Hi everyone - I just joined this forum and this is my first post. I am the proud new owner of this 1979 Colony Park: It has a 351 and the interior is absolutely perfect. Overall, it is in great condition. One thing I would like to figure out first is whether the rear bumper is the original one. Here is a photo of it:. As you can see, the bumper does not have the 2 vertical rubber bumpers on it. Is it possible that this is an original bumper, or is it likely a replacement? All input is greatly appreciated!
Welcome to the forum, Sonny. Hard to say whether that rear bumper is original or not. Most Colony Parks of this vintage came with horizontal bumper rub strips on both the front and rear bumpers. Don't know about the bumper guards though. If I had to guess, I'd say both your front and rear bumpers have been replaced at some time. I could be wrong though. Marshall
Hi, and welcome. I just love the early new style Colonys, I had a 80 351....long before I knew I'd never find another...... IMO I think your rear bumper is clearly been replaced, but .... My rear bumper had the trim and bumper gaurds, I believe all Colonys came with the full bumper deal... By the way, I still miss the @zz end, just like mine with the factory reflectors on the tail gate. I also love the grille touch in the front bumpers compared to the later models,,,and the fake fender vets...and.....
Those bumpers may well be original. In 79, the "Deluxe Bumper Package" was an option on most Ford and Mercury lines. I believe, also, you could get rub strips without over-riders and over-riders without rub strips. What makes me think it may be original is that it does have the wagon-specific rubber step on the top. Other than that, which was on 8 passenger wagons only, the bumpers are interchangeable between the coupes, sedans and wagons, and both Ford and Mercury used the same bumpers. (I know, I'm a walking Hollander's.)
Thanks everyone for your replies. Mike, do you know what the deluxe bumper package specifically looked like? And do you know how I can determine for sure whether my car had that deluxe bumper package? If I found the build sheet, would it tell me this?
The Deluxe Bumper package included both rub strips and over riders, front an back. Each was available separately, and I've seen cars with both, either one, and neither. Later in the run, both became standard equipment. Part of mercury's gradual attempt to look up-market from the Ford twin. This is the front bumper. Behind is an almost twin to my 889, in the Dark Cranberry Metallic. This is the Deluxe rear wagon bumper:
