Just a few years back, this 1961 Mercury Meteor 800 was the owner’s daily driver. I shot it and wrote it up (CC here), but it’s been relegated to the far end of the driveway. But the Mark VII is a CC in its own right; even if it is a youngster compared to the neglected ’61. A bit of a metaphor for Mercury, right here in this driveway.
Related: 1961 Mercury CC Lincoln Mark VII CC
What a difference 25 years makes!
While I love the VII in its own right, quite sad to see the Meteor off the road and out to pasture. Wonder what sort of malady did it in after 50+ years of daily service, and how many miles it racked up over that time? What stories it could probably tell… Judging by the photos in your original CC it looks like it ought to be quite restorable, but the fact that it’s not under cover of any kind and, even worse, that the trunklid is standing open, make me quite concerned about its future.
Sad but true that pretty much every “curbside classic” used as a daily driver will some day confront its owner with one-too-many major repairs that will be required to keep it on the road. Whether its a leaking gas tank, a messed-up carburetor or a failing automatic tranny, entropy can be interrupted but never really stopped.
Maybe someone will come along with some money and some fresh enthusiasm to keep the old Meteor warm.
Sadly, I that’s why people get rid of their classic cars and instead buy brand new cars. They’re tired of having to pay for the continuing maintenance on the car.
Yep. It’s all returning to the earth from whence it came.
The Mk VII is one of my favourite Lincolns along with the 56.I’ve never seen this generation of Meteor in the metal though I always check out Mercuries at shows
“I’ve never seen this generation of Meteor in the metal ”
Hardly anyone in the U.S. did either, even then. 🙂
Another confusing American car,with full and mid size Meteors having a very short production and a Canadian make of car with Ford bodies and Mercury trim!
This is a wrinkle to the saga of the ‘Meteor’ nameplate I didn’t know about.
The Meteor was a Ford with slightly different trim and Mercury badging, sold in Canada from 1949 until 1961. In 1962 the nameplate was given to a midsize Mercury offering on both sides of the border.
Unknown to me however (but well known to Wikipedia) the Meteor nameplate made it to the US a year earlier – in 1961 – but as a real Mercury model. Canadian Meteors of that year were still rebadged Fords.
http://gomotors.net/photos/72/c7/1961-meteor-montcalm-convertible-amp-sedan-canada-by-aldenjewell_69350.jpg?i
After the midsize Meteor was discontinued in 1963, Canadian Meteors adopted full size Mercury styling.
The full size Meteor was a reaction to the recession as was the inclusion of the 6cyl. It gave Mercury something to sell at a lower price and the 6cyl was there to have something that would be seen as more economical to operate.
Canada was interesting with the Mercury dealers loosing a full size to sell in the “low priced” field with the switch of the name plate to the intermediate car. Then they dropped the intermediate and the “real” Meteor returned. They used other names in Canada anyway so why not come up with a new name for the intermediate car in Canada? It really couldn’t have been that expensive to tool up for a badge.
While it is sad to see that Mercury(which was once so well loved) rot in the driveway, I cannot lament too much on the fact the owner threw it by the wayside for the Mark VII because I love the Mark VII and it is one of my favorite cars.(along with the 83-88 Cougar and T-Bird)
There’s that feeling I get whenever I see an unloved old car:
Someone should save that…no, I should save that…
Must finish VW, must finish VW
After your comment, I will admit that my first thought was about how I might be able to rescue it and bring it home to be my daily driver/hobby car. “If you give it to me, I promise to love it and give it a good home.” Just don’t tell Mrs. JPC. 🙂
Seeing that Mark VII just reminds me of how timeless its design is.
It is sad to see the old Merc put out to pasture. Though they were unloved, they were/are durable and relatively simple. That is a nice Mark, even with the shin banging trailer hitch. But chances are it won’t go as far or as long as the Mercury did, just because of it’s complexity. Is that rust or moss growing around the side marker lamp?
I agree. It’s sad to see any car this old be put out to pasture. It may, or may not, be a popular collector car, but so what? If its body is in one piece, and everything is there, then it can be restored or upgraded.
Wonder how much weight the Lincoln can tow? The Thugerential trio still look sharp decades later, I never get tired of their styling. I am sure someone will save the Mercury.
That Mark VII appears to be an ’88 Blass Designer Edition. The 1985-86 were tan or light brown and the ’89 Blass was Bright Currant Red. The color on the ’88 was Regatta Blue Metallic. Sharp color!