Vellum Venom Vignette: Lincoln Mariner (Hecho En Mexico)

by Sajeev Mehta

Published: July 31st, 2012

vellum venom vignette lincoln mariner hecho en mexico

Francisco writes:

Dear Sajeev,

Regular reader here. To the matter at hand:

On a recent visit to Mexico, this Mariner was in front of me begging for a bad cellphone pic. Don’t get me wrong, after-market badge-upgraded cars are pretty common there, but this already badge-engineered Ford Explorer (Mercury Mariner – SM) badge-engineered once more to a “Lincoln Mariner 4wd V6” was too ironic to let go. Please note the extra Lincoln badge thrown in for good measure on the dealer license plate cover. Make no mistake, it is a Lincoln.

I assumed that this would bring a smile and a chuckle to an ardent Ford guy like yourself. Hope you enjoy it and keep up the good work!

Best regards from Sweden,

Francisco

Sajeev answers:

Oh yes! How lovely it is to behold the splendiferousness that is Mexican Ford products. Even if this is a modification done by the owner. Obviously!

Now that Lincoln Mexico has more Lincoln-y products than the USA–dare I admit that I miss the Mark LT, since it was at least RWD with a V8–I’m glad the Lincoln line up expanded to older Mercury vehicles too. It’s much like the South of the Border Ford’s rebranding of Mercury products like the Ford Grand Marquis…and of course the disturbingly cool Ford Cougar.

Now that’s how you sell a car!

Ford Cougar = RAWR!

Por favor, let this Lincoln-Mercury Fanboi enjoy this moment. POR FAVOR! It’s nice to see that the Lincoln brand is loved enough to be rebranded on large and stately vehicles outside of the US. And yes, the Mariner is a big time Lincoln-like machine compared to what most people drive down there. And about the Mexican Mark LT…well, it’s still cooler than spending $60,000 (or whatever) for a Harley Davidson F-150.

And with that, today’s Damning With Faint Praise session ends.

#BadgeEngineering #Badges #Lincoln #Mariner #Mercury #Mexico

Sajeev Mehta

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2 of 16 comments

Tresmonos on Jul 31, 2012

That ad is so freakin' sweet.

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Scoutdude on Aug 01, 2012

Definitely an owner or dealer badge job. It still has the Mercury "M" badge. The Mexican market Mercuries carried the proper Ford Oval despite every thing else being the Mercury specific parts as seen in the US. The Canadians, since they lost Mercury years before the US, also sold the Ford Grand Marquis after the retail Crown Victoria went away in the US.

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