Mercury Grand Marquis

[thermatico]

A review from the New York Times...

The Grand Marquis is the last of its kind, a relic of a past not that long past. It’s the final full-size, full-frame, nonluxury American sedan with V-8 power, rear drive and a solid rear axle that is available for retail sale to the general public.

It’s the kind of car dad bought because his buddy at the Kiwanis Club owned the dealership and he didn’t want something flashy like a Lincoln. A car you could wear a hat in.

[Sabre]

It is kind of sad to see this go

Great ending, and so very true..

Nostalgia is, ultimately, a hard nut to crack. After all, the new Yankee Stadium is better than the old one in almost every way, and Shea Stadium was a pit before it was torn down. But Babe Ruth will never swing a bat in the new park and the Beatles will never rock Citi Field. And your dear departed grandfather will never drive a new Taurus.

[drwrx]

It's easy to be nostalgic for the old "Panther" platform.
Most of us have either owned one, had a family memeber who did or knew someone who did.
They were remarkably reliable, comfortable and competent cats in their day. And with the right boxes checked or upgrades installed could be a formibable performer. Yes, they had their flaws, but there is a reason the platform lasted as long as it did. It was a simple, functional, straight-forward design that met the needs of a good percentage of the buying populace for years.
It has certainly out-lived it's prime, but it should garner the appreciation it is due.

Farewell last of the "Panthers."