One Owner Garage Find: 1967 Mercury Cougar
Things began to get serious in the growing “pony car” market segment in 1967 when the number of competitors grew from two to five. Joining the Ford Mustang and Plymouth Barracuda (which was a distant second in sales), were the Chevy Camaro, Pontiac Firebird, and Mercury Cougar. A derivative of the Mustang, the Cougar was a hit and accounted for 40% of Mercury production in its first year. Little is known about this 1967 edition, other than it appears to be a stalled project inside the seller’s garage. Located in Port Orchard, Washington, this “Cat” is available here on Facebook Marketplace for $7,000.
A Mercury mainstay for nearly 35 years, the Cougar began as a luxury version of the Mustang, so it, too, had its roots in the original Ford Falcon. Over time, nearly three million Cougars were built, making it the best-selling automobile to come out of Mercury before their demise in 2011. It would also be the only Mercury to ever receive the Motor Trend Car of the Year Award (1967). V8 engines were standard in the Cougar, so in ‘67 you had your choice between two 289s and one 390 (horsepower ranged from 200 to 320 depending on the motor and carburetion).
The Cougar would be the third best-selling pony car of 1967 at nearly 151,000 units (Mustang and Camaro were 472,000 and 221,000 cars, respectively). And, the Cougar was only offered as a hardtop in its first two years while the competition also had convertibles. We’re told this green ’67 Cougar is a one-owner car and from the photos with the hood off, some mechanical work may have been afoot.
We don’t know which engine is here, but the Moroso-branded valve covers suggest things are not stock. It has twin electric fan motors behind the new aluminum radiator. The body may be okay, as well as the interior, though we can’t tell what’s up with the carpeting behind the front seats. The seller says this is a project car and encourages prospective buyers to “come to see it, let’s talk shop.” That implies there could be some wiggle room in the price.
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Comments
Thanks Russ. I always considered the Cougar to be a sharply-styled, well-appointed, well-executed entry into the pony car field. This one might make for a reasonable project. I like the period-correct greens, even on the interior (not going to see anything like that on a new car today).
It is often noted how the sales of Mustang started to decline in 1967 due to increased competition. But I didn’t realize that due to the good sales volume from Cougar, that from a FoMoCo perspective the total of Mustang plus Cougar sales actually outpaced 1966 Mustang sales. Lots of happy execs back then, I figure.
I agree Bob. I think that the Cougar was the best looking pony car ‘coupe’ in 67/68. Good styling without being over the top. Too bad you don’t see more of them today. They still turn heads.
Had a 67 in 69,289 dumped for a 351 W too bad I can’t post a pic
It has a small block Windsor engine, with a stock intake and a single feed vacuum secondary Holley carb.
It might be a decent value, but is no home run. It needs a thorough inspection to verify its condition.
Steve R
Seven thousand leaves a decent amount of room to spend on getting this cougar back to status. It has a lot of potential especially for someone breaking in to classic car restoration projects or anyone for that matter. That said, some solid money will be needed but these are sharp cars with unique looking front ends.
Some Advice: Clean it up, pull outta garage into light, & TAKE QUALITY PICS if you’re tryin 2 sell it. Then maybe a potential buyer may come “to talk shop.”
I have always been a huge fan of the Cougars and Mercury products as a whole. At just 5 month away from myself turning 60 I have owned more Mercury vehicles than any other brand. Back in 1982 I bought a 68 XR7, red with black interior and still kick myself to this very day for selling, stupid move on my part. My buddy has a 68 XR7 with a 390 4bbl big block in it, Arizona car without rot sitting in his yard that was a barn find. Living in Arizona is definitely a plus with the older car no rot feature. I would love to own that beautiful 67, I think the price is fair. Now if only I can get my buddy to sell me that big block Mercury………. SIGH…….
I think all of us had a car or cars that would be cool to own now. Personally, I had only 5 that would spark interest I today’s market.
1959 Dodge Sierra Wagon
1964 Galaxy 500 390 4 speed
1966 Fairlane Gt 390 3 Speed
1971 Datsun 240Z
1972 “Cuda” 340 Slap Stick
These cars were owned between 1965 and 1976 and not in this order. The “Cuda” sold for $1K. The others under $500.
Talk about kicking oneself.
Ahhh…these “barn finds” are always 3000 miles away from me..lol!
That’s a decent price for what seems to be a complete car??
Compared to what has been out there lately.
You aren’t alone in them always being too far away. This one is almost as close as they ever get to me and its still 2300 miles, two Canadian provinces, and one state away!
From what you can see in the photos, it looks like a fairly complete car. I think $3,500 might be a better price. Having owned a few 1967 Mustangs, I can say that if you’re new to these cars, don’t expect a lot. They don’t handle well compared to the cars of today. They aren’t that fast. These cars were made to look good, but they are cheap. Cheap to manufacture. They’re a lot of fun to take to local car shows and cruises, but that’s about it.
I have a lot of fun driving my 67 GT to work every day I can.
Second paragraph of the description of this posting: ” . . . the Cougar began as a luxury version of the Mustang, so it, too, had its roots in the original Ford Falcon”. Too many unnecessary and grammatically incorrect commas! Corrected: ” . . . the Cougar began as a luxury version of the Mustang, so it too had its roots in the original Ford Falcon”.
And this affects the Cougar in what way!?
How about a 1970 Ford Ranchero with a 428 super cobra jet, shacker hood and 4 speed . Can anyone find one of those in a barn??????
The 428 was dropped from Torino/Ranchero in 1970 and replaced by the 429. How’re ever unlikely, there might be a few of those hiding somewhere.
Steve R
I suppose you want hideaway headlights also? Got one.
Wow: Rick B; a lot of gramatical criticisms, in my opinion” but what would I know’ English was not one of mine best subjects; Im just a wannabe gearhead> trying to pry the check book away from; the wife!
This or a dime a two dozen Mustang? I will take this. Cougars are gorgeous, well, until about 1970, then they got fat, just like the Mustang. I had a friend, now deceased, had a new black on tan 67 Cougar GT with 390 and 4 speed. He worked then at the Mahwah Ford plant in Jersey, that’s gone too for many years. He traded that Cougar on a then NEW 70 Boss 302 Mustang. It beat many 69 Camaro Z28s on the street at the time.
I new a guy with 67 390 4 spd. H. P.S clocked him somewhere between Harden Mt. and S herden Wy. at150 true story.
The year has barely begun, but we have a candidate for “worst classic car advertisement of the year”.
Several years back a buddy of mine (about 10-12 years older) with a wife that had a strong resemblance to Raquel Welch had a bright red with black interior ’68 XR7 with a highly modified 390 and a four speed. A couple of young guys were goading her at a stoplight one night. When the light turned green she revved it up and side stepped the clutch and ran it through the gears until the local police stopped her. When the cop walked up to the car he looked over the car then looked at her and said, “anybody that drives a car like this and looks like you doesn’t deserve a ticket”.
Oh to have had a mercury…had so many cougars caint count them…still have a 67 and a 69 mercury 2door Marquis both with 429 engines…nice toys to play with….
I had a friend in high school whose father owned a Lincoln Mercury dealership. Lot’s of stories but those are for another time. His next door neighbor ordered a 67 XR-7 with a 390 same color as this car. When it came in he took us for a ride and I’ll never forget being pulled back in the seat when he nailed it and how nice it looked. I’ve loved them ever since.
If only it were a convertible…..
I fell in love with these when I saw Diana Rigg drive one up to the bull fighting ring in On Her Majesties Secret Service.
Or maybe it was her I fell in love with.
Seriously though, under-appreciated design. A beautiful “blunt object” when everything else was going Coke-bottle. Looks like it spent some time outside, or that garage isn’t particularly moisture tight. Drag her out, hose her down, and give her a once over and she’ll attract more attention.
Or is that Diana I’m talking about again?
Diana Rigg drove a 69
The Bond movie car was a 1969 Cougar. The 1967 Cougar was not offered as a convertible.