What year did Mercury make the bobcat?
The Mercury Bobcat was introduced in 1975 and remained in production through the 1980 model year.
As Mercury's compact offering, the Bobcat was a badge‑engineered variant of Ford's Pinto, created to meet the era's demand for smaller, economical cars and to fill Mercury's lineup before the brand shifted toward newer models in the early 1980s.
Timeline of Production
Here is a concise timeline of the Bobcat’s active production years and its branding transition.
- 1975 model year: Mercury introduces the Bobcat, built on the Ford Pinto platform and aligned with the subcompact market segment.
- 1976–1980: Continued production as Mercury’s entry in the budget subcompact category, with typical mid‑cycle updates to trim and options.
- 1981: The Bobcat name is retired in favor of the Mercury Lynx, which was Mercury’s version of the Ford Escort and marked a shift to newer compact styling and front‑wheel drive platforms.
In short, the Bobcat’s production span is generally cited as 1975 through 1980, with its branding successor arriving in 1981.
Design and Mechanics
To understand what the Bobcat offered, note its roots and body style choices, along with its powertrain approach.
- Platform and engineering: Badge‑engineered from Ford’s Pinto family, sharing architecture and basic mechanical fundamentals with Pinto siblings.
- Body styles: Primarily offered as a 2‑door sedan and a 3‑door hatchback variant, appealing to buyers seeking affordable, practical subcompact mobility.
- Powertrain and driveline: Typical four‑cylinder engines available within the Pinto lineup, paired with either a manual or automatic transmission common to the era’s compact cars.
- Market positioning: Positioned as Mercury’s budget‑friendly, entry‑level model to compete in the growing small‑car segment of the 1970s.
These characteristics defined the Bobcat during its run and helped Mercury address shifting consumer preferences in a crowded compact‑car field.
Context and Legacy
Placing the Bobcat in automotive history involves understanding how it fit Mercury’s broader strategy and the industry trends of the time.
- Role in Mercury lineup: Served as Mercury’s subcompact option during the mid‑ to late‑1970s, bridging the gap before newer front‑wheel‑drive designs arrived.
- Transition to Lynx: The Bobcat was replaced by the Mercury Lynx in 1981, aligning Mercury with Ford’s Escort platform and a shift toward modern front‑wheel‑drive packaging.
The Bobcat’s legacy rests in its role as a transitional model that reflected both Mercury’s branding approach and the broader push toward smaller, more economical cars in the wake of fuel efficiency concerns.
Summary
The Mercury Bobcat debuted in 1975 and ran through the 1980 model year, serving as Mercury’s badge‑engineered variant of Ford’s Pinto. It bridged the brand’s early subcompact efforts and the subsequent move toward the Lynx in 1981, marking a key moment in Mercury’s adaptation to the 1970s compact‑car era.
What is the history of the Mercury Bobcat?
Mercury Bobcat (1974–1980)
It was produced in all of the same body styles and styled with a unique egg-crate grille and chrome headlamp bezels (which were later recycled for a styling update to the 1976 Pinto). The rear featured modified double-width tail lamps for the sedan and Runabout models.
Is the Mercury Bobcat collectible?
You don't see too many Bobcats today even though a respectable 224,000 or so were made, and they're not particularly in demand by collectors, even collectors who might want a Pinto.
How much is a Mercury Bobcat worth?
A: The average price of a Mercury Bobcat is $10,375. Q: What years was the Mercury Bobcat sold? A: The Mercury Bobcat was sold for model years 1974 to 1980.
How many Mercury bobcats were made?
Excluding the station wagon versions, Bobcat sales were as follows: 28,905 for 1976 (and a small part of 1975); 18,405 for 1977; 23,428 for 1978; 35,667 for 1979; and 28,103 for the nameplate's final year, 1980. That's 134,508 Bobcats–a few months of Pinto sales, but a blessing from heaven for the Mercury sales force.
