Response from: Harley Ferguson (Check me out!)

Ok then, let's have Philip's Worst Detroit Iron list. Would the Henry J make the list? How about the "other Ford pony", the Pinto?

Response from: Zarba (Check me out!)

After I totalled my parents '73 LTD a month after getting my license (not my fault), my main car was a '76 Mercury Monarch Ghia, a rebadged Grenada. While equipped with a 351/2 bbl V-8, the car was painfully slow. Emissions regs had strangled the Detroit V-8's, and I think it made around 150 bhp. 0-60 time of around 12 seconds, if I remember correctly. Quality-wise, it was a piece of junk. Interior bits falling off, a suspension that specialized in wallowing understeer, and 1-finger power steering. The Monarch was plagued with a plastic gas cap cover on the rear that ALWAYS broke off. I can't remember seeing one that didn't say MO CH on the rear valance where the "NA" was mssing along with that plastic trim piece. It rode nicely, in an American Interstate-cruising sort of way. Gas mileage with the big V-8 was pathetic, around 17-19 mpg. It was disappointing to my father, who bought the car to "economize". I had one memorable moment in the car. After work at my summer job, I drag-raced a 1980 (+/-) Turbo Trans Am (with the crappy 305 4-bbl turbo V-8), and beat the poor guy. I'll never forget his look as my vinyl-topped sled pulled away from his T/A. All in all, not a terrible car, but certainly not a classic. Just another forgettable malaise-era Ford destined for the crusher. Does anyone remember the Grenada ESS, the "sporty" model that came with blacked-out trim and rear disc brakes? They pitched it as a competitor to European sports sedans. I'm sure they're a rare as hen's teeth now.

Response from: Philip (Check me out!)

Hey, that was a great test review, Zarba! As a Canadian I, of course, remember the Monarchs. My list of all-time Detroit turkeys, Harley? One of these days, I'll write just such a blog. Beware... it won't include the Vega.