Matchbox 1987 Mercury Sable Wagon

Station wagons are not the most exciting vehicles out there, but strangely as SUV’s become more dominant the need to recollect the station wagon from collectors emerges and since then models like the Vista Cruiser, Chevelle wagon, Audi RS6 Avant, even the Datsun 510 Wagon emerge from the demand. One unique oddity is this Matchbox example of the aerodynamic Ford Taurus of the 1980’s done as a Mercury wagon.

Ford took a big gamble with the Ford Taurus and Mercury Sable when they were introduced in 1986 by making the most aerodynamic and futuristic looking car of the time. Styling inspirations came from Ford of Europe where the Ford Sierra led the change into sleek aero styling for Ford and that look eventually migrated down to other models. The Taurus was designed to replace the old and outdated LTD II and Granada with a sleeker and modern sedan that was competitive with the likes from Europe and Asia. The end result is a successful launch with 200,000 sold in its first year and racked up awards from Motor Trend to Car and Driver. Success was not as easy as the second-generation went for a more radical oval look, resulting in an emergency refresh in 2000, then the car was dropped in favor of the Five Hundred in 2005, which ironically then returned the Taurus name in the model’s 2007 refresh. After a revival in a larger sedan profile (since the Fusion took over the midsize position the Taurus one held) the Taurus is heading for the demise again in 2019 thanks to fluttering car sales and interest in SUV’s in the U.S.

It is interesting to see that Matchbox went for the Mercury sibling, the Sable, and then chose to do the wagon instead of the sedan. Maybe it was a reflection to the last two Mercury wagons that Matchbox sold, the 1968 estate and 1978 Cougar Villager. Sadly this casting, introduced in 1987, only got two uses: the white with lower gray cladding and the green with wood trim for the totally incorrect Brady Bunch station wagon in 1998. The front of the car has that smooth nose with the headlights that are part of the window trim that connect to a light bar grille that would illuminate starting on 1989 Sable models. The sides have a smooth wagon profile with roof rack, 8-dot wheels, and even half-skirts over the rear wheels, while the rear has detailed arc taillights and a rear liftgate that is all-plastic to allow the gate to open up; oddly it still has the round Ford logo on the left of the tailgate. The base underneath is metal and features the detailed front subframe and rear suspension layout along with the typical exhaust system, while the interior offers seating for six with front and rear bench seats, dashboard that has the two-spoke steering wheels and a few controls detailed on the otherwise plain dashboard, and cargo space is plenty despite the hatch hooks interfering with some of it. The Brady Bunch was filmed in the 1960’s and 1970’s so highly doubtful they can get their hands on a new Mercury Sable wagon, though the green with wood trim is a nice touch, and besides the Brady family went for Plymouth wagons anyways. Handling is nice and flat though there’s not much room for the working suspension to move and it still feels like a big car. Overall this is one nicely done Matchbox wagon that does not get much use over its timeframe.