J-Code 4-Speed! 1968 Mercury Cougar XR7
Running across a J-Code 1968 Mustang is enough to make just about any Ford enthusiast’s day, but an even rarer event is finding a Cougar of the same vintage with this coveted letter in the VIN. The Cougar got off to a strong start when the car was introduced in 1967, offering similar lines to the Ford counterpart and even claiming nearly 40% of Lincoln-Mercury sales during its inaugural year. But a few fortunate buyers who waited until ’68 drove home in what’s now known as a J-Code example, equipped with a stout 302 under the hood, with the 1968 Mercury Cougar XR7 here on eBay being one such feline. The car is down in Miami, Florida, with 26 bids already driving the price up to $3,751 so far, but the reserve has still not been met.
A lot of this car’s appeal is the 302, with that J getting you some goodies such as flat-top pistons and a 4-Barrel. While the number of J-Code Mustangs produced generally seems agreed upon as 21,683, I’m seeing some inconsistencies online regarding the Cougar numbers, although the seller believes his car is one of 497 that came with a 4-Speed, making this a hard-to-find and very desirable combo. Apparently, the car had been sitting in the same place for the past 15 years until recently, but a new gas tank and fuel pump were just installed which got the car running, although I’m guessing the drivetrain is going to need a thorough going through to get it back in shape for any serious driving.
Some good news is the seller seems to realize that the Cougar is in need of a complete restoration, but it does appear to be mostly complete on the outside. The body is stated as being in excellent shape, and while it seems straight overall there’s some surface rust and also a few areas where the corrosion is more serious. Several additional parts come with the sale, including various trim pieces and new weatherstripping, so maybe these items will at least help get the next owner off to a good start.
Things aren’t looking all that great inside, with the missing carpet exposing floorboards that have seen better days. The XR7 package got the buyer a full set of gauges and a fake woodgrain dash, and while the dash itself looks OK the radio is MIA. The front seats are in need of attention, as is the headliner, but the back seat appears to be OK. It’s going to take quite a bit of work getting this one roadworthy again, but the end result will probably be worth it. What do you think?
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Comments
I had a 68 with the J code but with a 3 speed. Also had duel exhaust. Blew up 2 diff’s. Yes I was young. Was fun drive
Didnt come w the 9 inch did it Greg?
Nope 8 inch.
All 1967 and 1968 Cougars produced with a small block engine (289 or 302) left the factory with an 8″ rear axle. Only the big block (390, 427, and 428) cars received a 9″ rear axle.
The definitive authority of Ford, Lincoln, and Mercury production numbers is Kevin Marti. He has produced a book titled COUGAR BY THE NUMBERS. In this book he does list the total production of 1968 XR-7s with the J code 302-4V and the 4 speed transmission as 497 cars. So the seller has the correct production number.
The reason the rear seat looks good is because it has either been replaced by one out of another car or it has been recovered. The upholstry pattern is not correct for a 1968 XR-7. If you look at the front seats in this car you will see that the pleats do not go all the way to the top of the seat or all the way to the front edge. The rear seat should have this same pattern.
It is not easy to find any 4 speed Cougar so if someone wants one they should consider this car. It will need a lot of work but it does look repairable.
Seems like the thing to here would put in a 9in rear,31 spline.so it could handle performance upgrades.
8.8, disc brakes, wide choice of gear ratios & much more efficient.
Fair enough, i believe the fox bodys had the 8.8 ?
Do the new mustangs have the 8.8 also ?
After reading the eBay listing, I have feeling the seller may prove to be a bit “difficult”. He states that the body is “excellent”. But the hood, floor pans, a rear quarter and most of area around the rear window is rusted out. Then there’s the “extremely rare, one of” lines which usually signal a seller with unrealistic price expectations.
Bought two 68’s for my wife,she likes them, both 289’s auto with air .A black one and a light green with black vinyl roof with had a electric moon roof and it still worked. A guy from Holland Mich.came and bought it and cut the top off and put on his 68.I think he junked the car and was just after the roof. Said they were rare.
For the 1968 Cougar there were 326 standard Cougars built with the factory sun roof option. There were also 696 XR-7 models built for a total of 1022 total 1968 Cougars with the factory sun roof option. There were a total of 113,741 1968 Cougars built. So, yes, the sun roof option is pretty rare.
50 times classier and better looking than dime a dozen Mustangs!
Yea I’ve never been a big Mustang guy, oh there has been some nice Mustangs through the years, absolutely leaving the Mustang II out! But Cougar? That’s another cat all together man! I have a cousin who married a great guy, I believe they are close to their 40’th anniversary! But when they were newly weds, they both drove 68 Cougars! Here’s was a luxury edition in dark green with matching vinyl roof and interior with full gauges, a 302/2 brl automatic. His on the other hand was a 390/4 brl dual exhaust with 4speed, and highway gears with posi. Both had power windows and am/fm, hers had an 8 track, plus AC. His was in bright white no vinyl roof with awsome red interior! Both had full instrumentation and wooden steering wheel’s. That 390 was a fairly quick car that was surprising at times, especially after he added aftermarket wider wheels, with better tires. But life happened and kids came along. Now he drives a crew cab, she has an SUV.
Power windows were not available in any 1968 Cougar. The first model year that power windows were available in a Cougar was 1969.
I am not so sure about the rear end. Had two J code XR7 302 4bbl 4spd and both of those had 9 inch rears. Checked that with my father in law who was service mgr at local Ford dealer, also had brother in law who was a line mech at same dlr. both said nine, who am I to argue. K.R.V. I can sympathize with your friend, same happened to me, including college and wedding ce’ le vie.
Sorry Philip but no small block 1968 Cougar left the factory with a 9″ rear axle. The 9″ was only installed in the big block cars, So if your cars had a 9″ it was because someone swapped them in later in their life.
I had 3 67s and 1 68 over the years.
68 was black on black. Later discovered it gold metal flake under the black.
67s
First one was dark green with black interior
Second one was an odd color of aqua with turquoise int a code 289
Third one was Wilmington white with a black interior c code 289 xr7
All were c4 auto.
Still have 3 in my shed.
The 68 was a 302
Still have parts from all 4
Sold last car 5 years ago