For 1978, the engine lineup was carryover; for 1979, the 400 was discontinued. And this one keeps up its appeal in modern times with solid investments in the shining paint, A/C interior, and upgraded V8 power. [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). While coupes had traditionally been offered in Lincoln-Mercury dealerships for several decades, the shift of the Cougar to the sports compact segment presented a challenge to sales personnel acquainted with marketing luxury-segment vehicles to new-car buyers along with attracting younger buyers into Mercury showrooms. 1978 Mercury Cougar XR-7. The continued success of the Cougar led to several changes within the Mercury model line. See photo. The body sides were styled with a wide side molding matching the bumper rub strips (a design added to the 1975 Grand Marquis). 1967 Mercury Cougar XR7 American Classic This classic is a project car and is 75 percent restored. 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). Item Information. [55] For 1985, 15-inch wheels became an option for the XR7. The car is powered by a supercharged 3.8-liter V6 paired with a five-speed manual transmission, and it is finished in black over red leather upholstery. Yet there is still one Mercury that somehow manages to cruise largely under the muscle car radar: the Cougar XR7-G. It's been long understood, by those who have known of its existence, that the "G" designation for the one-year-only model stood for Gurney, as in road-racing legend Dan Gurney. Virtually all original equipment '73 Mercury Cougar XR7 convertible. 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). Evoking the flagship Continental Mark V, the rear fascia was given a (vestigial) continental tire trunk lid (with a trapezoidal design) and horizontal taillights similar to the Continental Mark IV. As the sixth-generation Mercury Cougar had proved successful in the marketplace, the 1989 redesign of the Cougar was largely an evolution of the previous generation, with updates of many previous design elements. For the first time, the model line was offered solely with automatic transmissions. Engine Size 460ci Ford V8 . [33], For 1972, Ford adopted SAE net horsepower ratings, leading to a numerical decrease in advertised engine output. Lot #46,945. "Cougarrare, elusive, the most magnificent cat in North America." 1972 Cougar sales brochure. In what would become a long-running tradition for the Mercury brand, 1981 marked the debut of GS and LS trim lines for both the mid-size and XR-7 Cougars. Slotted above the Ford Ka and Ford Puma (both based on the Ford Fiesta subcompact), the Cougar was marketed as a mid-sized coupe. 2016, 2017 and 2018. With the change to the 428CJ engine for the GT-E, the 4-speed manual transmission was also made available for the GT-E package.[24]. The Sports Special could be combined with any available engine. A four-barrel "street" version of the Boss 302 produced 290hp, while a 2x4-barrel "racing" version was officially rated at the same 290hp. In 1998, Ford launched the Cougar at the 1998 British Grand Prix at Silverstone. 1995 Mercury Cougar XR7. I put new gas tank, fuel pump, fuel sender, battery, newer holley carb and newer tires. Roush Edition (19992000 model years) Available mostly in white and silver color choices, this car was built under the Roush name with bodywork to the front bumper, back, side skirts, and more. 1972 Mercury Cougar. Returning from the previous generation, the Cougar XR-7 continued as a personal luxury coupe. [74] In contrast to the previous LS, the 1993 XR7 offered both V6 and V8 engines. Sharing its roofline with the Mustang hardtop, the Cougar received a large "flying buttress" C-pillars, extending into the rear fenders. To visually stretch the roofline, a compound-curved rear window replaced the nearly flat rear glass and the rear quarter windows were redesigned (with a curve inversely matching the windshield angle). Auction Location: MN - Ham Lake | Sale Date: 03/14/2023 - 12:00 PM CST This 1973 Mercury Cougar XR7 convertible gives you all of this with V8 power, factory-correct colors, and a value price. 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. On 26 December 1988, the seventh-generation Mercury Cougar was introduced for the 1989 model year. A 1967-1970 Cougar in this condition might . The second-generation Cougar carried over both the hardtop and convertible body styles from its predecessor. The Cougar's body, and the New Edge idea in general, was introduced as a concept called the Mercury MC2 in 1997 and was considered a bigger version of the European Ford Puma. To accommodate federal safety standards, 5-mph bumpers were added to both the front and rear fascias (front 5-mph bumpers were required for 1973). [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). city/25 m.p.g. The list price on this car was $3,323, or about $23,997 in 2022 dollars. Condition: Used Used In 1968, Bud Moore took his Cougars NASCAR racing in the newly formed Grand American series. The hidden headlamps were retained; the mechanism shifted its power from dual vacuum actuators to a single, centrally-located vacuum actuator. XR-7 interior including leather seat upholstery; woodgrained dash with tachometer, trip odometer, oil pressure and amp gauges; map lights; rear seat courtesy lighting Unique interior console with. runs great, was in garage for 30 years. portland > multnomah co > . [15] While available on any Cougar, the sunroof was not a popular option. Factory support ended towards the end of the season and the Cougars began to show their wear. SOLD Back Full Gallery. This was the weapon of choice for sixty-two XR7-G buyers. For 1972, the Cougar underwent few substantial changes to the interior or exterior. [68] For 1994, a second facelift saw a revision of the grille, taillamps, and a simplification of the side molding. The last Mercury Cougar rolled off the assembly line on 9 August 2002; following the end of its production, the Mercury model line offered no cars with four-cylinder engines until the 2006 Mercury Milan. 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. During the development of MN12, Ford designers sought to develop increased differentiation between the Cougar and Thunderbird. 1970 Mercury Cougar XR7 . For 1991, the Cougar underwent a slight facelift, with new headlamps, taillamps, and front bumper; the facelift is distinguished by a smaller grille (19891990 versions extend above the headlamps). 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. As a result of the wider interior, all Cougars were fitted with a center console with a floor-mounted shifter. This 1969 Mercury Cougar XR7 up for auction by Bonhams was one of three used during the filming of 1969's "On Her Majesty's Secret Service," the one-and-done film starring George Lazenby that's. [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). For its fifth and sixth generations, the Cougar was downsized, adopting the compact Fox chassis. [66] Originally slated to be launched with dual airbags, cost overruns and market demand necessitated the use of automatic seatbelts to meet passive-restraint requirements. [78] Without the Mercury brand in Europe and Australia, Ford marketed the Cougar as the Ford Cougar through Ford of Europe and Ford of Australia from 1999 to 2002. 1967 XR7, PS, PDB, Tilt-away, Center console, 390 4bbl, long tube headers, Edelbrock intake and carb. Sharing its bodyshell with the Ford Elite and the Mercury Montego MX Brougham coupe, the third-generation Cougar was offered solely as a two-door coupe, dropping the convertible from the previous generations. Phone #: (509) 406-5189. [53] The Cougar station wagon was offered in either GS trim or wood-grained Villager trim (the Mercury equivalent of a Ford Squire station wagon). Without the sport package, the speed governor was set at 115mph (185km/h) due to the H-rated tires with which the car was equipped. 19801982 Cougar XR-7 (standard roofline), 1982 Mercury Cougar wagon (standard trim), 1982 Mercury Cougar GS wagon (Ford Mustang wheels). XR7 Mercury Cougar. [21], For 1968, the GT-E was introduced above the Cougar GT. 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). For 1970, the two-barrel 351 remained the base engine, with the four-barrel engine replaced by a 351 cubic-inch "Cleveland" V8, producing 300hp. For 1978, the Cougar wagon was discontinued to make way for the all-new Mercury Zephyr wagon and the downsized 1979 Mercury Colony Park wagon (4 inches shorter). 1978 mercury cougar xr7. To commemorate the 25th anniversary of the Mercury Cougar, in 1992, the 25th Anniversary Mercury Cougar was an option package (nearly exclusively on XR7 models). Though sharing its front fascia with the standard Cougar, the XR-7 was distinguished with its own roofline (with its own hardtop-style windows), louvers on the opera windows, and its own rear fascia. 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. [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. Automatic Transmission,Power Steering,Drum Brakes.Factory air was replaced with new Vintage air package.New custom Auto Sound AM-FM radio. Along with returning the standard Cougar name (for the first time since 1973), the change added three more body styles. [20] In addition to a signature decal, the option package included turbine-style wheel covers and a chrome engine dress-up kit. 1996 Mercury Cougar XR7 - full technical specs sheet, including performance data, economy and emissions, dimensions, weight and engine particulars." Mercury Cougar XR7, 1996 MY Cougar. Power Windows Power Mirrors Bucket Seats AM/FM Air Conditioning Leather Seats. Rot free 1979 Mercury Cougar XR7 project. To mark its 20th year of production, the Cougar underwent an extensive mid-cycle revision for 1987. The sixth generation Cougar (replacing the XR7) reverted the model line solely to the two-door coupe body style. Following initial skepticism by Ford over both model lines, the Mercury version received approval in mid-1964, following the successful launch of the Mustang; the Cougar name was adopted from the winning design for the Ford Mustang. For 1984, the XR7 made its return after a year-long hiatus. To improve the crashworthiness, the design added three inches to the overall length. This vehicle has a 2 door coup type body with a front located engine driving through the rear wheels. "Cougar A Source Book, edited and annotated by Thomas E Bonsall, 1967 Thru 1976" page 118. Brand new PA state safety inspection and fresh fluid change. As a revision of the rear bodywork of station wagons was deemed too extensive, the Cougar wagon adopted the 1977 front fascia with the body shell of the previous Montego wagon. Under the hood is the very desirable "S code" 390-4V. The $185 upgrade to the XR-7 brought further European influence; in addition to a (simulated) wood-trim dashboard, full instrumentation (black-face gauges), toggle switches, and an overhead console; if so equipped, the automatic transmission was fitted with a T-handle console shifter. Standard was the a 390 cubic-inch "Marauder GT" V8 (320hp) as well as upgraded suspension, larger brakes, wheels, and tires, and a low-restriction exhaust system.[19]. This Stunning Mercury Cougar XR-7 Comes With A History Via: Mecum According to Mecum, this model comes from the Dearborn, Michigan, assembly plant. [57] Originally slated for the 1986 model year,[58] nearly every exterior panel was changed. [2] In contrast to the Mustang, the Cougar was initially released solely as a two-door hardtop. CL. This engine was rated at 205 horsepower, 45 fewer than the 4.6 in the same-year Crown Victoria Police Interceptor I once owned. White Interior with Black. 94920, Tiburon, Marin County, San Francisco Bay Area, CA. Serving as the replacement for the Ford Probe, the first front-wheel drive Cougar shifted market segments from two-door personal luxury coupe to three-door sport compact, introducing the first Mercury sport hatchback coupe since the 1986 Mercury Capri. This 1972 Mercury Cougar XR7 convertible has a newly installed power-retractable top and is powered by a 351ci V8 mated to a C6 three-speed automatic transmission. Replacing the Mercury Montego, the standard Cougar now served as the Mercury intermediate model line (slotted between the Mercury Monarch and Mercury Marquis), serving as the Mercury counterpart of the Ford LTD II (replacing the Torino/Gran Torino), introducing the first Cougar sedans and station wagons. The 351 Cleveland was replaced by the updated 351M and the 351 Cobra Jet was retired (from all Ford vehicles); the 400 and 460 remained options. [68] Offered as an option on the Cougar LS, the V8 replaced the supercharged V6 in the XR7 (which also marked the end of the 5-speed manual in the MN12 Cougar). Body Style Hardtop. The Special Paint Order option was also available for Eliminators in 1970, producing single-digit examples in colors such as Black, Light Gray Metallic, White, and Red. The taillights adapted simpler trim, set horizontally within the bumper (in line with full-size Mercury vehicles). [44][45] Six-passenger seating was standard with a "Twin Comfort Lounge" 50/50 split bench seat with cloth or vinyl upholstery. The model line was fitted with front disc and rear drum brakes, with power-assisted brakes becoming standard in 1973. At its launch, the first-generation Cougar shared its engine lineup with the Mustang, although offering V8 engines exclusively. 1978 Mercury Cougar XR-7Absolutely one of the nicest ones available for sale anywhere. Basic. [65] Along with a limited-slip rear axle, the only options offered were a power moonroof, power antenna, illuminated entry, keyless entry, automatic climate control, and an engine block heater. 1 watched in the last 24 hours. In what would be used as a design feature for the model line through 2002, the "cat's head" emblem made its first appearance. This is a 1988 Mercury Cougar XR7, and it's the "high performance" version of the sixth generation Cougar, which was sold through 1988 making this a low-mileage, final-year example of the most desirable version of this version of the Cougar. With the electronic speed limiter removed, the top speed of the car was limited by drag and engine power in top gear at redline, around 135mph (217km/h). [36][37][38] A standard Cougar equipped with the Decor Group,[36] the "Bronze Age" Cougar was distinguished by its copper metallic (officially, saddle bronze[36]) appearance and a color-coordinated vinyl roof. For 1970, the Cougar underwent an additional revision to the front fascia; the split "electric shaver" grille with vertically slatted trim made its return, with a new hood adopting a pronounced body-color center section. Shared with the Mercury Marquis/Colony Park, a 4.2L V8 was standard, with a 4.9L V8 offered as an option; both engines were paired with a 4-speed Ford AOD overdrive automatic. In a break from the previous generation, hidden headlamps were abandoned (replaced by four exposed headlamps). The front fascia was distinguished by a split "electric shaver" grille, featuring vertically slatted chrome trim. 1994 Mercury Cougar XR7 2-door Sedan, 85523 Miles Showing, Title Will Be Marked Miles Exempt, Ford 3.8L V-6, Gas, Water Cooled Engine, Automatic Transmission, Spring Suspension, Aluminum Wheels, Heater, AC, Radio, 2 Doors, Power Windows, Power Locks, VIN: 1MELM6248RH654648 transmission: automatic. $15,999. [55] While the Thunderbird adopted a fastback roofline, the Cougar adopted a notchback roofline with a near-vertical backlight, distinguished by upswept rear side windows.[55].