Fresh Paint: 1969 Mercury Cougar
Flexibility can sometimes be the difference between success and failure when selling a classic car. The owner of this 1969 Mercury Cougar demonstrates this trait. It is currently up for auction, but the seller indicates they may entertain reasonable offers. It is a solid car that runs and drives, allowing the new owner to enjoy it immediately and complete its restoration as time and circumstances allow. The Cougar is listed here on eBay in Saint Marys, Georgia. Bidding sits below the reserve at $2,025, leaving scope for someone to make that offer.
The First Generation Cougar could be considered the Mustang’s wealthy cousin. Ford management opposed a Mercury pony car but eventually relented. The Cougar emerged in 1967 and remained a staple of the company’s model range almost continually until 2002. This Cougar’s original owner ordered it in Medium Lime Metallic, and its overall presentation is very respectable. The seller indicates it is an unfinished build, with the bodywork and paint recently refreshed. They didn’t merely throw on a coat of paint and hope for the best because they replaced the rear quarter panels, floors, and torque boxes to ensure the Mercury was rust-free. The new owner faces a few minor tasks to finish the process, including reinstalling the freshly painted rear valance. The seller hasn’t done this because the exhaust intrudes into that area and requires changes to accommodate the valance. The tinted glass is in good order, but some trim pieces require correct fitting and a healthy dose of polish. However, the indications are it will take more time than money to present the Cougar at its best.
The most expensive aspect of this build could be returning the Cougar’s interior to its former glory. Time has not been kind, and a complete retrim is the only viable alternative. The seller lists the seatcovers, headliner, and rear package tray as items for the shopping list. We can add a dashpad, but the poor-quality supplied photos make it impossible to determine what other components are required. A brief online search revealed several companies producing complete trim kits, but the new owner faces an outlay of around $2,500 to achieve a respectable result. I think the factory radio has vacated the premises in favor of an aftermarket unit, but the air conditioning is intact.
Powering this Cougar is the M-Code 351ci V8, which the seller believes is original. It would have produced 290hp and 385 ft/lbs of torque in its prime, although those figures may have climbed slightly. The seller added an Edelbrock intake, Holley carburetor, and MSD ignition. They are worthwhile upgrades that should allow the V8 to breathe better. Shifting duties fall to a three-speed automatic transmission, with the driver benefitting from power assistance for the steering and front disc brakes. The seller indicates the Cougar runs and drives and can be considered a turnkey proposition. The exhaust is old, athough they include a pair of HP 4V exhaust manifolds to assist the new owner in creating a system that will give this classic a muscular note. The buyer will also need to source new tires, but this baby is ready to prowl the streets with those issues addressed.
This 1969 Mercury Cougar is a promising project car where the hard work is complete. It needs someone to add the finishing touch, and attention to the fine details could make it an eye-catching classic. A competent person could complete most tasks in a home workshop, minimizing the costs. The seller says they will entertain offers, which is tempting. Would you consider that option, or is taking a chance via the auction process more your style?
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Comments
Never was really crazy about this color (my folks had a ‘64 Chevelle 2 Dr wagon similarly painted). Yet, this kitty looks good and I’d find a home for it if I could afford the corresponding vet bills it’s going to need to bring it up to its best potential health..Plus the price for adoption will probably not be cheap, but hopefully it’s got papers..
A friend that does restorations for a living is adamant, don’t trust cars with fresh paint. Quality paint jobs are expensive and time consuming when done right, done on the cheap it can significantly raise the price without much effort. This car gives off plenty of warning signs, missing emblems and marker lights and visible rust on a rust free floor (picture 7 of 16). The work might be nice, it might not, more than a few buyers realize shortly after they get their purchase home they overspent on a pig with lipstick.
Any wise potential buyer should be skeptical of fresh paint. It’s easy to forget they are their own best advocate, if they aren’t willing to do it for themselves no one else will.
Steve R
I dont get it. Fresh paint ok but rest of car is still in a heap of trouble. Its like putting lipstick on a pig!!!
You gotta start somewhere, whether it be paint, motor, interior or chassis.
This car is the XR-7 model so if the next owner wants the correct leather covers for the seats the price to redo the interior is going to go up.
What’s with all those cars covered up to the left of the Couger ?
They are next in line for a fresh paint job and to be put up for sale.
Steve R
Exactly ! 🤣
At first glance this seems like a good deal……… but you read the detailed comments and reality sets in.
BF has some really knowledgeable followers !
Where were you when I bought that Greenbrier van in 72 ?
Probably a Bondo Monster.
That’s also probably why they put lipstick on a pig.
Shiny paint covers many sins.
And shiny anything attracts pack rats and unsuspecting buyers.
It’s too bad that someone treated this Cat so horribly…
Wisdom and smarts should give one pause for enough time to walk away.
It’s no XR-7.
Correction:
It’s definitely an XR-7 M code car according to the VIN.
A 93 after the F denotes an XR-7
A 91 after the F denotes a standard Cougar
The M code designates the 4 bolt, 4 bbl 351 Windsor engine.
It’s still a pig with shiny lipstick.
Who would go thru the $$ and time to do the body work and paint to take the chance of scratching the finish by putting all the old trim back on. As all ready pointed out there is rust thru in pic # 7, also it appears the paint is peeling off the right rear quarter extension in picture # 2. Same pic shows the door and door glass don’t line up and fit right. This is one you really need to check in person before bidding.
The reason why the door glass and the quarter glass do not match up is because there is supposed to be a piece of chrome on the back edge of the door glass that would have a rubber weatherstrip on it to seal the two pieces of glass to each other. It is not uncommon for that piece of chrome to fall off the glass. It will sometimes be found lying inside the door.
This is the same car I bought in high school, except I had the 3 speed manual and no A/C. Fun car! Great to see it.