During 1968, the 289 was temporarily substituted with the 302cuin (4.9L) V8 designed for the new federal emissions standards. The Cougar XR7-G started life as the high-option XR-7 as produced in the Dearborn Assembly Plant in late 1967 through early 1968. While fitted with a redesigned front bumper, the third-generation Cougar adopted many design elements of its front fascia from the previous generation, carrying over a center-section waterfall grille opening bordered by horizontal-trimmed openings with four inset headlights (in contrast to the egg-crate grille of the Elite with twin headlights). Both the Cougar XR-7 and mid-size Cougar were produced using the Ford Fox platform. 1995 Mercury Cougar XR-7 4-Speed Automatic 3.8L V6 SMPI 12V CLEAN AUTOCHECK. 94920, Tiburon, Marin County, San Francisco Bay Area, CA. In another change, the 3-speed manual transmission was dropped, leaving all engines paired with a 3-speed automatic;[32] a 4-speed manual was a rarely-specified option. 1973 Mercury Cougar XR-7 Convertible 351 Cleveland V8 $ 19,988 $ 347 /mo* 7,900 miles Engine: V8 351 Cleveland Drivetrain: RWD Price $4,603 below avg. Engine Type Gasoline. The second-generation Cougar carried over both the hardtop and convertible body styles from its predecessor. This 1973 Mercury Cougar XR7 convertible gives you all of this with V8 power, factory-correct colors, and a value price. [76] Distinguished by its use of Lincoln Mark VIII wheels, the 30th Anniversary Cougar featured model-specific C-pillar emblems, embroidered seat and floormat emblems; the option also included commemorative items shipped to the owner. [25], For 1970, the standard engine for Eliminator became the 351C-4V. ClassicCars.com's first-class Customer Support team with a Stevie Bronze Award in 2019, celebrating the team's skills as exemplary customer support specialists. While unchanged in displacement, this engine was an all-new design. Now serving as the flagship model of the Cougar line, the XR-7 was now the direct Mercury equivalent of the Ford Thunderbird; for 1977, the latter had shifted from the Mark IV to the Torino chassis (replacing the Elite). [69] For 1996, the Cougar received a major restyling sharing its entire front fascia with the Ford Thunderbird except for the front bumper cover and grille. This page was last edited on 4 February 2023, at 22:33. [55] For 1986, the V8 was changed to sequential fuel injection, increasing output to 150hp. Interior. The Cougar retains the XR7-specific wheels that still look sharp all these years later, and surprisingly sporty. 351 Cleveland 2V, FMX Transmission, 2.75 conventional axle, Power Steering, Power Front disc brakes, 1978 Mercury Cougar XR-7 Absolutely one of the nicest ones available for sale anywhere. The next year (1981) saw the previous Cougar teams switch to the Thunderbird when NASCAR mandated the smaller (110-inch-wheelbase) cars, though oddly the Thunderbirds had to have their wheelbases extended 6 inches because the actual wheelbase of production cars was 104 inches. A 114-inch wheelbase was used for the two-door Cougar coupe and the Cougar XR-7; a 118-inch wheelbase was used for the four-door sedan and station wagon. CL. Also, two transaxle options were available: the manual Ford MTX-75 transmission or the automatic Ford CD4E transmission (available in the US with either engine, although the I4/automatic combination was extremely rare; supposedly only 500 Cougars were built with the I4/auto). While the nameplate is associated with two-door coupes, at various times during its production, the Cougar was also marketed as a convertible, four-door sedan, station wagon, and a hatchback. [66] LS-trim Cougars were offered with a naturally aspirated 140hp version of the V6, while the XR7 was powered by a 210hp supercharged version (serving as the replacement for the turbocharged 2.3L inline-4). [25], For 1971, Lincoln-Mercury released the second-generation Mercury Cougar. The Cougar XR7 was offered with two V8 engines. 1973 Mercury Cougar XR7 Convertible Rare Q-Code 351 Cleveland 4 BBL V-8 Engine C-6 3-Speed Automatic Transmission Rare Medium Aqua Blue "Code #5137A" Exterior over White Interior White Convertible Power Soft Top One of Only 87 Produced with this Trim and Paint Combination for 1973 Rare XR-7 Convertible Special Purpose Vehicle Built and Used for Marketing the Cougar Model for Mercury Original . [63] For 1985, the interior underwent a complete redesign, with new door panels and dashboard; a redesigned rear seat expanded seating capacity to five passengers (four passengers with full-length console). At the end of the 1997 model year, Ford announced a major streamlining of its coupe offerings, with Ford discontinuing the Thunderbird and Probe; Lincoln-Mercury lost the Cougar and Lincoln Mark VIII (the latter, after 1998). To make room for the updated 1999 Ford Mustang and all-new Ford Escort ZX2, the Contour-based Ford Probe continued into production, with Ford shifting the vehicle to the Lincoln-Mercury Division to adopt the Mercury Cougar name. $6,500 Private Seller CC-1642743 1972 Mercury Cougar XR7 On 26 December 1988, the seventh-generation Mercury Cougar was introduced for the 1989 model year. There were 101 Hertz Eliminators built in 1969, and 100 Hertz Eliminators built in 1970. For 1967 and 1968, to commemorate the success of the model line in competition, Mercury offered the Dan Gurney Special appearance option, available on both the Standard and XR-7 models. For its first two generations, the Cougar was derived from the Ford Mustang. As part of the shift to the wider MN12 chassis, the Cougar again became a 5-passenger vehicle (for the first time since 1982). [51] The Cougar XR-7 was produced upon an extended-wheelbase Fox chassis (to 108.5 inches), shared with the 19801982 Ford Thunderbird, 19821987 Lincoln Continental, 19841985 Continental Mark VII and 19861992 Lincoln Mark VII. Condition: Used Used Driver Tiny Lund dominated the series and took the championship. $15,999. Along with its shift in model segment, the sixth-generation Cougar (and the Thunderbird) marked the first large-scale use of aerodynamic-intensive design for an American automobile; the Cougar/Thunderbird were the first Ford vehicles developed using computer-aided design (CAD). CLEAN CALIFORNIA TI . Home Buy Salvage Cars Mercury Cougar Lot Details. For its third and fourth generations, the Cougar adopted the chassis of the Ford Torino intermediate. Originally slated for 1993, the 1994 Cougar shifted from the overhead-valve 302cuin (4.9L) V8 to a 205hp 4.6L SOHC V8 (shared with the Mercury Grand Marquis). Absolutely one of the nicest ones available for sale anywhere. highway Base price:. During its production, the sixth-generation Cougar underwent several exterior revisions. [55] Within Mercury, the Cougar was slotted above the Capri and below the two-door Grand Marquis two-doors (both would be discontinued during its production). Slightly smaller than the 1965 Mustang, the imported Capri (not officially badged as a Mercury) began to succeed the Cougar within Lincoln-Mercury as a compact sporty car. Price: $5,990. Four exterior colors were available: white, bright blue metallic, competition orange, and bright yellow. One of the few American model lines that would eschew downsizing during the mid-1970s, the Cougar grew in size, sharing its body with the Mercury Montego and the later introduced Ford (Gran Torino) Elite. For 1973, the front fascia underwent an update; to include a 5-mph bumper (required for 1973), the front bumper was reshaped and enlarged, requiring a redesign of the grille. $32,000 (OBO) Featured Private Seller. [60], For its 1983 launch, to lower production costs, the sixth-generation Cougar was required to carry over interior parts from the 19801982 Cougar XR7, including a modified dashboard; an analog instrument panel was standard, with a digital instrument panel offered as an option. type: coupe. In 2016 The Journal, brought to you by ClassicCars.com, was celebrated as the SECOND MOST INFLUENTIAL automotive blog in the world by NFC Performance. As a result of the longer wheelbase, the rear overhang was shortened. [29] The Boss 302 and Boss 429 were discontinued, with both Boss engines and the 428 Cobra Jet replaced by a 370hp 429 Cobra Jet V8 (with or without Ram Air). 1967 Mercury Cougar XR7 American Classic This classic is a project car and is 75 percent restored. While de-emphasized as the model line shifted away from high performance, the GT option package remained an option, including upgraded suspension, tires, and engine cooling components. For 1971, the Cougar was offered in standard and XR-7 trim. For 1968, the Cougar saw revisions related to compliance with federal safety mandates, adding side marker lights and front outboard shoulder belts (sash belt, shoulder harness). [35] For 1973, the GT option was discontinued. The second-generation Cougar used a revised version of the first-generation chassis, again shared with the Ford Mustang; the wheelbase was increased to 112.1 inches. [12] While sales material showed the Boss 429 as an optional engine for the Cougar Eliminator, the Cougar was never offered to the public with the Boss 429 engine; two Boss 429 standard hardtop Cougars were produced as factory drag cars for "Fast Eddie" Schartman and "Dyno Don" Nicholson. Sharing a chassis with the Thunderbird (and the Lincoln Mark VIII), the model line was produced as a two-door coupe through the 1997 model year. In 1968, Bud Moore took his Cougars NASCAR racing in the newly formed Grand American series. The only engine available in the 1994-1997 Cougar was Ford's modern and (generally) very reliable 4.6-liter SOHC Modular V8. $34,950 Private Seller CC-1656734 1973 Mercury Cougar XR7 73 cougar on its way back, new exhaust, rebuilt transmission, gas tank, aluminum radiator, 4 barrel . [9] A two-barrel "Marauder 390P" was introduced for non-GT Cougars, producing 280hp. The 289 was dropped entirely; a two-barrel 351 cubic-inch "Windsor" V8 became the standard engine for the Cougar, producing 250hp (2-bbl) and 290hp (4-bbl). The body design used a philosophy Ford dubbed "New Edge" design: a combination of organic upper body lines with sharp, concave creases in the lower areas. City: Naches. While fenders and doors are common between the two vehicles, in comparison to the 19831987 generation, fewer visible parts are shared.[66]. [57] Originally slated for the 1986 model year,[58] nearly every exterior panel was changed. As its Boss Mustang counterpart was dropped, Mercury discontinued the racing-oriented Cougar Eliminator. In line with larger Lincoln-Mercury vehicles, the Cougar received a hood ornament for the first time, using a "prowling cat" emblem. The Ford Contour/Mercury Mystique (Ford Mondeo MkII) ended production in 2000, with the Cougar outliving it by two model years. For 1991, a 200hp (149kW) version of the 4.9L (302cuin) Windsor 5.0 was introduced featuring a redesigned intake manifold to allow sufficient underhood clearance. Mercury Cougar XR7-G History During the 1967 and 1968 model years, Cougars with the Dan Gurney Special Option package were identified by a sticker in the passenger side rear window. [33], For 1972, Ford adopted SAE net horsepower ratings, leading to a numerical decrease in advertised engine output. The Eliminator Option blacked-out exterior trim expanded from the front grille to include the hood scoop and tail light bezels. The rarest of these was the 428, which fourteen buyers selected. An outstandi, 1967 Mercury Cougar XR7 For Sale $24,000 Recent restoration Paint needs some touch up clear coat fla. ClassicCars.com has been recognized as one of the fastest-growing private companies in the United States, successfully making the Inc. 5000 list in both 2015, The Cougar XR7, like the Thunderbird, was the higher positioned personal luxury car version of the Cougar/LTD II. Join the auto auction to bid on this MERCURY COUGAR XR7, which has a MN - CERT OF TITLE-SALVAGE. We test-drove the 1994 Cougar XR7 with the new optional, 4.6-liter V-8. The 429 CID V8 was no longer offered, leaving the only engine choices as the 2- and 4-barrel version of the 351. Internally designated T-7, the first-generation Cougar shared its chassis with the 1967 revision of the Ford Mustang. By the mid-1990s, Ford engineers had completed design work on the third generation of the Ford Probe. The 8 cylinder, single overhead camshaft naturally . Drive it on your trailer. [2], The Mercury Cougar was released by Lincoln-Mercury on September 30, 1966. Automatic Transmission,Power Steering,Drum Brakes.Factory air was replaced with new Vintage air package.New custom Auto Sound AM-FM radio. [2][6] The Cougar has a longer wheelbase than the Mustang, extended 3 inches to 111 inches. [18] Further safety upgrades included the addition of locking steering columns and high-backed bucket seats (replacing adjustable head restraints). A change to the position of the rear axle necessitated a new rocker panel length and rear quarter sheet metal as compared to the 1969 model, although these changes are not visually apparent. The naturally aspirated V6 was paired with a 4-speed automatic transmission, while the supercharged V6 was offered with a 5-speed manual (with the automatic as an option). [58], For the 1987 model year, the Cougar saw few changes to its interior, with the XR7 adopting a fully digital dashboard as standard equipment. [9] This engine produced 210hp (2-bbl) and 230hp (4-bbl); the former became standard on the XR-7. This car features the X-Code 390-2V V8 that produced 280hp. At its 1989 debut, the Cougar was marketed largely as the flagship coupe of the Mercury division. The Cobra Jet version of the 351 made its debut, now producing 266hp. Of course, that isn't saying all that much. For the first time, Cougar's two-door models featured a fixed "B" pillar and a fixed steel frame around front door windows, as in the sedan. The fourth-generation Cougar underwent a revision of its powertrain offerings, largely in the interest of fuel economy. For 1974, Lincoln-Mercury released the third-generation Mercury Cougar, introducing both design and marketing changes to the model line. C6 with shift kit. Rot free 1979 Mercury Cougar XR7 project. [16] The front fascia retained a full-width grille, with the "electric shaver" split grille replaced by a horizontally-slatted grille (with a matching centerpiece); concave taillamp lenses replaced the previous convex design. VERY UNIQUE AND RARE. 1,641 1995 MERCURY COUGAR XR7. During the 1970s and 1980s, the Cougar was closely tied to the marketing of the Mercury division; Mercury advertised its dealers as "The Sign of the Cat" with big cats atop Lincoln-Mercury dealer signs. [36] Alongside its namesake color, the trim package was also offered in six other colors: ivy glamour metallic, green metallic, medium brown metallic, saddle bronze, medium yellow gold, and white.[36]. . Export Cougars also have clear marker light lenses (in place of amber) and amber rear turn signals. Cougar also received a special option package (styled by fashion designer Pauline Trigre), including a houndstooth-patterned vinyl roof and matching upholstery; the roof and upholstery were available together or separately, in either brown-and-black houndstooth or white-and-black houndstooth check patterns. LOOKING FOR A GOOD HOME. Mercury gave the Cougar XR7 some unique styling details to separate it from the ordinary Cougar coupe, but unlike the Thunderbird's distinctive basket handle B-pillar, the Cougar XR7's were barely noticeable from most angles and .