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
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