In 1969, the Mercury Marquis replaced the Park Lane as the brand’s top trim level for a full-size car. Front end styling was substantially similar to the premium Lincoln Continental and included brand-specific touches like the full-width row of taillights. The related Mercury Marauder model shared a front end with the Marquis, but was a completely separate line built on a different chassis.

For this era, the Mercury Marquis was available as a four-door sedan or hardtop, and a two-door hardtop coupe or convertible. Finally, a four-door Colony Park six-passenger station wagon was available. Third-row seating was optional on the wagon, raising the carrying capacity to nine passengers. An optional Brougham package added a number of interior upgrades and vinyl roof covering.

Engine power came from a potent 429-cid Ford big block V-8 fitted with a two-barrel carburetor. This combination made 320 hp. A four-barrel carburetor was also available as an option and raised the power to 360 hp. A three-speed SelectShift automatic transmission was standard.

Only modest changes affected the Marquis in 1970. The Brougham option was split into a separate model number for sedans and hardtops, and a Marquis station wagon trim level was added to slot below the Colony Park. For 1971, the convertible body style was dropped and further bodywork and trim evolution took place, along with a 370-hp option on the 429-cid V-8.

The Colony Park station wagon trim level was dropped for 1972, and now all Marquis bodies had a counterpart in the Marquis Brougham line. The line was now limited to a two- or four-door hardtop, and the four-door sedan or wagon. The 429-cid took a beating in the changeover to SAE net horsepower by dropping to 208 hp. Marquis and Marquis Brougham wagons used the 172-hp, 400-cid V-8 from the Monterey line, but buyers could opt for a 460-cid engine with 224 hp.

Collectors will have plenty of options to choose from in this line as Mercury Marquis production numbers during this generation amounted to more than 400,000 cars built. For collectors, this means that even well-optioned high-horsepower cars in good condition should be readily available at attractive prices.