Hatch Heaven

The 1988 Mercury Tracer LS2 (also available as a 4-door hatchback) was a sporty little front wheel drive car that left virtually nothing to be desired. Built and backed by Ford, the technologically advanced Tracer, with its disc brakes, independent suspension and power steering, was a product of their best designers and engineers throughout the world. It got significant praise and was a run-away sales success on two continents. It was sold thru Ford’s extensive Canadian Mercury dealer network.

The 1982 Mercury LN7 is a very rare ride. It was a car that was “right for the times” and was one of the first two-seaters offered by Ford (along with the EXP) in over 25 years. It was a stylish, contemporary and sporty front-wheel drive car with rack-and-pinion steering, independent rear suspension and advanced hemispherical head, 1.6 liter 80 HP engine with two-barrel carburetor that got 29 MPG in the city and 46 MPG on the highway.

Its unique “bubbleback” rear lift back gave it a exciting new contemporary image, along with its sharply sloped windshield, wheel arches with prominent lips, and wide body side moldings.  It was first shown at the Chicago Auto Show and introduced in April 1981 as an early 1982 model. It was not a hit and by 1983, it was dropped after only 40,000 units produced. (image source: John Lloyd)

1976 Mercury Bobcat 3-Door Runabout “Woody” featured a striking new simulated woodgrain option applique of simulated cherry woodgrain on the side and back panels with bright surround moldings. The interior was special too, with standard body-countored bucket seats. Backrests have been designed to give comfortable support as you drive. We ride was smooth, quiet and wide-stanced. A 2.3 liter OHC 4-cylinder engine performed briskly with extensive use of sound deadeners and insulation for a quiet ride. Even the underside of the hood was blanketed with fiberglass to help hush the engine sound. It had rack and pinion steering, front disc brakes and a standard manual. Among other options to help you personalize your Bobcat were a sunroof, forged aluminum wheels and sports vinyl roof.

In 1976, The Mercury Capri II Ghia was Car & Driver’s “Super Coupe Of The Year” choice (even though it was a hatchback). It was styled by Ghia of Italy and was beautifully practical. With the rear seats folded down, there is over 22-cubic feet of storage. The “Decor” option featured individually folding rear seats, and had standard features such as deep and comfortable front bucket seats, color-keyed carpeting throughout and full instrumentation. It had a 4-speed manual transmission, rack-and-pinion steering, MacPherson strut front suspension, solid state ignition, power disc front disc brakes and steel belted radial ply tires.The 2.3 liter overhead cam engine averaged 18 MPG in the city and 27 MPG on the highway. You could get an optional 2.8 liter V6, Select-Shift automatic transmission, air conditioning, power steering and unique sunroof that tilts to allow outside air to circulate, electric rear window defroster and washer/wiper and vinyl luggage cover.

The 1981 Mercury Lynx LS-3 Hatchback was only sold in Canada. It’s sophisticated world-class technology had 13 patents with an additional 14 pending approval. Innovations like the new Compound Valve Hemi-head (CVH) four-cylinde engine, teamed with the standard four-speed, fully synchronized manual transaxle with fuel-efficient fourth-gear overdrive as well as an optional all-new three-speed automatic transaxle achieved world-class fuel economy.

With a highway rating of 54 MPG highway and 42 MPG city, it had the highest fuel economy rating of any North American car sold in Canada.

The Lynx was front wheel drive and featured four-wheel independent suspension system, with steel-belted radial tires, new design split-diagonal dual brakes and a new rack-and-pinion steering system.

The interior was roomy and held four adults comfortably with contoured front bucket seats and generous cargo space, especially with the rear seats down.

The 1981 Mercury Capri RS equipment options package included:

Exterior.
• Hood scoop (non-fuctional large style)
• Black grille
• Black headlamp frames
• Black windshield molding
• Black dual remote control mirrors
• Upper bodyside dual accent stripe treatment (delete pin stripes)
• Black door handles and lock cylinders

Interior.
• Simulated engine-turned instrument panel and right-hand applique
• RS medallion on instrument panel
• Leather-wrapped steering wheel

Functional.
• Handling suspension

The 1981 Mercury Capri Turbo RS equipment options package included:

Exterior.
• Turbo RS tape identification on front fender
• Bright Turbo plaque on hood scoop

Functional.
• 2.3 litre 2V 4-cylinder turbocharged engine
• Sport tuned exhaust
• Michelin TRX low-profile steel-belted radial ply tires
• Three-spoke 15.3-inch forged aluminum wheels
• Rally suspension system
• Turbo function indicator lights on instrument panel
• 8000rpm tachometer