This 1976 Mercury Cougar XR-7 is a striking car with no apparent needs. The seller recently splashed a cool $6,500 on it, producing a car that runs and drives nicely. It is a turnkey proposition and could be ideal for someone seeking an affordable and luxurious first classic to park in their garage. It also demonstrates that Barn Finder Mitchell G. has an excellent eye for spotting cars with excellent ownership potential.

Mercury’s Third Generation Cougar marked a significant change in design and marketing philosophy. It previously shared its underpinnings with the Mustang, but with Ford shifting to a subcompact Mustang II, the Cougar became larger and more luxurious. Mercury also eliminated its sub-models, offering the car in a single XR-7 form. This Cougar rolled off the line in 1976, with its first owner ordering it in Bright Blue Metallic. Its presentation is tidy and easily acceptable for a driver-grade classic. The paint shines nicely, with no signs of significant defects in it or the steel. The rear filler panel might be showing deterioration, but the poor-quality images make it impossible to state that definitively. The seller doesn’t mention existing or prior rust problems, and no potential nasty surprises are visible in the supplied photos. The trim and glass are in good order, and this XR-7 rolls on Magnum 500 wheels.

The seller has done themselves no favors with the supplied photos, demonstrating why taking a few extra minutes can significantly impact a listing’s effectiveness. The Dark Blue interior looks okay, with no visible seat wear. The carpet isn’t quite as nice, although it isn’t bad enough to justify replacement. I believe a deep clean may make a difference, with the same true of the scuffs on the lower door trims. The state of the dash and pad are impossible to determine, but the overall impression is positive. The air conditioning, power windows, power driver’s seat, and cruise control demonstrate the car’s luxury leanings. I can’t tell what type of in-car entertainment is present, but it looks like it left the factory with at least an AM/FM stereo radio.

We’ve recently seen a few classics land on our desks at Barn Finds where a seller fails to supply engine photos, and this Cougar continues that trend. They indicate it features a 351ci V8 hooked to a three-speed automatic transmission. Power assistance for the steering and brakes was standard in 1976, demonstrating the company’s abandonment of its performance image as it shifted the badge’s focus closer to a Personal Luxury Car philosophy. Emission regulations didn’t help the car’s cause, with the 351 generating 154hp and 286 ft/lbs of torque. The mystery with this XR-7 deepens because while the seller states they recently spent over $6,500 on this classic, they don’t indicate where the money went. That question is worth asking to confirm whether they invested a percentage into its drivetrain. Potential buyers can consider it a turnkey proposition that runs and drives well. Flying in and driving home seems a viable option for the new owner.

Any car can be considered affordable if an enthusiast has a big enough budget. However, this 1976 Cougar XR-7 is within the average person’s reach. The seller listed it here on Craigslist in Taunton, Massachusetts. Their price of $5,900 is lower than the recent money they invested and is below the market average. It has struggled to find a new home, having been on the market for nearly three weeks. That might motivate the seller to negotiate on the figure, but are you tempted to ask that question?