Except for the Plymouth Barracuda, the hot new Ford Mustang (1964-66) had no competition until 1967. That’s when the Chevy Camaro, Pontiac Firebird, and Mercury Cougar joined the race. The latter was also a FOMOCO product, sharing the Mustang’s platform and drivetrains (but it was a bigger and fancier car). This first-year Cougar has had the same owner since 1996 and has been stored ever since. The time has come for the car to move on from its perch in Caldwell, Idaho, and it’s available here on Facebook Marketplace for $25,000.
The Cougar got off to a strong start in 1967 with sales exceeding 150,000 units. All of them came with a V8 engine, with the standard one being a 289. Since the seller’s car has a 302 that didn’t come out until 1968, it was added later. Though the car hasn’t moved in ages, the seller turns the engine by hand every few months, so it’s apparently not dead. The automatic transmission was rebuilt 25 years ago but probably hasn’t been used much.
We’re told the original color of the Mercury was gold, but it has been repainted, and blue paint seems to be reigning now. The body and paint may be okay, but it’s hard to tell with all the dust and dirt the vehicle has been accumulating. The interior has suffered from sun damage (from inside a barn with a roof?). The seller adds that the console in the center is a rare option, but we don’t know how many were ordered back in 1967.
The sequential taillights are solid-state and were upgraded at some point. The hideaway headlight covers go up and down with some vacuum help. As the seller has owned quite a few Cougars, we’re told some extra parts are available (as part of the deal or for extra cost?). The seller is very confident that the Cougar is “worth every penny” he’s asking. Do you agree?
Worth every penny? Not even close for the shape it’s in. I was the second owner of one 20 years ago in excellent condition and I only paid 25 hundred for it!
🤔$25,000? Let’s talk after you get the car out, in open spaces and give it a bath.
The asking price is not anchored in reality. It probably a combination of sentimental attachment and either a lack or research or listening to an “expert” that doesn’t know what they are talking about. Unfortunately this is the type of seller that likely can’t be reasoned with at this point in time, possibly never. They will get a lot of mocking on sites like this, but it’s better just to move on, this car will be forgotten in a day or two.
Steve R
“Worth every penny.” In Dream Land maybe.
$25,000………….I don’t think they’d get that for an XR7 in this condition. These NEVER got the love, like the Mustang, Camaro, Charger etc.
I think at $25K this car will sit.
Good luck with that. Seems to be a disconnect with market and condition. It’s about 50% too high.