The Cougar is the car that nearly never was. Mercury management wanted a slice of the 1960s pony car pie, but Ford was initially reluctant to grant their wish. However, some pretty persuasive arguments must have been presented because the Cougar joined Mercury’s model lineup in 1967. This 1969 model started life as a genuine XR-7 and has been in the same family since 1988. It underwent a restoration that has left it presenting superbly and in excellent mechanical health. All good things must end, with the current owner listing the Cougar here on eBay in Sebastian, Florida. The bidding sits at $10,500, which is below the reserve. They provide a BIN option of $25,000 for those wishing to bypass the auction process.

The First Generation Cougar followed its Blue-Oval cousin’s lead by undergoing a facelift for the 1969 model year. The changes were noticeable, with the car adopting the then-common “Coke bottle” styling cues. However, the Cougar retained features like its distinctive concealed headlamps and sequential rear turn signals. The company offered an array of exterior paint shades, some of which were subtle and understated. Competition Orange sat at the other end of the spectrum and is the color gracing the panels of this car. The seller confirms the vehicle underwent a restoration a few years ago and has seen little action since. That is why they decided to sell because they would prefer to see it find a home and a new owner who can slip behind the wheel regularly and enjoy all this classic offers. The paint retains an impressive shine, and, like the panels, there is little to fault. Its presentation is first-rate, with tight gaps and no evidence of exterior rust. The underside shots confirm the car is as solid as the day it rolled off the line, meaning the buyer won’t face the trauma of rust repairs. The headlamp doors and turn signals work as they should, with the trim and glass looking spotless. The rear spoiler and larger wheels help the Cougar to make a bold impression that suggests it might possess the muscle to back its good looks.

The Cougar’s interior is nearly as impressive as its exterior, with only a few minor flaws the new owner might choose to address. The carpet exhibits some wear and fading but isn’t horrendously bad. A deep clean might improve its presentation, and a set of high-quality floor mats would hide the worst of the problems. The rimblow wheel has a developing crack, and its faux timber center insert is fading and broken in one spot. Reproduction wheels are available, but they retail for over $1,000. Some companies offer restorations, but these generally run to around $650. However, I had no trouble finding a spotless original wheel online for $600. That would be the best option if the new owner wishes to retain the car’s factory specifications. Otherwise, the upholstered surfaces are excellent, and the dash and pad are spotless. A CD player occupies the spot usually reserved for the original radio, and while the original owner ordered this classic with air conditioning, the system is currently inoperative.

Enthusiasts seeking a turnkey classic may struggle to look beyond this Cougar. Its engine bay houses a numbers-matching 351ci V8 that sends 290hp and 385 ft/lbs of torque to a 9″ rear end via a three-speed automatic transmission. The car features power assistance for the steering and brakes, and with the system recently receiving new front discs and other components, stepping on the pedal should bring this Mercury to a safe and sure halt. The brakes are only the start of the story because this XR-7 has only clocked around 2,000 miles since the engine received a rebuild. The process included bolting on a new carburetor, alternator, and starter. The Flowmaster exhaust is new, and there are only 500 miles on the new BF Goodrich tires. The car is in excellent health and is ready to be enjoyed by its new owner.

Mercury produced 100,069 Cougars during 1969, justifying the decision to place the model into production. The XR-7 Hardtop accounted for 23,918 sales, with only the two Convertible variants less common. The BIN figure for this car is competitive in the current market, but with only three bids submitted, the interest is far lower than I expected. The action might intensify as the end draws near, and if you have been searching for a First Generation Cougar needing nothing, it could be worth monitoring this listing.