It is fair to say that in the world of performance cars, some are created more equal than others. That is the case with this 1970 Mercury Cougar XR7. It is a highly-optioned classic that perfectly combines luxury with muscle courtesy of the 428 Cobra Jet V8 hiding under the hood. A mere three hundred of these vehicles rolled off the line with this powerhouse occupying the engine bay, and this is your chance to own one. The owner wants it to head to a new home where an enthusiast can return it to its former glory. Therefore, he has listed it exclusively with us at Barn Finds Auctions.
If an owner wants to guarantee that their classic will turn heads, selecting a triple-black paint and trim combination is one of the best choices. This Cougar started life by featuring Raven Black paint with a matching Black vinyl top. Time has taken its toll, but it is worth looking beyond the tired appearance to appreciate what this car offers potential buyers. The exterior sports a few bumps and bruises, but addressing these would be straightforward and wouldn’t warrant panel replacement. However, the lack of rust is one of its greatest attributes. Nothing significant is visible externally, while the trunk pan shot in the gallery exhibits nothing beyond some surface corrosion. That makes me believe that an enthusiast with good painting skills could recapture this Mercury’s lost youth in a home workshop. The car retains its original styled wheels, including the spare, which could present perfectly with little effort. The trim and chrome should sparkle nicely after cleaning and polishing, and I can’t spot any problems with the tinted glass.
We must lift the hood to expose this Cougar’s party piece. Its engine bay houses the legendary numbers-matching 428 Cobra Jet V8 that sends 335hp through a three-speed C6 automatic transmission to a 3.00 Traction-Lok rear end. The original owner’s decision to equip the car with power assistance for the steering and front disc brakes should provide an effortless driving experience. Mercury viewed and marketed the Cougar as a more luxurious alternative to the Mustang, but that doesn’t mean this car is slow. The ability to storm the ¼-mile in 14.8 seconds on the way to 130mph demonstrates the XR7 has serious performance credentials. The seller includes receipts confirming significant work was performed on that incredible V8, and it is in sound mechanical health following a recent tune-up. It runs and drives and should be considered a turnkey proposition for potential bidders.
I’ve previously mentioned this Cougar’s luxury leanings, and we only need to examine its interior, and the included Marti Report to confirm life aboard this XR7 would be pretty pleasant. The original owner equipped it with air conditioning, power windows, Black leather seat upholstery, a rear window defogger, a console, Deluxe belts with a warning light, and an AM/FM stereo radio. It retains those features but would benefit from some TLC to regain its former glory. The driver’s seat cover has split and may be beyond repair. It isn’t the end of the world if that proves the case because replacement covers for the front are readily available, and, like many pony cars from this era, they are surprisingly affordable. There is minor damage to the driver’s door trim, but no other issues seem to justify parts replacement. The dash and pad are excellent, as are the console and faux woodgrain. Someone has swapped in a Hurst shifter, but the owner includes an original item in the parts collection that comes with this classic.
This 1970 Cougar XR7 ticks many of the right boxes for an enthusiast seeking a perfect blend of luxury and performance in a stunning visual package. Triple-black vehicles of any description can’t help but attract attention, and this beauty undoubtedly would when returned to its former glory. It is worth noting that with Cougar values climbing, a high-end restoration should yield a classic worth more than $60,000. Perfection could see that figure rise to $80,000 or more, making this a project worth serious consideration.
- Location: Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
- Mileage: TMU
- Engine: 428 Cobra Jet V8
- Transmission: Three-Speed Automatic
- VIN: OF9Q526384
- Title Status: Clean
Bid On This Auction
Cougarfan bid $24,500.00 2023-06-08 11:05:55
oranje bid $24,100.00 2023-06-08 11:03:53- Cougarfan bid $24,000.00 2023-06-08 11:01:17
- oranje bid $23,500.00 2023-06-08 10:59:58
- Cougarfan bid $23,000.00 2023-06-08 10:55:03
1997SVT bid $18,500.00 2023-06-08 10:52:08- Cougarfan bid $18,000.00 2023-06-08 10:48:27
- 1997SVT bid $17,500.00 2023-06-08 10:46:03
- Cougarfan bid $17,000.00 2023-06-08 10:44:58
- 1997SVT bid $16,900.00 2023-06-08 10:41:37
- Cougarfan bid $16,800.00 2023-06-08 10:39:53
- 1997SVT bid $16,700.00 2023-06-08 10:26:16
- oranje bid $16,600.00 2023-06-08 10:24:21
- 1997SVT bid $16,500.00 2023-06-08 09:41:23
scrowe bid $16,100.00 2023-06-08 09:26:52- Cougarfan bid $16,000.00 2023-06-08 06:44:57
Eclectic Collector bid $15,500.00 2023-06-07 15:51:15
mr haney bid $12,465.00 2023-06-05 23:33:38
Professorpat bid $11,500.00 2023-06-02 16:02:42
eliminator351-4v bid $5,500.00 2023-06-02 13:17:46
ABuccsFan bid $5,000.00 2023-06-02 10:36:26
BlisterEm bid $4,000.00 2023-06-02 08:05:40
pontiacpat bid $1,200.00 2023-05-31 15:54:03
Swede bid $1,100.00 2023-05-31 14:19:06
Saabman bid $1,000.00 2023-05-31 11:58:55
Very cool. Looking at all the documentation truly a 1 of 1. Excellent car for restoration. Will have to see how far it goes. My brother would LOVE this car. :-)
🎶 🎸 If I had money I tell you what I do … I’d go downtown and buy a Mercury or two….I’m crazy about a Mercury I’m crazy about a Mercury..I’m going to buy me a Mercury and cruise it up and down the road.. 🎸
Wow, this car was a unicorn, even when it was new! What an incredible car to have taken delivery of in 1970! Very much a standalone car of its time and certainly that way today as well.
428, highway, gears, and all that luxury: leather, AC, power, everything, AM/FM stereo, etc.
Love this car, and I know I’m not the only one, i’m not even a Ford guy and this is one I would seriously consider to take on……
A winner.
Owned a ’68 xr-7 GT with 390 from
77- ’82 and loved that car. It was not the deep breather the 428CJ is.
This has what looks like original Radiator and 3.00 rear was best you got with AC. Nice PS and P disc !
I ran fuel line around back of Holley like he has done to unclutter the front and he has coil on rt side of the bay off the engine as well. If you have not had a ride in a CJ cougar/mustang ’69-’70 you would be surprised at the grunt of this street mill.
I like this one and what he has done.
Leave it in Drive, the C6 knows what to do. Should have the CJ iron tailshaft on it.
I like this Cougar!
GLWTS !
Nice car.Always liked Cougars from this era.Triple black is awesome.This is a car worth putting $ into and restoring and I’m not a Ford guy.The #’s 428 cj makes it even better.I gotta say it …I wish it was a 4 speed but the c6 is bulletproof and a great trans.I wouldn’t doubt this car goes for 30 + in today’s market.Glwts.
Well, he’s had it advertised on MP and a Cougar group for around 27k for months with no takers. This car will take a lot of $$$ to bring back to former glory unless you can do most of the work yourself. Triple black and the CJ makes this car worthy of the effort though. I’m not a Ford guy either, but I’d park this cat in my driveway for sure.
That price deserves to go to the stratosphere. What a great car. I know some will not be enthusiastic about the auto and 3.00 gears but what a fine cruiser.
One bad ass black cat! And cheaper than a black ghost!
This Cougar has the right color, power, and luxury features that would make it a perfect renovation project for the right person with time and of course, money!
No AC, no vents in the IP, the controls below the radio are for non AC only
Yes what a great car, I would like to own this and do a total restoration as in pull it all apart and do a proper restoration. The car deserves to be bought back to its former glory.
I like to see some sort of reserve on a vehicle ACC on their site, they have a great system with a graph at the bottom as to how far away from the reserve a car is. I just wont bid on a car not knowing how far it has to go.
Really good starting point that’s a damn nice car!
1 question shouldn’t there be AC vents in the dash?
Why do you think that?
The car was from Vancouver CN so you don’t need AC. A friend of mine had an SS Camaro that was originally from WA State. Also no AC.
According to the Marti Report, this car wasn’t equipped with AC from the factory. So no AC vents in the dash.
It deserves a full restoration, but it’s a pity to reupholster those seats. The original material was leather, and the wear pattern, i.e, patina, is as unique to this car as fingerprints are to its owner.
I don’t see a/c on the marti report or any evidence that the car had it.
I had a 70 Base Model that I just had repainted 6 months earlier until one day a drunk lady plowed into it leaving a Bar Parking Lot. The Cops did nothing about it and did not even issue her a ticket. If you like this car one night in 1978 I was driving by the used car lot of the Olds Dealer. There was a very straight and clean 70 XR7 there so I stopped to check it out I popped the hood and it was a factory 351-4V which were just under 300 HP for the whopping price of $995.
Engine is turn-key from a 1976 rebuild??? Any video with audio of it running?
This car is brutal looking in black, if I were to own it I would go full Robo Cop and repaint it in matte black.
I am not a Ford fan, but, I do admit that I have always preferred the Cougar over the Mustang. The look is just better, in my opinion. This one, though a little rough around the edges, is well worth the money it would take to do a complete, perfect restoration. It’s way outside of my means, but, for the lucky winner of this one, is in for a real treat. I just hope he/she can do it the justice that is deserved here.
I drove a dark green version, an XR7 but mine was a 351 4bbl with a 4 speed, ps, pb, tilt, power windows. I used that car for a decade until the clutch weakened and rust was eating at one of the frame rails. There was little to no interest in that car when I retired it. I liked it better than a Mustang.
Must of been an ugly green color.Sounds like a fun car tho.
Dark metallic green with a black vinyl top. Dark green leather interior. It had those five spoke sport wheels with the blue center caps with the cougar in them.
I see the reserve hasn’t been met at 11,500… I’d bet that the reserve wouldn’t be met if it reached all the way up to 25k. If I had to guess, I’d say it’s probably around 30k. With the rarity and recent sales spikes of these cars, this car isn’t going to be sold for anything low in price. Having said that, I think this one is about the best it could get as far as a 1970 cougar example goes. If it had drag pak and a 4 speed it would be a bruiser in a tuxedo. As far as I know though, you couldn’t get a/c with the drag pak and a 4 speed option. But still, it’s a very nice car.
I luv this car combo but question if stated numbers matching engine?
Why the extra intake and heads?
Is it the original top end from a bad engine?
I am as confused as a Billy goat on astro turf😉 (fake or real grass)
Does not appear that this car has A/C, as claimed in the write-up.
This will be one nasty cat when done, it will be gorgeous in all black. If I were doing it, after 100% original restoration, I think I would buy a set of black steel wheels, or black anoized aluminum wheels with chrome lugnuts just to make it more sinister looking.
Hello where are the cross braces in the engine compartment?
I think they are in the pile of spare parts pictured.
I had a 1966 with a 302 I believe,it was turquoise and white ,loved it, but it was one of my first cougar/ford builds, and I called the machine shop to have the motor rebuilt, and the guy who answered was undercutting his boss I guess, and said he would come to my house and rebuild it for me, like a foolish 20yr old, I said yes,and he flipped the head gaskets around, so it would always over heat after running for a while, sad..but back then a 66 cougar even in mint like mine besides the gaskets only cost about 6k , I’d bought it for 800 bucks ,lesson learnt..
It you had a 66 Cougar you should have kept it, It also would’ve been a 1 of 1, because the first Cougars made were 67’s and the 302 came out in 68.
This is probably one of the best cougars on the market today it’s actually rarer than the eliminator. Can’t get any better than a 428 Cobrajet getting harder to find.
“rarer than the eliminator.” … It depends on how you slice the data.
309 XR-7 hard tops with 428CJ vs 374 Eliminators with 428CJ.
274 XR7 CJ Automatics vs 192 Eliminator CJ Automatics.
M.
Personally, I would clean it, buff it, get it running / driving safely and reliably, and just drive that SOB!
great find,
1 notch better, a yr or 2 earlier, &
the SCJ but not sure it came in this model.
The reserve is off!