What was the Ford version of the Mercury Monarch?
The Ford Monarch was a mid-size car produced by Ford Motor Company in the United States from 1975 to 1980. It was essentially the Ford version of the Mercury Monarch, which was a more upscale and luxurious variant of the Ford Fairmont.
Origins and Positioning
The Ford Monarch was introduced in 1975 as a companion model to the Mercury Monarch, which had been launched a year earlier. Both cars were based on the Ford Fairmont platform, but the Monarch was positioned as a more premium offering with additional features and a higher price tag.
The Monarch was designed to appeal to buyers who wanted a more upscale and refined vehicle than the Fairmont, but didn't want to pay the premium for the Mercury-branded version. It was marketed as a more affordable alternative to the Mercury Monarch, while still offering a higher level of comfort and amenities.
Key Differences from the Mercury Monarch
- Exterior Styling: The Ford Monarch had a more conservative and understated exterior design compared to the more distinctive and luxurious styling of the Mercury Monarch.
- Interior Features: The Ford Monarch had a more basic interior with fewer standard features and less premium materials than the Mercury Monarch.
- Engine Options: The Ford Monarch offered a more limited range of engine choices, typically with smaller displacement and less powerful options compared to the Mercury Monarch.
- Pricing: The Ford Monarch was priced lower than the Mercury Monarch, making it a more affordable option for buyers seeking a mid-size car with a touch of luxury.
Despite these differences, the Ford Monarch shared many of the same mechanical components and underpinnings as the Mercury Monarch, allowing Ford to leverage the platform and offer a more cost-effective alternative to its upscale sibling.
Legacy and Discontinuation
The Ford Monarch was discontinued in 1980, a year after the Mercury Monarch was discontinued. The Monarch nameplate was not revived, and Ford instead focused on its more mainstream mid-size offerings, such as the Ford Fairmont and the Ford Taurus, which eventually replaced the Fairmont in the 1980s.
While the Ford Monarch was never as popular or successful as the Mercury Monarch, it played an important role in Ford's lineup, providing a more affordable option for buyers who wanted a touch of luxury in their mid-size car.
What was the Ford equivalent to the Mercury Marquis?
Crown Victoria
The Ford counterpart of the Mercury Grand Marquis, the Crown Victoria was the largest sedan marketed by Ford in North America, slotted above the Ford Taurus.
What car replaced the Ford Granada?
Ford Scorpio
The Ford Scorpio is an executive car that was produced by Ford Germany from 1985 to 1998. It was the replacement for the European Ford Granada line (although in the UK and Ireland the Scorpio was marketed under the Granada name until 1994). Like its predecessor, the Scorpio was targeted at the executive car market.
What was Ford's version of the Mercury Cyclone?
Though largely overshadowed by the Cougar, the Cyclone was positioned as a muscle car, representing the Mercury brand in racing as a clone of the Ford Fairlane Thunderbolt. Four generations of the Cyclone were produced, with production ending after the 1971 model year.
What was the Mercury version of the Ford Galaxie?
Ford Galaxie 500XL
Developed as a performance-oriented version of the mid-level Mercury Monterey, the S-55 was the largest vehicle of the Mercury "S" (Special) range introduced in 1962; its Ford equivalent was the Ford Galaxie 500XL and competed in the full-size luxury sport coupe market segment against the Chrysler 300H.
What was Ford's version of the Mercury Sable?
Ford Taurus
Over its production span, the Sable was Mercury's badge-engineered counterpart to the Ford Taurus, below the Grand Marquis in the Mercury range.
What was the Mercury equivalent to the Ford Granada?
Mercury Monarch
Mercury Monarch (1975–1980)
Introduced alongside the Ford Granada in 1975, the Mercury Monarch was slotted above the mechanically-similar Mercury Comet. Nearly externally identical to the Granada, the Monarch received its own grille, fascia trim, and interior trim.
Is the Ford Granada the same as the Falcon?
Ford Australia's 1979–1982 XD series Falcon bears a strong visual resemblance to the Granada Mark II, however the only parts common to both cars are the headlamps; the Falcon being a larger car with a significantly longer wheelbase and US-derived engines and chassis architecture.
What is the Ford version of the Mercury Mariner?
Ford Escape Hybrid
The Mariner Hybrid powertrain was identical to its sibling, the Ford Escape Hybrid.
What was the Lincoln version of the Ford Granada?
The Lincoln Versailles
The Lincoln Versailles is a mid-size luxury car that was marketed by Lincoln from the 1977 to 1980 model years. The first Lincoln introduced outside of the full-size segment, the Versailles is a rebranded version of the Ford Granada and Mercury Monarch.
Why did they stop making Crown Vics?
These large body-on-frame sedans simply weren't popular enough for the automakers to keep investing in the platform. The Crown Vic in particular had some engineering safety issues and lawsuits that most likely also encouraged Ford to scrap it. Probably safety, changing customer trends, and emissions.
