Just read that Ford finally pulled the plug on Mercury. The first dealer I worked for was a Lincoln/Mercury store. The old SoCal Speed Shop started in a Lincoln/Merc service department if I remember correctly. Mercury was mostly treated like a stepchild by Ford over the last 20 years and they tried some innovative stuff a few times but never supported it with competent advertising. The axe has been hanging over Mercury's head for decades. Very sorry to see it go. It could have been something viable if it hadn't been left in the shadows by the likes of Jac "The Knife" Nasser. The last really sharp product was the Mercury Cougar based on the Ford Contour but as usual no advertising killed it. The last Lincoln/Mercury dealer I worked for is/was the oldest dealer in California owned by the same family.

57 Black Tbird 312/auto

Here is a link to an interview on one of the TV networks regarding the demise of Mercury.

http://www.wtvr.com/videobeta/df63029c-0a0f-4d5d-8bde-3f19015d30d1/News/Mercury-s-Ride-Comes-To-An-End