There are times when tackling a restoration project that involves cutting and welding can seem intimidating. This is especially true if you don’t possess well-honed skills in that area. Therefore, finding a car that needs little more than a fresh coat of paint will be a welcome sight. That appears to be the case with this 1968 Mercury Cougar XR-7. The owner refers to it as a solid vehicle that runs and drives. With a healthy V8 under the hood, it will have the performance to match its good looks. If you find yourself tempted by this classic, it is located in North Port, Florida, and listed for sale here on eBay. The owner has set a BIN of $15,500, but he will entertain offers.

The Augusta Green paint that graces this Cougar’s panels is well past its best, and there’s no doubt that the car would benefit from a cosmetic refresh. The visible deterioration suggests that the buyer would be best served to strip the panels to bare metal if they wish to achieve a high-quality finish. Anything less could compromise the paint moving forward, and while this is a fiddly process, I believe it would be worth the effort. The buyer won’t need to take to this classic with a grinder or welder. The owner refers to the car as solid, suggesting that this classic is rust-free. Nothing is visible in the supplied photos, but only an in-person inspection would confirm this. If you live a long way from this Mercury’s location, that is where you might be able to utilize the Barn Finds Classic Car Inspections. It should be worth the cost and effort, whether you’re considering this Cougar or another vehicle is on your radar. The Cragar wheels aren’t original, but they and the jacked rear-end are typical modifications that many owners made during the 1970s and 1980s. Reversing both should not be difficult or expensive, especially if the buyer craves originality. Most of the trim seems to be in good condition, as is the glass. As a DIY project, this Cougar shows a lot of initial promise.

The Cougar shared a fair amount of its DNA with the Mustang, so finding a drivetrain that includes a 302ci V8, a three-speed automatic transmission, power steering, and power brakes comes as no great surprise. With 230hp at the driver’s disposal, the XR-7 should romp through the ¼ mile in 16.5 seconds. That figure is more than a ½-second slower than the equivalent Mustang, but added sound deadening and other luxury touches mean that the Cougar is more than 300lbs heavier than the Mustang. It seems that this classic is in generally good mechanical health. The seller indicates that it starts right up, that the sweet little V8 sounds nice, and that the Cougar runs and drives. He says that the brakes work, but they feel soft. Tackling that problem would be a high priority because dodgy brakes are not a good thing in any car. Otherwise, it seems that this could be a turnkey proposition.

The Cougar’s interior sends mixed messages because while it is presentable for a survivor-grade car, it does have a few shortcomings. The headliner is wrinkled and sagging, the carpet is faded, and there is tape covering what I assume must be a small rip in the back seat. Before spending a dime on replacement parts, I’d consider a few possible repairs. The buyer may find that they can stretch the headliner back into place. If not, a new headliner would lighten their wallet by around $120 plus fitting. A carpet set would add another $200 to the tally, but an upholsterer may be able to repair the back seat without the need to source replacement upholstery. The rest of the interior looks pretty good, although the factory radio has made way for a CD player with speakers in the rear parcel tray. Once again, fixing this would not be difficult if the goal is originality. However, if you’re not worried, neither am I!

This 1968 Mercury Cougar XR-7 shares more than its underpinnings with its iconic cousin. Just as the values of First Generation Mustangs continue to climb, Cougars are following suit. The listing and supplied photos suggest that if someone were to tackle the refurbishment in a home workshop, it would take more time than money to return it to its sparkling best. With no rust and sound mechanical health, it has to be a tempting proposition for someone who wishes to be hands-on with their project. Is that enough to motivate you to pursue it further?