The Cougar was a hot commodity for Mercury during the late sixties, with several different trim levels and engine options to choose from depending on the buyer’s mindset. Going back to 1968, one of the more rare models is the XR-7 with the GT equipment group such as this example here on Craigslist. This one’s a project but it ticks some excellent performance boxes and also comes with a few hard-to-find optional accessories, so if you’ve been looking for a fun pony car to restore it’s probably worth checking out. Head on over to North Scottsdale, Arizona for a closer look and bring along $12,975 if you want the clean title signed over to you.
Numskal, thanks for your great tip here! The GT package included disc brakes and a more heavy-duty suspension, with this one also featuring the 390 S-Code engine under the hood which placed a 4-barrel carburetor on top instead of the X-Code’s 2-barrel. The seller mentions that his Cougar still has the original drivetrain components, and despite the car having been in storage since the eighties the motor is said to still start up. There’s also a C6 automatic and 3.25 limited-slip rear axle, the latter of which is stated to be a very rare option.
Outside, the Grecian Gold is the original Dearborn-applied paint, what’s left of it anyway. But underneath this faded finish appears to be a reasonably straight body overall, and although there are a few dents and dings present I’m thinking with some careful massaging most if not all of the panels will probably be salvageable. The next owner will need to source a front bumper and side marker lights for the fenders, but for the most part, the Mercury seems solid with decent bones to work with.
The interior is also original, with the seller’s description of fair condition inside seeming to be an accurate assessment, but there are several elusive options here including a tilt-away steering wheel, a rear window defroster, speed control, an AM/FM Stereo radio, plus those seats have a factory leather covering. This one’s gonna need plenty of attention throughout, but based on the equipment and the rarity of the GT group it seems like a worthwhile project in my book. What do you think?
Nicely equipped Mercury. Must’ve been a blast to merge this Cat onto a sunny hwy, and step on it.
From ’78 – ’82 I owned this year Cougar, 1968, in the GT & XR7 version with 4 speed and 390 4v and truly enjoyed driving it everywhere. Clear guages, easy to read.
Tired – oh yes it was but it took me back and forth to college in Eastern KY and in a move to Georgia as well. Had open differential with 3.50:1 gears so it had some rpms on hwy but no issues.
This one is very tired but has some uncommon options.
Be ready for lots & lots of hours of cleanup work.
Needs rescued!
“Clean-up” probably not sufficient in this case, I’d go all the way with this car. Lack of rust, unusually loaded with options that belong in the car. I wonder if its got front disc brakes. The seats are leather, it’s got factory am/fm and a/c (that’s missing parts, go figure). The only thing I’d change is I’d add a right sideview mirror, otherwise no changes, just restore it.
Front disc brakes were part of the GT package.
Rough, from being sunbaked not road salt. Rare due to the 390 GT, adding the laundry list of options, which are still there, is the cherry on top. It was lucky to survive the 80’s and 90’s without being parted out. This will likely be restored, as it should be. I’d even keep the 5 spoke mags, they add a nice touch.
Steve R
Would have been nice to see a 4 speed, instead of the slushbox.
I’m a Ford restorer, builder, but a stock 390 and a slushbox isn’t a great performer. I have several FEs, potential is there.
The 67-68 Cougars were some of the best looking pony cars of any decade. What a nice touch to add a little luxury to the sportiness. Full apologies to the Avanti which likely started the concept.
I’d probably give that nod to the 55-7 T-Birds.
This is also a pretty rare factory air conditioned model. A very nice touch if you live in a warmer climate.
If it was truly tilt away, shouldn’t the steering wheel be swung towards the center console in the picture with the door open? Many xr7s had tilt steering, but not tilt away.
The Marti report specifically lists “Tilt-Away Steering Wheel”.
Steve R
A tilt steering column was not available in a Cougar until the 1970 model year. 1967-1969 Cougars only had the tilt away column as an option.
The tilt away in this car is not in the tilt away position for a few reasons. For starters it probably does not work since the door jamb switch is missing. Plus it would need a battery in the car to provide power to it.
Overall though this would be a great car to restore. It has a lot of harder to find options and the body looks to be pretty solid.
To Mike, the GT option in a 1967-1968 Cougar included the S code 390 4V engine. There were also a few 1968 GTs built with the R code 428 engine. For the 1967-1968 Cougar GT there were no small block built cars.
Cathouse, That is partially true. My 67 GT has the tilt away option. It is both, a tilt away and a tilt steering column. The tilt away like you mention is automatic with the door open, electric power and enough vacuum in the reservoir to actuate the vacuum motor. The tilt works by using the indicator lever. It’s a clever design that Ford came up with.
James Quinn,
What I was saying is that there was no tilt only option available for the 1967-1969 Cougars. They were all tilt tilt-away columns. I probably should have worded my response better to be clear on what I meant.
Definitely has tilt and swing away, but more likely than not, the swing away is not operating properly. It is activated when the door is open similar to the interior lights illuminating when the door is opened.
A tilting and swing away steering wheel was repaired on a 1968 Shelby on a car restoration show.
I believe tilting and swing away steering wheel was only offered on certain 67-69 FoMoCo cars.
I have never seen same on the 67-69 Lincoln Continental or Lincoln Continental Mark III.
Best regards.
Tilting and swing away steering wheel was introduced with the 1967 Ford Thunderbird.
Best regards.
I am pretty sure that the tilt away style column came out before 1967. A good friend of mine had a 1964 or 1965 Thunderbird that had one.
Swing-away steering wheel (right / left) was introduced on the 1962 Ford Thunderbird.
Swing-away steering was standard equipment on only the 1962 through 1966 Thunderbirds.
I believe FoMoCo introduced tilt (up and down) steering in 1963 on all FoMoCo automobiles.
I’ve always liked the Cougars. I think it will be a great builder. If I had the time I would want it in my garage.
Decent project vehicle especially with high option content. Too bad it’s only got two pedals. Because of where it’s at, the soft trim is all junk but it should have a solid shell.
The body looks solid but that dash pad seems to have seen one too many 100 degree days. The rarity of the car (compared to a run-of-the-mill XR7) makes this worth restoring but there are a lot of trim and mechanical items exclusive to the GT and it’ll be easy to spend north of $50k on this car.
Slap on a front bumper and drive it … nice patina