Q: I read Auto & Truck Round-Up regularly and would like your help. I have a 1972 Mercury Marquis 2-door hardtop, power everything, with the 429-V8 engine. Can you tell me how many were built and how many are still around? I am in the process of fixing the car, and it needs just some interior work and paint. What’s it worth? Thanks, Jay J., Lebanon, Tennessee.
A:Jay, there were only 5,507 two door hardtop Marquis models built in 1972, so your car is on the rare side. That 429 is the standard engine and puts out 208 horses. On the plus side for you is the two-door design, which seems to be the popular choice over a four door that year, even though the four door hardtop found only 1,583 built. As for how many are left, that's anyone's guess, but I'd say very few. Fix your interior and put some nice paint on it, and enjoy your Mercury. It's probably worth in the range of $5,000 (very good), $7,700 (fine) to $11,000 (restored condition).