Hmm, it’s a 1968 Mercury Cougar XR-7, the first owner equipped it with the GT Package, and they ticked the box beside the 390ci V8 on their Order Form. What isn’t to like? This Cougar ticks many of the desirability boxes for potential buyers, and it has only recently emerged after thirty years in storage. The seller admits that it requires a total restoration, but classics of this caliber deserve nothing less. They have listed the XR-7 here on eBay in Williston, Florida. The seller set their auction to open at $10,100, but has received no bids at the time of writing.
The 1968 model year marked the second in the life of Mercury’s First Generation Cougar range. Sales remained fairly healthy, although they dropped to 113,720 from the previous year’s tally of 150,893. The company continued to produce its pony car in a single body style, with a Convertible variant not joining the party until 1969. The seller is frank in their assessment of this classic, admitting that it requires a total restoration to recapture its former glory. It has undergone a color change at some point, with the original Cardinal Red making way for what I believe to be Black Cherry. The first owner opted for a Black vinyl top that remains intact. The seller states that while they can confirm that one door has been replaced, the Cougar retains the rest of its factory steel. However, it won’t for long, because the tired paint requiring stripping away is just the first of many tasks awaiting the winning bidder. The listing confirms that this classic will require new floor pans and other rust repairs to be rock-solid. The parts required are readily available, and anyone with respectable welding skills could undertake these repairs if they are willing to take their time. This Mercury retains all of its original trim, and the tinted glass appears to be in good condition.
The Cougar remained V8-only territory in 1968, with this car’s first owner opting for the potent S-Code 390ci powerplant. They teamed the engine, which produced 325hp and 427 ft/lbs of torque in its prime, with a three-speed automatic transmission. They also selected power-assisted steering and front disc brakes to minimize the driver’s physical load. The Cougar’s performance was marginally slower than a similarly-equipped Mustang, but most of the deficit could be attributed to the Mercury’s higher curb weight. The seller confirms that this classic doesn’t run, and I suspect that it probably hasn’t since entering the Florida warehouse three decades ago. It will require plenty of mechanical TLC, because it is almost guaranteed that the perishable items will have deteriorated beyond the point of no return. However, if the engine turns, that aspect of the revival might be fairly straightforward.
The Cougar’s interior is a bit of a mixed bag, but it can be considered serviceable in the short term. The Dark Red leather on the seats looks nice and should respond positively to the application of a high-quality conditioner. The faux woodgrain hasn’t deteriorated markedly, and there are no headliner issues. However, the dashpad is warped, and it appears some plastic components exhibit deterioration. The compressor and some other engine bay components for the factory air conditioning are AWOL, and the tilt-away steering was removed at some point. It also appears that the original AM/FM stereo radio has gone, but I had no problem locating appropriate replacements on a couple of online auction sites.
I am surprised by the lack of auction action, because this 1968 Mercury Cougar XR-7 GT has plenty of positive attributes. Admittedly, virtually every aspect of this classic requires attention, but it promises a perfect blend of luxury and performance if the right person takes up the challenge. We can only speculate about the seller’s reserve, because some people are more realistic in their expectations than others. With that said, what would you be willing to pay for this Cougar?
438 “viewers”, and 0 bids, that’s unsettling, my friends. It’s tough to believe this magnificent car has its roots from the lowly Falcon, a Mustang in an evening gown, I’ve heard it said. I always wondered why they put the oil pressure gauge in front of the passenger, and if there ever were headlight doors that actually lined up with the grill, I haven’t seen one. An outstanding find, well worth the $10gs, considering some of the drek that comes through here, yet,,,nothing. Why is that? Well, it’s not perfect, and a startling revelation that nobody wants to do what I would call an easy restoration, on one of the most collectible Ford products,,,sorry, doesn’t get much clearer than this.
Considering the money some really rough big block Mopars go for on here..
A duplicate of my ’68 xr7 GT – except I had a 4 spd and black interior. For years that was my daily driver and college car, ’78 -’82. Mine was faded and not in this nice shape…
Yes, oil guage over glove box – I replaced factory electrical unit with mechanical and still have the factory piece on my desk – loved that car. This car handled very well and the disc PB were effective from the trouble I got into.
Am I not seeing the front fender”6.5 Litre” metal emblem this came with ?
Good Luck!
IIRC, the 6.5 Litre emblems were negated when the GT group was optioned.
Maybe @Cathouse or one of the other Cougar aficionados can confirm.
This car didn’t come with “6.5 Litre” emblems as those were for the non-GT Cougars with the 2V, 280 hp 390 in ’68. This car has the GT package which includes the 4V 325 hp 390 and thus has GT fender badging.
The 6.5 Litre emblems were also on the cars produced with the S code 390 4V if the car was not ordered with the GT package. The S code engine was available without ordering the GT package.
I would get it running, change all fluids and tires and drive like this, it looks very good to me.
I owned a brand new 1970 Cougar. Good looking and fun to drive.
Mustang in an evening gown is right. I always liked the Cougar, a gentleman’s pony car for sure. Where is the rust of which they speak? I thought I spotted one hole and a lot of surface corrosion below but nothing worth fussing about if only you want to get it driveable again, which I would. Get the AC running and install an after market radio and cruise.
The GT only came with a 390, so the GT badge replaced the 6.5 litre badge on these models. This would sell at $6 to 7 grand. People get scared when you say floor pans, and not running.
For the 1968 Cougar GT there were a few produced with the R code 428 engine.
This car still has the tilt away steering column in it. You can tell by the cover plate just below the turn signal stalk. The switch in the door jamb is missing so it will not work. An inspection would be needed to see if any other parts of the system are also missing.
“The switch in the door jamb is missing” For the dome light?
The tilt away steering column has a separate switch in the door jamb to work the tilt away feature. When the left door gets opened the switch will send a signal to the column to tilt up and towards the center of the car. That is the door jamb switch that is missing. If you look at the photos you can see the hole just below the switch the turns the interior lights on when the door gets opened.
Thanks, Cathouse. I do recall now seeing that feature on a 66 T-bird but did not know it was controlled by a door switch.
The 1966 Tbird does NOT have a second door jamb switch to control the swing away steering column. It is an mechanical function.
I have a friends 62 Thunderbird that has tilt away steering also mechanical.
I cannot speak to how the Thunderbird system works, only how the Cougar system works.
Car was born woth A/C…. but someone removed the compressor etc….
Back in 1968 I was working on the wing line at the Boeing 727 plant in Renton, Washington. A fellow worker had a 1967-68 Cougar XR7 with a 390 and 4 speed manual. We worked the swing shift and every night after work he would spin donuts in the parking lot. I saw him a few years later after we were all transferred up to the new 747 plant in Muckulteo and he told me he changed to driving Cadillacs after that.
I have another story but that’s for another time.
God Bless America
Two bids to $10,100 but below reserve for car that does not run. A big gamble.
Not surprising . . .
I had a 68 exactly the same (colour and vinyl roof), but not an xr7 or gt. Am 78 and regretted not having one all these years.
Ended at $10,300.
Reserve Not Met.