Deceased Dad’s: 1986 Mercury Colony Park 8P Wagon – SOLD!

January 26, 2022 Update – We confirmed the seller of this “Classifind” deleted their listing, so we’re now able to call this one “SOLD!” While this one got away, please reach out either by email or call us directly if you’d like to be informed when we come across something similar.

Produced from 1957 through 1991, Mercury always marketed its Colony Park station wagon as the division’s premium trim, wood grain paneled, full-size wagon. The sixth generation of the car is well represented by this 1986 example originally offered in January 2022 on Craigslist in Kempton, Pennsylvania (Allentown). The son of the deceased owner is now offering the car after recently taking it out of long-term storage. While the car looks complete and appears rust-free, the seller states the brakes are soft and we suspect the tires are well past their useful life regardless of how good the tread looks.

Currently offered for $4,000, a quick check of the J.D. Power NADA Guides Classic Car Online Valuation Tool confirms the asking price falls within this guide’s “Low”, “Average”, and “High” retail value range of $1,475, $3,725, and $6,375, respectively.

Ford’s Panther chassis, first introduced in 1979, was the company’s last full-size, traditional body-on-frame platform used for the Ford LTD and Crown Victoria, Mercury Marquis and Colony Park, and Lincoln Town Car across three generations spanning an incredible 33 years.  Easy to repair yet incredibly durable, these cars earned their ruggedness on the streets of New York City where it’s not uncommon to see these cars log 300-400K miles.  This sixth generation of the Colony Park, introduced in 1979, received only minor changes during its thirteen-year lifespan. For 1983, it became the sole full-size Mercury wagon as the previous year’s ‘base’ Marquis wagon was no longer offered as a full-size model. For 1984, the non-woodgrain Grand Marquis (previously Marquis) station wagon was dropped, leaving the faux-paneled Colony Park as the sole version.

We stumbled upon this 1988 Mercury Dealer features and benefits Laser Disc uploaded to YouTube. After nine years of only minor trim changes dating back to the car’s launch in 1979, 1988 saw a minor restyle featured in this video:

We agree with the seller’s assessment that their father’s 1986 Mercury Colony Park “Overall, Looks very nice.” This Colony Park is the perfect ride for someone looking for an easy winter project they can have fully detailed and sorted in time for the warmer weather driving season.

Here’s the seller’s description:

“This is my late father’s car; it has been stored in the garage of his summer home near Bethel, PA since 2006. I recently had it trailered to our farm in Kempton, PA. The car starts, runs, and drives well on the farm but the brakes are soft. It has not been driven on the road for the past 15 years.

In order to get the car running again, the fluids have been changed; fresh gas, oil, and filter changed, ATF refilled, new coolant. I also replaced the radiator (and thermostat) due to a coolant leak. I did not address the brakes; please don’t expect to drive this car home. A new battery is also installed.

The exterior of this Mercury is in very good condition: the original paint shines nicely; the simulated woodgrain trim is not sun-faded; all the numerous stainless steel trim pieces are present and lustrous; the glass is good except for a scratch in the windshield; all the light and lenses function properly; the accessory turbine wheels are not curbed; the roof rack is complete. There is no evidence of any rust-out on the body, although there are a few dings and scratches. Overall, the car’s exterior looks very nice.

The optional velour interior is also in good condition: no tears or worn surfaces on the seats; some cracks in dash pad but not sunbaked; headliner in good condition; carpet not torn but no floor mats; all knobs, switches, handles intact; folding seat works; third seating area is clean and complete but paint is peeling from aluminum lift panels. A nice interior that could use some detailing.

I have not driven this car off of the farm but have taken note of the following; brakes are soft and barely stop the car; right rear power window is inoperative; horn does not work; fan belt idler squeaks; tires are old, right rear loses air; auto trans drips fluid when sitting; I did not try the A/C but the heater works.

Specifications: 5.0L EFI 302 CID Windsor (vin code F) V8 engine; 4-speed automatic overdrive transmission; power steering; power front disc brakes; power windows, locks, tailgate and driver’s seat; tilt steering wheel; cruise control; turbine wheels; roof rack; aftermarket Alpine stereo; in-dash SunPro add-on gage package. The mileage is 130,000. The owner’s manual is in glove box.

This was the top-of-the-line station wagon offering from the Ford Motor Company in its day; its styling looks very much like a Lincoln. This is a nice clean, complete, unmolested car that is deserving of the new owner’s care and attention. There will not be too many left in this condition; most station wagons were used hard as the “family truckster” and did not survive in this good of a condition after 35 years. This is one of only 9891 Colony Park station wagons built for 1986.”

Show or go: what would you do with this 1986 Mercury Colony Park Station Wagon?  Comment below and let us know!