Car commercials in the 1950s and 1960s were events. When the new model season premiered auto manufacturers went all out to promote their new wares. For Mercury and the 1969 model season, this involved a fast pan across the rugged desert to tell everyone that Lincoln Mercury leads the way.
Mercury tended to display a pair of cars during these commercials. One was more adult — in the 1960s that meant anyone over 30 — and one for the younger set. In this edition they focused on the Marquis and Monterey. Notice how they compare Marquis to sibling Lincoln Continental even though it was comparable to older sibling Ford LTD. They make it sound like a powerful vehicle; however, those who read this that are reaching AARP age know it was the vehicle for grandparents. The Monterey was an older name and eventually phased out in the early 1970s.