1970 Mercury Cougar XR7

Description

When Mustangs grow up, they want to be Cougars. With the same long nose, short deck styling as the Mustang, but in a slightly larger, more luxurious package, this 1970 Mercury Cougar XR7 convertible offers grown-up performance for people who like a little luxury with their muscle. Of course, perks like a strong-running V8, a great color combination, and an automatic transmission only help the Cougar's case, creating a sophisticated muscle car that you can drive every day.

Handsomely finished in handsome burgundy metallic paint, the Cougar's lines are clean and instantly recognizable. From the finned front grille and hidden headlights to the kick-up behind the doors, it looks powerful yet refined. It was restored a few years ago, so it's not a trailer queen anymore, but the color really works well on the stylish Cougar and only adds to the upscale look. The sheetmetal underneath is in great shape, particularly the dramatic sweeping body line that stretches from nose to tail. They didn't add any stripes or wings or scoops, which gives this car a grown-up look that should appeal to people whose fascination with boy racer looks has come and gone, which is perfectly OK. Instead of style over substance you get a car that looks great from any angle and fits in just about anywhere. All the chrome and trim has been polished up, proper Cougar badges affixed to the quarters, and the full-width taillight is in superb condition, which is a good thing because finding replacements can be tough.

The bright red interior was restored fairly recently and it still looks awesome today. The seats and door panels have been restored and use correct materials and patterns, and new carpets were obviously installed not too long ago. The center console and dash pad are probably original and their condition suggests a car that has always been well-maintained and didn't spend all its life baking in the hot sun. The gauges appear to be original, so the lenses are a little cloudy, but we love the rocker switches along the top of the center stack. This car does have factory A/C, although the system has been disconnected but it's complete if you want to get it back into shape. The original AM/FM stereo radio remains in the dash, and for 1970 that was state-of-the-art in in-car entertainment. There's a black power convertible top that remains in good shape and it stows neatly under a matching red boot. Even the trunk is nicely finished with a reproduction mat and a full-sized spare tire.

Power for the big cat comes from a 351 cubic inch V8, which is a perfect fit in the Cougar's engine bay and gives the car great performance without the big block weight. It's quite stock, from the original air cleaner to the large A/C compressor to the Ford Blue engine paint, and while it's not quite detailed for show, it does have a very honest look. The 351's smooth torque means that the Cougar is never caught flat-footed, making it a great choice here. Underneath, the chassis is clean and well-maintained, with a great-sounding dual exhaust system whose tips are just barely visible beneath the rear valence, again emphasizing the Cougar's subtle muscularity. The power steering system has been recently and comprehensively rebuilt and the C4 3-speed automatic transmission makes for easy cruising. An unusual set of 14-inch gray wheel covers really set off the burgundy bodywork, and the 215/70/14 radials completely fill the wheel wells.

For those of us who have reached a certain age, a little luxury with your performance is definitely a good thing, and this Cougar delivers. Call today!