In blindfold tests, consumers declared that the 1971 Mercury Marquis rode better than a Mercedes-Benz or a luxury limousine. See the original interviews here.

Introduced in 1965 and growing more luxurious every year, the popular Ford LTD increasingly crowded into Mercury’s traditional slot in the Ford Motor Company lineup. Meanwhile, Mercury took a similar route and edged closer to the Lincoln rung on the Dearborn product ladder. With fresh sheet metal for 1971, the full-sized Mercurys embraced a number of Lincoln styling elements—especially the Marquis with its skirted fenders, classic grille, and hidden headlamps. From middle distance, it might be difficult for the average civilian to tell the Lincoln and Mercury apart.

The Marquis was a large and imposing machine, too, at very nearly 225 inches long,  225 being the magic number in those days. The standard engine was a 429 cubic-inch V8 with 320 hp, with a 360 hp 429 V8 optional (both required premium fuel). Two Marquis flavors were offered: Marquis and Marquis Brougham, similar but for badging and interior appointments, and most of the Brougham’s features could be ordered on the Marquis as well.

To sell the luxury story, the Lincoln-Mercury division gathered up a few hundred car shoppers and asked them to take a blindfold challenge and rate the Marquis passenger experience against a $26,000 Mercedes-Benz 600 and a $16,000 Chrysler Imperial limousine. (The Marquis stickered for $4,500 to $5,000.) Every one of the participants reported that the Marquis offered a smoother, quieter ride. Well, every one of the participants shown here, anyway. But it’s not so unbelievable, as Ford’s big cars in that era were indeed calibrated for a soft, plush ride. Video below.