Low Miles: 1973 Mercury Cougar Convertible
The Mustang was a wild success from the get-go, so it wasn’t long before Ford granted Mercury’s wish for a pony car of its own. The Cougar, in development since 1964, was launched for model year 1967 as a committed performance car with a luxury demeanor. Unlike the Mustang, a V8 was your only engine option. It could be small (289) or large (428) but it was gonna be a V8. At Mercury, the Cougar was referred to as the “plush pony”, with its roomy cabin, soft ride, and fancy trim. The XR7 was a further upgrade over the already generous base trim. The Cougar was produced in eight distinct generations, at first sharing the Mustang platform; later it was not much more than a glorified Thunderbird. Here on craigslist is this second-gen 1973 Mercury Cougar convertible, with an asking price of $13,000 located in Frenchtown, New Jersey. This car runs and drives, so enjoy the wind in your (remaining?) hair and cruise on home. This tip is courtesy of PRA4SNW who has a talent for spotting wonderful cars for us – thanks!
While the first-gen Cougar was built with performance in mind, changing management at Mercury brought a new philosophy as the decade of the ’70s opened. Rather than sporting cars, the new emphasis was on middle-market luxury. Performance was gradually shunted aside and the car’s wheelbase grew – an unfortunate decision. Engine options were downgraded and detuned in response to emissions regulations. From seven V8 configurations offered during the ’67-’70 period, only three were available in ’73. This motor is a 351 Cleveland V8. For ’73, the Cleveland came in two flavors: the four-barrel Cobra Jet with 266 hp and the two-barrel rated at 166. This is likely the latter, or we’d be seeing a higher price. The three-speed automatic was a popular choice in the day, though a manual was available. This car has just 66,000 miles on the clock. The seller offers receipts and other records back thirty years with the car.
Only 1284 convertibles were made in ’73. In fact, Ford and its divisions ceased making any convertibles again until 1983. This car’s top is brand new. The interior – what we can see of it – is in decent condition. While the price seems like a bargain, the more expensive cars are the early, hidden headlight, sequential turn signal versions with the largest pre-emission motors. I can attest to how fun those are – I learned to drive in my high school boyfriend’s mother’s ’67 Cougar convertible, dark green with a white top. Pow! But I digress; what do Barn Finders think of this price?
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Comments
Looks like a nice Cougar. But it’s pretty hard to get much detailed information from the… three pictures, and minimal description. Attractive colors. I don’t follow their prices so I can’t comment. Top-down cruising in a Cougar convertible, one could do worse.
Thanks Michelle.
I remember my cousin had This style Not sure the year. It was a hardtop But Black with red interior ! Boy I can still remember that shine!! Brand new . It looked bad ASS!!
I’m going to answer Michelle’s question with one word.
Questionable. Secondly, questionable. Too little info for too much dinero.
Something else. Can someone smarter than I please comment on the width of the valve covers. I owned a 351W and a 351C in the past. It appears to me, through the limitations of the under hood photo, that the valve covers look like the W head. Just a limited observation. Have fun, and good luck. It ain’t me.
It is kind of hard to say with only one photo. However I am going to go with this being a 351C based on the upper radiator hose. It appears to head straight down to connect to the engine which would be how it would be on a 351C. On a 351W the hose would point straight back toward the firewall.
It’s a Cleveland, it has the wider valve covers, just one of the many differences between a Cleveland and a Windsor
Not a car I would have cared to own then or now. But, if this kind of kitsch floats your boat, if the condition is commensurate, the price seems ok. But, as with any car, if you’re interested, go see it. Period.
Always thought these were much nicer than a Mustang.
The 351 really takes advantage of the 4 Barrel setup, or 4V in Ford speak. Gives the 351 alot more jump.
Not enough photos/info to tell if it’s a decent price or not. Those 5 mph bumpers do it no favors, though. The ’71-’72s were better looking, or at least had better integrated bumpers, if you want one of these.
If Michelle learned to drive in a ’67 Cougar vert, that would be a first as there were no Cougar ‘verts until ’69. Typo, no doubt.
You are right – I meant a ’69. In those days it had entered “used car” status and was a bit beat up, but Ginnie loved it and it did do the trick, as far as learning to drive. Only thing was, it was an automatic. Later, when I needed to drive a stick, I had a bit more learnin’ to do.
Michelle,
All 1967-1973 Cougars had the sequential taillights.
Thanks. I thought they ceased after the first-gen. Appreciate the correction.
These beautiful cars seem to be coming out of the woodwork recently. That can only mean that their owners are passing on. Those that owned them were a more mature and careful bunch. The condition of so many reflect this preservation. I always loved these Cougars.
Sports steering wheel — leaves me to question how “gently” it was treated. Have a 73 and the door panels are for crap — problem on all these Cougars and there are NO replacements! The engine bay could use a good cleaning -again a question about how the car was treated. No pics of the underside — why? How about the trunk – A lot of questions — price seems Awful low for a convertible that is in the condition claimed by the owner.
Really? With all the steaming piles of dung that we see selling for far more, I would expect more enthusiasm for what appears to me to be a screaming bargain. I guess some folks are just impossible to please.
I wonder how many people got their fingers stuck in the holes on that awful steering wheel!
Well, I never did, but then, I never stuck my fingers in those holes to begin with. But between JC Whitney, and Cal-Custom, there was a boatload of those steering wheels around in the 60s and 70s, so who knows. It definitely doesn’t belong on this car
I was like 5 years old when it happened to me! LOL
I have a 71 gt with the 429SCJ, definitely fun to drive.
A 71 GT what? A Torino? I know that it is not a Cougar because there were zero 1971 Cougars built with a 429 SCJ. There were 1971 Cougars built with the 429CJ though.
I, for one. Love old Cougars. The car ain’t too bad, either.
Naughty boy, I love old Cougars too, had a 68 in high-school, a 73 when I got married, wife was too young to be a Cougar, otherwise I could’ve had three
The original steering wheel had the rim blow feature on these. Also, it has a dash cap. The dash would matched the upholstery color. Frenchtown New Jersey is farm area. That explains the dirty motor, although I would have cleaned it up prior to sale.If miles are legit, take it and run. A nice cruiser for sure!!
Looks like a hardtop i once had same color and all and Yes these Cars had 351 Cleveland’s in them as mine did very fun car to own
Good Day,Is your vehicle still available