design, one that doesn't use styling tricks to disguise its length or layout. The long

hood lets everyone know there's a large engine inside, mounted longitudinally and

driving the rear wheels as God and Henry Ford intended. The roofline suggests that

there's plenty of interior space, as do the four large doors, and considerable rear

overhang promises a large luggage bay.

But the Marquis, and its Ford Crown Victoria twin, aren't throwbacks in every

respect. Attention paid to aerodynamics--every drop of fuel counts in the big-car

class, and so does elimination of wind noise--has given them a pleasing, rounded shape

that can only be called elegant. Large wheel openings and understated side sculpturing

contributes to their lithe and slightly muscular profile.

Principal differences between Marquis and Crown Vic are confined to the cars'

front ends. Mercury gives its version a more formal appearance with an upright grille

and rectangular headlamps; the Vic is more contemporary; rounded lamp clusters and a

smaller grille see to that. Designers of both have incorporated enough bright trim to

please customers who equate chrome with class, and have done a good job of it.

Ford has expended considerable effort on improving quality, and these cars show

it. Paint and panel fit are excellent, as good or better than you'd expect for the

price. Harder to see are external differences between base--Crown Victoria and Grand

Marquis GS--and uplevel--LX and LS, respectively--models. The pricier versions ride on

aluminum wheels (versus steel rims with covers on the base cars) and have different

badges; other differences are found inside.