Dreamcast18
05-12-2008, 12:31 PM
Launched in the 1939 model year as a “step-up” car for buyers between economy Fords and upscale Lincolns, Mercury was known for its powerful V-8 engines, such as the one in this 1939 Mercury Eight, and became popular with hot rodders.
http://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n275/dreamcast18/revention/38684341.jpg
James Dean drove this black 1949 Mercury Club Coupe in the 1955 movie “Rebel Without an Cause,” cementing the brand’s place in American pop culture.
http://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n275/dreamcast18/revention/38684473.jpg
After "Rebel Without a Cause", Mercury "became an icon for teenagers,” said Gary Richards of Sun City, a member of the International Mercury Owners Assn., pictured with his 1962 Mercury Monterey S55. “ James Dean was cool; he drove a Mercury; ergo, Mercury was cool.”
http://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n275/dreamcast18/revention/38683015.jpg
Mercury cruised through the '60s and ’70s on the momentum of popular cars such as the Cougar, pictured. But by the late 1980s, the brand was suffering an identity crisis. Most of its products were “twinned” with nearly identical Ford models, and beyond the badge and distinctive waterfall grille (it resembles one) there was little to differentiate a Mercury from a Ford except for the higher sticker price.
http://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n275/dreamcast18/revention/38684521.jpg
Eyebrows went up a couple of years ago when Ford opted not to produce a Mercury-badged version of the much anticipated Edge crossover SUV. The vehicle has been a strong seller for the blue oval, and could have given the Mercury lineup a boost, analysts say.
http://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n275/dreamcast18/revention/38684512.jpg
As its product lineup has aged, so has the Mercury's customer base. The average Mercury buyer is 55 years old, according to J.D. Power, well above the industry average of 47. The yacht-like Grand Marquis, pictured, skews even older, with an average buyer age of 72.
http://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n275/dreamcast18/revention/38684528.jpg
Ford insists it has no plans to sell or scrap Mercury. Although there are no all-new vehicles on the drawing board for the brand, an updated version of the Mariner mid-sized SUV, pictured, is due in showrooms this summer, and updated versions of the Milan sedan — including a hybrid — are due out early next year.
http://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n275/dreamcast18/revention/38684609.jpg
http://www.latimes.com/classified/automotive/highway1/la-hy-garage-mercury10-2008may10-pg,0,6275224.photogallery?1
http://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n275/dreamcast18/revention/38684341.jpg
James Dean drove this black 1949 Mercury Club Coupe in the 1955 movie “Rebel Without an Cause,” cementing the brand’s place in American pop culture.
http://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n275/dreamcast18/revention/38684473.jpg
After "Rebel Without a Cause", Mercury "became an icon for teenagers,” said Gary Richards of Sun City, a member of the International Mercury Owners Assn., pictured with his 1962 Mercury Monterey S55. “ James Dean was cool; he drove a Mercury; ergo, Mercury was cool.”
http://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n275/dreamcast18/revention/38683015.jpg
Mercury cruised through the '60s and ’70s on the momentum of popular cars such as the Cougar, pictured. But by the late 1980s, the brand was suffering an identity crisis. Most of its products were “twinned” with nearly identical Ford models, and beyond the badge and distinctive waterfall grille (it resembles one) there was little to differentiate a Mercury from a Ford except for the higher sticker price.
http://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n275/dreamcast18/revention/38684521.jpg
Eyebrows went up a couple of years ago when Ford opted not to produce a Mercury-badged version of the much anticipated Edge crossover SUV. The vehicle has been a strong seller for the blue oval, and could have given the Mercury lineup a boost, analysts say.
http://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n275/dreamcast18/revention/38684512.jpg
As its product lineup has aged, so has the Mercury's customer base. The average Mercury buyer is 55 years old, according to J.D. Power, well above the industry average of 47. The yacht-like Grand Marquis, pictured, skews even older, with an average buyer age of 72.
http://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n275/dreamcast18/revention/38684528.jpg
Ford insists it has no plans to sell or scrap Mercury. Although there are no all-new vehicles on the drawing board for the brand, an updated version of the Mariner mid-sized SUV, pictured, is due in showrooms this summer, and updated versions of the Milan sedan — including a hybrid — are due out early next year.
http://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n275/dreamcast18/revention/38684609.jpg
http://www.latimes.com/classified/automotive/highway1/la-hy-garage-mercury10-2008may10-pg,0,6275224.photogallery?1