By 1967, FOMOCO had two entries in the new “pony car” market, the Ford Mustang which started the craze, and the Mercury Cougar. The Cougar was a little larger and better equipped than your average Mustang, so it was positioned for a more discriminating audience. The 1970 model year would be the last for the first generation, yet if you parked a ’70 next to a ’69 you could tell them apart. The seller says this car just needs a “little love” and it does run and drive, though details are few beyond that. Located in Brookeville, Maryland, this potential project is available here on Facebook Marketplace for $15,000 OBO.
Both the Mustang and the Cougar changed directions after the 1973 model year. While the Ford would shrink and become a subcompact, the Cougar would further grow and become a personal luxury car. Mercury built more than 72,000 Cougars in 1970, about a third of the Mustang’s output, keeping it in the hunt with Pontiac’s Firebird for third place in sales. Unlike the Mustang, the Cougar only came with a V8 engine, 351 cubic inches with a 2-barrel carburetor (like the “Cleveland” in the seller’s car).
This Merc is a mystery. The body seems to be good and the paint is okay, though I don’t recognize the color from that era. We’re told the interior needs some TLC, but no photos are provided of it or the engine compartment. So all you have to go by are several angles of the vehicle parked in the driveway. The seller would likely get more inquiries if the description and collection of images were expanded.
Sorry! NO Sale. The only Cougar I ever wanted was the larger 77. Once had one as a rental. For its size ( smaller than my favored LAND YACHTS) it was a nice car. BUT this is too little car for TOO MUCH money.
Base model. Paint that’s now so dull it needs to be wet to shine. Body looks good but these rust everywhere so get an in-person look.
Good catch on the water shine.
Color looks to be “Competition Gold”.
The sentence: “Unlike the Mustang, the Cougar only came with a V8 engine, 351 cubic inches with a 2-barrel carburetor (like the “Cleveland” in the seller’s car).” is a confusing and inaccurate way to say that a six cylinder engine was not available.
I was confused too. I always thought the 351 Cleveland was a 4-barrel big block and the 351 Windsor was a small block with the 2-barrel.
Nope. 351W was available in 2 or 4 bbl. 351C likewise.
If the owner could provide a little less information.