Disclosure: This site may receive compensation when you click on some links and make purchases.

It’s A GT! 1967 Mercury Cougar Yard Find

c1

No, the pictures aren’t great, but the car might be if you like early Mercury Cougars! This 1967 Cougar GT is up for sale here on eBay and is located in Colfax, California, where it’s been sitting in a yard for several years.

c2

This is one advertisement where I really wish there were more pictures. The seller describes the Cougar as running, which makes me wonder why it’s sat in one spot for a while, especially since at least one tire appears to be flat. There is surface rust on the roof and the seller also describes previous accident damage visible under the hood that’s been repaired. I’m not sure if the colors are original or not as there appears to be some yellow showing through on the rear sail panel. The listing also explains that the stainless steel body trim has been removed and that the hideaway headlights are functional.

c3

I don’t see mileage listed anywhere in the ad, but it does list a “complete” factory air conditioning setup, all engine chrome such as the air cleaner and valve covers. Those covers are attached to a 390 V8, although the original carburetor has been replaced with one the owner believes is from a 1970 Ford. I decoded the VIN at this site, and it does check out as a 1967 GT with a 390. The GT included a 320 hp specification for the 390, along with the under hood chrome, power front disc brakes and significantly upgraded suspension. It also included a strong C6 automatic transmission if one was specified. Even though I grew up with two 67 Mustangs in the family, I’ve always had a soft spot for early Cougars and still have a GT promotional model that my father brought home. Depending on what this car brings, this could be a really great way to get into a slightly ritzier pony car, and of course being fitted with air conditioning is a big draw for us Southerners. What do you think, readers?

Comments

  1. Avatar A.J.

    Don’t get mad at me because I did own two, a 68 & a 69 but the Cougar guys I knew back in HS (there were Cougar guys, Camaro guys, I was a GTO guy) were a little bit off. Maybe because a Cougar and Mustang notch back are identical except for the sheet metal so you needed to be off beat to pick the Cougar.

    Like 0
    • Avatar Jason Houston

      If you compare the Cougar and Mustang to Camaro and Firebird, and you realize what talented lengths the Ford people went with one body compared to the simple effort GM went to, you have to laugh at anyone who says the Camaro/Firebird was a “better” car!

      Like 0
  2. Avatar Vince Habel

    I was always off beat. I drove a Studebaker in HS. I would take the Cougar over the Mustang any day. They both came along after my HS days.

    Like 0
    • Avatar Gary I

      I agree! Cougars have always looked much more refined to me than a Mustang. I think “mustang people” look down on the Cougars because they were not marketed to kids like the Mustang was and tended to appeal to an older crowd at the time. The Cougar and Mustang are built on the same frame platform (same car with different bodywork) and since the Mustang was for a youth crowd, Ford built them cheaper so as to keep prices low. The Cougar should be seen as a better car, but not with Mustang fans!

      Like 0
  3. Avatar Mike H.

    It appears as though this one was likely born with a vinyl roof. I know that plenty of people aren’t fans, and for years they’ve been removed during restoration, but I like that recently more and more restorations are popping up with period correct vinyl tops, including many of the “muscle” cars of this era. I’ve owned a 1968 Mustang coupé and a 1969 Cougar and they both had black vinyl roofs and I think that they really made the cars look complete. I certainly wouldn’t consider one for my 2007 Civic Coupé, but when it’s period correct and what the car was made with, then why the heck not?

    Like 0
  4. Avatar ClassicCarFan

    Hmmm, I must be a little off-beat too because I like the idea of having a Cougar instead of a Mustang even if we do all know it’s just badge engineered. Mustangs are an odd enigma as a classic car, they are not rare at all but still manage to be highly sought-after, popular and have value. I think having the Mercury variation would be cool?

    With this example, I guess for me it all comes down to condition of the body. If it does not have too much rust lurking unseen, then it could be a really good deal. It obviously needs work, but looks relatively complete. Things like interior trim, carpets, seat coverings etc – are easily available I think?

    If you think what any 1967 V8 engine Mustang might sell for, I think this one, with V8 power, and big-block V8 power at that….. could be a bargain. I know that a lot of people don’t consider the 390 to be much of a performance motor but in a car this size I’d think it could be pretty lively and there are a lot of inexpensive tuning parts available for these FE motors if you wanted to build a subtle sleeper?

    Like 0
  5. Avatar A.J.

    You won’t win any drag races with the 390 S code engine but it is still a big block in a fairly small car. They suffer in comparison to the 428CJ but a desirable engine option for sure.

    The Cougar you wanted in 68 is the GTE which has the 427 side oiler (although detuned quite a bit). A 390/4 speed car would be pretty desirable too.

    Like 0
    • Avatar grant

      “They suffer in comparison to the 428 CJ”…
      I seriously LOL’ed. I mean, what doesnt? Could you even get a 428Cj in a Cougar?

      Like 0
      • Avatar A.J.

        Let me elaborate. If the 390 S code (4 Barrel as opposed to X code 2 barrel) had been the top engine in option for 67-69 Mustangs & Cougars I think you would see them as much more sought after. Since Ford decided to put the 428CJ in both the Mustang and Cougar from 68-70 the 390 turned in to a novelty more than a performance option. And yes, thousands of both Mustangs and Cougars got the 428CJ so it fits.

        Like 0
  6. Avatar alphil

    My father had one as well as my best friend back in the day.I love these cars,and IMO,they do feel better than mustangs,but as with mustangs,rust/body damage is a huge concern for me.The roof rust we can see,but the seller doesn’t show or ellaborate on the more important repaired front end damage,(could be minor,could have been pushed back to the firewall)which concerns me more.If I’m the seller and don’t know what I’m looking at,pictures are in order for disclosure to the prospective buyer,yes?

    Like 0
  7. Avatar fred

    I’m about as offbeat as you can find, having recently owned a ’51 Kaiser Deluxe. I had owned over 100 various cars by age 25 , the only Mustang being a ’69 Grande which I’m sure was very similar to this Cougar. I would seriously consider a Cougar as my next purchase.

    Like 0
  8. Avatar PaulG

    Cougars have a 3″ longer wheelbase, and are 123# heavier. Also, Cougars image were more of a “Gentleman’s” cruiser, or Hot-Rod, depending on how it was equipped.
    If this car has a PPI, and is reasonably priced, it would make a great candidate for a full restoration. I see values (not to mention the fun factor) climbing.
    BTW, the seller also has a ’67 Mustang, 6cyl/ manual trans. on eBay.

    Like 0
  9. Avatar Steve

    Guessing it was hit in the right front, body panel fit is bad. Often see wavy inner fenders on these indicating sloppy bodywork. Suspicious no engine bay pics. Boring color but not too bad overall. Are Cougar-specific parts (interior, etc) as simple to find as Mustang bits?

    Like 0
    • Avatar CATHOUSE

      There are a few Cougar specific interior parts available in reproduction form. For the 67-8 cars you can get most colors/styles of seat covers, headliners, dash pads, package tray, opera lights and a few other small parts not coming to mind right now. Some of the other interior parts are the same as the same year Mustang. Some other parts like door panels, standard dash faces, interior quarter trim panels, console top pads, console radio face pads, roofrail windlace, and some other pieces that I am not recalling right now are not reproduced. Finding good used is what you need to find for those parts. There are parts out there, you just need to know where to look.

      Like 0
  10. Avatar RoughDiamond

    This looks like a potential diamond in the rough. I fell in love with the ’67 Mercury Cougar XR-7s when my father, who managed the local Hertz Rent-A-Car location, would drive one home when they were not rented. It was the European design flair, hidden headlights, sequential taillights and the wood grain dash applique that was so impressive to me. The quality of the interiors were a step above the Mustangs. Most early Cougars were vinyl top cars and small block automatics. I was fortunate enough in 2006 to find a ’68 Nordic Blue non-vinyl top Cougar XR-7 GT 390 close ratio 4-speed with factory console and 3:25 Equa-Lok rear axle. KTL Restorations is finishing up the CAT and it is slated for completion this spring.

    Like 0
    • Avatar Alan (Michigan)

      Nice, RoughDiamond!

      So, be kind and post a photo or two when you get it out in the sun, eh? Not polite to whet automotive appetites without at least showing us the goods!

      Like 0
  11. Avatar MountainMan

    I agree, Cougar over Mustang. This one looks decent, not perfect but good enough to make a sweet driver with some time and some love

    Like 0
  12. Avatar Jason Houston

    This is definitely an easy, rust-free California restoration. They only suffer in monetary appreciation the way many cars do that didn’t have convertible companions, such as 63-65 Rivieras, 69-71 Mark IIIs, and other first generation cars. Many experts believe the Cougar was the finest new car to emerge in 1967, and I agree.

    Like 0
  13. Avatar RoughDiamond

    @ Alan (Michigan) thank you and you can count on the pictures.

    Like 0
  14. Avatar Ray C.

    I used to own a 1967 Cougar S-code Holley equipped 390,wide ratio 4 speed,3.25 rear geared car. Drove the heck out of the car for 4 summers .That car was bullet proof, rebuilt the Holley 600 myself.I picked on many 350 Chevy Nova’s and Camaros, with about a 90% success rate at those street battles. That was back in 1974-78,fond memories.

    Like 0

Leave a Reply to CATHOUSE Cancel reply

RULES: No profanity, politics, or personal attacks.

Become a member to add images to your comments.

*

Get new comment updates via email. Or subscribe without commenting.