For some reason, the introduction of Mercury’s Cougar in 1967, such as today’s subject, is one that I clearly remember. It probably has more to do with the styling than anything else, and I was young enough that I wouldn’t have known or realized it was a derivative of the Mustang. Our subject car, which hails from Jacksonville, Florida, is an upscale XR7 edition, but it’s pretty worn out. Revivable? Probably, most things are, depending upon how much time, effort, and $$$ one is willing to invest. Let’s look this one over and decide; it’s available here on eBay for a current BIN price of $19,500. There is a make an offer option too.
Cougar was a sales hit, right out of the gate, with over 150K finding new homes in ’67. A single coupe body style was all that was initially offered, and trim levels were two: standard Cougar and XR7. The features attributed to the XR7 included leather upholstery, simulated walnut interior trim, full instrumentation, badging, and vaned-designed full wheel covers. The seller refers to this car’s exterior as being finished in “Jaguar Teal” – a reference to the hapless Jacksonville Jaguars NFL team, and it looks like a poorly applied Maaco spray job. The seller adds, “The quarter panels and trunk area have very little rot, with the roof panel also in good condition. The hood and doors will need some repair, as well as the trunk lid. The trunk floor is mostly all there, so the small flaws could easily be repaired with minor patches, and that’s a plus.” What can be seen in the included images reveals surface rust and more, along with what appears to be a significant amount of Bondo in the doors and quarters. Cougar’s styled steel wheels are holding up all four corners, but they’re not original to this car, as the Marti report indicates this Cat originally wore wire wheel covers. Note the jack-up shackles on the rear leaf springs; I haven’t seen a pair of those in years!
The interior’s blue leather upholstery is in fair condition, but the carpet is completely shot, the dashpad is lumpy, the steering wheel is missing its trim and horn button, the instrument panel and its gauges are dingy, the radio is missing, as are the center stack toggle switches.
Claimed to be running is this Cougar’s S-Code 320 gross HP, 390 CI V8 engine. The original carburetor and intake manifold have been replaced with Holley and Edelbrock components, respectively, but the original parts are available. A C-6 three-speed automatic transmission backs up the “FE” big block engine, and the whole shebang has experienced a reported 73K miles of usage (though the odometer reads 85K). There is no claim to that recording, however. The seller adds, “I will guarantee the motor and the transmission to be as described.” Also noted is that both the power steering and A/C are inoperative.
I’ve always thought that these first-gen Cougars are underappreciated, but I still show favoritism towards them. However, this particular car? At an ask of $19,500, I say fuggetaboutit, what says you?
J.O this seller has a few dandys coming down the pipe too. Have to keep an eye out. I hear you on the love for the Cougar model. Fast with class.
I’ll just quote myself from yesterday: “I can visualize this car when new, and it would have been stunning. Well-equipped, and eye-catching with its ***Tiffany Blue*** paint and black vinyl roof. The GT Equipment Group was a nice package.” I had to look, I think Tiffany Blue was a lighter sky blue shade compared to the teal on the car today.
Unfortunately this one looks rough all over. It looks like the 30-years-in-the-barn example that it is. At least the seller (we’ve heard from them before) seems straightforward with the description.
I hope our resident Cougar expert CATHOUSE chimes in.
If this was a $4500 car it might be worth checking out. But $15000 is way off.
It’s a shame when someone prices an interesting car at what a great example will bring. Optimism? Denial?
But someone with more money and desire than sense might restore it and have a great ride, even though they’re underwater on it.
Love the first Gen Cougars, but seller is asking too much for this ones condition. Bob is right, the original Tiffany Blue color with a black vinyl top would have been stunning. I have a 65 Mercury Marauder in that color, so I’m biased.
Jim you said it all when you stated, “Revivable? Everything is for a cost….” Absolutely correct. Having said that, I’ll 2nd RichardinMaine’s comments which says it all as well. Enough said.
The determining factor is that since the asking price is not crazy out of line, to a person who lusts after this particular type it’s completely palatable. Very nice color combo and the big thing is it’s a 390 which is much harder to come by.
Not sure about this one for the buy it now price. The Marti report does show it to be a true GT but I am confused about the base Cougar interior. The console should have clock instead of the sliding door compartment. Interior should be a dark blue xr7 interior. This Cat is optioned nicely but I would really need to see it in person. The rust really scares me as I see a good amount of rust in the rear quarters. I would really consider this if the sales price was closer to $5K.
You are correct, this car currently has a standard style interior. The seller says that when he got the car it was getting a new interior, unfortunately it was the wrong interior. All the seats, the door panels, the rear side panels, the shifter handle and the console are all standard style and will need to be replaced if someone wants the car to be correct.
This car will need a lot of work to bring it back to original. I see a lot of missing parts like the air cleaner and A/C compressor. I believe that the asking price will need to come down quite a bit before someone will be willing to take on this project.
A buddy had one of these about 5 years ago, wanted 5 grand.
He didn’t run it by me.
He got no takers.
Parted it out, chopped it up, because his wife got tired of seeing it in the yard.
Rust free original.
I would have found the 5 grand.
Quartered body still sitting in his yard.
Love these 1st gen Cougars but $19,500?? Not by a long shot.
A nice one (’67 XR-7 390 GT) sold on BaT last year for $27k so $19.5k isn’t even in the ballpark for this one. The reality is these just don’t bring the money the Mustangs do as they aren’t as popular. Only exceptional examples or super rare models (1968 GT-E) command high prices. The more common models can still be had in the $20ks.
Cubic dollars can & generally will revive anything. But, will the expense justify the return? Unless its a sentimental purchase, I think it should be put to rest.
Would have been stunning in it’s prime.