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Grandpa’s Sleeper: This 1987 Mercury Grand Marquis Coupe Combines Comfort And Muscle Into A Discreet Package!


Grandpa’s Sleeper: This 1987 Mercury Grand Marquis Coupe Combines Comfort And Muscle Into A Discreet Package!

I’m becoming quite fine with a new adjustment in my way of thinking about a car: comfort first, with performance a very, very close second for daily or highway use. As much as I want a bare-knuckle brawler of a machine, one that can tolerate the most brazen abuses possible, I’d almost enjoy something that has some good low-end torque, a comfy couch to sit on, and has the ability to eat miles all day long, whenever the need arises, while not looking like anything that’s currently on the road. Why is this change a positive thing? Combine almost 500,000 miles driven in the last ten years with a back that has been injured a few times over. That’s why.

1987 was the last year for the Grand Marquis two-door sedan, with only 4,904 rolling off of the lines. Compared to it’s downsized, near-midsize status when it debuted for 1979, the Grand Marquis was one of the bigger cars available on the market when the two-door got axed. It was an antiquity of sorts…the car was the classic three-box shape, still had vent windows, packed small-block Ford power (even a 351 if you knew what options box to check) and offered exactly zero sporting pretenses. Except the Mercury Marauder, none of the Panther cars really did…they either worked or coddled, nothing more. But there is a fan base that loves building these cars, and someone got ahold of one of the last two-doors and did a very nice, very mild build that is now up for grabs. 

On the outside, besides the wheels and tires, you might just think that this is a survivor. Underneath the hood is where the fun parts come into play. The 306ci small block has been treated to an E303 cam, Edlebrock intake and carb, long tube headers, and a rear axle that has been fitted with 3.73 gears. That sounds fun already! A full sound system and tinted windows round out the major points. But all you need to see is that interior…namely, that seat. That big, comfy bench that is calling your name. Sure, the small-block will thump and bark from it’s exhaust, but it’s not going to be frantic like a highly-strung Mustang. Instead, it’ll be the old-school kind of power: the wave of torque. Ride that sucker all day long if you want…

eBay Link: 1987 Mercury Grand Marquis


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7 thoughts on “Grandpa’s Sleeper: This 1987 Mercury Grand Marquis Coupe Combines Comfort And Muscle Into A Discreet Package!

  1. Chevy Hatin' Mad Geordie

    The wheels and stance spoil the effect.With widened stock wheels and slightly lowered suspension this would have been the ultimate sleeper. Can you imagine the effect if the driver wore a grumpy old man costume? He gets overtaken by some kids in a modern street monster and then proceeds to blow them off the road and drives past them giving them the finger. What this needs is a SOHC or a supercharged Coyote motor under the hood and then the effect will be complete!

  2. jerry z

    Its a cool car to own, just need to downsize those massive bumpers! Also just a 6 hr trip from my house!

  3. GeorgeA

    CHMG and Jerry are both right — it needs a modern motor, and the bumpers have to go. Now this is a car you would never consider as a project car on paper, but yet you can see it has a lot of potential.

  4. Matt Cramer

    I’ve been wanting to do a car similar to the Men in Black Crown Vic with a Coyote / 6 speed combo for a while. Steel wheels for maximum sleeper effect. But a hot 5.0 will do on a budget. “Fasten your seat belt.”

  5. oldguy

    Marquis or CV updates s/b – heavy duty / police shocks + springs , sway bars and BIG brakes – then a motor update – 351C …or a 460 would fit .
    need the brakes to stop 2+ tons when you think that spunky motor is good idea

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