Second Chance: 1970 Mercury Cougar Eliminator
If you were interested in that Cougar Eliminator we featured the other day, but weren’t quick enough, here’s your second chance! This particular Eliminator was originally fitted with the 428 Cobra Jet and although it needs some work, appears to be a good project. It was supposedly stored in a barn for the last 25 years so it’s not running and will need to be restored. A Cobra Jet equipped Mustang may be had for less, but personally I would rather have one of these. They both put out a respectable 335 horsepower, but the Eliminator is a rare sight to see coming down the road today. If you agree with me, then take a look at this project here on eBay. I especially like what the seller entered under the trim field, “Did not come with a lot of trim”. Well, who needs trim when you have 428 cubic inches under the hood?
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Comments
Love the style, concur with your sentiment on rather having this than a ‘stang. Listing has me nervous however. States 428CJ, engine not in it and not original engine. Picture (not the best) does not appear to be a big block CJ though. My 1st car was a ’67 XR7, wish I still had it. Too busy/invested in ’48 F1 and ’68 Fastback in my garage to pursue this one, hope a “cougar guy” (or gal) lands it – deserves to be on the street again.
It was my impression that these came with the HiPo 302 engine? I may be wrong but that’s what the one I was familiar with had…
Mark, the base engine in the Eliminator was a 351-4V / 3-speed (yes, a 3-speed). For 1970 you could option either the Boss 302 or the 428CJ (which could be further upgraded to the SCJ). There were of course transmission options, which varied with engine selection – 351 cars could have FMX, 3spd, or 4spd (close or wide ratio). 428 cars could get C6, and a close ratio 4spd only, while Boss cars only came with close or wide ratio 4speeds.
Hey Fellahs, a few of us Eliminator guys have been watching this one and working with the seller since it was on CraigsList back in Oct last year.
Here are some links to previous discussions on this car, including a pic of the Marti Report;
https://www.facebook.com/groups/473220306059769/permalink/795979933783803/
http://www.classiccougarcommunity.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=4733#p51869
Currently at $19K.. for that project pile? I’m going to be sick..
Here I am, on the Cover of MUSCLECAR REVIEW in 1990, with my 428 CJ Eliminator. Needed the room in my garage – so I sold it for $16K. I think I had about $18K in it at the time, but it was hard to find anyone that wanted a Cougar rather than a Mustang for 69.
http://becksystems.com/garage/MuscleCarReview.htm
Can’t win them all – – LOL
A couple owners later – the Eliminator got a complete – Concours Show Quality Re-do…
I hear ya Carl ~ but even $16k was righteous money for it in 1990! I remember seeing them for $3k in the auto trader and thinking the same thing “for a Cougar? no way!”
It has only been over the last 3 or 4 years that Eliminators have come onto the collector radar. Seems to be folks are looking for something different ~ they have all of the Mustangs and Camaros in thier collections already.
This may seem expensive, but it is a real ’70 Eliminator Q code. Most of the interior looks decent, no glaring rust issues. It’s all there. That pathetic engine ( looks to be a 302 -2V ) doesn’t matter. Put it back to a 428CJ/C6. Love these things.
I remember an Orange 70 that used to sit outside of Findley Lake N.Y. Tried to buy it once twenty years ago. Owner was gonna restore it. Had a damn tree growing out of the engine compartment. Wonder what happened to it. Was supposedly a scj car.
Relisted on eBay with $20.5k buy now.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/331560265205