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 stroker motor and a 5-speed gearbox.

Originally painted Dark Green Metallic, 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 you can see the time someone spent getting those body curves just right. The color was cribbed from a Chevy Silverado pickup, but nobody can argue that it isn't just as handsome on the Cougar. A professional cut and buff would probably transform this from a merely nice car to one that makes people stop and stare. The chrome is similarly nice and may be original, and the stainless rocker 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 still turns heads today.

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 recovered, and the vinyl is a close match to the original. The vast woodgrained 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 factory A/C and ventilation controls to the driver's left. An AM/FM/cassette stereo has been fitted in the original location, and there was no cutting, so it looks like it belongs and can be returned to original without worries. The surprisingly roomy trunk features a new mat and spare tire cover.

Lift the Cougar's unique hood and you'll find what looks like the original 302 cubic inch V8, but now packs 347 cubes thanks to a stroker kit. It's actually a full roller block from a '95 Mustang, and uses forged pistons and a Demon to make horsepower. The chrome air cleaner looks like it was lifted from a Hi-Po Mustang, but otherwise, the view is dominated by the A/C compressor which uses highly efficient R134a refrigerant. The transmission is a Tremec 5-speed manual and out back there's a sturdy 9-inch rear that has been filled with 4.10 gears on a Track-Lok limited slip, but with the overdrive transmission it cruises beautifully. The Flowmaster exhaust system sounds healthy and the gas tank appears to be a recently installed item. Beautiful 14-inch Magnum 500 wheels wear perfectly-sized 205/60/14 front and 245/60/14 rear BFG radials.

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