The Mercury Cougar is a car that came perilously close to not existing. It seems that Mercury management could not initially convince Henry Ford II that the model would be financially viable when pitched against the Mustang. However, by producing a car with trim levels that were one rung above those offered by Ford in their iconic pony car, the Cougar successfully carved its own niche in the market without cannibalizing Mustang sales. This 1968 Cougar XR7 is from the model’s second year of production and is a survivor that is structurally sound and in excellent mechanical health. The owner claims that the buyer could catch a flight to its location in North Port, Florida, and comfortably drive it home. If that sounds too tempting to resist, you will find the XR7 listed for sale here on eBay. Solid bidding has seen the price sail past the reserve to sit at $16,000.

This Cougar makes a positive impression in its original Lime Frost with a Black vinyl top. It seems that looks aren’t deceptive because while it isn’t perfect, it remains an impressive survivor. The paint holds a respectable shine, with no flaws or blemishes that may cause the buyer to lose sleep. The panels are straight, and while the owner admits that there is external rust, most of it seems so minor that it is difficult to spot in the supplied photos. My only concern surrounds the vinyl top. It looks tired, but it may respond positively to some TLC with the appropriate products. However, it appears that there might be some bubbles developing under it on the driver’s side rear pillar. I initially dismissed this as a photo flaw, but it seems to be present from several angles. It is something that might be able to be checked as part of an in-person inspection. However, this car’s structural ace reveals itself when we delve below the surfaces. The underside of the Cougar appears to be close to perfect, with no evidence of penetrating rust or prior repairs. Otherwise, the chrome and trim are in good order, the headlamp doors work as they should, and the tinted glass is in excellent condition for its age.

If the Cougar’s exterior raises a couple of questions, that is not the case when we look around at its interior. The green upholstered surfaces appear to be perfect, with no evidence of wear or other problems. The carpet is immaculate, and when I combine these two factors, I wonder whether someone may have treated it to a partial restoration at some point. The dash and pad continue the spotless theme, and the faux-woodgrain is close to perfect. Overall, this interior appears to need nothing beyond a new owner who is willing to treat it with total respect. The owner doesn’t indicate any aftermarket additions, but I don’t believe the unit occupying the factory radio spot in the dash is original. Otherwise, the buyer will receive a full set of gauges and air conditioning that blows ice-cold.

If this XR7 hasn’t provided potential buyers with enough good news, there’s plenty more when we lift the hood. The owner states that it is a numbers-matching classic that features a 302ci V8, a three-speed automatic transmission, power steering, and power front disc brakes. This engine should be delivering 210hp, which is sufficient to cover the ¼ mile in 16.8 seconds. The owner states that he has recently replaced the front calipers, pads, and hoses. He says that the car has no fluid leaks or other issues, and the buyer could drive it home today. I have included a video at the bottom of this article that features the XR7 in action. Its 302 sounds as sweet as a nut, there are no rattles or odd noises, and the primary impression is pretty confidence-inspiring.

For a car that nearly didn’t exist, the Cougar eventually became the company’s mainstay in various forms in a virtually unbroken run from 1967 until 2002. It seems that Ford’s initial misgivings were unfounded because while it never reached the dizzying sales volumes of the Mustang, 113,720 buyers handed over their cash in 1968 alone. Our feature car isn’t perfect, but it is a solid survivor that would need little work to be lifted to the next level. I know that colder weather is now threatening, but spending those cold winter days in the workshop whipping this classic into shape would be a rewarding way to pass the time. If that sounds too tempting to resist, why not join the bidding war?