Unless I’m mistaken, and it seems like I have been a lot lately, this is Dark Cordovan Metallic paint on this beautiful 1979 Mercury Cougar XR-7. Please comment with the correct color if that isn’t the one on this car. The seller has this beauty posted here on craigslist in Moreland, Georgia, and they’re asking $7,450. Here is the original listing, and thanks to Barney for the tip!
Any thoughts on the color? It isn’t White and it isn’t Black; I know that much at least, believe it or not. I have a very, very, very bad habit of trying to give too much information, hoping it’ll spark a good discussion among everyone here, so it’s my own fault in listing things that a lot of the other writers don’t. Maybe I’ll try to dumb it down a bit, which shouldn’t be too hard for me. The 1979 Mercury color chart shows a “diamond” for Cougar colors, and Dark Codovan Metallic is the only one that matches; that has to be it, no?
I would have guessed this car was Dark Brown in this photo, and it looks Dark Maroon in some of the other photos. Don’t ask the seller to send any more information; it sounds like they’re as tired of scammers as the rest of us are. Who cares what color this car is? It looks almost like new, and that’s all that really matters. The fourth-generation Mercury Cougar was made for just three model years, 1977, 1978, and 1979.
The Twin Comfort-Lounge seats can be seen on page 5 of this 1979 Mercury Cougar brochure. These appear to have flattened out over the decades, but they look rip-free, so that’s good. The seller has included three photos showing the front seating area, and it looks nice, and I’m assuming the rear seating area is even nicer. We don’t get to see inside the trunk or underneath, but they say this car is “rust-free,” so that’s good news.
The engine is said to be Ford’s 302-cu.in. OHV V8, which was rated at 133 and 245 lb-ft of torque when new. Power passes through a three-speed automatic to the rear wheels, and they say it looks, runs, and drives great, with cold AC. Any thoughts on this Cougar XR-7?
This old Cougar is in very good condition. Thank you gor posting that link to the catalog Scotty I always enjoy looking at them. If you see the opening images of the blue one with the padded vinyl top and trunk insert. I remember as a kid, we have a Lincoln Mercury dealer pretty close to our house growing up. My Mom spotted one identical to that and really wanted it. And she wasn’t really much of a car person. But biy did she like that Mercury.
This one looks great. I’ll hazard a guess on the burgundy color exterior too. Sometimes its easier to tell in person. Thanks Scotty.
Back in high school in the late 70’s, some spoiled kid drove a navy blue one like that everyday to school.
Thanks, Dave! I think we’ve seen one or two of the Chamois Decor Group Cougars here. I love that stuff; it’s so 70s.
We had a 1977 Mercury Cougar XR-7 that we purchased on July 08, 1977. 400 V-8. Brown with a Chamois Vinyl top. Pretty much most options. What a car that was. I would love to have that car back today.
We had a 1977 Mercury Cougar XR-7 that we purchased on July 08, 1977. 400 V-8. Brown with a Chamois Vinyl top. Pretty much most options. What a car that was. I would love to have that car back today.
Last new car my dad bought was a 79 Cougar XR-7, white with kind of an orange/melon interior and top. Stunningly beautiful. Had every option they offered. It was 1980 and the dealer was looking to get rid of it. He paid $7950 cash. My mom sold it in 83 not long after dad passed in late 82. She gave that thing away, as my dad pampered that car and it was still pristine. I’ve never seen another with that color combo. This is a very nice example, be nicer with the 351.
If you search Google for “Dark Cordovan Mercury Cougar,” you’ll get a bunch of cars in the same color as this one.
Thanks, CCFisher. I’m embarrassed to mention that I didn’t even do that before taking a chance on the color. I should have done that on the Datsun 210 sedan, ouch.
My family had a 78 Cougar, 351 modified Cleveland. Great ride, very smooth. We paid about $4000 for it. It had over 150,000 miles on it when the engine blew. Had 30,000 when we bought it used. Champagne poly color. A great Mercury. They need to bring Mercury and this kind of Cougar back.
I lusted after the T Bird sibling of this thing back in the early 80’s. There was a dark blue one with a white top that just looked so good running around town and I wanted it. They were wanting way to much for them for me to afford one. I would have just torn it up like every other car I had in those days, I used to drink a lot and made poor decisions, one of those tales
Stylish and nicely trimmed, these Cougars (and their Thunderbird brethren) really hit the mark for the then-popular personal luxury segment. This one looks to be in good condition.
Thanks SG.
Thanks, Bob. If I had a nice burnt orange leisure suit, I could see myself driving this car to shows, if not daily around town.
Ha! Good one. Many things I loved so much about the seventies…the music (except Disco), the sitcoms, SNL was very funny, and some of the cars of course. But double-knit polyester leisure suits were…how can I be kind?…let’s just say they weren’t around very long, despite their notoriety since. They were hot in the sun and stiff as a board but “wrinkle free” was their big selling point!
Scotty, don’t stop “listing things that a lot of the other writers don’t.” Those things, and the style in which you do it, make your write-ups so enjoyable and informative. And, thank you for always listing the vehicle location and listed price/current bid. Not all the writers do so, and I wish it were an editorial standard for BF. Keep doing what you do—it’s appreciated!
Oh wow, I never thought I’d hear that, NHDave! That is so darn nice of you; thanks! You booted me back to (my) reality. I’ll keep putting out too much info and hope for the best that folks are at least somewhat polite in pointing out mistakes, which we all make, but I make a ton of them by digging into things that I should maybe not dig into. But I’ll keep it up now. Thanks!
Good gosh Mr. G, please don’t change how you present your information. I hate to sound cliche, but it is “who you are” and makes you stand out. Your write-ups reflect your interests and a desire to share information with others that may have the same. Getting a scattered “fact” or two wrong is insignificant and human. And remember: confidence is not arrogance if presented with a dash of humility…which you possess.
I’ll second what Spearfish said Scotty. I appreciate all your time and research. I always enjoy it when you hunt down the original dealer catalogs. It really shows how times have changed. Please keep posting all the great different finds you’ve been posting, and your writing style too. I think I speak for a lot of folks when I say I always enjoy your write ups Scotty.
-Dave
I concur!
8k a/c compressor is locked up. these looked good but were gas pigs with little power. be a good buy for 4k.
NO BELT ON THE COMPRESSOR ! HOW’S THAT A/C COLD ?
The AC compressor has no belt so the AC isn’t working.
Very cool ride and for the price hope someone gets it and continues to care for it
Had a 78 TBird, the Ford color was Russet Metallic. I guess russet, like the potato.
A former roommate has an extremely clean Thunderbird or this year. You’re right about how a 351 would be much better than the 302 in this. A few years, actually a few decades ago I almost bought one that was what I called lipstick red with a beautiful white vinyl hald roof and a completely white interior and a white pin stripe on it. It had a 351 in it. No it wasn’t a muscle car but you could light up the rear tires. The Thunderbird my roommate had was a complete twin to the one I almost bought but a significant difference in power. His had the 302. It wasn’t an absolute dead slug but lets say you wouldn’t win any stop light or dragstrip race against most anything. On a bright note, his could dust a moped or a kid on a skateboard as long as they didn’t start going on a downhill slope. Lol
I’m thinking the important thing was the fun that could be had in that big ol reclining front passenger seat…..
…a beautiful Cougar, and so representative of those times.
We’re all predisposed to think that the prevalent pop-culture of our ‘Salad Days’ is the greatest of all time.
And those of us who came of age in the seventies were lucky…Nixon ended the Draft, a virtual tsunami of iconic car-designs, Classic Rock music, and yes…even some of that disco was excellent.
I draw the line at most of Seventies fashion trends though. Other than the arrival of ubiquitous “Designer Jeans”, most of it passed into oblivion. “Fashion” was all pretty awful in retrospect
But the cars, music, and most other aspects remain iconic to this day.
You are absolutely correct about the 1970s. Great times. Great music and a great time to be a kid.
…and one of the highlights of my own 70’s experiences was to have been at Comiskey Park for Steve Dahl’s ‘Disco Demolition’ night.
THAT was peak seventies craziness.
Very nice looking car, this will be a future collectible for sure beautiful styling and color, plus with a v-8 and also being a luxury vehicle as a mercury can’t go wrong. Price is very reasonable and the new owner will be very happy with this purchase…