1973 Mercury Cougar XR7

Description

So you want a drop top convertible, but you also want something rare and luxurious? This 1973 Mercury Cougar XR7 convertible gives you all of this with V8 power and a value price.

The Cougar was built to be a Mustang in a dinner jacket, and this red exterior convertible, with a refined white convertible top, just seems to deliver on this sporty sophistication. This car has spent a life as a cherished driver, so you can see evidence of a nice restoration to the paint and the body to keep the panels super straight. Ford/Mercury people know the significance of the 1973 Cougar. The following year would switch platforms where the Cougar would grow in size, weight, and there was no convertible option. The Cougar was no longer the Mustang's upscale companion, which is why a final-year XR7 convertible has a forever-coveted place in vintage car crowds. Besides, there's just something exceptionally cool about cruising around in a Mercury where the full bright trim (from the waterfall grille to the stylized bumper/taillight combo) is complete and pristine.

The XR7 package was the top of the line for the Cougar, so you can certainly expect this one to be loaded. It starts with the high back bucket seats that are as virginal white as the power folding roof. And you can drive with the top down much further into the warm seasons thanks to ice cold air conditioning. The original AM/FM radio is still in place, but it also has an iPod hookup so you can look retro while still listening to modern tunes. Those who have driven Mustangs from this era will find something familiar about the layout of this Cougar, except there's an added premium feel. For example, you still have the same sporty sloping center console and dashboard setup, but now there's more wood trim and a substantially larger gauge package with tachometer.

Open the hood and you'll see an engine bay that looks factory-fresh. The first thing you'll notice is the big blue air cleaner on the Cleveland 351 V8 motor that still has its original-style tags. Often this would have been replaced with a chrome unit, but that wouldn't be right on the last of the cool Mercury cats. You might love the power and rumble this motor makes, but that's far from the whole story. This has a three-speed automatic transmission that connected to a Ford 9-inch rear end running a 2.75 ratio. So this one is set up for all-day highway cruising whenever you want. Add in power steering and front disc brakes, and this is the convertible you won't hesitate to drive any day of the week.

This is a cool XR7 that fires right up, and is eager for a drive whenever you're ready. Best of all, you can pick up this sharp, valued vintage convertible today for less than the price of any new droptop. Call today!!