The seller of this 1967 Mercury Cougar purchased the vehicle from its elderly original owner. It needs some TLC, but it is a solid and complete classic that would make a rewarding restoration project. The seller says that he has many receipts documenting this car’s history and that it has only a few minor mechanical issues. The buyer could choose to grab the tools immediately and get stuck into the work, although they may also decide to drive and enjoy this classic as a survivor. Located in Santa Barbara, California, you will find the Cougar listed for sale here on eBay. The owner has set a BIN of $10,900, although he is willing to listen to offers.
The first thing to note about this Cougar is that its current shade of Inverness Green is not original. The vehicle rolled off the line wearing Fawn, but the original owner wasn’t that keen on that color. He performed a change about twenty years ago, and it has remained untouched since. Apparently, the paint looked pretty good when first applied, but it shows its age today. The clearcoat is peeling in many spots, and it also seems baked in locations like the roof. That will leave the buyer with the choice of returning it to its original color or re-applying the existing Green. The Cougar has spent its life in California, which means that rust appears to be pretty minimal. The only issue that the seller identifies is some rust appearing around the back window. It isn’t extensive, but the window will need to come out to be repaired correctly. He also mentions a leak around the windshield, which may need to come out and be re-sealed. There are a few minor bruises and marks on the body, but nothing severe enough to justify panel replacement. The plating is peeling from some chrome items like the bumpers, but the remaining trim appears to be in reasonable condition for a survivor. There are no significant flaws with the tinted glass, and the overall impression is that this could be a pretty straightforward restoration project.
This Cougar’s interior is a surprise packet. The seat upholstery is in good condition, as are the dash, pad, and door trims. There is some damage to the upper console trim, but I believe that this is repairable. It would be worth putting the effort in on this because replacement parts can be pretty expensive. The carpet is badly faded, so the buyer will probably choose to spend $200 on a new carpet set. The wheel also sports a single crack, but it is serviceable for a survivor-grade car. It isn’t loaded with luxury extras, although it features air conditioning and a pushbutton AM radio. When you consider its needs, it seems that the buyer could have this interior presenting nicely once again for under $1,000.
The original owner ordered this Mercury with a C-Code 289ci V8, a three-speed Merc-O-Matic transmission, power steering, and power brakes. With 200hp available under the right foot, the Cougar should be capable of covering the ¼ mile in 17.2 seconds. For potential buyers, there is plenty of good news. The owner indicates that the vehicle runs and drives and has minimal mechanical needs. Once again, these items will take more time than money to correct. They include addressing a slight leak with the transmission pan gasket, fitting new plugs, and adjusting the front brakes. Beyond that, the owner says that the little 289 fires into life easily, it feels powerful, and it tracks straight and true on its new tires. This classic is a turnkey proposition if you are interested in instant gratification.
While it isn’t perfect, this 1967 Mercury Cougar looks like it could be a great restoration project. Its lack of significant rust is a genuine plus point in a car of this age. Even in its non-original color, it makes a bold statement. The buyer will need to decide whether to apply a fresh coat of paint in the current shade or perform a faithful restoration. Regardless of which path they choose, this Cougar has the potential to command a value above $20,000 once returned to its former glory. When you consider the owner’s BIN, that leaves a fair bit of room to move on a restoration. Is this a project that you’d be tempted to pursue further?
Looks alot like mine. Mine has 60,000 original miles and was a 1 owner car when I got it. Mine is an XR7, was priced similarly, and was in similar condition. Great car. At car shows everybody either had a Cougar, or knew someone who did.
Yep I had this car. Nice ’68.
Much better looking!
Nice buy for Cougar enthusiasts . Merc o matic hinders things, along with a 2.80 gearset. But if mild cruising is your thing, this Mercury would be fine. 289 is a decent performer and upgrades plentiful.
Chick magnet… at the senior center.
Nothing wrong with that! Chicks at the Center outnumber us old clucks 3 to 1 any way.
Rust repair & complete repaint. Heater core bypassed. AC comp belt off & pully rusty. New carpet. Trans leak. Headlight doors open. And no pictures under car. $11,000? Don’t think so.
Seeing this brings me to me under 10 yrs old. For some reason of the hundreds of Matchbox cars I had this one always stood out. These were made in England by Lesney Matchboxes, in the display at Grants Department store in actual little cardboard boxes. Later as a teen in Boston seeing these cars driving around the sequential turn signals got my attention. When I saw one hoping it would turn and they’d use their “Blinker” So for meaning of this post, I have a 1996 Mustang GT, purple, bought 23 years ago, been driven 185K miles, never anytime there’s any salt or brine on the road all original except for wear items, original stereo, exhaust even the clutch. The only non-stock mod done is sequential turn signals. As for my Matchbox cars. My mother gave them to my sister’s kids, I didn’t know it for years. I thought they were safe and sound in my closet at their house. My sister moved from her house years ago when her kids were grown and gone. Moving her out I found 15 or so cars, all in terrible shape out of many hundreds of 1960’s and early 70’s models.
Sometimes our Moms screw up. Sorry about your die cast cars.
I remember Grants. There was one in my hometown in MA. I don’t remember getting any of my Matchbox cars from there, but my Mom bought me polyester plaid pants from there.
70’s style!
My Mom threw out my hot wheels and matchbox cars. I had a BUNCH of them! My uncle gave me his 1960’s versions & I had 1970’s into the early 1980’s. All in the garbage!
This is the second car posted here recently where a seller makes the claim the original owner repainted the car because they didn’t like the color. Why would anyone buy a new car in a color they didn’t like?
The rust around the backlight is nontrivial. As the seller says it’s an easy fix and it is as long as one has the proper tools, skills and abilities. Making and fitting patch panels will be time consuming. The holes allow water to enter the trunk. What sort of damage can be found under the trunk liner?
Hagerty puts the value of this car in good condition at $11k with top dollar being $24.3k. I see this car being several thousand dollars short of fair condition ($8.3k). There are too many major and minor problems.
Adam always writes that the original owner did this, or ordered that . when most times its just a flippers story and the car is just a regular bought off the lot kind of car, like this one likely was .
I don’t consider a repainted car to be a survivor.
The Cougar doesn’t get half the attention and respect that the Mustang gets.
Look at the photos, talk about a rust bucket.
Looks like more body filler and heavy rust than there is steel !!!! You can see body work thru the paint .lol