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Something that always stops me in my tracks while surfing the web for classic cars is coming across a car similar to one I owned. That’s what happened when I saw this 1978 Mercury Cougar XR-7 Midnight Chamois Edition. It immediately brought back memories of one I owned and eventually had to sell cheap when the transmission gave out. My 1978 Cougar XR-7, also with the Midnight Chamois package, mixed luxury and looks and got plenty of compliments wherever I took it. If you’re looking for one of these limited-edition cars, this 1978 Mercury Cougar XR-7 Midnight Chamois Edition from Frenchtown, New Jersey, is available here on Facebook Marketplace for $6,900.
The Midnight Chamois Edition on the 1978 Mercury Cougar XR-7 was a one-year limited package built at the Lorain, Ohio plant, with about 3,000 units produced. When you chose it, the Midnight Chamois Decor included Dark Midnight Blue metallic exterior paint, a tan-colored chamois vinyl roof, and matching pinstripes. A reverse tan-and-blue color combination was also available and called the Regular Chamois Edition. The original owner of this Cougar XR-7 chose the base 15-inch wheel hubcaps and chrome mirrors. The exterior paint looks shiny but should be inspected more closely, especially along the rockers and rear quarter panels.
The interior of this Cougar XR-7 features a full bench seat, manual windows, and door locks. The cabin looks clean and should provide a very comfortable ride for the new owner. The seller states that this largely original, unmodified example has 79,6555 original miles.
While the 1978 Cougar XR-7 offered an optional 351 cubic inch V8 with 144 hp or a 400 cubic inch V8 with 166 hp, the seller’s car has the standard 302 cubic inch V8 engine, producing 134 hp. This was a far cry from years earlier, but it will move the Cougar quite well down the road. All three engines were paired with the SelectShift 3-speed automatic transmission paired with power steering, and power front disc brakes. The seller’s claim that the car ran when parked, along with a video showing the engine being manually cranked, raises questions about the vehicle’s current running and driving condition. The seller ends their ad stating this Cougar remains complete and presents as an excellent candidate for preservation, recommissioning, or restoration. Would you consider adding this Mercury Cougar to your garage?
Wild and rare Special Edition Gullo.
Love it. The last new car my father bought was a 1979 XR7 with that chamois color on the trim and interior, but the car was white. Had the 351. Thing was stunning. It was in 1980, the dealer was very eager to sell this last 79 hanging around. He passed in ’82 and my mom sold the car soon after. To be fair he left her with about five cars, as he loved buying and selling cars all his life. I offered to buy it from her, but she was adamant it had to go. I suspect she had her reasons. I’ve never seen another that color combo, but this one is close. Beautiful car.
No longer listed. Gone baby , gone.
Well somebody thought it was a good deal. I always liked the look of the front end, with the new rectangular headlights with that nice looking grill in between them.
I had a jade green 1978 Cougar with the 302 V8 for a short time in 1997. It leaked oil like crazy and the exterior paint was faded, but the interior was immaculate and the factory air conditioner even worked.
Part of the Torino family of cars. Drove horribly, sucked on gas, almost America at its worst
To a commie i suppose. Buy a Larda
Not a real Chamois edition. I sold these new, and the package included the Chamois wheels (the rubber coated ones) and a Chamois decklid vinyl insert. Could also was available with trunk “straps” stimulating real luggage straps. Nice car, though.
Yes, Tim. I wanted to mention the deck lid straps and unique wheels. Someone paired the colors on a base trimmed car with little more than air conditioning. That 302 would be alright but not a thrill ride.
Ford seemed to really like this dark blue with tan interior and vinyl top in the mid/late ’70s, I think you could get it on anything from a Continental to a Mustang II Ghia. It was pretty much unique to FoMoCo though, GM and Mopar’s dark blues in those years were metallic and usually paired with lighter blue trim.
I was impressed until I saw the engine and I knew this wasn’t for me.
I had several of these, era cars. They did not drive horribly. They were smooth and comfy, Favorite, ’75 triple white Mercury Cougar Xr7. Just like the commercial with Farah Fawcett, Loved that car!
this was the most common color i saw these in when new. looked good for what they were but not sure the quality was any good.
Great cars! Ride quality and screamed ‘70s styling. We had a ‘78 Cougar XR-7 351M-2V Champaign 2 tone with chamois color vinyl top & opera pillar lights. The fake Continental trunk was popular also. The NJ winters were brutal but rust was minimal. Very rare to find a nice low mileage edition.
I have a 4 door version of this. Totally worthless, but as quick as any late ’70s muscle car, if there is such a thing!🤣