With the values of First Generation Mustangs continuing to soar, they are slowly edging their way out of the reach of the average enthusiast. That’s where vehicles like the Mercury Cougar come into their own. These classics remain more affordable than a Mustang but offer comparable performance and a slightly more luxurious feel. This 1968 Cougar has been parked for thirty years, but it appears to be a relatively sound vehicle. It is complete and seems to have limited rust issues. The owner feels that it could make a great project or be a valuable source of parts. Located in Denton, Maryland, you will find the Cougar listed for sale here on eBay. The owner has set a BIN of $3,900 but leaves the option open for offers. I have to say a big thank you to Barn Finder Larry D for spotting another promising project for us.

This Cougar rolled off the production line wearing Augusta Green paint. The owner believes that this remains original and that the vehicle has undergone no restoration work. It all looks pretty tired now and is in the sort of state you might expect for a car that has been idle for three decades. The buyer will probably choose to strip the panels to bare metal to remove the tired paint and surface corrosion. The surprise packet with this Cougar is its lack of significant rust. There are a few small areas in the lower body extremities, but all appear to be of the type that the next owner could address with simple patches. The floors, frame rails, and torque boxes generally look pretty good. There is rust visible in the passenger side front floor, but replacement steel is available for under $120. The exterior trim is all present, and most of it appears to be in a restorable state. With tinted glass that shows no evidence of major defects, the overall impression is this Cougar could be a rewarding DIY project.

The presentation of this Cougar’s engine bay is in keeping with the rest of the vehicle. There is plenty of surface corrosion visible but no evidence of penetrating rust in areas like the cowl or shock towers. The car features an F-Code 302ci V8 that would have produced 210hp in its prime. The original owner also chose a three-speed Merc-O-Matic transmission and power steering. While this wasn’t the most potent package on the planet, it still allowed the Cougar to cover the ¼ mile in 16.8 seconds. It isn’t clear when this classic last ran and drove, but it appears to be more than three decades ago. The owner doesn’t indicate whether the motor turns freely, but he states that this Mercury has 60,000 genuine miles on the clock. Once again, there is no mention of corroborating evidence, but it comes with some interesting documentation. This includes the original Owner’s Manual, Warranty Book, and Dealership Invoice for the first owner. The buyer will probably pull the engine to detail the engine bay, which would offer the opportunity to thoroughly inspect that little 302 to determine whether a rebuild is on the cards.

In its heyday, life inside this Cougar must have been extremely pleasant. The original owner ordered the vehicle trimmed in Medium Saddle vinyl, and it appears to be essentially complete. The dash and pad look surprisingly good, as do the door trims. I believe that these items could be saved and should respond positively to a deep clean. The painted surfaces would benefit from a refresh, and the Mercury will require a headliner, seat covers, and a carpet set. The console is discolored, and it isn’t clear whether the buyer could return this to its former glory. Whipping this interior into shape would not be a costly undertaking, given the components that can be salvaged. Upholstery and parts are readily available, and this section of the restoration would cost less than $1,500. If the buyer feels the urge for a touch of luxury, they could substitute the vinyl seat covers for the feel of supple leather. It would add around $200 to the refurbishment cost and looks pretty tempting.

As a project build, this 1968 Mercury Cougar shows a lot of promise. Its rust issues are relatively minor, and it appears to be essentially complete. Given the straightforward nature of this restoration, it could be ideally suited to somebody seeking a DIY project. Even if considered purely as a parts car, the BIN remains very affordable. If you were to buy this Cougar, would you return it to its former glory, or would you strip it for the parts that it has to offer?