- Seller: David B (Contact)
- Location: South Windsor, Connecticut
- Mileage: 91,000 Shown
- Chassis #: 9F91H551912
- Title Status: Clean
- Engine: 351 V8 2 BBL
- Transmission: FMX 3-Speed Automatic
When Mercury launched the Cougar in 1967, it was designed to be a more refined alternative to Ford’s wildly successful Mustang. Built on the same platform but with unique styling and a touch of luxury, the Cougar stood apart with its hidden headlights, sequential taillights, and upscale trim. This 1969 example, now up for auction in South Windsor, Connecticut, is a one-owner car with a remarkable history and just over 90,000 miles on the odometer.
In May of 1969, Russell B. walked into Moriarty Bros. Ford-Lincoln-Mercury in Manchester, CT, and ordered a brand-new Cougar for his daughter, who was away at school at the time. He chose Competition Yellow with a black vinyl top and black bucket seat interior, complete with console, power steering, and power disc brakes up front. Under the hood is the 351-cubic-inch 2-barrel V8, rated at 250 horsepower, paired with the FMX 3-speed automatic transmission. Compared to the base six-cylinder Mustang, this Cougar offered much more performance and presence.
The car stayed in the family and was presented to Russell’s daughter when she graduated two years later. Between 1969 and 1982, she put about 70,000 miles on it before an insurance claim was filed for minor body repairs, including work on the left rear quarter panel, some rust repair to the passenger floor, and a repaint in the original yellow. Impressively, that finish still shows well today after more than 40 years, with only minor blemishes such as a small crack and some localized bubbling in the lower body. The stainless and chrome trim remains in very good shape and would polish up beautifully.
From 1982 to the present, the Cougar saw another 20,000 miles, mostly while being enjoyed at local cruise nights and car shows by the owner’s nephew. Recent maintenance includes a new master cylinder, starter, fuel tank, muffler, front suspension bushings, brake pads, and routine oil changes. The 351 still starts easily, idles smoothly, and pulls with authority, while the FMX automatic shifts crisply. The Dynomax muffler adds a low, muscular tone without being intrusive.
Inside, the black vinyl interior presents well, with only a small seam split on the driver’s seat and a past repair on the passenger side. The rest of the cabin is tidy and highly original. Even the second-ever set of tires purchased for the car are still mounted, Dunlop Sensor Radials that, while due for replacement, look fantastic for display and period-correct authenticity.
While not a concours car, this Cougar represents a well-preserved, one-family survivor that has been maintained with care. With only a fraction as many built as Mustangs in 1969, it’s an uncommon sight and a car that always draws attention at shows. Whether you enjoy it exactly as it sits or take it further with a restoration, this Cougar offers a rare chance to own a documented, original family-owned example for $18,500.
Would you keep it as a survivor to enjoy on weekends, or take it down the full restoration path?
Always like the 67-70 Cougars, and have a soft spot for the ’69 in particular. The lines, the taillights, the front end with the hideaway lights, they just “do it” for me. Probably does not hurt that my old high school buddy still owns three of them, but if, I were to own something other then a GM, it’d more than likely be a Cougar. This one looks clean. Wheel covers and whitewalls, just like I remember so many of them when I was a kid. You could certainly do much worse for the asking price, which given the condition, I think it is more than fair. Nice cat.
That’s Light Ivy Yellow not Competition Yellow which is VERYYYYYYYY yellow..lol..Mistake aside prefer this shade to the eye searing Competition Yellow anyways Ole Rob loves him a Cougar :D
69 (comp yellow) is darker than 70 (comp yellow)
Bought the wife a 1970 Cougar in 1986. Green with a white vinyl top. 351/2. Very unusual interior consisting of black/ white houndstooth cloth and vinyl. Black door panels and dash. Very striking. The 351/2 is a very strong engine with gobs of torque. Always preferred this year of the Cougar, just elegant with the swoopy lines. This 69 is a beauty.
Very nice, I want it, but I would have to sleep in it.
I guess I’m a Cougar snob – wouldn’t own one unless it was an XR-7! I’m also partial to the 70 headlight covers – they looked more like the original 67-68 covers.
Hi everyone,
I’m representing this car for the owner. Great driver, pulls very strong, the buckets are comfortable. There are some issues with the paint, but not noticeable at even 5 feet. I have several hundred more photos and video if anyone is interested.
Please contact me or post here with any questions.
Thanks for the write up Elizabeth.
Oh, BTW, personally, I’d keep her as she is and just enjoy her as a mostly original car.
I would be interested in any pictures showing the trunk without the mat (esp. the lower quarter panel area/near the taillights/underside of the window near the bottom seam of the top). I would also like any pictures of the rear quarter just behind the door and underside of the doors. Any comments about the overall condition related to rust. I’m interested, but I owned 3 of these gen 1 Cougars and these can be issues.
Does the owner happen to have a Marti Report? Not looking for a showroom car but I am more mechanically inclined vs. able to perform bodywork. I’m also curious how original it is…
I do live in Souther NH and can easily make the trip to CT, assuming that is where it is located
Hi Steve,
I’m not sure if the comments section will allow me to post a link or my direct email address.
But if you put Dave@ in front of the AutoArcheologist then .com, you email me directly and I can send you the link to all the photos.
There are literally about 400 and three separate videos.
There are pics of exactly what you’re looking for.
One quarter has been repaired ( I’m guessing from that insurance claim, there are pictures of the claim form too) the other has a small hole that you can probably get two fingers in.
Me personally, I’d clean the area up, tack in or even body panel adhesive in a small piece of steel, then lightly coat the area in rust preventive and then give it a shot of the yellow.
It’s tucked down underneath and can’t be seen unless you’re on your back under the car, not structural at all. I’d do that to keep it closer to original.
I too had a beautiful emerald green metallic XR-7 and after several years of driving, only as a summer car, I noticed rust starting in the exact same place.
The rest of the car is nicely solid.
Oh, no Marti report but all the original paperwork
I would be interested in any pictures showing the trunk without the mat (esp. the lower quarter panel area/near the taillights/underside of the window near the bottom seam of the top). I would also like any pictures of the rear quarter just behind the door and underside of the doors. Any comments about the overall condition related to rust. I’m interested, but I owned 3 of these gen 1 Cougars and these can be issues.
Does the owner happen to have a Marti Report? Not looking for a showroom car but I am more mechanically inclined vs. able to perform bodywork. I’m also curious how original it is…
I do live in Souther NH and can easily make the trip to CT, assuming that is where it is located