The owner of this ’67 Cougar describes it as an original survivor. While it isn’t perfect, the condition is certainly such that is you were looking for a car to drive and enjoy, rather than a Concours example, then this car might be a good candidate for that role. Located in Erie, Pennsylvania, it is listed for sale here on eBay.
The Cardinal Red paint on the Cougar looks nice, with a good shine to it. The owner does say that it has a few chips on it and that it has worn thin in a few spots, but given the fact that this is claimed to be the original, 52-year-old paint, that’s hardly surprising. Rust issues seem to be non-existent, with only a dusting of surface corrosion on the underside of the car to consider. I would probably want to address that in some way to make sure that the car lasts another 52 years. After all, I’d want the car to last that long so that the relatives had something to fight over when I shuffle off.
Under the hood are the original 289ci V8 engine and Merc-O-Matic transmission. You also get power steering, but manual brakes. The owner does claim that the Cougar has covered a genuine 28,000 miles, the majority of these covered by the car’s original lady owner. However, he doesn’t indicate whether he holds any evidence to back this claim. He also says that the car has always been well maintained and garaged, so it should drive well. Everything on the car works as it should. The original spare and jack are still in the trunk, along with the original trunk mat, although this has become a bit brittle over the past few decades.
If the interior is completely original as the owner claims, then its overall condition makes the mileage claims at least appear to be plausible. The seats, floor console, and door trims all look to be in really good condition. The dash looks to be original and unmodified, while the pad appears to be free of cracks. The carpet also seems quite good, but we can’t see the state of the headliner. As I’m getting older, I’m really starting to appreciate interior trim colors like the red in this Cougar. New cars today seem to trade so much on various shades of grey, and that bright and flamboyant look has all but disappeared from the current new car market.
The owner of this Cougar says that it is a car that is perfect for someone who is looking for a survivor, not a trailer queen. While I will always love and respect an immaculate original, or a fully restored car, its examples like this Cougar that I will always respect. They don’t hide their age, but they carry it with grace and style. Certainly, this would be a fantastic candidate for a full restoration, but personally, I’d leave it as it is. Cougars don’t really attract high prices, but they are still fairly respectable. You can buy any number of clean examples between $25,000 and $30,000. If the mileage on this car can be confirmed, then the BIN price of $28,000, with the option to make an offer, is probably pretty decent.
Wow another beautiful survivor car,like this body style of the ‘67 Cougar!
Wow! 28 grand for a slushbox Cougar…..I had a ’67 or ’68 slushbox convertible….I think I paid 700 bucks..of course this was 1976 so I can understand the increased ask all these decades (gulp) later. Still………..but it is a beautiful car and it’s one slushbox I’d be happy to own………just not at this stratospheric ask. Somebody tell me I’m wrong. ( Besides Adam) :)
You couldn’t have had a 67 or 68 convertible. Didn’t come out until 1969.
You’re wrong, you didn’t have 67 or 68 convertible
That’s a beauty, but it’s not even an XR-7. Therefore, the price seems a bit steep.
I agree with the steep price for a non XR7. I owned a 67 XR7 289 and
loved the toggle switches on the dash. Were they wood? Can’t remember now.
The toggle switches are plastic. The face of the dash has a wood grain look to it. Perhaps that is the wood you are remembering.
Yikes…that $28,000 BIN works out to nearly $37,000 CDN. That would be awfully close to a decent restoration. I’d still pull the trigger, if I could. Just for a bit less. Beautiful car…
I’m thinking of all of the exotic cars I could rent for $28,000 worth of Sunday drives which is the only possible use for this Cougar.
The door panels, along with the trim on them, do indeed look nice.
Have to do something with those red hoses!
Beautiful car, especially in that colour. I much prefer the Cougar’s looks over the Mustang, and seeing this seals it for me. It’s pricey, but if you value the originality and the uniqueness it may turn out to be money well spent. For me the automatic works in this one, as it’s a more gentlemanly cruiser than a pavement burner.
I have to have air in a car like this. I hope it stays in a cold climate so it can be enjoyed.
That is a very attractive 1st year Cougar. A similar condition 67 Mustang would probably elicit fewer comments about the price. But when was the last time you saw a 67 Cougar in this condition (other than 1968)?
I love the Mercurys. This would be an awesome candidate to throw a 428 in! Lol
This is quite a nice looking car for sure. As with any potential purchase though an in person inspection should take place. I would take a close look at the paint to be sure that it is original. I say this because the pin stripes do not look 100% correct. The factory generally stopped the stripes a little short of the end of each body panel and the ones on this car appear to go all the way to the edges.
The blue vinyl cabin was previously restored close to its original specifications including redone upholstery, carpeting, door panels, and more. Per the seller, this particular Cougar is a 65C car, meaning it is a two-door hardtop with a front bench seat. According to the Cougar Club of America 7,365 65C body types were built in 1967.
Are you sure that you are talking about the same car? The featured car has a red interior. No where in the ebay listing does the seller show or tell what codes are on the door data plate.
I worked for a car dealer from 1979-1983 and I remember we had a guy that would install side molding with the pop in rubber bumper, back then they installed real stainless steel side molding and soaked the rubber in hot water before he hit the rubber in wth a rubber mallet. He also cut in white walls wth a grinder and some sort of paint. He also installed pin stripping on the vehicles. You couldn’t tell if it was done at the factory or that it was installed in the dealership’s parking lot, lol. So be careful thinking everything is done on the cars manufacturer assembly line. This just is not true!
Oh the irony.
Robbert Gottleib in one of his Motor Trend “Classic Cars” column told a reader who asked if he put a new 67 Cougar up on blocks and stored it for 20 years if it would be worth money as a collectible car.
Gottleib’s answer was the same as I’ve read about every decade’s cars: No. Who would want to ? So many complicated systems and plastic parts, cheap pot metal and vinyl etc etc etc.
Same thing that was said and has been said about the value of each era’s cars which I have read over the decades.
It matters not, be it the decade of the 50s, 60s 70s 80s and now 90s, the claim was always same.
No one, at least the “experts” thought there would ever be a market for these pedestrian cars.
Yet people keep getting in the way. Keep them coming Barn Finds.
This is a beautiful car and it deserves a good home.
Myself, I can’t see why this car would be a good subject for “restoration”. It’s perfect just as it is.
Way overpriced. My friend got his last year for 12,000. It’s in as good a shape as this one is. This car looks great, but he is off on his price.
I mean…doesn’t anyone like to just hop in a classic and go for a ride? Does every automatic that pops up here have to be tarred and feathered for rocking what she was built with?
I paid $15K for my 1967 Cougar XR7. Almost everything was replaced, rebuilt, or refurbished. It’s a #2 car.
Nice looking car Eric. As long as it is solid I would say you got a really good deal. Have you checked out the Cougar Club Of America?