The Park Lane was Mercury’s top-of-the-line full-size car for 1964. The badge had last been used in 1960, and was revived as part of Lincoln-Mercury’s realignment in the mid-1960s. With angular lines and skirts over the rear wheels, the Park Lane was a distinctive car with lines that provoke an immediate response.

Body styles available for 1964 included a 4-door sedan, 2-door or 4-door fastback hardtop, 2-door hardtop coupe, 4-door hardtop sedan, and a 2-door convertible. The 2-door and 4-door fastback hardtops carried the “Marauder” designation.

The Park Lane was powered by Mercury’s standard 390-cid V-8 engine at 250 horsepower. A 3-speed manual transmission was standard equipment, with a 4-speed manual option. The Merc-O-Matic automatic transmission was also available.

For 1965, the Parklane was available as a 4-door “Breezeway” sedan with a distinctive reverse-angle rear window that was retractable, 2-door and 4-door fastback “Marauder” hardtops, and as a 2-door convertible. Standard horsepower from the 390-cid V-8 rose to 300.

The 1966 model year saw the Park Lane receive a little more body sculpture, but that was about the limit of the outward changes in that year. Body styles remained the same, with the 4-door Breezeway sedan, 2-door and 4-door fastback Marauders, and a 2-door convertible. The engine grew to 410 cubic inches and 330 horsepower. All other specifications remained the same in this year and through 1967, with the exception that buyers could order the luxury Park Lane Brougham package, with wood trim, extra insulation, and better exterior ornamentation.

In 1968, Mercury redesigned the cockpit to bring the gauges closer to the driver, and the electrical system was redesigned and greatly improved. In addition to the Brougham option, buyers could opt for the “yacht paneling” option, which put woodgrain stickers along the sides of the car. The engine returned to 390 cubic inches and 315 horsepower.

Collectors can select from many extant examples in this generation of Park Lane. Breezeway sedans have the appeal of being unusual and striking, while the Marauder fastbacks have more sporty looks. Convertibles also make an appealing purchase for a cruising car, owing to the Park Lane’s full-size platform. For rarity, look for a Park Lane with a 4-speed manual transmission, as only about 3% of full-size Mercurys in this era were ordered with that option. Performance enthusiasts will want to match those rare 4-speeds with the 1966 and 1967 410-cid engines at 330 horsepower.