When it comes to automotive interior amenities, priorities have shifted in the past 40 years. In 2021, automotive journalists rate vehicles by the number of USB ports, climate zones and cup holders. In the 1980s, those options weren’t on anyone’s radar. Instead, manufacturers focused on maximizing cabin capacity for something completely different: the number of ashtrays.
The Pick of the Day is a 1982 Mercury Grand Marquis sedan listed on ClassicCars.com, which the seller note has four ashtrays, one for each rear door. Who knew just how important it was for Americans to light up?
The private seller in Howell, Michigan, emphasizes that these ashtrays, however, haven’t been used.
“Ashtrays shine,” the listing states. The ad goes on to describe the condition of this 34,000-mile, nearly 40-year-old Grand Marquis sedan, which appears to shine on the exterior just as much as those ashtrays shine on the inside.
“Original owner. No wrecks, no dents, no rust. Well cared-for,” the listing states.
Indeed, the exterior and the interior finishes appear to be in near showroom condition. The photo gallery accompanying the Grand Marquis ad shows plush velour seating for six, thanks to a dual-bench front-seat configuration.
The Grand Marquis was sold between 1975 and 2011, evolving through four generations until the Mercury brand as a whole was phased out. From 1979 through 2011, the Grand Marquis shared the rear-wheel-drive Panther platform with the Ford Crown Victoria and the Lincoln Town Car. This is a first-generation example, powered by a 302cid V8 mated to a 4-speed overdrive automatic.
Interior differences that set the Grand Marquis apart from the lower-tier Crown Victoria were relatively few but included brushed stainless-steel dashboard trim and a two-square instrument cluster design as opposed to the horizontal speedometer in the Crown Vic.
The car’s primary competitors were the Buick Electra, Oldsmobile 98 and the Chrysler New Yorker – all boxy, executive people-movers from an era when V8 power, rear-wheel-drive and cushy creature comforts were seen as critical attributes.
At only 34,475 original miles, this Grand Marquis is ready for years of comfortable cruising. The seller states that the maintenance is up to date, the Michelin tires have good tread life, and the car runs perfectly.
Pick up a pack of Marlboros and three of your closest friends for a taste of 1982 luxury, Grand Marquis style. At least all those ashtrays could double as a place for your gum wrappers.
The seller is asking $11,995.
To view this listing on ClassicCars.com, see Pick of the Day.
What a beauty. Turn key happiness.
EXCEPT— I am a car freak. 7 lifetime Vettes,etc.
2 yrs ago- Bought a “dream” ’91 Vette Roadster (convertable) 31,00 original miles!! Garge kept, owner doted on it
SWEET!!!
Hmm…. All looks good but, we forget….
All rubber items–30-40 yr old-Alot of rubber items, ball joints,hoses, interior, powwer steering seals. And they made crappy rubber back then.
All leather items- 30-40 yrs old. Brittle, faded
All fluids
Aluminum in radiator- rots in 30 years
Aluminum everywhere -rots.
Copper battery cables- brittle
Odd moving parts- give up the ghost- power headlights and antennas courtesy light switchs
Not even the money, just another headache and another headache.
BUT- The Seller NEVER thinks of that. Good luck
P.S. On a Vette (or classic car) no biggie, restoring all the stuff on this POS— no fun or reward.
My 84 Grand Marquis has the original copper and brass radiator. Then then the engine is all cast iron, no aluminum intake or heads. I only paid $1,900 a year ago for the car with 73,XXX miles. Put a newer P71 crown vic aluminum driveshaft on it and the old 140 horse 302 will push the 2 ton boat to 104mph still.
My dad had an 85 model, which I liked better, I preferred the long tail lamps as oppesed to the shorter ones on earlier models. Definitely a joy to drive, always under appreciated, to me the styling was beautiful back then and still now, has aged well.
The instrument panel was lovely too, like the dials of a Cartier watch, I feel even better achieved than in the Town car of the time.
In 1982 this was the choice of old people all over the country. Shopping center parking lots & a retirement Condominium
parking lots were full of them. It was a cheap version of the Lincoln Town Car, Smooth driving full size land yacht.that could hold 6 QTips on the way to the Early Bird Specials at the local cafeterias. This one would be a good buy at about
1/3 the asking price. iMHO
ONE OF THE LAST TRUE AMERICAN CAR SEDANS…WHAT A NICE SQUARE CAR…VERY,VERY NICE!!!!
Totally agree!
Why does it have a Lincoln badge on the hood??
If you zoom in closer you’ll see on top of that “Continental Star” are three round doodles that make it a “Crown” instead for the Grand Marquis.
But yeah on that note everthing back then was tweaked and reused for the next model up. It’s Ford Crown Victoria/LTD/Grand Marquis/Town Car – all the difference is skinning the shell and trim pieces that are tweaked = marketing sales gimmicks we all fall for.
In the early 80s, that was the MERCURY badge, look closely at an 82 LINCOLN MARK 6 badge and the primary difference is the decoration on the side of the MERCURY badge in 87 lincoln went to one hood ornament for all three models, mercury kept that badge until 1990 when the waterfall badge was introduced!
Nope… that is a Mercury Hood ornament…You re thinking of the Ford Crown Vic hood badge that was a horizontal badge..
Interested, please phone. William Boykin, 615 439 0320
You need to click on the link at the end of the article to contact the seller. You should never publish your phone number online since it could lead to many calls from scammers.
Agree with KemoSabe- Car worth 2 K- the other 10 K you would spend on labor& parts to recondition it. Not worth it as this is no classic car!
Classic Car? NO. NO. NO! Just because its older, doesn’t make it a classic, it ma be an ‘antique’, but not a classic. (yes i know there are time frames for classic vs. antique) BUT, Mustang’s, Camero’s, GTO’s, Corvettes, T-Birds, Impala’s, etc. are “CLASSICS” because they were/are Cool, they were innovative for their time, (and I don’t include Mustangs or Camero’s from ’74 and up.-everything else is bad copies of the originals, still great cars, but a new mustang or new camero is not a classic..)
Is this car in like new shape? YES, is it an OK car? YES. but it’s also a cookie cutter sized down box trying to be a cadillac or a buick. Does seeing this car make your blood boil? NO. IF you saw this car in a heap of rust, would you spend 100k to bring it back to Original? HECK NO!
Now i realize i’m getting older, so an ’82 isn’t that old for me, per say, i was 12 when it came out, I’m a 60’s Mustang/T-Bird Guy, but was born in the 70’s…and after ’74 the worst decade for cars, thanks OPEC, but even before OPEC we were making behemoth globs of steel, just look at ’67 and up T-Birds, nothing at all appealing about them, or trying to compete with Japanese small cars with the Pinto, the Chevette, the Escort, There is Nothing Sexy about this Mercury, no youngster is going to hang a picture of this on their wall, waiting for the day they can cruise in a Mercury -door baby-Lincoln..I’d say its worth, $1500 – $1750. but i still wouldn’t buy it. Well maybe for my Grandmother.
News flash Stuart: There’s a whole world of classic and collectible vehicles out there outside of the usual suspects such as Mustangs, Camaros, and Chevelles. Open up your mind and get out to a local car show sometime my friend!
“A Smokin’ Deal” ? What is this guy smokin’ ?
I test drove a new ’90 model back in the day. I really liked it but I was newly married and the cost was too high at the time. Would gladly own one today, IF it was actually still made today. Afraid I’m not up to what would likely be needed to keep this in the road
Every year was slightly different. Had a 2010 crown Victoria that rode like a cloud and amenities galore as well as fabulous fuel mileage. Have a 2010 Grand Marquis with only 70,000 miles on it rides like a tank terrible fuel mileage doesn’t have all the bells and whistles that the crown Vic had. Probably a great car he’s got there but I would want to test drive it and go over it with a fine tooth comb especially for that kind of money
As an owner of a 2 decade old GMARK. I fondly recall my parent’s 82 COLONY PARK a fine automobile despite the variable venturi fuel delivery system, which was prone to stalling in traffic. In 86 my parents purchased another colny park. 86 was the first year for sequential port fuel injection, all 1o GMARKS my family has purchased since then have been flawless!!
If you zoom in closer you’ll see on top of that “Continental Star” are three round doodles that make it a “Crown” instead for the Grand Marquis.
But yeah on that note everthing back then was tweaked and reused for the next model up. It’s Ford Crown Victoria/LTD/Grand Marquis/Town Car – all the difference is skinning the shell and trim pieces that are tweaked = marketing sales gimmicks we all fall for.
Is this car still available?
I bought an ’82 Grand Marquis in 1998 with 42000 miles on it. Nice car except it got terrible gas mileage, had a rough idle, and other carburetor issues that mechanics could not solve. . .