1967 Mercury Cougar

Description

Most folks just think of the Cougar as Mercury's version of the Mustang, but the truth is that they're very different cars with very different missions. With a unique body and interior, the Cougar is instantly recognizable, and nice ones, like this 1967 coupe, are an absolute pleasure to own and drive, especially with a sweet-running 289 under the hood.

Originally painted Burgundy, this big cat now sports a bright red finish that's a lot more aggressive than the original hue, but perhaps more in tune with the performance side of the big cat's current configuration. Refinished several years ago, the paint remains in good condition, and all appearances suggest that this car was never rusty or a basket case. Instead, it appears to be a nicely maintained car that has never needed major surgery, and the factory-style panel gaps and alignment bear this out. The color isn't what it was born with but nobody can argue that bright isn't just as handsome on the upscale Cougar. The chrome is similarly nice and may be original, and the stainless fender moldings and window surrounds are still bright and shiny. The Cougar offered unique lighting, with folding headlights up front and sequential turn signals out back, and they all work properly and look awesome.

Interior design in the Cougar was clearly inspired by aircraft, and it has a very cool '60s vibe that makes you think of Steve McQueen and Sean Connery movies when you're at the wheel. The front buckets have been reupholstered in black, and the vinyl is a close match to the original patterns used. The vast dashboard features round gauges with delicate markings and needles, reminiscent of the Smiths gauges found in British sports cars and the Shelby Cobra. Especially cool are the toggle switches for interior lighting and the very aircraft-like levers for the ventilation controls to the driver's left. An AM/FM/cassette stereo has been fitted in the original location right above the "garage" storage compartment, and there was no cutting, so it looks like it belongs and can be returned to original without worries. The surprisingly roomy trunk is outfitted with a plaid mat that fits well and looks right.

Lift the Cougar's unique hood and you'll find what looks to be the original 289 cubic inch V8, similar to those found in cousin Mustang. It's had a nice makeover, with the usual Ford Blue paint on the engine itself, plus chrome valve covers and a cool air filter for the Edelbrock 4-barrel carb underneath. Power steering is suitable to the big Cat and the Flowmaster exhaust system sounds very healthy. It's backed by a C4 3-speed automatic transmission and one look around underneath will convince you that this is one heck of a nice original car, because there's even proper overspray on the floors. 3.25 gears out back mean that this Cougar is your next road trip machine and beautiful 14-inch styled steel wheels wear perfectly-sized 215/70/14 BFG radials.

All the performance of the Mustang, but in a more mature, luxury-oriented package, with a strong-running engine, all for less money than a comparable Ford...sounds good, doesn't it? Call today!