Car companies still make turbos but it seems like there was something about the 1980s that brought them out in droves. It seemed like everyone had a turbo vehicle, even minivans had turbos. But, a Mercury? This 1986 Mercury Cougar XR-7 turbo 5-speed is posted on Craigslist with an asking price of $3,500. It’s located in Slatington, Pennsylvania.
The seller says that it’s “Virtually rust free with the exception for a small area behind the rear wheel I touched up 16 years ago (see picture). Since it’s original paint there is no hidden damage or rust!” They “bought this car in 2002 when noticing how rust free it was for a Fox body. It has been stored since then. I owned a 1984 XR-7 at that time that was my first new car, but had severe rust from everyday use in PA. My plan was to swap my drive train into the nicer 86 car. Well 16 years later it is finally done.”
I remember reading some negative comments (imagine that, even three decades ago!) about the notchback design of the Cougar when the sixth-generation cars first came out. A few people were complaining about how it should have had a sloping back. Another commenter said, “You mean like a Thunderbird Turbo Coupe?” Zinnnnng..
Oddly enough, even with a great variety of photos including underside shots, there isn’t one photo that even remotely shows the front seats. I’m not sure why but I’m sure that they would send any serious parties more photos. The fun part is on the bottom-right, that 5-speed shifter. This car has a “Complete rebuilt T-5 transmission” and hopefully everything works. After three decades I’m not taking bets on the AC blowing cold but I could be wrong.
This 2.3L inline-four turbo has “all new seals in the engine. The car runs and drives great, no smoke, taps, knocks, or leaks.” It would have had 155 hp and if a Mercury Cougar buyer wanted a 150-hp 302 V8 they couldn’t have it in the XR-7 in 1986. This one isn’t all stock, “Upgrades include “Ranger” roller cam and followers, Ric Gillis manual boost valve set to 15PSI, 8AU processor and larger VAM from the 87-88 turbo coupes, advanced cam timing gear.” Have any of you owned a Cougar XR-7 turbo?
Not an attractive car to my ageing eyes, but hopefully the car will find a loving home. I’d probably opt for the T-Bird of the same generation, given the choice.
Now, that engine would drop very nicely into the Low Sierra wagon… ;-)
Turbo engines gathered a following in the 1980s for a couple of reasons. The engines were ultra successful in Formula 1 (the 1.5 litre BMW turbo produced 1100hp!).
However, the big push really came out of Europe due to the different marketing of cars in those countries at the time. The most popular form of motorsport across Europe and the Pacific rim was Group A Touring Cars. A lot of the focus was on manufacturer involvement with the old “win on Sunday, sell on Monday” philosophy at play. Ford developed the 2.3 Pinto Turbo engine in Europe for that market, and had the foresight to utilise the technology in other markets (except here in Australia). The 2.3 was a good engine, but for sheer grunt it was hard to go past the 2 litre Cosworth twin cam. Towards the end of their competition life they were getting 650hp out of them.
I had an ’87 Thunderbird Turbo, same engine and tranny but with factory intercooler. Amazing powertrain, easy to pull power from… adding a 3″ downpipe and Mustang LX 5.0 exhaust, is a great starting point. My ’84 SVO with this set-up (intercooled as well), was very squirrelly on the boost…the Cougars and Tbirds on the other hand remain nicely planted.
The extra 500-600 lbs in the turbo T-Bird and Cougar would surely have helped avoid any “squirrelly-ness”…
In August of ’89 my 75 year old father in law ordered a1989 XR7 3.8L supercharged with a 5 speed. I called it Hugh’s Last Erection and he did have fun with it…until he suffered a stroke in January, 1992. After he died, my wife and I got it and held on to it for 15 years.
Had an 1987 Turbo coupe, much better aerodynamics than this nice cat. Best handling car I have owned. Faster you went the more stable it became. Either 140mph or 30 mpg highway. Those 2.3 four cylinder motors are tough cheap and easy to repair.
That engine/trans combo would go nicely in my Low Sierra wagon (a virtual bolt-in).
I always preferred the T-Bird’s looks to the Cougar’s.
Hopefully, the Mercury will find a loving home.
Have two of these turbo 2.3 Lima Ohio (pinto) engines, plethora of parts. 40 year run in passenger cars, they still live on in fork lifts/commercial equipment. Very durable. Blocks, crank, rods all the same , forged pistons and hardened valve seats in the heads on turbo cars. Getting scarce, not too expensive yet…
Love the Cat ! Love “cougars”
Oh those T-9 trannys ! Love that Sierra Beatnik ! Still tempted to make an offer on a local XR4TI. I tend to start more projects than I finish these days, so we’ll see. Mrs is becoming less impressed lol.
I know the feeling about projects, John. (LOL) Just made up a new speedo cable inner for my Honda Zook scooter, this afternoon.
I’ve stopped myself from buying any more until I catch up on a few of mine. The Sierra is due for a set of upper strut bushes (going polyurethane to replace the originals), and I want to have a look at the rear brake hoses, as I think they’re swelling, under pressure. (Note, that outside of the engine swap I did three years ago – not a necessity, but when one gets a mint, complete and running 205 block 2.0, it’s hard to pass it up – I’ve done almost nothing outside of routine maintenance to the li’l EuroFord.)
Then, I’ve got to finally paint the damned thing, and put some quality time into my Buick.
XR4i Sierras come up for sale from time-to-time, here, but unless I get rid of a few vehicles, it would have to sit outside, which is not a good thing. Besides, finishing projects is good… ;-)
Love this! I’ve always been fond of the upswept roof design. It would be spectacular with new paint and you’d be the only one at the cruise-in!
Brother had a Turbo Coupe,bad fast and good looking till it went wheels up one nite. I like almost all things Mercury but never could find the love for that quarter window styling.
Had an 88 XR-7. Excellent running car. It was just old. The body was starting to fall apart
I always thought they took the Turbo Coupe quarter windows, flipped them upside down and swapped sides to fit them on the Mercury…
I know a lot of friends, and people here too, prefer the T-bird to the Cougar. I guess I’m the sole one out there that never cared for this gen design of the T-bird, but really likes the Cougar! Being born in the late 60’s, and getting my license early 80’s, I think the switch to turbo fours in that era was mpg. Government regulations were the car companies to reach ever-higher mpg ratings, as well as stricter and stricter pollution laws. And I definitely remember gas prices jumping up during that period. My first car, a Buick Riviera GS I bought in 1983, needed gas fill-ups and needed it often. There were few V8’s left, and they were anemic at best. 155-200hp was considered great! Sad times. Anyway, always really liked these, and back then, always wanted them to make a convertible version. I just thought it’d look great in topless form, and few convertibles were being offered by American manufacturers (Mustang, Corvette, Riviera, El Dorado (?) etc). With a stick shift it could be fun. But with the weight of the car and a screamin’ 155hp, wouldn’t exactly set any land speed records!
Back in the late 80’s when I was looking for a good used XR4Ti, a friend of mine that worked selling used cars tried to talk me into buying one of these. It was a nice riding and performing car, but I wanted a manual and it was an auto. He then somehow came up with 2 XR4Ti’s, but both were also autos and were dogs.
Although I ended up having issues with it, I’m glad I held out for the manual.
Malaise era at it´s best, and worst!
Right CPof !
how many still have the factory head gaskets ?
this combo was the hand grenade. Kapow
Mean as hecker when running-
run it hard – boom
My first new car was a 1978 Thunderbird. As things happened, I kept it 19 years, but had I been in the market for a new car during the period 1983 to 1988, I probably would have leaned more toward the Cougar than the Thunderbird because I like the more formal shape of it. I started driving after the muscle car era, so personal luxury was more my thing. I know a lot of people out there would have preferred the Thunderbird of this period, but even as a big Thunderbird fan, I would have gone for the Cougar XR7 or probably an LS.