A Brief Look at the Mercury Montego
The Mercury Montego is a mid-sized automobile that was produced by Mercury from 1968 to 1976 as a luxury version of the Ford Torino. It was reintroduced in 2005 as a full-sized sedan and was produced until 2007 when it was replaced by the Mercury Sable. The Montego was a popular car due to its quality and luxurious features. This article will describe the history and evolution of the Mercury Montego over the years.
The First Generation: 1968-1971
The first generation of the Mercury Montego was produced from 1968 to 1971. It was built on a body-on-frame design with a front-engine layout. The Montego was available in two body styles, as a two-door hardtop or a four-door sedan.
The Montego came with a standard 302-cubic-inch V8 engine which produced 210 horsepower. The car was also available with optional engine choices including a 390-cubic-inch V8 engine which produced 265 horsepower, and a 428-cubic-inch V8 engine which produced 335 horsepower.
In 1969, the Montego received a minor facelift that included a new grille and taillights. The car also was available with new trim levels such as the MX, which had additional standard features such as bucket seats, a center console, and a floor shifter.
In 1970, the Montego received a more significant restyling with a new front-end design and updated optional features. The car also received a new 429-cubic-inch V8 engine, which produced 360 horsepower.
In 1971, the Montego was redesigned again with updated styling and new optional features such as power disc brakes and power steering. The Montego was available in three new trim levels: the Montego, Montego MX, and Montego GT.
The Second Generation: 1972-1976
The second generation of the Mercury Montego was produced from 1972 to 1976. The car was built on the same platform as the previous model, but it had a new design that was more aerodynamic. The car was available in two body styles, as a sedan or station wagon.
In 1972, the Montego was available with a 351-cubic-inch V8 engine which produced 163 horsepower. The car was also available with optional engine choices such as a 400-cubic-inch V8 engine which produced 266 horsepower and a 429-cubic-inch V8 engine which produced 242 horsepower.
In 1973, the Montego received an updated grille and was available with a new optional feature, the Gran Torino package. The Gran Torino package included blacked-out trim, a unique grille, and a sport suspension.
In 1974, the Montego received another restyling that included updated front and rear designs. The car was also available with new optional features such as a sunroof and a power moonroof.
In 1975, the Montego received another minor update that included a new grille and new taillights. The car was also available with optional features such as a landau vinyl roof and the Gran Torino Elite package, which included luxury features such as power windows and a vinyl roof.
In 1976, the Montego was discontinued and was replaced by the Mercury Cougar sedan.
The Third Generation: 2005-2007
The third generation of the Mercury Montego was produced from 2005 to 2007. The car was built on the Volvo P2 platform and was a full-sized sedan. The Montego was available in two trim levels, the Luxury and Premier.
The Montego came equipped with a standard 3.0-liter V6 engine which produced 203 horsepower. The car was also available with an optional 3.5-liter V6 engine which produced 250 horsepower.
In 2006, the Montego was updated with new exterior features such as a new grille and updated taillights. The car was also available with optional features such as a rear-seat entertainment system and a navigation system.
In 2007, the Montego was replaced by the Mercury Sable due to poor sales.
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The Mercury Montego has gone through three generations over the years, each with its own unique features and design elements. The first generation was produced from 1968 to 1971 and was available with a range of V8 engine options. The second generation was produced from 1972 to 1976 and had a more aerodynamic design, and the third generation was produced from 2005 to 2007 and was a full-sized sedan. The Mercury Montego was known for its luxurious features and quality, making it a popular car during its time.