Top Picks: Classic Mercury Print Ads

[NewsBot]

With the recent announcement that Ford is shutting down the Mercury brand after 71 years, we thought it would be cool to showcase some of the great print ads that Mercury used to pitch great cars like the 1949 Mercury, Marauder, Cougar and Capri.



The 1949 Mercury was one of the most stylish cars of the era and very popular with car customizers for over six decades. It defined the term "Led Sled" and a well done original steel car can go for six figures in today's market. "It's Long, It's Low, It's really massive" sounds like today's hip lingo.



The 1949 Mercury's trademark front grill is showcased in this print ad illustration. Compared to the 1948 model, the 1949 styling lines were a drastic change for all models prior. All-New was a big push for Ford for a post-war America.



The Space Race was on and Mercury was one of the first car companies to put a glass roof in its 1954 model. That year also marked the debut of the OHV 161 c.i. V-8 engine.



In the 50's and 60's, Detroit Ad Agencies that worked with the big three were full of car illustrators that could teach Chip Foose a few things about scale, color and how to create a scene. This 1958 Mercury Wagon is so cool the golf officials let it drive on the course during a game!



Wood paneling on wagons was still the rage in the late 1950's. This 1959 Country Cruiser looks right at home at any swim party. Photography was now the rage for car ads and car illustrators were on the outs with Art Directors.



The Mercury Comet was a favorite of Blue Oval Stock racers across the country. This ad touts the fact that Super Stock and Drag Illustrated voted the Comet for its first performance award.



The Marauder was a big car but with a 427ci engine between the frame rails it could set Pikes Peak Production hill climb records. Mercury also touted its medium price point between Ford and Lincoln.



Dan Gurney was the perfect spokesperson for the new sporty Cougar Model. In 1967, Gurney signed with Lincoln-Mercury to race in the Group II sedan series as team manager for the Cougar racing team. His name and image were used to promote the cars that first year with great success both on and off the track.



Thankfully, Ford spread the 428 Cobra Jet love to the Mercury brand and the engine was an option in both Cougar and Cyclone. A 428 CJ-powered Cougar is ultra-rare in todays market as limited numbers were produced.



Mercury worked with Car Craft Magazine and Coca Cola to build this Super Cat Sweepstakes car. Dyno Don Nicholson helped build the National Thirst Eliminator valued at a jaw dropping $7,000.00.



Better bring along a drag shoot? A bit overkill but it still gets the message across that the 1970 Cyclone is fast. The yellow screamer looks like its hitting 100 mph sitting still.



This Cyclone ad looks like something out of the Fast and The Furious and with 429 power those kids look to young to handle a car like that. At least they can change a tire in a shop with all those tools.



The Ford Capri was the last true V8 sports car in the Mercury Line-up. It had unique body panels and could hold its own with its cousin the Mustang. The fox-bodied Capri was produced from 1979-1986 and developed quite a following.



The Mercury Marauder was the last hurrah in Mercury performance. The engineers stuffed a 302 hp 4-valve V8 out of a Mach 1 Mustang into the 4000 pound platform. This ad featured a racing neck brace to combat the neck snapping torque drivers would experience from all the power. Sorry to see this one go but he sales volumes were too low the keep the program going.




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