Rust-Free 1968 Mercury Cougar
The seller bought this clean-looking 1968 Mercury Cougar, for sale on eBay in Columbia, New Jersey “sight unseen” a dozen years ago because it was stated to be 99 percent rust-free and a former resident of Arizona. “Upon receiving the car,” the seller says, “I think they were correct. I wish I was in as good a condition as this vehicle.”
That could trigger some speculation about owners who don’t share their collector cars’ “Concours” appearance, but the subject is probably best avoided. The Cougar has been babied and has never seen rain, water or salt under current ownership. “I have only ever washed it twice,” we’re told.
The owner drives, it though, having bought the Mercury with 96,000 miles, and now seeing 105,000 on the odometer. It “runs and drives fine” and “everything works.” The engine is believed to be a 302 V-8, and apparently without current needs. The car definitely wants to have a new headliner (see photo below), there’s surface rust on the mag wheels, a front floor mat is missing (call WeatherTech!) and one of the signature hideaway headlights doesn’t always close properly.
The hidden-headlamp Cougar has a Buy It Now of $18,500, and bidding is at $12,500 now, with less than a day to go.
The first Cougars appeared in September 1966 as 1967 models. The phenomenal success of the Mustang lifted all long-hood, short-deck boats, and the $2,854 Cougar took off—with sales representing 40 percent of the entire Lincoln-Mercury line in 1967. The ’67 Cougar was the Motor Trend Car of the Year.
Like the Mustang, the Cougar was a unibody Falcon underneath. Initially, a 289 was offered, with either 200 or 225 horsepower (depending on carburetor). Upping the ante got a 390 “Marauder” V-8 with 320 horsepower. In 1968, with the Cougar getting only minor changes, the 289 was temporarily out of compliance with emissions, so the 302 was substituted in the first half of the year. That gives credence to the owner’s belief that he has a 302, though a lower-compression 289 was available later in 1968. At that point, the 428 Cobra Jet Ram Air was also available.
The Cougar front end was compared to an electric shaver at the time. The headlight doors operated via vacuum from the engine via dual actuators and a fender-mounted reservoir. Standard were sequential taillights, as seen in the Thunderbird. Their analog controls were replaced in this car by digital modules for “peace of mind.”
The photos could be better (why do owners insist on verticals!), but good undercarriage shots are provided. And it does look like a clean example of the breed.
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Comments
I always thought the stylists nailed in on these Cougars. The similarly-themed front and rear styling, the side sculpturing gives it some character without being overdone, the formal roof gives it a stately look. This is a decent example which deserves further attention.
“This is a decent example which deserves further attention.”
Especially to the interior.
Like the way the hideaway front headlights match the rear, agreed.
“In 1968, with the Cougar getting only minor changes, the 289 was temporarily out of compliance with emissions, so the 302 was substituted in the first half of the year…. though a lower-compression 289 was available later in 1968….”
Not sure emissions had anything to do with it as the lower compression 289 was offered in the ’68 Mustang from the start of the model year and the 302 2V, not the 289, was the standard ’68 Cougar engine initially. The ’68 brochure doesn’t even mention the 289. Partway through the model year the 289 was brought back as the standard engine in base Cougars only (a change noted with a printed insert to the original brochure). XR7s and those with the Decor Group option still got the 302 2V as standard.
VIN of this car shows it has the 302 2V.
Loved the styling on the 67 thru 70 Cougars. ‘Dyno’ Don Nicholson and Eddie Schartman’s Cougar Funny Cars were beautiful and fast. Miss those days.
Sold for $12,450.00
Stole it!!!
Zooming in I see rust bubbles in all of the usual places. Far from rust free, but at the sale price there’s some room for repair costs.
I know the 1968 was required to have side markers, but did they need to be SO BIG?
Fix what needs fixing and for the headlamp doors replace the vacuum operated with digital stepper motors. They are easy to adjust if necessary and are dependable. Then Drive it.
In most cases, just replacing the dried out rubber tubing fixes the vacuum leaks. Way cheaper than all new components that would then need to be wired into a 55 year old electrical system.
At least Mercury defaults to the open position when the vacuum fails
1st thing I’d do is replace those hideous Cragers! They are the most boring and uninspiring wheel ever made. I know, I know.. everyone and his blind dog has them.. that’s what make them so boring. Some 15″ Mag 500’s would look so much better. These are just my opinions and not open to interpretation.
I always preferred the Cougar styled steel wheels with trim rings to the ubiquitous Magnum 500s. Those are just as boring as the Cragar SS . Maybe some vintage Keystones would be a good look.
Best friend had GT 500 w/428 C6, no posi–rare car, tried to find it, no luck–gonna suggest this one and clone it!!!
My dream car since I was a kid , my Uncle owned one when he worked in Dearborn . He bought a red one and he said it was the 428 CJ But can’t prove it by me he was quite the braggart .
I loved him any way we lost him in 2004. My wife said if I want one find it and she will get it for my birthday . What a woman .
This one is still what dreams are made of . Thanks Bill
I’m rather fond of this body style. I feel totally the opposite about the year ls that they put the big swooping body line in the door area.