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Original Cat: One-Family 1967 Mercury Cougar

Introduced in 1967, the Mercury Cougar was the direct sibling to the Ford Mustang. The Mustang was such a wild success, Ford decided they needed something for the Mercury folks as well and thus the Cougar was born. Though equipped with the same drivetrain components as a comparable Mustang, Cougars typically had more options and were something of a “luxury Mustang” geared towards buyers who didn’t want to sacrifice luxury for speed. The seller claims it is a “original family 1 owner vehicle,” which of course raises the question as to whether or not the seller is the original owner, a family member, or someone who purchased it from the family. This particular 1967 Mercury Cougar is in fantastic unrestored condition and can be found here on eBay in Ohio with a starting bid of $7,500.

Having clocked only 42,056 miles so far, the interior of this Cougar is in excellent condition with the only visible damage being a large amount of wear on the driver’s seat. The passenger seat as well as the rear seats are all in near-mint condition and likely only need a good cleaning. All gauges appear intact and are said to be functional. Reportedly, none of the interior has been redone and everything seen here is all original. Having been in storage for 21 years, this car is in understandably good condition, but this is the type of find that makes me want the full story-like why this car was parked with such low mileage.

This Cougar is an “A-code” car, meaning that it is equipped with a 4-barrel Ford 289 V8. Although the 289 is a relatively small V8, Mustangs and Cougars are easily powered by it as they are small cars even by today’s standards. The seller states that the engine bay and engine were left dirty intentionally to verify the originality of the car. Although this Cougar’s A/C does not hold a charge, the vacuum-operated headlamps function properly, as do the sequential turn signals. Evidently, with the exception of the A/C, everything on this car works as it should.

In the original ad, the seller stated that there was “no appreciable rust on the vehicle – 2 small spots inside engine compartment at top and 2 in trunk, small spot on the passenger side floor (likely from a plugged evaporator core drain).” Unfortunately, the seller edited the ad to say that rust photos had now been included after further review. By the looks of it, the passenger side foot well is rusted through and will need replacing, though if that is the only rust-through on the vehicle this could be an easy project for someone. If it weren’t for the rusted floor pan, I would probably leave this car as it is as a driver if it were mine. That being said, since it needs at least that much work done, I would probably restore the body but leave the interior intact. Would you restore it or fix it and drive it?

Comments

  1. Avatar Jay M

    Lipstick on a pig.
    El cheapo paint job right over the rust.
    Car needs to be stripped and restored.

    Like 0
  2. Avatar whippeteer

    In the ad, there are a couple of areas of rust shown, but it doesn’t appear that they were painted over.

    Like 0
  3. Avatar Steve R

    There is more rust than the seller is acknowledging. Picture #20 shows a repaint over bondo. The three previous auctions have ended between $5,700 and $6,300, that’s probably about right.

    Steve R

    Like 1
    • Avatar Mike_B_SVT

      Seems a bit generous to me. I’ve seen better Cougars for less.

      Like 0
  4. Avatar Chebby

    Red with a green interior, eh?

    Like 0
  5. Avatar Rob Rose

    Judging by the firewall it seems likely that this car was green on green. Nice otherwise.

    Like 0
    • Avatar Part time

      Underside of hood looks like original color was Silver Jade. The driveshaft has heavy rust….brobably “heavy” in other areas as well.

      Like 0
  6. Avatar David Frank Member

    Does anyone believe the 42,056 mileage claim? The front seats alone…

    Like 0
  7. Avatar Craig

    The door code plate might tell a different story than the seller.

    Like 1
  8. Avatar AMXSTEVE

    A Christmas car in July. Needs a stick to catch my interest and a Eliminator package.

    Like 1
  9. Avatar Rustytech Member

    Paint it RED and they will come! It’s scary what might be under that lipstick.

    Like 0
  10. Avatar St. Ramone de V8

    As a Cougar owner, I like seeing this, but it has it’s issues. Rust is not terrible, but it’s there. Whoever thought that re-sale red would work with that interior colour must have been drinking. Heavily. For the right price, its worth a look, but it seems to have been bid beyond my number.

    Like 0
  11. Avatar Keith

    No sale at $7500 and like others said, that color combo is hideous. Seller would be better off to sand it down and put it in primer, at least that way we know what we’re looking at.

    Like 1

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