Mercury Monterey (7th gen) 1969-1974

The Mercury Monterey is a series of full-size cars that were manufactured and marketed by the Mercury division of Ford from 1952 to 1974. Deriving its name from Monterey Bay, the Mercury Monterey served as the upscale version of the Mercury Custom which replaced the Mercury Eight, the debut model line of the Mercury division. During its production, the Monterey would be offered in multiple body styles, ranging from coupes, convertibles, sedans, hardtops, and station wagons.

Over its 22 years of production, the Monterey served as the flagship, mid-range, and entry-level offering of the full-size Mercury product range. The only Mercury nameplate to be in continuous production throughout the 1960s, the Monterey was positioned above the Medalist, Custom, and Meteor; later, it was positioned below the Turnpike Cruiser, Montclair, Park Lane, and finally the Marquis.

Following the 1974 model year, Mercury discontinued the Monterey, consolidating its full-size range down to the Marquis and Colony Park station wagon. For 2004, the Monterey nameplate was revived, becoming the counterpart of the Ford Freestar minivan; it was produced through the 2007 model year.

[B]Seventh generation (1969-1974)[/B]
For 1969, the Mercury model line underwent a significant revision, with the Montclair repackaged as the Monterey Custom trim level. An all-new chassis made its debut; sedans were based on a 124-inch wheelbase, Monterey station wagons used a 121-inch wheelbase (alongside Ford station wagons and sedans). Following the expansion of the Marquis to a full model range, the Monterey was the base-trim model range, offered as a two-door hardtop, two-door convertible, four-door sedan, four-door hardtop. In another revision, Mercury station wagons were no longer a separate model range, with the Mercury Commuter renamed the Monterey station wagon. While the trim package was similar to the mid-level Ford Country Sedan the Monterey station wagon didn't have a similar trim package nameplate, the simulated woodgrain body panels or concealed headlights like the more upscale Colony Park and continued the appearance until the Monterey nameplate was retired in 1975.

More rounded in styling than the previous generation, the Monterey and Monterey Custom were distinguished from the Marquis by their lack of hidden headlights, differing from Fords in grille and taillamp styling. For 1970, the grille underwent a further revision and wider taillamps were introduced to better differentiate the Monterey from its Ford counterparts.

In 1971, the Mercury full-size model range underwent an exterior restyling. While retaining the roofline shared with Ford, the Monterey adopted design elements similar to the larger Lincoln Continental, included its wide-pointing grille and taillamps. In a major change, Ford and Mercury introduced "pillarless hardtops", using frameless door glass on both hardtops and four-door sedans; vent windows were discontinued. Redesigned door handles no longer protruded from the exterior; rear fender skirts were standardized on all full-size Mercury sedans except the base-trim Monterey. The Monterey and Marquis convertibles were discontinued for 1971, leaving the Cougar as the sole Mercury convertible.

For 1972, the Monterey underwent minor exterior revisions, replacing the full-width horizontal grille for an egg-crate style design. In line with federal regulations, front seatbelt warning buzzers were introduced. For the first time, an automatic transmission was standard, along with power steering and power brakes.

For 1973, the full-size Mercury line underwent an exterior redesign, adapting to the introduction of federally mandated 5 mph bumpers. Along with slightly more angular styling, the Monterey adapted much of the front fascia of the Ford Galaxie, distinguished largely by a centered eggcrate grille, with fender skirts becoming an option. For 1974, the Monterey saw a revision to its grille and headlight trim.

For 1975, Mercury discontinued the Monterey, consolidating its full-size range down to the Marquis. The same year, the Grand Marquis was introduced as a sub-model, becoming a distinct model range in 1983.

Approximately 7,850,000 full-size Fords and Mercurys were sold over 1969–78; this makes it the second best selling Ford automobile platform after the Ford Model T.

[B]Powertrain[/B]
The 351 Windsor and 400 cu in (6.6 L) Cleveland V8s were added for 1971, the final year for the 390. The 429 V8, which was standard on the Marquis beginning in 1969, was available as an extra cost option on all Monterey models each year including a two-barrel 320-horsepower version and a four-barrel 360-horsepower option from 1969 to 1971. Both of those 429s were replaced by single 209 net horsepower 429 four-barrel for 1972, which was designed to run on regular, low lead or unleaded gasoline as was the case with all Ford Motor Company engines starting with the 1972 model year.[55] Engine offerings for 1973–74 included the 351 Windsor two-barrel standard on base Montereys and the 400 Cleveland two-barrel standard on Monterey Custom and optional on base models. The 429 V8 was discontinued after 1973 and Lincoln's 460 V8 became the top option on all models for 1974.

[SIZE=1]Source: Wikipedia[/SIZE]