My dad decided to put in an above-ground pool in the early ’90s, so for what seemed like a couple weeks, we got to know some pool installers. Occasionally, a guy would just show up to do a short job and then disappear (not literally), and one of those guys showed up in an early ’70s Mercury Cougar Convertible that was very similar to the one that Barn Finds reader Mike F. found on craigslist near Denver. It was a little brighter red than this burgundy ’72 XR-7 (which was originally blue), but I ogled it and annoyed its owner as any 14-year-old car lover would. Although this generation of Cougar wasn’t a big seller, then or now, I think it’s a handsome car that’s sure to turn the heads of those who don’t automatically dismiss it by comparing it to the lovely ’67 and ’68 models. And it’s rare: only 1,929 XR-7 Convertibles were built in 1972, and this one is priced to reflect its (mostly) original condition: $29,500.

The Cougar’s vertical grille motif got its start as a slightly raised midsection on the 1969 Cougar’s grille before Mercury designers went all-in on the 1970 models. The theme was continued in 1971 and lasted through this entire styling generation; it doesn’t look bad, but I’ve always found it a little peculiar that Ford designers would try anything that would remind the public of the Edsel, which would have been fresh in the minds of many Cougar prospects. (Nothing against the Edsel, by the way). Behind that grille in 1972 was a standard 351 Cleveland two barrel producing 163 net horsepower. The seller has ordered a Marti Report (it hasn’t yet been delivered), but most likely, the Cleveland is backed by an FMX automatic transmission. The car has new brakes and the air conditioner blows cold, which is a rarity in the world of craigslist ads.

According to the seller, the interior is original, as is the bulk of the car aside from the newer paint and convertible top. The brochure shows that convertibles should have the “Interior Decor Group,” which shows a different seat pattern; however, other nice XR-7 convertibles on line match our feature car. The moral: Don’t always trust the brochures. The XR-7 came standard with full instrumentation (including a tachometer), and this one has the optional console. It’s a very nice interior, worthy of the Cougar’s “upscale Mustang/mini-T-Bird” status.

With only 70,000 miles and a tasteful paint color change, you could do a lot worse than cruising around in this Cougar for the remaining summer (and fall) months. It’s uncommon enough that people will wonder what it is, handsome enough that people will like it, and Ford enough that parts won’t be too hard to find. Not bad for a car that the market didn’t exactly fall for in 1972.