Mercury Blues

From The AP:

DEARBORN, Mich. — Ford Motor Co. will cease production of its 72-year-old Mercury brand by the end of 2010 after years of declining sales.

Mercury's death is the latest in a string of casualties as Detroit carmakers try to cut costs and invest more heavily in fewer offerings. By shedding a mid-range brand that was more and more irrelevant to buyers, the automaker can focus on accelerating sales of Ford and beefing up its luxury Lincoln brand.

Ford plans to expand its Lincoln lineup to make up for lost Mercury sales and support Lincoln-Mercury dealers who will suddenly be without a brand. Derrick Kuzak, Ford's product development chief, said Lincoln will have seven new or revamped vehicles in the next four years, including the brand's first compact car.

The automaker's board of directors approved ending the brand Wednesday morning. Ford Americas President Mark Fields said the decision was made this spring as part of an annual business review. He said Mercury's sales make up such a small percentage of North American market share — less than 1 percent, compared with Ford brand's 16 percent — and that the profile of Ford and Mercury shoppers is so similar, it makes more sense to focus on Ford and Lincoln.

What a sad day for me. I've always loved Mercurys. I've owned a few and they were great cars. 


There was one that will always hold a special place in my heart. A blue 1968 Montego MX  that I bought while stationed in Seattle. It was identical to the middle car in the picture. I bought it with 40,000 miles on it for $500. It was a one owner car and in pristine condition. It belonged to the late father of the guy I bought it from and his Dad took excellent care of it. I'm sure the original owner would have disowned his son if he knew what lay in store for that fine piece of Detroit steel.


My buddies named it The MPU (Mobile Party Unit). I put that car thru mortal hell and it just wouldn't die. Roadtrips to Denver, Portland and several Mt. Rainer ski trips just to name a few. I lost count of how many weekend parties we had in it. OK, I never counted, but there was one every weekend I didn't have duty. It always got me back to base every single time without fail. The MPU was nearly indestructible. It faced every challenge a bunch of drunken sailors could throw at it and came out ready for more.


It's one weakness? A Seattle parking cop. 


Due to a minor bit of youthful indiscretion on my part (see: doing burnouts on the base parking lot) I lost my on base parking privileges right before we got underway for a 4 month ALPAT patrol in The Bering Sea. Turns out you can't leave a car parked across the street from the base for 4 months with tags that expired after we got underway.


When we returned from patrol The MPU had been towed, impounded, auctioned and crushed into little teeny tiny Montego MX bits. 


I miss that car...