A Brief Look at the Mercury Voyager
The History and Evolution of the Mercury Voyager Vehicle
Mercury, a division of Ford Motor Company, introduced the Mercury Voyager in the year 1957. It was positioned as a premium car, intended to offer luxury and comfort to car enthusiasts. The vehicle had a smooth ride, sophisticated design, and an array of cutting-edge features, making it stand out from the rest of the competition.
Over the years, the Mercury Voyager has undergone several transformations, with each generation getting better in terms of style, performance, and functionality. In this article, we shall examine the various stages of development, from the first generation to the last.
The First Generation (1957-1958)
The first Mercury Voyager, also known as the Mercury Commuter, was introduced in the year 1957. It was a station wagon, designed to convey large families and their belongings with ease and comfort. The first-generation Mercury Voyager came in a range of colors, including blue, red, white, and black.
The vehicle’s design was inspired by the space race, which was gaining momentum in the late 1950s. It featured a spaceship-like body, with a sleek and curved frame and a futuristic look. The interior was spacious and had a luxurious feel, featuring vinyl seats, chrome-plated hardware, and a two-tone dashboard.
Under the hood, the first-generation Mercury Voyager came equipped with a 368 cubic-inch V8 engine, capable of generating up to 290 horsepower. It also had an automatic transmission, power steering, and brakes.
The Second Generation (1959-1960)
The second generation of Mercury Voyager was introduced in the year 1959. It inherited most of the design elements from its predecessor but came with some significant changes. The vehicle’s body was longer and wider, giving it a more imposing look. The grille was redesigned, and the headlights were moved from the fenders to the grille. The vehicle’s taillights were also changed and were designed to follow the contours of its body.
Under the hood, the second-generation Mercury Voyager came with a 383 cubic-inch V8 engine, producing up to 280 horsepower. It had an automatic transmission, power steering, and brakes, just like its predecessor. However, the vehicle’s suspension system was improved, resulting in a smoother and more responsive ride.
The Third Generation (1961-1964)
The third generation of Mercury Voyager marked a significant shift, as it moved away from the spaceship-inspired design, which characterized the first two generations, and adopted a more conventional look. The vehicle’s body was restyled, becoming longer, lower, and wider. The grille was redesigned, featuring horizontal bars, and the headlights were incorporated into the fenders.
The interior of the third-generation Mercury Voyager was spacious and comfortable, featuring bench seats and vinyl upholstery. The vehicle’s dashboard was restyled, featuring a more minimalist design, which was in line with the prevailing trends of the time.
Under the hood, the third-generation Mercury Voyager came with a 390 cubic-inch V8 engine, capable of producing up to 330 horsepower. It had an automatic transmission, power steering, and brakes, just like the previous generations. However, the suspension system was further improved, resulting in a smoother and more stable ride.
The Fourth Generation (1965-1968)
The fourth generation of Mercury Voyager was introduced in the year 1965. The vehicle’s body was completely redesigned, featuring a more angular and muscular look. The grille was redesigned, featuring a squared-off design, and the headlights were moved back to the fenders. The vehicle’s taillights were also redesigned, featuring a three-panel design.
The interior of the fourth-generation Mercury Voyager was significantly improved, featuring bucket seats, and plush carpeting. The vehicle’s dashboard was redesigned, featuring a more streamlined look, and a range of new features, including a tachometer and an AM/FM radio.
Under the hood, the fourth-generation Mercury Voyager came with a range of engines, including a 289 cubic-inch V8, a 390 cubic-inch V8, and a 427 cubic-inch V8, which could produce up to 425 horsepower. It had an automatic transmission, power steering, and brakes, and a superior suspension system, which offered a more responsive and dynamic ride.
The Final Generation (1969-1974)
The final generation of Mercury Voyager was introduced in the year 1969. It was designed to be more family-friendly, featuring a more spacious interior, and a range of new safety features. The vehicle’s body was restyled, featuring a more angular and squared-off design, which was in line with the prevailing trends of the time.
The interior of the final-generation Mercury Voyager was significantly improved, featuring a range of innovative features, including an air conditioning system, power windows and locks, and a tilt steering wheel. The vehicle also came with a range of new safety features, including seat belts, a padded dashboard, and an energy-absorbing steering column.
Under the hood, the final-generation Mercury Voyager came with a range of engines, including a 302 cubic-inch V8, a 351 cubic-inch V8, and a 429 cubic-inch V8, capable of producing up to 370 horsepower. It also had an automatic transmission, power steering, and brakes, and a sophisticated suspension system, which offered a smooth and responsive ride.
In Conclusion
Over the years, the Mercury Voyager has undergone several transformations, with each generation getting better in terms of style, performance, and functionality. From the spaceship-inspired design of the first two generations to the family-friendly design of the final generation, the Mercury Voyager has proven to be a versatile and reliable vehicle, which has stood the test of time. Despite its discontinuation in 1974, the legacy of the Mercury Voyager lives on, as it continues to inspire car enthusiasts and collectors alike.