The Ford Mustang sold so well at its introduction in 1964 that Mercury followed suit with the Cougar in 1967. They shared some of the same underpinnings, and the Cougar was positioned as a more upscale “pony car.” From the second generation of 1971 to 1973, Mercury enlarged the car and moved it more toward being a personal luxury car (which it fully was by 1974). The seller has a sweet 1973 XR7 convertible which seems to have been well-preserved over a mere 48,000 miles. Located in Chicago, Illinois, this topless Merc is available here on craigslist for $13,500. Our appreciation goes to T.J. for another fine tip!
While the Cougar was repositioned toward a different audience, the imported Capri arrived in 1972 and was similar in size and scope to the original 1965 Mustang. As a result, there was no need any longer for the Mercury Cyclone, so it was discontinued. The 1973 model year would mark the last for a Cougar convertible. Out of more than 60,000 Cougars to exit the assembly line that year, only 1,300 were standard Cougars followed by 3,000 or so copies of the fancier XR7 drop-top. Due to a larger engine compartment, you could get a 429 cubic inch V8 while the 351 was standard (and that’s what we have here).
The seller describes this “cat” as a showroom-quality car and the few pictures supplied seem to support that. It’s a numbers-matching vehicle, so the “Cleveland” engine and automatic transmission are from the day of manufacture. We’re told that no one has smoked in this automobile, nor have any pets taken any rides. The seller says the owner is an elderly person (the seller?). In recent years, the Cougar has only been driven on the weekends and/or to car shows.
Having never seen snow or rain, this Merc has spent a lot of time in the garage. The seller is an accommodating sort and will arrange for delivery and accept payment in cryptocurrency. The body panels, paint, and interior are said to be completely original, and it runs and performs like a top. It comes fully equipped with the likes of power windows, door locks, and factory air conditioning. Considering what Mustangs are going for these days, the asking price seems fair for a lesser-seen alternative.
Russ makes a good point, by this time the Cougar was as much (or more) personal luxury car than pony car. The ad sounds to me like dealer verbiage. It does have quite a bit of info but only a half-dozen pics and no Marti Report. As far as we can see, the car does look good. I’m pretty sure the correct color name is Bright Red, not “Stunning Red” (which actually would have been a good color name).
So, how about an eye-catching red/white Cougar convertible cruiser, for not huge bucks?
Bob, That was my first thought too – ad is dealer written, plus that plastic cover over the rugs. But then I see that price and think that a dealer would have this priced at least at 25K.
I always think that these cars look so big compared to their earlier versions, then I remember who their cousins are.
No Marti report.. no excuse Bob. 🍻
I never thought of the Cougar as a true pony car. It was always more personal luxury car, with the exception of the Eliminator in 69/70. Definitely a personal luxury barge in this generation, I think that has held back collector values as apposed to the true pony cars. That said this is a beautiful car and any decent convertible has to be worth more than the asking price here.
Too bad the boss 351 was not avail for the ’71 cougar hardtop.
Same with the boss 429 for the ’69 & ’70 cougar.
Why does a Marti Report matter? It’s a 351 2V 1973 Cougar convertible with the base engine with an asking price and of $13,500, not a performance car where specific drivetrain options drive the value. I’d be more concerned about maintenance records to help verify claimed mileage, that’s what matters. The car looks great, almost too good for the asking price. That’s what I’d be concerned with, ask yourself, how does a car that never seen rain and has spent its life in a climate controlled garage get multiple cracks in its steering wheel?
If the car checks out in person, it sells itself.
Steve R
Steve R, I recently purchased a 1967 Galaxie Convertible that has obviously been around the clock on the speedo, it had been stored in a car port with the roof down and the steering wheel is great in that, so yes I agree with your suspicions.
This Cougar convertible looks very nice, well maintained.
And the price looks good.
I owned a black ’73 Torino sport back in 1984 and really liked it. Had the 2 barrel 351 cleveland – so no guts – really was beautiful. With chg to 4v and duals it was still a bit gutless but nice car for the time, back and forth to school. Big and ridiculous front bumper and all.
Would not mind looking this
one over.
Nice condition – AC work OK?
Good Luck!
Low price and the photos don’t match the location reported on Craigslist and they accept crypto. This one smells a bit to me.
Very reasonable price almost too reasonable for a car that’s never seen rain , and is near mint .
This looks exactly like the 1973 Cougar convertible set to be auctioned next Saturday, December 7th on the Raleigh Classic car auction website. If you Google 1973 Cougar convertible it’s under the classic.AutoTrader.com link.
Steve R
It is the same car. The cracks on the steering wheel are in the exact same spots and even the spark plug wires are laying on the engine valve cover exactly the same.
If this is a factory convertible this is a great deal, why has it not sold yet? Only 6 photos? Do we really need a close up of the clock?
Looks like a lot of cool for $13500. Get past all the analysis of what it is or supposed to be or where it fits – this is just a lot of car for the cash.
Seems like most of these were bought and preserved for posterity. Clearly more mature owners who sought a pleasure vehicle rather than a performance car. Looks good. One of my favs.
Looks like a scam from here. Google the VIN, check the 2040-cars link. The map on there is in what looks to be Russian. That listing looks to be lifted from an eBay listing. Also I have noticed that most Craigslist sales that take crypto are bogus. As Steve R said this seems to be the same car at that auction, it has the exact same steering wheel cracks.
The seller’s ad lists power door locks as one of the car’s features. Power door locks weren’t available for the 71-73 Cougars. I wish there were some fairly closeup photos of both sides of the car, as well as one showing the trunk lid. On these cars, those areas are a dead giveaway as to whether or not the paint is original. When these cars are repainted, it’s rare to see the factory original 3 stripe pinstripe on the lower edge of the body side located correctly – usually whoever paints the car puts a 2 stripe pinstripe on the upper portion of the body side. But an even bigger giveaway is the placement of the “Cougar XR7” logo that should be on the right hand side of the trunk lid. On a repaint, it’s many times remounted on the left hand side, or the “Cougar” script on the left, and the “XR7” logo on the right. Or more commonly, both logos are left off the deck lid entirely on a repaint.
As a Packard advertising slogan once said- “Ask the man who owns one”…
Is 13.5 k.the buy it now ask because there’s no way a classic this nice sell’s for such a price this low.Still trying to figure this one out. But if its legit some lucky person will get the deal of the classic car century.
Good investigative work Ron especially about the payment in crypto currency. Maybe it isn’t the deal of the classic car century.
On your phone (cell phone) search your giff’s, for hose under the bed!
Enoughsaid!
Posting flagged for removal. If something is too good to be true…
Yep, too good to be true!