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2024 Ford Mustang Dark Horse provides power and luxury

By Jerry Robbin The newly redesigned, seventh generation Mustang  is here! The 2024 Mustang Dark Horse has bold new styling with dramatic bodywork, more advanced technology and increased power. The Dark Horse looks ominous, painted in darker hues with black elements on the hood and in the area surrounding the headlights and grille. Driving Impression The Mustang Dark […]

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John Gunnell was a great automotive journalist

By Todd Haefer Automotive journalist and historian John Gunnell, of Iola, Wis., died suddenly following a medical procedure Aug. 24 in Marshfield, Wis. He was 76. He was the editor and/or author of such classic car books from Krause Publications as the Standard Catalog of American Cars, Old Cars Price Guide, 55 Years of Mercury, […]

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2023 Ford Expedition Timberline a loaded SUV

    The 2023 Ford Expedition Timberline is a big and very capable SUV. In its class, it outshines any of its competitors. For 2023, the Expedition is the leader in the large three-row crossovers category. Driving Impression The Expedition’s V-6 engine responds like a V-8. The 4WD accelerates onto the highway and the vehicle […]

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2023 Ford Mustang improves in all areas

The 2023 Mustang Mach 1 is finally here! It’s been five decades since the original appeared. The Mach 1’s mission: to be a faster, better-looking and better-handling version of the Mustang GT. Driving Impression The 2023 Mustang Mach 1’s braking performance is impressive and can stop instantly. The stopping power comes from the optional super-sticky […]

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2023 Ford Maverick Tremor lives up to expectations

  By Jerry Robbin The hot new Tremor package for the Maverick has arrived! This trim level offers off-road street credentials for Maverick owners. It’s offered as a $2,995 option on the mid-level XLT and top-tier Lariat trims with all-wheel drive and the 250 hp turbo-charged four-cylinder. Driving Impression The Maverick Tremor has a 0.8-inch […]

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National Auto and Truck Museum welcomes IMOA

The National Auto and Truck Museum, in Auburn, Ind., will be one of the visits during the annual IMOA 2023 car show Sept. 6-9. The museum’s mission is to enrich lives and educate all generations through the acquisition and preservation of America’s automobile and truck history with buildings, vehicles, artifacts and literature. Memorial galleries throughout […]

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Solution to cracked armrests found

By Chuck Clarke Cracked, broken and ugly armrests in my Cougar! I ordered new panels about a year ago and they are still not in stock. I looked for a Mustang panel, but no luck there. I scoured bone yards across the country and they wanted payment in gold – if they had them! I […]

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Replacing screw jack covers

By Roy Lange 70 years ago, when these 1952-53 Mercury and Ford cars were built, the screw jacks (used for the convertible top and the power seats) came with a clear cover, over the threads and housings. Over the years, the clear plastic covers have turned yellow and become brittle with age, rendering them unserviceable. […]

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Ford 2023 Super Duty Tremor Offers Upgrades

By Jerry Robbin The Ford Super Duty Tremor package is back again for 2023 and includes upgrades that make this unique truck so exciting. The package starts with 35-inch Goodyear DuraTrac tires and unique 18-inch wheels. Upgrades to the 2023 Tremor include Tremor-badged twin-tube shocks and progressive coil springs tuned specifically for each engine option […]

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2022 Ford Mach-E GT is a powerful electric SUV

By Jerry Robbin The Ford Mach-E GT is one of the most compelling electric vehicles on the market right now and that makes Ford a contender in the EV market. It will satisfy those looking for a super fast SUV, an attractive EV or just a unique EV at a great price. It stands tall […]

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2021 Bronco is a true retro triumph

By Jerry Robbin The 2021 Ford Bronco is absolutely dynamic in every respect, from the exterior to the interior. The Bronco is retro automotive art and places Ford as a major competitor to Jeep. Driving Experience My impression after driving the Bronco is that it absolutely lives up to its current and past reputation. The […]

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Belt line molding repair required some innovation

By Roy Lange I recently had a new top put on my 1953 convertible. Due to the condition of my rear belt molding, I placed an ad for “belt molding with snaps.” Since mine had been sanded and polished so many times, they had pinholes in them. Not surprisingly, I didn’t receive any offers. I […]

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Blast from the past: 2007 Montego

By Jerry Robbin Slotted in size between the Milan and Grand Marquis, the 2005 Montego was the Mercury counterpart of the Ford Five Hundred. The Montego was introduced as an all-new model for 2005. Mercury styling cues, such as the waterfall-style grille and LED tail lamps with metal crossbars, did a good job of distinguishing […]

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Blast from the past: 2010 Milan hybrid

By Jerry Robbin The 2010 Mercury Milan Hybrid was one of the final vehicles before Ford pulled the plug on the Mercury brand. From its elegant interior to its superlative styling, the Milan was an exciting addition to the Mercury lineup for 2010. The hybrid technology in this Mercury helped to deliver a unique driving […]

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Blast from the past: 2011 Grand Marquis

By Jerry Robbin The Mercury Grand Marquis was born way back in 1978, and lived a long and faithful life for its followers. It had multiple changes in appearance, and as with most senior citizens, there were upgrades to its body and mechanicals. For its final year, the 2011 Grand Marquis received no changes and […]

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Blast from the past: 2003 Mercury Marauder

  By Jerry Robbin Let’s set the stage for the evolution of the last muscular full-size body-on-frame sedan that still roams the earth: the 2003 Mercury Marauder. The front clip of the 2003 Marauder is from the Grand Marquis, except for a black-finished grille, new bumper cover and Cibie driving lights. The headlamps have blacked-out […]

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1972 Cougar had origins as an online Mercury find

By Rob May This California convertible Cat, a 1972 Cougar XR-7 owned by Larry Hurt, makes its den in Oxnard, Calif., and has made appearances at Ventura Classic Car Club (VCCC) and Central California Mercury Club (CCMC) functions. Born in Carthage Ill,. Larry Hurt has five brothers and two sisters. “In 1984, I joined the […]

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Awards from the 2019 Dayton, Ohio show

Best of Show: Gary and Beth Baehmann, 1969 Cyclone CJ 428 Participants choice: Jay Williams, 1970 Cougar Eliminator Best in Class: Jerry and Kathy Orcutt, 1970 Cyclone Best in Class: Lynn Mahncke, 1987 Cougar LS Best in Class: Fred and Linda Akers, 1964 Comet Best in Class: Tom and Fran Harrington, 1966 Comet Cyclone Best in Class: David […]

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2019 Ford Raptor offers superior off-road skills

By Jerry Robbin The 2019 Raptor has upgraded suspension and new Fox Racing adaptive dampers that automatically adjust in real time as driving conditions change. The Raptor gains a low-speed cruise control called Trail Control, that makes climbing rocky terrain and other off-road obstacles easier for the driver. Other updates include new paint colors, a […]

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Light Aqua and Blue highlight model collection

By Mark Sherman and Rob May Photos by Georgina Garcia May and Mark Sherman Light Aqua Mercury cars are the inspiration for this issue’s collectibles article. By no means is this a complete list; however, Mark and Rob teamed up to share some of their favorite Mercury miniatures in Light Aqua/Blue (related colors are discussed […]

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Restoration begins on 1956 Turnpike Cruiser concept

By Tom Maruska Sometime in April of 1954, Ford Motor Co. designer John Najjar made a proposal to build a couple new show cars, one of which was the XM Turnpike Cruiser. For those who don’t know, the “XM” stands for eXperimental Mercury. Najjar was also the key designer of the 1954 Mercury XM-800 concept […]

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1/18th-scale Mercurys sold in 1967 and ’68

By Rob May In the last issue of Quicksilver, we detailed 1/64th- and 1/43rd-scale promos in the cases where Mercury joined with other entities, including a third party, to their mutual benefit in advertising. Typical hard-plastic promo models are 1/25th-scale cars and trucks. Cougar dealer models were never offered in this size (although AMT offered […]

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New IMOA member gets his kicks with ’67 Cougar

By Rob May and George Woehlke The International Mercury Owners’ Association welcomes George Woehlke from Santa Maria, Calif., and his 1967 Mercury Cougar XR-7. He is one of three founding members of Mercury Stray Cats – Central California. George is the MSC Central CA’s top active car show member, having participated in the most car […]

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Carlisle Ford Nationals to feature serial No. 1 Cougar

Ed. Note: Story and images courtesy of Carlisle Events. The 2017 Carlisle Ford Nationals show is celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Mercury Cougar, including the appearance of the serial No. 1 Cougar. The will be held Friday-Sunday, June 2-4, at the Carlisle Fairgrounds in Carlisle, Pa. The special Cougar will be on display in […]

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Period-correct fix for classic Mercury wipers

By Roy Lange If you own an early Mercury or Ford, as I do (1953 Mercury), you have the vacuum wiper motor built by Trico that was installed by the factory in your car. For those of you that live in the flatter portion of the U.S., the wiper worked well enough until you got […]

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Installing A Cell Phone Charger Into A Classic

By Roy Lange This is for all of the people that have cell phones and want to charge them while driving their classic Mercury. If your car is 12 volt, it is not an issue, because all you need to do is get a cigarette lighter adaptor (pictured at right), plug it in and you […]

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Getting creative with your Mercury

By Todd Haefer New IMOA member Harry Hartman, of Ridgeley, W.V., has combined his love of classic vehicles and photography to keep a historical record of his cherished Mercurys. “We are always looking for new and unusual places to photograph our antiques,” he said. “We enjoy taking our Mercurys to different scenic spots.” Harry and […]

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IMOA president still presides over club he started in 1991

By Todd Haefer Jerry Robbin, president of the International Mercury Owners’ Association, is unique in that he still holds his title 25 years after founding the club in 1991. “Our club is trying to keep the Mercury marquee alive, just like a museum,” he said. “Mercury had an identity crisis when it started and it […]

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Remembering Al Delessio

By Tim Cleary Way too soon. Long-time IMOA member Al Delessio passed away Aug. 27 at the age of 58. He lived his whole life in northern Pennsylvania and worked for one company his entire career. He had battled the big C and dealt with all the related junk. When he had to go through […]

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Jerry Clor Obituary

Long-time IMOA member Gerald Edward “Jerry” Clor died Oct. 24, 2015, while at home with his wife, Cecelia, in Dallas, Ga., at the age of 66. Jerry lost his courageous battle with cancer after being diagnosed earlier in the year. He was born in Detroit, Mich., on March 4, 1949, as the second of five […]

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You know you’re crazy ’bout a Mercury if …

Cruisin’ Caskets is a Sun City, Calif., casket fabricating company that specializes in automotive coffins. “It enables the car aficionado to rest in a true piece of art with personality and style,” is the way owner Danny Mendez describes his business. The cars may embody any make and style of car, ranging from 1950s classics, […]

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Barn find is the real deal

    By Rich Anderson On a wintry December night in 2009, I opened my issue of a local farm and ranch magazine and started to thumb through it. There in the classifieds, buried in the back pages, was an ad that stated simply, “original 1947 Mercury convertible for sale,” followed only by a phone […]

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Return of the Real Wagon

The 2014 Transit Connect is a versatile wagon that is worth stopping by your Ford dealer for a test drive. It features exceptional 22 mpg city/ 29 mpg hwy. gas mileage. The Transit Connect Wagon has been completely restyled inside and outside. A new longer wheelbase has been added, making the wagon available as a […]

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The Perfect Valentine Gift

by George Shearouse In February 1967, my mother had no idea that Dad was about to surprise her with a Valentine gift she would have for more than 40 years. It was my father’s intention to surprise her with a new Mustang. My uncle owned a Ford dealership in Lakeland, Fla., and I remember his […]

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2014 Edge offers 5-passenger comfort

  By Jerry Robbin The 2014 Ford Edge will have a complete redesign for 2015, but the current model still stands out from the rest of its competitors. The Edge sports a chrome-intensive front grille that flows into its narrowed headlights. LED running light bars are located where most crossovers would have fog lights, providing […]

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Drive-In Theaters Taking A Hit

By John Harvey There was an article in my local paper recently about how drive-in movie theaters are taking another hit to their existence. This time, it is the need to convert from 35mm film reels to digital systems that require an investment of something in the neighborhood of $70,000 per screen for the new […]

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IMOA Gets Its Kicks During Annual Show

By Pat Eager As the song goes, “Get your kicks on Route 66,” and that’s exactly what IMOA did at its national meet in Springfield, Ill., Sept. 27-29. Members began checking in at the Northfield Inn on Thursday. It was great to see old friends and renew acquaintances while “oohing and aahing” over the beautiful […]

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Today’s teens don’t know what they missed

By John Harvey I sure miss my teenager. He left 12 years ago when he got a government job by joining the Navy. I rediscovered all of the services he performed while he lived here. The lawn, the snow, the garbage cans, hauling the water-softener salt to the basement – he was another set of […]

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Ford Fiesta a contender

By Jerry Robbin With gasoline prices hovering at around $4.50 per gallon, Ford has the perfect vehicle for great gas economy and transportation. Ford has raised the bar for entry-level vehicles with the Fiesta. The competition, such as Kia, Hyundai, Nissan and Toyota, should definitely be concerned, as the Fiesta is  a contender for the […]

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Replacing A 1962 Mercury Master Cylinder

John Gunnell demonstrates through 12 photos, how to replace the 1962 Mercury master cyclinder that he located at B.S. Wisniewski (Wizzy’s) auto parts store.

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