When it comes to 1970s coupes, there’s no shortage of models to choose from. Ford, Lincoln, and Mercury effectively ran the show as it relates to personal luxury coupes, and despite badges that referred to the big Mercury as an “XR7”, there wasn’t too much in the performance arena to write home about. Details are scarce regarding this example here on eBay, but at least bidding is cheap with the current number comfortably below $1K.
It’s hard to tell if there’s a good car underneath, as the interior doesn’t appear nearly as bad as the exterior would suggest. The few shots where I can spy the carpet show mostly clean surfaces, and the standard-issue woodgrain trim found in the XR7 models still looks presentable. The bench seat was also standard XR7 fare.
The rear tire hump was an unfortunate inheritance from the Lincoln lineup, which seemed to think an imaginary spare tire sitting atop the trunk lid was something buyers wanted. The Cougar lettering across the rear deck was also an XR7 hallmark, but the CB radio antenna shown in other photos was not. A CB and eight-track do seem appropriate here, don’t they?
Production figured for the ’79 XR7 stretched well into the six figures, so there’s very little that could be considered rare here. Given the state of its current condition, is this XR7 desirable as anything other than a parts car? The drivetrains of the era were far from exotic, with huge size and low power the typical flavor, and other than finding rust-free sheetmetal under that dust, I’m not sure what you’d use this for. Any takers?
Even a half-hearted cleaning and more relevant info would go a long way towards a successful sale. Another seller who can’t be bothered, and consequently will have this dusty car for a long time.
I couldn’t have said it any better…Ebay is famous for allowing poor advertising and really bad photos when it comes to car/truck auctions and private sellers.
Scrap metal special. $500, tops.
Great body style for the Cougar and Tbird… I’d really like to put one in my laneway. It’s hard to tell through the layers of time that cover it, but it looks to be in decent shape. I don’t mind the trunk bulge on these, the squareness of it doesn’t call out spare tire to me and it looks nicer than a flat panel IMO. The luggage rack I don’t recall as being a factory item, but I could be mistaken… I remember them as more of an ’80s Ford fashion statement. If it was close to me I’d definitely have a look… some elbow grease might do it wonders.
Now, come on people. Someone loved this car enough to buy it new, prob made some hefty payments, it was not a cheap car to buy. Look closely, these were beautiful shaped cars, long hood, short deck. If one could see the paint under all that dust, who knows what shape it is really in? This will take any number of FMC small blocks to zip it up into a potent sleeper if that is your choice, but myself, I would just polish it up and go down the road pretending in was in the Carter era when I was young. I will never understand why the Baby Boomers rejected these 1970s cars, esp the tail end Boomers, sure they were not as powerful, but we all lusted after them all the same. There are some fine bargains here and a chance to be different. The car hobby is about how we feel about a car, not about how someone else feels and esp not about potential market value. I just had a 1983 Dodge Mirada restored, that is rare and beautiful.. If I so chose, I could even pop in a Hellcat power plant, but I choose not. At the shows I go to , it was a hit with the crowds even before the shiny new paint, now watch out kiddies. E Bodies and Chargers are a dime a dozen these days, but my Mirada is beautiful and unusual, and affordable. . Same for this car, someday this could be the same.
Billy: I would LOVE to have a Mirada such as yours! Just beautiful!! :-)
Thanks Moparman, it is part of the family. I have had her longer then my wife, 32 years. Always wanted one when I was in college, then in 1986 I found this one. Again, prob never worth anything, but I love her. We have a 3rd generation Miata convert that is a much nicer driving car, esp around the corners, but this one is still my favorite. Here is another pic. Thanks again.
High school friend had a green one that he put cragers on, white lettered tires, tint, slightly jacked up and a dual exhaust. Always kept it spotless and it had a nice rumble to it. We all knew that it wasn’t fast and he knew it too. You made what you had look as good as it could.
This generation of Cougars and T Birds were pretty decent. It’s the next that were kind of blecch.
I don’t think I have ever seen one of these with optional luggage rack, no telling what other option box’s were checked. This may be a diamond in the rough. Paint looks good under all that dirt and interior looks decent as well.
A black car with green interior is a weird color combination.
It’s not green its grey.
It could be, but it looks like it has a green tint to me.
Another Bloated 1970s Ford.
Not worth much. But looks like it just needs some TLC.
Be great talking point at shows.
Good buy. Go for it.
These always had TOO soft of a suspension package, for me. I’d clean it up, inspect it, and make it safe for the road. Upgrade the chassis package, exhaust, maybe an Ederbrock engine kit with EFI,and an overdrive transmission. A lot of these cars interchange with the Granda and Giha of the day. Good luck to the new owner and seller.
The pictures are lousy, but i don’t see any damage? Might have to take a ride to Rockford tomorrow and see…
Looks like a well cared for car, full gauges, the sign that the original radio is still in the car indicates careful adult ownership, it never got a radio upgrade in the 80’s, the 73K or so indicated looks like its genuine, lo po 351-400 under the hood I’m guessing.
This could be a cool entry level collector, its really cheap, its a 2 door = good, its the sporty-high spec model = good the color is right for a big 2 door, black, you could upgrade the wheels to some 17″ Magnum 500 repops and figure out a way to “tuck” the big crash bumpers closer to the body and you could have a pretty cool car.
Auction ended early…did you buy it Ralph?
Nah, too far and I got too many cars already!
On second thought, this was the Barn Find of the week.
Some one got a steal of a deal.
These are riddiculed and unwanted and most have been crushed.
Some day if fixed up this may be the only one around.