Ford Motor Company in the 1960s had a thing about April introductions. Maybe they considered it good luck; after all, the Mustang certainly went on to do good things after its April 17, 1964, unveiling at the New York World’s Fair. In April 1969, Ford kicked off the new Maverick, which went on to sell very well for several years, and this Cougar Eliminator, which didn’t. Lasting only two model years and taking its name straight from the drag strips of America, the Cougar Eliminator was the “image” Cougar, the muscle Cougar. With available bright colors and a little extra standard horsepower, it gave Lincoln-Mercury a wild-looking pony car to sell. This one is being sold on craigslist in Granite Falls, Washington, with an asking price of $34,950. Brought to us by the ever-diligent Curvette, this Eliminator looks like a solid driver.
Being a late-year addition to the Cougar line, the Eliminator’s production numbers are low: just 2,250. (They didn’t get much better with a whole year’s production in 1970: 2,268.) To give the Eliminator the extra oomph to match its name, stripes, and spoilers, Mercury made the M-Code 290-horsepower 351 Windsor standard equipment. The standard Cougar engine in 1969 was the 250-horsepower two-barrel version of that engine, but if you’re going to call something the “Eliminator,” you’d better have a four-barrel under the hood. Many expect to see a Cleveland when they look at a 351 four-barrel, but that wasn’t introduced until the 1970 model year came along. This example is not exactly equipped for drag-strip duty; it has air conditioning, power steering, and power brakes. The craigslist ad doesn’t give us much to go on concerning the car’s condition, so a message to the seller (which looks like a dealer) will be in order.
The interior has the optional “Eliminator Decor Group,” which includes rocker panel moldings, special door panels, courtesy lights in the doors, rear arm rests, and a Rim-Blow steering wheel. The transmission in this example is the “Select-Shift” automatic, which is probably the FMX. The seller mentions that the car comes with a Marti Report and a build sheet, but they unfortunately haven’t posted pictures of those documents, which would clarify the car’s build date, transmission, rear axle ratio, options, and more. Once again, a note to the seller will be the next step if you’re interested.
The interior is in nice condition aside from some seam tears on the lower driver’s seat. West Coast Classic Cougar sells reproductions through their supplier for $889.69 (with a 10-12 week wait, and the price is for the front seats only), so that could be a bargaining chip for negotiations.
Judging by the pictures, this will be a fun and presentable driver for those who long for the “Sign of the Cat.” Painted Code 9 “Bright Yellow” (the seller calls it “Competition Yellow,” but that’s a 1970 color), it’s flashy enough to draw attention and classy enough to have come from a Lincoln-Mercury dealership.
Looks like a sharp Cougar. Something not commonly seen. The bright yellow fits the car perfectly. It appears the seller wants you to contact them instead of providing good written info (though the pics aren’t bad). I hope our Cougar expert CATHOUSE chimes in.
Thanks Aaron.
Author(s) always do such a good job, a shlameil like me can’t add much. However, to go further back in irony, this magnificent car was a simple Falcon and a more unusual transition you’d be hard pressed to find. The Cougar was, and always will be to me, a Mustang in an evening gown. A Falcon doesn’t even enter the picture. Funny, the “Eliminator” was a sales dud, as most of the 100,000 buyers in 1969 went for a more traditional Cougar, they weren’t interested in “eliminating” anything. That was Mustangs job. Even though almost 300,000 ’69 Mustangs were sold, the Cougar appealed to a more civilized person. At about $3400 new, it was actually cheaper than a Boss 302( $3450) and actually outsold the Boss,( 1934 cars) but we hardly heard of it. 1969 had to be without question the most awesome cars. Missed it? Gonna cost ya’, not that $3400 was small change in ’69, but it was doable for most, unlike today, sadly.
Rear trunk spoilers on the more elegant Cougar model, never looked proper to me.
i dont remember them being body color
never see these too often. good looking cat but would look better without the spoiler to me. seller should have spent the money to have the seats fixed
I had the opportunity to buy one in the 80s. It was Competition Orange, just had been repainted. The price was reasonable, but the guy wouldn’t let me test drive it, something about his insurance. If he hadn’t have been such a jerk I probably would have bought it, looking back I should have.
Not really a muscle car, more of a poser. That’s the way things were starting to go by that time. Some people wanted the looks, without the other headaches that could accompany a real muscle engine of the day.
Beautiful car. I’ve always loved the 1967-69 Mercury Cougar. I could be wrong of course, but this generation looked like what I consider an upscale Ford Mustang.
For some reason, after 1969-70, they changed the Cougar to look more like full-sized Fords or larger Mercury.
The only thing you are going to Eliminate with one of these is the summer heat, providing the ac is functioning. No wonder they were such underwhelming sellers.
Just a more gussied up Couger than the standard fare.
Although, I would have liked that 4 bbl 351w as a baseline in my 66 Fairlane. Which had a rod knocking non-original 302 in it when I found it.
My cousin bought a brand new 70 eliminator but it was no poser, it had the 428 CJ ram air engine with the 3.90 rear. Competition orange on black and it showed its tail lights to everything short of a Hemi, 440-6 and an LS6.
Having had a ’69 Cobra in April ’69, I expected the same vintage Cougar Eliminator to be standard with the 428 CJ. Surprising to learn that a 351-2v was supplied.
These are my favorite year Cougars. Never liked the following gens. like I did these. I’d think for $35k they would have fixed the driver’s seat, also that upper dash area is showing some damage.
This has always been my favourite generation Coug. Later gens looked like larger Mercury and in some cases Lincoln. Size matters, even when it comes to luxury cars. You want something large enough to be comfortable, but not so large to take more than one parking spot.
Sweet Cat…….