Compared to its cousin, the Mustang Boss 302, the Cougar Eliminator Boss 302 is a vehicle that has managed to fly under the radar. This is easy to understand because the production numbers were extremely low. That also means that finding one in today’s market can be a battle. This 1970 example is a tidy survivor that is ready to be driven and enjoyed. It is located in Dallas, Texas, and has been listed for sale here on Craigslist. The owner is asking $69,500 for this rare classic. I have to say a huge thank you to Barn Finder Rocco B for referring the Boss to us.
Before finding its way to Texas, the Competition Yellow Eliminator spent its life in San Diego, California. That has allowed it to remain rust-free. The owner says that the floors, frame rails, and torque boxes are in excellent condition. It has never undergone any form of restoration work, which means that the paint and steel are all original. The paint still holds a good shine, with no evidence of any significant flaws. The panels are straight, and the car features its distinctive front and rear spoilers. The glass and trim are in excellent order, but the Magnum 500 wheels are a recent addition. Whether the buyer retains these will be their choice, but they are wrapped in a fresh set of Goodyear Polyglass tires.
Lifting the hood reveals what makes this Mercury so special. The engine bay is occupied by a 302ci Boss V8, which pumps out an “official” 290hp. This sweet V8 is bolted to a 4-speed manual transmission (there was no auto option with the Boss) and a 9″ rear end. The Eliminator is a numbers-matching classic, and it offered performance that was not to be sneezed at. While the lighter Mustang was marginally faster over the ¼ mile, the Eliminator could still storm through in 15.2 seconds. Give it enough room, and the ultimate destination would be 131mph. Once again, the Cougar has not undergone any restoration work. The engine bay has been lightly detailed, but it remains unmolested. The owner claims that the car runs and drives perfectly and is ready to be driven anywhere. It comes with complete known ownership history, three Build Sheets, the original Warranty Card, and a Marti Report.
This is as close as we get to having a decent look inside the Cougar, but it seems to continue the theme of a tidy survivor. There are no apparent issues, and the white vinyl upholstery has managed to avoid most of the stains and yellowing that can plague this type of upholstery. There are a few visible marks, but I believe that these could be removed with a bit of careful work. The seats are free from significant wear, and there are no obvious tears. The carpet looks good, and what can be seen of the dash and pad shows a lot of promise. I would love to get a closer look, but I guess that we can’t have everything.
It is easy to see how the 1970 Mercury Cougar Eliminator Boss 302 slipped under the radar. They were a well-kept secret, and the company only produced 469 cars during the 1970 model year. That makes them an automotive rarity, and good examples can command a premium price when they come onto the market. It isn’t unusual to see original and unmolested survivors achieve six-figure prices, while pristine examples can top $150,000. This one isn’t pristine, but it is an exceptional survivor. With those figures in mind, the price does look competitive, and I wouldn’t be surprised if someone snaps it up pretty quickly.
Although it’s a little out of my price range, it looks to be a really nice original survivor that you can drive today. Think the Magnum 500s look really sharp here. Just wish seller had included more pics.
I definitely prefer the charcoal gray Cougar wheels with trim rings to the generic Magnum 500. I’ve seen a couple Eliminators over the years, but they all had completely black interiors. The Competition Orange or Blue seem to be the mire desireable colors, but I’d take a Boss 302 in any color.
Although it’s a little out of my price range, it looks to be a really nice original survivor that you can drive today. Think the Magnum 500s look really sharp here. Just wish seller had included more pics.
A rare version of an already rare model… the Cougar Eliminator. Great looking car here with a fiesty small block screamer under the hood, I really like the Eliminator in every way even the name alone is spot on for that era.
For hardcore drag/street racing the 428 CJ could be had in these, a different kind of animal. The wheels work for the type of car it is.
Never seen too many of these in my life so it’s always a pleasure, and to think it was here in San Diego for a while, shazam.
There is one of these in competition orange on eBay with 61,xxx miles. They are asking $164,900.
Very Nice, an even rarer version, the 1968 Cougar GT-E one could get the 428, or for two lucky owners a 427 (with hydrolic lifters) rated at 390 HP (there were 3 1967 GT500’s with the same engine as well.) I like the 1970 and earlier Mercury Cougars, this one is very nice.
123456 What kind of VIN# is that? The 0F91G is correct, but that`s a strange sequence of build number?
It’s a fictitious numerical sequence so that we don’t all know the real VIN number. I always list my VIN’s with the last 4 digits as XXXX until the final sale is close. Why give help to the criminals and cloners?
This is 0F91G510966. While the car has not been restored, it is should also NOT be considered a “survivor”.
It has been repainted ~ a partial repaint in the 90’s due to driver’s rear quarter damage, and I’m told a full repaint by the present owner.
The underside was in nice, unrestored condition back in 2015, showing only typical minor surface rust in places, but has since been resprayed completely in generic black. This isn’t what should be considered “minor detailing” of the underside, IMO.
The engine bay has been UN-molested. It was missing many of the rare and expensive components back in 2015, but thankfully the past few owners have replaced many of those missing items (do your due diligence to determine if correct originals or repro parts were used, as original smog and rev limiters are rare and very expensive, but repros are available).
The interior is tired, but in decent shape, with the camera case dash components and white interior components still being in place and in good condition – these items should be considered “unobtanium”. It could use some freshening, which would probably be a good goal for the next owner.
All in all, Dale has a really beautiful, numbers-matching Boss Eliminator with impeccable documentation and almost completely known history. While it has not been “restored”, a LOT of the heavy lifting has already been done to make it a great cruiser for the next owner to enjoy and still have enough things to tinker on if they so desire.
Looks like no a/c or radio at all, blank off plates in place
Jranders, Boss 302’s didn’t have AC as an option. Radio is present, it’s an AM unit. What you’re seeing as a block off plate with the little Cougar on it is actually the “no AC” block off. If a Cougar has AC there are vents in that location, otherwise you get a running cat block off plate there.
Jranders, it has an AM Radio. The plate you’re seeing with the silver running cat on it is the block off plate for the AC vents.
AC was not an option with the Boss 302 engine.
I would think this car turns 14s, not 15s.
Odd no Boss 302 id(s) on the car’s exterior.
Could you get a boss 302 cougar in a non Eliminator?
Those tires are big bucks new today – at least $250 ea.
For the Cougar, the Boss 302 was only available with the Eliminator option.
There were Boss 302 and 428CJ decals available for the lower fender behind the front wheel. They were an over the counter item and some dealers installed them prior to sale.
No it wasn’t that fast, it could do 0–60 in 7.6 seconds and the quarter mile in 15.8 seconds, that was with the drag pack and the 4 speed.
So what was the actual hp rating on the 302?
I believe it was conveniently rated the same as Chevy’s Z28 302, at 290hp >.>
Mmmmmm, love the Cougars! Only 6% were 3 pedals!
My first car being a ’67 XR7 and being a huge Boss fan, had I the expendable income sitting around, I would be on the phone and in the truck with trailer attached. Beautiful machine, would love to cruise in it.
I agree with TBall except I would have a car carrier transport it from it’s West Coast home to my East Coast home.
Awesome car!
Really nice car,just too rare,and expensive, love the style much more then the over popular mustang,my 1st car was a 70 cougar xr7,with 351c 2v,auto.bought out of the back door of my school’s auto shop,from a fellow student in 12/1986 it was a beater,that was in parts car condition, but ran strong,and I was 17,only paid $100,and wrecked it within a month, only casualty was a section of fence it ran thru…live,and learn!
Owned two of these when I was a lot younger. First was in high school a Comp Orange ’69 428 SCJ Ram-air with 4spd and locker rear. Second a few years later a little more calm, a Comp Green ’70 with 351C 4V 4spd which I “Boss’d”. I worked in a machine shop so I reworked the heads to adjustable rockers and installed a mechanical camshaft. The 351C handled much better than the 428, I liked to autocross. Although my most memorable street race was with the ’69. On Michigan Avenue against a GTO, each shift let the other inch ahead. Also the 360 spin (wasn’t racing) on the Southfield freeway when I hit a rain puddle in the right hand lane under a overpass. Next thing I knew I was on the exit ramp I had no intention of exiting on.