I have a 1986 Mercury Colony Park. From what year to what year were the Mercury Colony Park wagons the same body/trim (like taillights)? Did they begin this body in 1983? Ran into the 90's? Thanks.
Tail lites will fit from 79 till the end year as will all door and glass. wood Trim (the metal) is the same with exception of the years with the rounded nose. I don't believe the sheet metal for the fenders themselves changed. the 79/80 models has fake louvers in the fender, and grill slots in the front bumper. 79/80's also had a extra reflector on the tailgate. The tail lite itself swaps with all years but there is one difference that stayed with the wagon untill 85 I think. Notice the chrome trim sourounding the tail lite, where it lite (red) meets the tailgate the red flows into the reflector on the gate. Ford, in the later years after no ferlector ran the chrome down the lite....hope that made sence. Not the best pic, but it is funny. You can kinda see the chrome trim on this.....
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mercury_Colony_Park [edit] 1979–1991 Sixth generation Production1979–1991AssemblySt. Louis, Missouri St. Thomas, OntarioPlatformFord Panther platformEngine302 cu in (4.9 L) "5.0" Windsor V8 351 cu in (5.8 L) Windsor V8Transmission3-speed automatic 4-speed AOD automaticWheelbase114.3 in (2,903 mm)Length219 in (5,563 mm)Width79.3 in (2,014 mm)Height56.5 in (1,435 mm)RelatedFord LTD Ford Country Squire Ford LTD Crown Victoria Mercury Grand Marquis Mercury Marquis For 1979, Mercury joined its Detroit rivals in downsizing its largest models, resulting in a car considerably smaller and lighter than its predecessor. With the downsizing, the former 400- and 460-cubic-inch engines were discontinued, and the 351-cubic-inch Windsor V8 became the largest available in the Colony Park. All Colony Parks were equipped with standard 8-passenger seating and exterior woodgrain siding. The 351 would be dropped early in the 1980s, as most customers deemed the 302 Windsor engine sufficiently powerful. This generation of Colony Park would see few substantial changes during its 12-year lifespan, garnering only minor grille and trim revisions annually through 1987. In 1988, the entire front grille headlamp assembly (shared with the Grand Marquis) was redesigned for a more modern and aerodynamic appearance, and then in 1990, the instrument panel was revamped to allow the addition of a driver's side airbag. When the Grand Marquis was redesigned with aero-styling for 1992, the Colony Park station wagon was dropped from Mercury's lineup. By that time, full-size station wagons were no longer popular due to the increasing popularity of minivans and SUVs. The last full-size station wagons, the Chevrolet Caprice, the Oldsmobile Custom Cruiser and the Buick Roadmaster Estate ended production in 1996. In 2005, DaimlerChrysler briefly reintroduced the Dodge Magnum name on a full-size wagon, based on the LX platform Chrysler 300, but it was dropped in 2008.
In Canada, the 351W was available through the 1987 model year. It cost a whole, hot $185.00, and came with a 2.24:1 rear end unless the 2.73 was specified, or the 'Performance/Handling Package" or "Trailer Tow III" package was ordered. Both packages also included the dual exhaust with H pipe balance tube. 88 through 91 CPs were only available with the 302 as a regular production option. Mind, I have seen one American 1991 Country Sedan factory equipped with the 351W, ordered originally by a funeral home, with the blanked out quarter windows. It was being used as a picture car in a film, and nobody could figure out how to get it to start cold! They forgot all about setting the choke of the 2 bbl VV carb.
Anybody have a list of the specific additions the 'LS' model had over the 'GS' model on the later Grand Marquis's? (around '89-'91...)
That's a good question. I've noticed that even with the LS's that things like Wind Deflectors aren't a given. The LS definitely has way better seats, though.
In addition to the LS package, there were 2 separate "Value Packages" available, and that makes a difference to what was on each one as well. For starters, the LS included: More sound insulation, better carpeting, the up graded upholstery (88 and 89 this included articulated head restraints), on wagons, the turbine spoked alloy wheels (GS included full wheel covers). I can't remember what all else was included, but the price premium here in Canada was just about $1,000.00. I ordered my 89 sedan as an LS because of the head restraints and because the seat back was ONE inch higher for better shoulder support. The lower of the two value packages included AM/FM with tape deck (Not premium sound), and power driver's seat plus a raft of other upgrades. The higher cost package included power antenna, High Level Sound, Insta-Clear windscreen (with the 5.0 engine), and dual power seats, plus.
My 1990 Mercury Grand Marquis LS Wagon has safety lug-nuts (one per wheel) so the wheels can't be stolen with conventional tools. It doesn't have the air-deflector, though and I don't think it has the instant-clear windshield. It does have the premium sound system, power antenna and power seat for the driver.
