attention between the two cars, one or the other could have been something formidable, but they didn’t ask me…. 😉
From reading the specs on the P71 (police) Crown Vic, it looks like some, but not all, of the Grand Marquis LSE upgrades are also police package items. The LSE gets all the gauges in the main cluster at the expense of not having a tach, with an open cubbyhole filling in the space where the Marauder has a couple gauges. An odd bit of differentiation, but I suppose it wouldn’t do to offer too many of the Marauder features in a lesser model.
“Other than the exterior dress there wasn’t a whole lot to recommend the car.”
So a horsepower advantage of 67 and a torque advantage of 42 (and this is over and above the LSE, which had more power than the base car) isn’t noteworthy? I’m also not sure how it was really splitting attention, as it was the Crown Vic LX Sport package, just offered on the Grand Marquis. Noteworthy due to rarity, but not something they had to put a lot of thought into.
Call that Capri “The Black Cat” or “Le Chat Noir”.
What is it with that Le obsession ? Correct French is l’obsession, BTW.
Given it’s a German car, why not Der Schwartze Katz?
Other than the fact that sounds like a superhero parody by Mel Brooks, that is.
Ha ! Mel Brooks. Rue De Merde.
You missed a couple. Such as this Cougar.
Was this Cougar also missed? – 1987 20th Anniversary Edition – my cousin bought this one new.
I dare say the Dan Gurney Cougar is probably a lot more widely known than the Lincoln and Mercury models I featured and therefore less obscure.
Also, with this series I set out to do a Top 10. There’s bound to be some omissions. There was also no Villager Nautica or Mystique Young America. Maybe some other time…
The Houndstooth Cougar was one I was not aware of though! Reminds me of Madeline Kahn’s Seville in High Anxiety.
we should do a segment on special edition minivans/station wagons….i.e like the early supercharged chryslers with stick shifts
Understood – limited mission with these two pieces. Do a third – good job, really interesting!
And this Cougar.
And this Cougar, questionable taste as it may be.
Nothing wrong with that. Lovely colours – better enlarge the pic…OH! That roof pattern! (Shudder)
Definitely period!
Not fond of the houndstooth roof but I certainly like me some houndstooth seats!
I prefer this color combo though http://hooniverse.com/2010/10/30/hooniverse-weekend-edition-a-1970-mercury-cougar-cover-me-in-houndstooth/
+1 my favourite American car of them all. Black cherry 302 4 barrell auto please
Apparently forgotten, both here and by nearly everyone, is the Mercury Sable 50th Anniversary Edition, built to celebrate the 50 years of the Mercury brand (not the Sable!) in 1989. They were standard-looking Sable GS and LS sedans with a small 50th Anniversary badge on the decklid and front fenders, and the suspension of the Ford Taurus SHO underneath. Only around fifty were made and except for the badges, everything else was from the existing Taurus/Sable parts bin.
Wasnt similar done with the Grand Marquis for 1989, also?
I found out about that as I was researching this article. Unfortunately, I couldn’t find enough credible sources to verify certain points. Apparently it was used as a test-bed for a proposed Sable LTS, some kind of quasi-SHO except with a higher-output version of the Essex V6? For 1995, a Sable LTS did appear but it was just a fully-loaded Sable with no mechanical changes.
By 1995 the second generation Taurus/Sable was winding down, with such halfhearted efforts as the Sable LTS and Taurus SE, both essentially created from the parts bins. Neither could have cost that much to bulid
There were other 50th Anniversary Mercurys in 1989. The Cougar had a goldtone grill, which I don’t think had appeared before.
Good article, but a few points:
As part of the change from Montego to Sable the engine was upgraded but I believe the transmission STAYED a 6 speed. When the 500 became a Taurus, Ford dumped the CVT and put the 6 speed, previously used in the upper trim models, in all models.
The Capri II was also available as a white/gold model. (When the Capri went to the “Fox” platform, this package returned with more colors available, burgundy/gold and dark green/gold…..if I remember correctly.)
The Aviator, was a good idea but pricing it to compete with the Navigator (which it strongly resembled) was incredibly stupid.
I would be willing to bet that most L-M dealers/salespersons didn’t know that the Grand Marquis LSE even existed. It’s interesting that it was marketed at the same time as the Marauder.
Finally, I don’t see the point of the Town Car Continental. If they wanted a “special edition” to send the Town Car on it’s way out, why not a name like the Presidential Edition?
The Montego was available with both the CVT and 6sp just as the 500 was. Both moved from the 3.0 to 3.5 and the 6sp became the only transmission option.
The Aviator was about $10K less than the Navigator, when introduced it’s base price was ~$40K while the Navigator started at ~$50K. The Aviator actually overlapped with the Explorer as an Eddie Bauer or Limited with all the boxes checked could reach will into the 40’s. Meanwhile the Mountaineer was capped at the Aviator’s starting price, at least until Tire Pressure Sensors became a mid year $200 option.
Sorry, but I believe the Montego never had the CVT, except for the AWD models. Was there an AWD Sable?
As for the comment about Aviator and Navigator pricing, I guess I read this article incorrectly. I got the impression that the Aviator Kitty Hawk, being “quite close” to the Navigator in price…..strongly overlapped with it in price.
Yes there was an AWD Sable and it had the 6sp.
While there were exceptions Ford did seem to keep away from price overlap at the Lincoln-Mercury stores, even if there was a lot of overlap with the prices across the street at the Ford dealer.
Oh yes, the Montego definitely was available with the CVT, as the only transmission available in the AWD Five Hundred (its proper name), Montego, and Freestyle. Twenty-five years in the Ford parts business 🙂 .
WRT to the Capri III, the “White Gold” package was generally referred to as the “White Lightning” package, due to the usage of that term in magazine ads for the car. There was the red/burgandy with gold trim for 1983, but I don’t recall a green with gold trim car.
But, that was 32 years ago… 😉
At least they didn’t send the Town Car off like they did the Grand Marquis, where pretty much all of them from 2010 and 2011 have “Ultimate Edition” badging. The first time I saw that badge I figured it was some sort of range-topping check-all-the-boxes option package–nope. I guess they meant Ultimate as “Final”.
Ford Australia recently did a GT-F to send of the Falcon GT, yes F as in Final.
I’ll be honest when I say I was completely unaware of the Sable Voga and Town Car Continental packages. Too bad about the final Sable in general. Not that it was a great effort, but I still had hope for this car and the Mercury brand, amidst the growing rumors (which ended up proving to be true) that Mercury was going to be dropped. Those clear-lensed LEDs were cool, and the overall styling Mercury was doing on the new Milan, Sable, and Mariner was attractive. Too bad there was little value proposition beyond that.
The Capri & marauder for me please
The Capri is nice, the rest are just run o the mill Fords with more bling to fall off.
Never knew about the Town Car Continental or Sable Voga.
I still feel badly about Mercury being axed. With nameplates like Grand Marquis, Sable and Cougar there could have been new models that I am sure would have sold well if Ford gave them the time and money to be developed. Once again, like GM did with Oldsmobile and Pontiac, just axe them instead of giving them a second chance.
As far as I can remember from the 70’s, those special edition Capris were very popular. I believe they also came in white, too. I’d like to find the production numbers on them.
Until I re-read it, I thought the Kitty Hawk Edition had “mink zebra wood”, a description which couldn’t possibly exist, but does succeed in sounding like luxury.
And how many mink zebra trees did they have to cut down to make that? It’s sick, sick, I tell you!
But for each tree they cut down, they contributed 35 cents to local unicorn shelters, so it all evens out.
The Town Car Continental did not come with 18″ wheels from the factory, no Town Car did. When the 17″ wheels were introduced Ford actually shod them with 225/60 rubber instead of the 235/55 used on Crown Victorias with 17″ wheels. They did not want the negative impact on the ride from a lower profile tire.
They did something similar with the Grand Marquis LS-E in that they rode the same 225/60-16 tires as regular Grand Marquis. The Crown Victoria LX Sport rode on 17″ in the aforementioned size. The interesting thing about the LX Sport was that due to the negative effect on the ride of those 55 series tires they choose to fit the lower rate base air springs instead of the higher rate HPP air spring.
An even rarer version of the Grand Marquis is the 2001 Limited. It was pretty much the LS Luxury package except for the unique seats. You got the Limited Script on the backs of the leather seats and floor mats, in the same script as used on Fords with the Limited trim (so they didn’t have to reprogram the embroidery machine). The color of the seats were also unique being light parchment instead of medium parchment. They wore the HPP wheels but none of the rest of that Package and not even the base air suspension. They only thing was unique in a Grand Marquis was the front seat arm rests. They were from the 97 and older Town Car. They opened to reveal a storage compartment.
Here is a video of one. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u7FOFcxa77Q Unfortunately you can’t really see the embroidery but the arm rests, wheels and color of the interior support that it has the Limited package like they state.
Personally I would love to have a Continental Edition Town Car as well as a LS-E.
Some years ago I distinctly remember seeing a Marquis LSE on the used side of a dealers lot. Had i been in the market I would have been sorely tempted. Later, I did test drive a Marquis with the HPP suspension – that was amazing as was the price the dealer wanted for a car with 60k on the odometer.
Increasing Latio, Female and especially new buyers to the brand would have been all positive demographic trends, maybe Mercury was in fact killed off early, Sad… On the Lincoln side I once noted a post ’98 Town Car with “Premier” (1950s logo and font) badging and the obligatory “faux canvas” roof. IDK if it was an L-M offering or a dealer installed thing.
I rented a TC Continental going to a funeral of an LCOC cohort. The cynicism of using the Continental name for chromette b pillar trim and embroidered seats didn’t help the mood.
I guess I will never “get” the love for any Mercury built after the 1960’s. At least GM kept a little under-the-skin difference in the B-O-P cars from Chevy a decade or so longer. The bean counters took over and left the marketing folks to fool the public with what were primarily rebadges. The shame of it is that Lincoln was also left to rot.
The 1986 Sable boasted a substantial differentiation from the 1986 Taurus. All the sedan sheet metal differed between them and the interiors were totally different. The Sable dash had its instruments in a futuristic-looking “pod” quite unlike the Taurus’s conventional, hooded cluster.
I read someplace that the Sable was actually the earlier design with the Taurus “dialed-back” on advanced design features, to be a little less radical.
But at each succeeding generation with interspersed facelifts, Sable and Taurus became less and less different.
I think the demise of the U.S. Capri was a combination of exchange rates and timing. By the time they stopped importing them, the Fox Mustang was already in the hopper and the exchange rates probably made it very clear that it would be cheaper to create a Mercury version of the Mustang III than to federalize the Capri III. The Capri II –> Capri III changeover was before the Fox cars debuted and during a period when demand for the 2.8-liter Cologne V-6 was very high, so I assume it just made more sense to wind down U.S.-bound production and coast on the leftovers until the Fox-platform Capri was ready.
No Town Car Touring Sedan, or was that not rare enough to be included? I can only think of one that I have seen in recent years.
I’ve already featured it in the past:
https://www.curbsideclassic.com/blog/cc-outtake/cc-outtake-3/
I have a 1989 Grand Marquis 50th Anniversary Edition Number 277. These were finished out with trim from American Sunroof Company. Anyone else have one, anyone interested.
Interesting to read about special models I have nearly-zero memory of–and also interesting to read the 2015 comments here in 2021.
William Stopford, I had to go looking re the Sable Voga–here’s a dealer selling one in 2016 (so seems legit). I still have a soft spot for for 2005-07 Five Hundred & Montego (and then the earliest Taurus/Sable incarnation that followed), and get tempted these days when I see a nicely-kept one…
https://www.facebook.com/HerndonAutoSales/posts/sold-sold-sold2009-mercury-sable-voga-premier-edition-car-is-top-of-the-line-for/1007498739334771/
I was hoping the article would cover the 1982 Mercury Lynx LN7 Scoundrel 500. Or maybe not…..
Cougar GTE with the 427 engine. Always thought it was weird that Ford dropped a 427 into the Cougar but not in the Mustang.
A note on the Marauder, a friend of mine runs one in autocross and that barge is quite nimble. Some minor suspension mods, some engine bits for more horsepower, 4.10 gears and some wider TW200 tires for a pretty good ride. Next he needs a wider set of wheel and gets some really wide rubber under it.
My guess would be the reason for the lack of a 427 in the Mustang was the Shelby cars; it might have put a crimp in the exclusivity of that engine (and car). So, the Cougar got a 427, while the Mustang did not.
And when the 428CJ came online, well, by then, Shelby’s cars were on the way out and you could get the CobraJet engines in any ponycar.
I was going to mention the GTE as a special edition, a very special addition. Especially the 427 GTE vs. the 428 GTE.
The Dan Gurney, to me, was just an minor option on the order sheet really. Mine came with turbine wheels, the same tires, but the bigger and better J code 302-4V engine. It just didn’t have the chrome dress up or the decal.