Mercury Park Lane

Mercury Park Lane
Overview
Manufacturer	Ford Motor Company
Production	1958–1960 1964–1968
Body and chassis
Class	Full-size
Layout	FR layout

The Mercury Park Lane was a fullsize automobile produced by the Mercury division of the Ford Motor Company from 1958 to 1960 and by the Lincoln-Mercury Division from 1964 to 1968. During this time, the Park Lane resembled the Monterey, but with a higher trim level.

First generation

First generation
Overview
Model years	1958–1960
Assembly	Metuchen, New Jersey Pico Rivera, California
Body and chassis
Body style	2-door coupe 2-door convertible 4-door hardtop
Powertrain
Engine	430 cu in (7.0 l) V8

The Park Lane was introduced in 1958 and was applied to Mercury's premium automobile line. The Park Lane name had first been used for a 1956 Ford two door station wagon model that was supposed to compete with the Chevrolet Nomad. 1958 Park Lane's wheelbase was 125 inches, 3 inches longer than other Mercury models, length was 220.2 inches and other models 213.2 inches. For the 1959 model year the Park Lane's wheelbase was increased to 128 inches (3,300 mm), two inches longer than the rest of the Mercury line. In 1960, its wheelbase was reduced to 126 inches (3,200 mm), matching the rest of the Mercury line, overall length was 219.2 inches for all full size Mercurys. 1960 Park Lanes were available as a two door hardtop, four door hardtop or convertible. 1960 Park Lane standard features were a 430 cubic inch 310 horsepower V8 with 460 foot pounds of torque, Multi-Drive Merc-O-Matic automatic transmission, power steering and brakes, fender skirts, wide rocker panel moldings, 5 chrome accent bars ahead of the rear wheel openings, rear backup lights, padded dash and windshield washers. The Park Lane name was dropped in the 1961 model year as Mercury focused its production efforts on the lower-end Monterey and Meteor 800 models.

1959 Mercury Park Lane convertible

1959 Mercury Park Lane coupe

Second generation

Second generation
Overview
Model years	1964–1968
Assembly	Hazelwood, Missouri (St. Louis Assembly Plant) Pico Rivera, California (Los Angeles Assembly) Hapeville, Georgia (Atlanta Assembly)
Body and chassis
Body style	2-door Hardtop 4-door Hardtop 4-door station wagon
Powertrain
Engine	410 cu in (6.7 l) V8 428 cu in (7.0 l) V8
Dimensions
Wheelbase	123 in (3,124 mm)

The name was reinstated in 1964 as Mercury again attempted to retrench its models in the price gap between Ford and Lincoln. Most Park Lanes had a "Breezeway" window, a powered reverse slanted rear window that could be lowered into the body, first used on the Mercury Turnpike Cruiser and the 1958-60 Lincoln Continental. Park Lanes were available with the Marauder package (as were all full-size '64 Mercurys) which featured the "fastback" roof design in place of the Breezeway, and which were also used on the popular full-size Ford line.

For 1967 and 1968, the Park Lane was offered with an even more luxurious trim level called the Brougham, a.k.a. the Park Lane Brougham. These were Mercury's flagship products during these years.

Mercury completely redesigned its full-size offerings for 1969, and the Park Lane name was retired at the end of the 1968 model year, to be replaced by the Marquis. However, the Park Lane name was brought back in the 1990s as a trim package on the Grand Marquis offered by Lincoln-Mercury dealerships in select markets. The package typically included a carriage, landau, or vinyl roof, chrome wheels, and "Park Lane" badging.

1964 Mercury Park Lane 4-door Hardtop with "Maurader" package

1966 Mercury Park Lane 2-Door Hardtop

Mercury Park Lane revived as a Grand Marquis package in the 1990s.

Mercury Park Lane Brougham

Mercury Park Lane Brougham
Overview
Manufacturer	Ford Motor Company
Production	1967–1968
Body and chassis
Body style	4-door sedan 4-door hardtop 2-door fastback (1968 only)

Triple-black 1968 Mercury Park Lane Brougham 4-door hardtop

The Park Lane Brougham was the Ford Motor Company's flagship Mercury model during its two year run from 1967-1968. Powerful and luxurious, it was offered as a four-door sedan, a four-door hardtop and, quite rarely, as a two-door hardtop (1968 only). The Brougham differentiated itself from the standard Park Lane by featuring 50-50 split bench seats with deep foam and thick box pleating, upscale door panels with higher trim levels and pull straps, and unique ornamentation. Viewers of the 1968-1980 CBS crime drama Hawaii Five-O may recall Jack Lord's character frequently squealing tires throughout Honolulu in a triple-black 1968 Mercury Park Lane Brougham 4-door hardtop.

References