Smoky > 1969 Mercury Marquis
1969 Mercury Marquis
| Owner: |
Smoky   (All of this user's registries on SuperMotors) |
| From: |
Grand River, OH, U.S.A. (Other registries in OH) |
| Year, Make, & Model: |
1969 Mercury Marquis (Other Mercury Marquiss) |
| Avatar: |
 |
| Clubs: |
SuperFord.org (Other vehicles in this club)
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| Nickname: |
Topaz |
| Mileage: |
40500 |
| Engine: |
429 Thunderjet. 2V autolite carb. This is a TORQUE MONSTER! 460 pd-ft. @2200. 320 bhp with single exhaust, but mine has dual exhaust, so I reckon 335 bhp. (see Drivetrain below.) Compression test done Feb. 2022 results:
#1-200
#2-190
#3-200
#4-190
#5-205
#6-210
#7-190
#8-200 |
| Drivetrain: |
429-2V engine Dual exhaust, automatic c-6 transmission, 2.75:1 rear axle ratio. 15 inch wheels and riding on Toyo Extensa A/S radial tires size P235/75 R15 that I keep inflated to 28-30 psi per mfg. With a single exhaust it is rated at 320 bhp, but with performance dual exhaust on this car, I estimate 335 bhp! (The 4 bbl carb. version is rated at 360 bhp.) But the 2 bbl version of the 429 with 10.5:1 compression and running premium fuel is no slouch by any means, plus the improved mileage shouldn't be overlooked.
The only upgrade to the original factory setup is a Pertronix electronic ignition, which makes the points and condenser unnecessary. I also upgraded the standard suspension to the heavy duty, by adding HD Moog springs and Monroe load leveling shocks. I like the added height, plus a car of this size can benefit from the improved ride too. It's still surprisingly floaty. |
| Notes: |
This car was ordered in November of 1968, from Parkview Mercury in Windsor, Ontario, and was delivered in March, 1969. The original purchaser kept this car up until his passing in 2010. The car was appraised on 9/14/2010 with 35,811 miles on the clock and presumably sold by the first owner's wife. (Her name appears on the appraisal as the owner.)
A second Canadian owner bought the car, and kept it until 2015. (This is the only undocumented gap in this car's history. I know from talking with the second Florida owner, that the first Florida owner had the car shipped to Florida from Canada in 2015.) The car was sold to the first Florida owner on 5/8/2015 who had it shipped from Ontario to Florida, where it was registered with Historical Plates now showing 37,305 miles. (so the 2nd Canadian owner (assuming it was only one) kept the car for just under 5 yrs. and less than 2k miles). The first Florida owner kept the car until 2018, and may be responsible for adding the dual exhaust, new tires (Toyo, 2016) and a new top. (So he kept the car for over 3 yrs. and less than 3k miles.)
The second Florida owner (with whom I spoke) bought the car on 11/16/2018 with 40,060 miles, and kept it only a few months and a few hundred miles. He had a devil of a time with the brakes. (see my log on how I eventually worked out the brake problem.) He also kept losing hubcaps (which might explain the scratch that I touched up, on the passenger lower side door.) He traded in the car to Sunrise Ford in Florida, where it apparently got auctioned off to the 2nd dealer, Auto Sensations (from whom I bought the car in August of 2019.) The current mileage is all documented with a 3 ring binder of repairs, maintenance, and other work going back to the original purchase contract. I then had the car shipped up North to Mentor Ohio, where the lack of AC is not such an issue. By then it had 40,499 miles when I took delivery. In all, just under 5,000 miles racked up in the last 10 years, and three different owners! It runs great, and the mechanic that did the initial safety check and maintenance agreed that it was in very sound mechanical order. (But that was the same mechanic that was unable to fix the brakes -see log.)
I like this car because in the 44 year history of Mercury Marquis (including Grand Marquis--1967-2011) it is the first year of the convertible body of which there were only 2319 made in 1969 (1970 was the last year for the convertible Marquis.) Also, this Marquis is on the new (and largest ever) frame for 1969, which continued to be used until 1978. It is also just the 3rd Marquis ever, as the first two years; 67-68 were strictly 2 door luxury coupes. By most accounts, it is considered a 2nd generation Marquis. In '69 the Park Lane was discontinued and the Marquis was now the top of the Line full size Mercury with all body styles including 2 dr. and 4 dr. hardtops and sedans, the Convertible, the Colony Park Wagon, and even the Marauder was revived again with the Marquis front end, but using Ford's wheelbase and frame. Finally, Mercury had a car that would successfully compete with the Olds 98 and Buick Electra. And lastly, I like really big convertibles! At 224 inches long, and 124 inch Wheel base, even the '69 Caddy is barely bigger! The Marquis along with its sibling, the Monterey, were the largest convertibles available from Ford or Lincoln/Mercury in 1969, or indeed, since 1967, with the loss of the Lincoln 4 Dr convertible. After 1970 even these Merc droptops would disappear, leaving just the Ford to soldier on for a couple years more.
The color combination must be pretty good too, as Mercury used this same combo in all of its 1969 sales literature showing the convertible. It is simply called dark blue metallic, with the dk. blue vinyl interior and white pinpoint vinyl top with a glass window.
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| Last Updated: |
4/11/2025 |
| Hits: |
8589 |
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 Photos | 54 | 0 | 0 | 10,062 | 0 | 10/2/19 | 10/28/24 | | Items | 112 | 0 | 1 | 17,758 | 0 | 3/14/20 | 5/9/24 | | Engine | 18 | 0 | 0 | 1,630 | 0 | 2/25/22 | 10/28/22 | | Trunk | 15 | 0 | 0 | 1,428 | 0 | 2/26/22 | 2/27/22 | | Headlands Photo shoot | 7 | 0 | 0 | 704 | 0 | 2/25/22 | 2/25/22 | | Headlands 2 top up | 7 | 0 | 0 | 820 | 0 | 8/31/22 | 8/31/23 | | OLG Shrine | 5 | 0 | 0 | 549 | 0 | 5/11/24 | 5/18/24 | | video | 0 | 0 | 1 | 137 | 0 | 7/19/24 | 7/19/24 | | Shows & cruise ins | 1 | 0 | 0 | 70 | 0 | 8/30/23 | 9/29/23 | | Annabelles | 42 | 0 | 0 | 3,001 | 0 | 8/22/20 | 8/30/23 | | Eastlake Cruise-Ins | 40 | 0 | 0 | 4,124 | 0 | 6/18/21 | 7/12/24 | | Mentor-Cruise-In-2021 | 10 | 0 | 0 | 866 | 0 | 8/15/21 | 8/30/23 | | Mentor-Cruise-In-2022 | 22 | 0 | 0 | 1,210 | 0 | 8/13/22 | 8/30/23 | | Misc Shows | 6 | 0 | 0 | 1,517 | 0 | 9/29/23 | 9/29/23 | | Convoy Tire Car Show | 10 | 0 | 0 | 1,439 | 0 | 6/30/24 | 6/30/24 | | Debonnet Winery 8/21/21 | 14 | 0 | 0 | 970 | 0 | 8/22/21 | 8/30/23 | | StJustinMartyrShow | 8 | 0 | 0 | 655 | 0 | 8/23/21 | 8/30/23 | | Roar by the Shore 2021 | 18 | 0 | 0 | 1,267 | 0 | 9/5/21 | 8/30/23 | | Roar by the Shore 2022 | 23 | 0 | 0 | 1,913 | 0 | 9/3/22 | 8/30/23 | | Fairport Harbor | 3 | 0 | 0 | 298 | 0 | 10/11/21 | 8/30/23 | | Laurel Square Cruise In | 9 | 0 | 0 | 700 | 0 | 7/10/22 | 8/30/23 | | Lake Shore Assembly 2022 | 16 | 0 | 0 | 1,070 | 0 | 8/18/22 | 8/30/23 | | Harwood Show | 15 | 0 | 0 | 532 | 0 | 7/29/24 | 7/29/24 |
 9Z65K586097-1.jpg
832 hits | 81.75 KB | Posted: 10/2/19
Dk. Blue with White top and blue vinyl interior
 Monroe-Fr.-Shocks.JPG
663 hits | 36.96 KB | Posted: 3/14/20
Monroe Front Load adjusting shocks
 LensCoverBackOnD.jpg
663 hits | 81.25 KB | Posted: 8/3/23
Working clock, new LEDs and Gauge Lens assembly installed
 gas cap.jpg
615 hits | 66.47 KB | Posted: 3/29/23
This shows the difference between what the new gas cap looks like (Stant #10640) and what was already on my car. The new gas cap is not vented properly, causing the gas tank grommet to fail and then leak. Keeping the old one on.
 ClockOutA.jpg
553 hits | 89.35 KB | Posted: 7/30/23
This was the last step in disassembly: getting the clock out. It was a tight squeeze, had to pull the front white base away from the blue body metal behind it, while still being held by the wiring harness and speedometer cable which are right behind...
 Craig-n-Erik.jpg
492 hits | 64.14 KB | Posted: 7/27/23
After Craig got the top pad off, he was unplugging the speaker wire in this pic. Eric is holding up the pad on the far side. Pad is resting carefully in the trunk.
 Dash-Top-Pad-removed.jpg
490 hits | 98.57 KB | Posted: 7/26/23
July 26th, 2023 got the Top Dash Pad removed with Erik's help. Got car in garage before storms coming.
 Dash-mid-pad-removed.jpg
467 hits | 87.11 KB | Posted: 7/28/23
Dash mid level pad with gauge fascia removed on 6/27/23. Realized I lost the hex lock nut for the wiper switch. It wasn't present when I got home from Erik's shop, so maybe there? I had it unscrewed and loose on the knob shaft. dumb when I went ther...
 Dash-lens-plate-assy-removed.jpg
455 hits | 86.94 KB | Posted: 7/28/23
Lens plate covering speedometer etc. removed exposing all of the lights.
Maintenance & Modification Logs
| Date | Type | Mileage | Title / Description | $ Amount | | 04/09/25 | Maintenance | 44178 | Annual Miller Auto Service
4/7/25 Took the car in around 2pm as the weather was sunny and dry, but snow was due at 4pm (which did arrive). Erik got it up on the lift that afternoon, and noticed one of the stabilizer links was missing!! WTF? He'll replace it.
4/8/25: He called to say the oil pan drain plug was fubared, from before I got the car. He will retap the hole and find a fitting plug with seal.
4/9/25: Car was ready for pickup. Erik put in the parts I bought: the filler tube, sending unit and gaskets and seals. He said the only thing he could find wrong with the old sending unit seal was the gasket felt stiff and not very pliable. There were several oil leaks he found, one was the intake gasket had a leak which is why it pooled in the oil sending unit. Also the oil pan leaked a bit and also around the fuel pump. I told him we'll schedule an engine reseal for next fall/winter. He also repaired/replaced the missing stabilizer link under warranty. He said the brakes were good, and fluid was good. He also said wheel bearing are good, no play.
4/10/25: Added about another 1/2 qt. of VR-1 Oil. Just to top it off. Drained the windshield washer jug...he filled it up to the brim, but I like it pretty low since I never use it. Spent a full hour picking out dirt from the gas and brake pedals and cleaning them...it was really ground in, then vacuumed.
4/11/25: Checked gas tank cap and filler tube. Noticed the cap is very tight with this new tube. Also, a small slice was removed from the cap's rubber seal. I'll keep an eye on this. The cap is actually the original cap that was on the car. I replaced the old shrunken cork seal with a rubber seal that came off of a new cap (which I don't believe was properly vented.) | 427.91 | | 03/26/25 | Miscellaneous | 44170 | Another G. P. cruise
Another good sunny day, but only in the 30s again. Car started good, and ran smooth. Lots of landscapers blocking my lane on LSB, and again on Salida. Traffic was moving good on Rt. 2, so car maintained 65-70 mph. Fuel is reading 1/4 tank now. So that's low enough for Erik to deal with when I take my car in next week. | 0.00 | | 03/25/25 | Maintenance | 44156 | Clean battery
Got supplies from Amazon today. Battery cable puller, not needed since I just cleaned the pos. terminal yesterday. But undid the pos. terminal again. Used the new terminal/connector brush/cleaner to better clean the battery pos. terminal (worked very well.) Also did the inside of the connector. then put on the new red felt washer, and applied the dielectric terminal grease to prevent corrosion before re-attaching the connector to the battery. The Neg. terminal has always stayed perfectly clean. Hoping to prolong the life of this battery, as it's a really good Die-Hard one. Later, I started the car to check for any improvement...maybe a little, then let it run for about 10 minutes or so. | 30.83 | | Total | 458.74 |
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