When you start to trawl through the options list offered by a manufacturer for a particular model, you begin to realize how easy it can be to create a genuinely unique vehicle. Take the current Fiat 500 as a perfect example. If you sat down and worked through every combination of paint, trim, and option available on the company’s Options List, the total comes to a staggering 500,000 variations! This 1970 Mercury Cougar XR7 is not that unusual, but it does feature one option guaranteed to help it stand out in any crowd. It is a tidy survivor searching for a new home, so the owner has listed it for sale here on Craigslist. It is located in Woodland, California, and the owner has set an asking price of $19,950. I have to say a big thank you to Barn Finder rex m for spotting this slightly quirky classic for us.
Given a quick passing glance, this XR7 appears to present nicely. Its original White paint holds a respectable shine, although the photo quality makes it difficult to determine whether there are any flaws or faults. The panels are straight, and the close-up shots reveal this car to be a rust-free survivor. The trim and chrome shine nicely, and there are no glaring faults with the tinted glass. The original wheels have made way for aftermarket items, but these seem to suit the vehicle’s character. However, if the buyer seeks originality, sourcing the correct factory items should not prove challenging. All of this has allowed me to skirt around what makes this Mercury unusual. Today, vinyl tops have gone the way of the dodo, but in 1970, they were prevalent. Buyers could choose a top in a shade that offered a striking contrast to their paint or one that was a close match. With a few notable exceptions, these tops came in a solid color. However, Mercury offered buyers in 1970 a top in Houndstooth vinyl. Honestly, I am happy to admit that this is the first that I’ve ever seen. It is unquestionably distinctive, but it is also a relatively rare find on an XR7. The included Marti Report indicates that this car is 1-of-544 ordered in that model year. While that doesn’t make it the rarest on the planet, it should still be enough to start plenty of conversations in the street or at a Cars & Coffee. Its condition is extremely good, which is a relief. I’ve had no luck finding a replacement top kit, but I did find a supplier who sells the vinyl by the roll with enough to replace the original top. However, the roll retails for a cool $460, plus what it would cost to have the top made and installed. At least that’s one expense that potential buyers won’t need to consider.
We’ve seen a few survivors recently with interiors that send mixed messages, and this Cougar goes on that list. The original owner ordered the car trimmed in Medium Brown leather, and the overall impression is positive. There are no significant flaws or faults with the seats, headliner, or other upholstered surfaces. The carpet looks respectable, as does most of the plastic trim. The armrests and grab handles show their age, but the biggest concern is the dash pad. The owner has installed a cover, so we can’t ascertain its condition. Hopefully, he has done this to protect the pad from UV rays. If the pad is cracked, that could hit the buyer’s hip pocket pretty hard. Reproduction pads retail for around $525, which is a major “ouch!” Beyond that and some scuffs on the steering column shroud, there are no glaring problems. When they ordered this car, the original owner had their pen poised because they equipped it with air conditioning, a console, a tilt wheel, and an AM/FM/8-track player.
Buyers had a fair selection of engines at their fingertips in 1970 when they ordered their new XR7, and this one’s original owner opted for the 351-4V V8 that produces 300hp. They combined this with a three-speed automatic transmission, power steering, and power front disc brakes. Pointed at a ¼ mile, this classic should complete the journey in 15.4 seconds. There were undoubtedly other vehicles that could better that figure, but this XR7 combined that sort of performance with luxury and comfort that helped it stand out. The engine bay presents in a clean and tidy manner, and it doesn’t flatter to deceive. The owner indicates that this classic runs and drives well. He doesn’t mention any problems or issues, suggesting that this is a turn-key proposition for its new owner.
For buyers who crave a 1970 Cougar XR7, this looks to be a good one. Its original owner ticked many desirable boxes on the Order Form, but its vinyl top makes it stand out as something different. The XR7 has ridden a rollercoaster in the classic market recently, but values are climbing once again. This car isn’t perfect, but it is a tidy survivor, and the asking price looks highly competitive. It has been on the market for less than a day, and I suspect that interested parties might need to act quickly if they want to park it in their garage. I think that it could sell pretty quickly.
Good job Adam teasing us with what makes this Cougar unique and interesting. I think I have seen one with this option, but it has been years ago. Might the wheels be original, they look like the Cougar variant? Overall looks like a fairly solid and desirable period-correct car.
`67-`68 s/steel rims. could be ordered @ any L-M Dealership
I saw one like this in NJ about 15 years ago. It was identical except for the rims on the outside, but black interior and I believe it had the hounds tooth on the inner parts of the seats too. It was parked at an abandoned house. I left a note that I was interested in purchasing it but got no reply. Sadly, a couple years later the house and the car disappeared.
It’s like a more dignified version of Plymouth’s Mod Tops.
I do believe those are Cougar wheels, but they appear to be missing the black accents normally seen in the bolt area.
My 70 has “charcoal” with the stainless tim rings in each cutout. Not black.
Aside from 428 cobra jet option…You want rare Cougars? Find a 4sp. only @6% of overall production. Nice car, love Cougars.
`67-`68 s/steel rims. could be ordered @ any L-M Dealership
I’ve only at one single occation seen a Cougar with the houndstooth vinyl top – probably 30 years ago – and it really made an enormous impact. It, too, was a ’70 XR7 wearing a beautiful/fugly gold with brown/black houndstooth top and matching tan interior, completely rusted out behind a barn waiting to give up its driveline to the Mustang inside.
Would love to have it just for the cool pattern, IMHO this is such a cool period detail on an underrated FoMoCo product
A 1970 XR7 just as you described (but not a basket case) just sold on B.A.T. https://bringatrailer.com/listing/1970-mercury-cougar-xr7-9/
Yup, you found its identical twin- thanks for sharing! 👍
Cool car. I don’t ever recall seeing a Cougar with a top like that and the same goes for those cool wheels, too.
Back in ’81, my parents bought a new Ford Granada. While there, I spotted a ’70 Cougar XR-7, that was on their lot. It looked a lot like this one, but was white with black vinyl top and black interior. I wanted it, but didn’t have the funds (only 16 y/o at the time) I still kick myself in the ass over the many cars I passed up over the years.
Had a 1970 Cougar with a 351. Pretty fast car. Was a light green (seafoam) color with black and white houndstooth covered fabric seats. Never seen another one. Sold it in 2001, been searching for it since 2015, no luck. Darn!
This looks like a great deal, only posted a day ago.
A lot of car for the money. A great alternative to a 1965-1970 Mustang Coupe.
…IMHO a much better…
And the wheels look very good on this car!
Back in the mid 1980s a co worker inherited an olive green Maverick coupe with a green houndstooth vinyl top. As I recall the green seats were in the same pattern. It was dependable, but he hated it !
Those wheels although 1967-68 Cougar wheels, are actually reproduction wheels. The originals were 14 inch steel rims painted black in 1967-68 and used chrome trim rings.
I can’t see the wheel size but these reproductions come in both 14″ and 15″ sizes.
Options are nice on this one, especially the tilt away steering wheel and front disc brakes.
Not to not pic but this car has a tilt steering column, not a tilt away column. The last year the tilt away column was available was 1969.
71-Boss, you’re correct on 67-68 Kelsey Hayes steel styled wheels, which would have a mercury man head in silver, black background center cap originally only 14 in—-BUT no trim ring!
I’ve had about a dozen 7-8 xr7 or GT’s
CCA member # 697
Thanks
Brian Scheel
Might be just my eyes,but looks as if it’s missing the AC compressor belt. No mention of air not working in the article
Bet the compressor is shot. Early ones weren’t that reliable, and drew more power than modern ones.
Looks exactly like a car I saw a while back on on the “Lightening Auctions” app in Reno. Should have bid on it.
the houndstooth roof was Mercury’s butch response to Chrysler corps mod tops at that time. I loved the flower tops/interiors available on the barracuda at the time, BTW