shot in Norway by Vegard O
Vegard reminded me that we’ve never done a proper CC on this generation Grand Marquis. Is that possible? Who’s going to take it on?
Reader Outtake: One Of These Is Not Like The Others
– Posted on September 22, 2020
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Curbside Classics Archives
I would have thought that the Norwegians would prefer the Fjord version.
And doesn’t Jason Shafer have the exclusive first right of refusal on all things Mercury here? 🙂
Jim, I almost volunteered to do a CC on one of these. But, to do so, I’d have to find one.
There is a marvelous example of a ’99 up the street from me. It hit my mailbox about two years ago (unharmed, not so much for the Mercury) and the kid has beat the snot out of it.
Hahaha, nice wordplay.
Living in a country where big american sedans are very rare it sure sticks out and it`s refreshing to see one that is a daily driver no matter. Checking up on it in the register, it turns out it is a 93 imported in 98.
C&D always mentioned their fav, the de Sade Edition
I used to always thumb through the Car and Driver new car issue every year to see if they used this joke again. It never failed – they always did.
These would be more interesting had it not been for the 98-2012 design. The 92-97 Has a more formal roofline With thick C pillars than the 6 window semi-fastback Crown Vic, but the 98s consolidated both models into the Mercury body.
I liked the full width taillights with the laser stripes in this year range a lot better than the triangles on the 98+ too. I hated that trend.
Maybe it’s the perspective, but to me, the Grand Marquis doesn’t look noticeably larger than the other cars — even the VW e-Up.
I’ve had the same thought when I see Grand Marquis and Crown Vics on the road (As well as old GM B-bodies). I used to think they were big cars, but now when I see them the don’t seem all that big relative to the other vehicles around them. I suspect it has to do with how most cars in general have increased in size over the past few decades.
It was the Up that grabbed my eye first of all – I didn’t even notice the Merc until I read what was under the picture. I don’t think we’ve ever done the Up either, and it’s more distinctive than the Grand Marquis.
The back seat, if it’s the same wheelbase as the Crown Vic, is extremely cramped for the size of that land yacht and I’m not even tall.
Unless all NYC taxis then were the secret short-wheelbase models…
I own two, a 93 and a 98. The 93 in particular is exceptional. It’s a loaded LS version. Ford was riding high in the early 90s and spent a lot of money on the GM. High quality features, details and materials abound.
My 98 is also a loaded LS model but it’s interesting comparing them. Ford took a lot of money out of the GM. Lots of quality details and features are missing or downgraded. Its simply a cheaper car.
The first new car show I went to was in 2008 at our local convention center. Spent all day reacquainting myself with all the brands and models, I must’ve sat in 50 driver seats to get a feel for the cars that piqued my interest. The biggest thing I noticed was the “cockpit” seating position of most every car, and being they only displayed high-trim trucks, those, too, had the full console and cockpit seating arrangement.
I. Did. Not. Like. It..
I don’t recall which car was number 3 to me, I’m thinking it was the VW Passat, a car that I now know enough about to know I don’t want one.
Number 2? I was quite impresssed with the feel of the Saab 9-3, preferably the 9-5. Just felt comfortable compared to most of the other cockpits.
Number 1? After sitting in several dozen cars and trucks, getting a feel for them (yes, I know, I didn’t drive any), looking over the drive trains, specs, price points, and what not. All the brands were there., except for some reason, Mercedes and BMW. The hands down winner, to me? I’m almost embarrassed to say…it was the Mercury Grand Marquis. Big. But not gargantuan. A proven, capable, V8 drivetrain. Body on frame. Reasonably priced. Cheap to keep. Ease of ingress/egress. But the clincher? The sofa seating. It was a rolling couch.
Call me crazy. The only thing it lacked was a station wagon configuration…with wood grain appliqué, preferably.
All that cutting edge technology. And I chose 50 year old engineering and design.
I step forward. It was my first car, and my grandmothers last…