Lurking under this cover is a nice car that is looking for a new home. It has been owned by the current owner for 30 years, but the car has been sitting in storage in a heated garage for the last 27 of those years. He has decided that it is time that it went to a new home. This 1976 Mercury Cougar XR7 is listed for sale here on Craigslist. It is located in Beekman, New York, and is being offered for sale with a clean title. The owner has set a sale price of $9,000 for this Cougar.
The car hiding under the cover is an attractive looking car. It isn’t finished in its original color. The car was originally painted Light Blue, but the current owner had it repainted in its current color in around 1990. He then parked the car in a heated garage in 1991, and that’s where it stayed until now. The car has held up well in the ensuing years, and there appear to be no issues with rust that are visible. I must say that personally I far prefer this color when compared to the original factory Light Blue. The owner also claims that the car has only traveled just over 56,000 miles. As usual, I would hope that there is some evidence to back this. Mind you, if the story about being in storage is true, then the claim is definitely feasible.
The interior of the Cougar seems to be complete and in generally good condition. There are no cracks in the dash pad, and the dash itself looks complete and in good condition. It looks like the car still sports its original 8-track player as well. The carpet looks like it would benefit from a good clean. The only other thing that I would really query is what is hiding under those sheepskin seat covers. They may only be fitted for comfort, or they may be hiding some issues with the seat upholstery. I also noticed what appears to be a couple of discolored spots on some of the interior trim, but this may also be a trick of the light.
The rear seat also looks to be in good condition, but once again, a clean will do it the world of good. What we don’t get any photos of is the engine. What we do know is that it is a 351ci Windsor engine, backed by an automatic transmission. The owner had some work done on the engine before the car went into storage but has done little upon bringing it back into the light of day. The car runs and drives, but it would pay to give the car a thorough once-over before hitting the streets. You will certainly need to replace the tires, as the seller states that these are dry-rotted. Before the car went into storage it was fitted with a new cam, intake, Holley carburetor, new twin exhaust, new shocks, new A/C compressor and a new transmission with a shift kit. Given the owner’s comment about the state of the tires, it would be prudent to check all of the rubber components and seals on the car to ensure that they are all sound.
Finding a ’76 model Cougar XR7 today is not as easy as you might first think. There are a few project grade cars kicking around, but nice examples in the condition that this appears to be in are not that common. I did find one Cougar of similar specifications to this one, but it requires major paint and trim work to get it back on the road, and it was priced at $6,000. Our feature car looks solid, but it is unknown exactly what is going to be required to ensure that it is strong and reliable after its 27-year slumber. Would you take it on?
Weird trick of the way the cover falls over the mirrors makes the hood look about two feet longer than it is. Great choice on the repaint color. New rubber, a good going over, new darker blue carpet as time allows & this one is ready to turn some heads. Hopefully the front seats are good under the sheepskin & the mileage can be verified…
wow brings back a lot of memories. my first car was a 76 just like this one except mine was black with a dark red diamond tucked interior. I was 16 years old and it was 1990. I caught a lot of flack from friends about the car being so big. the joke was that I had to go to the airport to turn the car around. best thing was tho that I could fit half the football team in the back seat. sure wish I had the cash I’d buy it in a heart beat. my wife of 21 years had our 1st date in that cougar. it was a eat car and ran good only draw bak was the factory 2 barrel it had.
Did 76 Cougars come with console shift? I’ve only ever seen column shifts in these.
Yes they did my aunt had one which was cream 351 Cleveland and console shift C6 with white interior
Not a 351 Cleveland, 1974 was the last year.
We had a 75 with a 400 with a console shift ! Big boat was a blast to drive, big heavy car.
Never cared much for the bigger Cougars but in this color and with those wheels I like this one. I think the console and floor shift was part of the XR7 package.
Mine was a column shift, that’s why I asked.
The radio is not an OEM unit. It is an aftermarket radio that may be an eight track but has the aftermarket knobs.
Agreed, definitely isn’t a Ford radio. It also isn’t an 8 track it is a cassette player.
Had this car in jade green metallic with white leather interior and white vinyl top in high school . Floor shift was only offered with out tilt wheel, hence not to many produced. This one missing all the body side moldings. 6`K just what mine cost new.
Thanks for the clarification, KS.
This cat has it all! Beautiful blue color, floor mounted automatic transmission, V-8 engine of about 148 horsepower, air conditioning and personal luxury styling. The Cougar competed with the Grand Prix and Monte Carlo that year. This vehicle is in good cosmetic condition too!
The brake pedal shows 156000.
Good call! Break pedals don’t lie, sellers often do. Looks like a very nice car though. I would have repainted in this color too.
The guys at Ford bloated the Cougar out until it was THIS.
Practically a sin.
We shouĺd disrespect them but they are probably all dead now.
I too had a 75 Cougar as my first car, passed down from my dad. Light green metallic, white vinyl top and white leather interior, 400 engine XR7 column shift.
It was my dad’s first brand new car when he became a sales rep for the company he was working for at the time. Never knew how much I’d miss it!
Yes they did. I owned one I bought in 1978 with 22000 miles on it and it was 100% factory.
I had a 76 XR7 red with white interior and a white top. That was my first car I bought it in 87. The thing I remember most was how it sailed on the freeway. I miss that car wish I had the cash to find me another one.