Backyard Find: 1967 Mercury Cougar XR-7
The Mercury Cougar would turn out to be the most successful product launch in the history of the company. It was positioned as an upscale version of the Mustang to go after Buick, Oldsmobile, and Pontiac. The XR-7 was the luxury edition, which comprised almost 20% of first-year production in 1967. This XR-7 coupe looks to have been sitting in a backyard with other vehicles (including two Mustangs) for quite some time, so a complete restoration is needed. The Mercury, located in Vallejo, California, is available here on Facebook Marketplace for $4,500 OBO.
While production numbers for the Cougar weren’t in the same league as the early Ford Mustangs, they were big by Mercury standards. 150,893 copies the first year, including 27,221 XR-7s. The automobile would beat out several notable rivals like the Camaro, Thunderbird, and Eldorado for Motor Trend’s Car of the Year award in ’67. Smart Mercury marketing folks priced the car at just $350 higher than the Mustang it was based on and most trade-ins came from competing brands. While the Cougar used the Mustang’s sub-frame, the wheelbase was longer and the sheet metal was “barrel-sided” rather than slab-sided like the Ford.
Engine choices were the 289 and 390 cubic-inch V8s, of which we believe one version of the former is in the seller’s car. Depending on carburetion, those motors were rated at either 200 or 225 hp. The big-block was optional. Because of the car’s focus on creature comforts, an automatic transmission was the most popular choice, also what’s in the seller’s car (and whose mileage is not revealed).
Because of it being stored outdoors for an undetermined amount of time, this Cougar has loads of dirt and grime (and maybe some mold) on it, making it hard to determine the condition of the body. We’ll assume the light green paint is beyond saving. The windows on the driver’s side appear to have been left down and – without any interior photos – we can only assume the worst in terms of the condition of the passenger cabin. As the car also no longer runs, a major project may be at hand. Restoring this Cougar may turn out to be more a matter of love than money.
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Comments
I am a self proclaimed Cougar nut and it deeply saddens me to a nice 1st gen left to mother nature like this. I always thought 67 was the best looking of the early Cougars. I don’t see $4500 here…or $1500. It is going to need a TON of work.
$1,500. is way out of wack. Unfortunately the car is “maybe” worth $500
I can never understand why windows are left down in cars that are sitting. stored inside or outside- it just makes me cringe.
This looks like my old 6.5 that I wrenched on for the Mrs. for a few years and how I found it after she passed. Same color and wheels – please note those are the correct Cougar wheels and not the crappy designed wheels the Mustang got.
Could that be a Hi-Po engine in there ?
And where’s that Falcon – a 1964 maybe ?
These cars had one of the nicest factory dash and instrument clusters ever!
These are nice cars, and when I turned 10 my neighbor bought a bright red ’67 XR-7 with the 302 / 3 speed manual. Thought this was the coolest car I’d seen in a while!
This one however was apparently parked after what looks like an under-hood fire.
Good luck getting 4500 for this, MAYBE half or so…
Nice yard.
I always thought the 67s were the nicest Cougars , before they put the gigantic side marker lights in 68. This car (and the others here) looks like it was completely buried in weeds and bushes for many years until a recent clearing happened. Hopefully the windows were rolled down after it was “rediscovered” , but the interior must have been a hotel for rodents, and its likely only a parts car now
WHY do people do this to cars???
You appear to be right on the engine fire. 3/4 of the firewall appear to be melted. What a shame to let this car get to this situation. Great area but if planning to view the vehicle, bring a back-up.
I also see a red mustang in the back ground too. I wonder what year and if that’s for sale too?
I was given a permit to go to the Ford executive lot on Rotunda Drive in Dearborn, Mi. I was given the ability to purchase a 90 day exec car. There were 400 cars and only two Cougars. I picked the dark green XR7 with 289 and 3 speed manual and factory AC. I paid $2,700.00 plus the dealer prep of $75.00. Put 100,000 miles on it the next two years. Gave it to my little brother rhen. It handled great in the snows and in the mountains when going east. Later moved to Texas and had to go to a dealer like a regular person for cars.
I say people are just stupid that do this to cars, especially a once beautiful 67 Cougar. No excuse.
My brother just finished restoring a ’67 Cougar XR-7 big block, 4 speed car, all the parts are original. As he was restoring it, he was telling me how many of the parts, trim, etc. are 1967 only. Not even the 68 parts fit, such as the hood. Buy one that is at least complete, because some parts are not reproduced for a 67, and are very hard to find.
The 1967 and 1968 Cougar hoods are the same part and will interchange no problem. There are other 1968 parts that are also the same as the 1967 parts. There are also some 1967-1968 Mustang parts that are the same. However as stated there are some parts that are 1967 Cougar only parts and there are some parts that are quite hard to find.
Still has the smog system, $3-400 right there?
The only work this needs is to push the button on the crusher.
I would have lived in Vallejo, CA when this car was newer or running. Sadly, these cars were wrecked or parted out almost exclusively before reaching this status. Sad to see it rust and fall into inop status. It could have been saved many years ago.
Is it my imagination>? I see this Cougar next to a red Mustang convertible, along with a brown Ford Truck on one photo. But on another photo It’s next to a blue Mustang?