Rare Houndstooth Edition: 1970 Mercury Cougar
Special Editions are nothing new to the automotive world and, thanks to early coachbuilding practices, are almost as old as the car itself. Manufacturers typically delve into their Parts Bins for a selection of components and trim pieces to create these vehicles. However, there are occasionally exceptions to that rule. This 1970 Mercury Cougar graphically demonstrates that. It is a rare Houndstooth Edition, and its presentation is hard to fault. The seller is negotiating its sale on behalf of a friend and has listed this Cougar here on eBay in Elyria, Ohio. Bidding has passed the reserve to reach $13,600. Barring unforeseen circumstances, this Mercury is days away from finding a new home.
I typically question rarity claims with classic cars, especially when they are Special Editions. However, there is truth to the story of this Cougar. Mercury sought a means of helping its 1970 Cougar stand out and commissioned fashion designer Pauline Trigère to design a Special Edition. She combined distinctive interior trim with a matching vinyl top to produce the Houndstooth Edition. Mercury built 7,544 examples, of which 5,066 were the standard Cougar. The rest were XR-7s, making those the rarest of the breed. The seller provides little information on this car’s history, although it makes a positive first impression. There is little to fault with its Raven Black paint or arrow straight panels, and the distinctive vinyl top looks excellent. There is no evidence or mention of rust, or whether this classic has received restoration or repairs. The trim and glass show no evidence of problems, and while the Cragar wheels aren’t original, they are period-correct for this Cougar.
The Houndstooth look carries from the vinyl top to the interior trim. Mercury offered buyers a choice between White and Black or the Medium Ginger and Black we find in our feature car. The driver’s seat shows minor discoloring on the leading edge, but that is one of the few flaws inside this classic. The remaining upholstered surfaces appear spotless, as are the dash and pad. I spotted a wheel crack and a mark on the console edge. There are no other visible plastic issues and no sign of UV damage. The woodgrain trim and console add to the luxurious feel. Someone added a Pioneer CD player under the dash on the passenger side. They’ve done a messy job of the wiring, and the new owner will probably address this to prevent electrical problems.
The entry-level 351ci V8 powers this Cougar, although with 250hp and 355 ft/lbs of torque, it isn’t a motoring lightweight. The three-speed automatic transmission and power assistance for the steering and brakes emphasize the car’s luxury credentials. This aspect of the Cougar leaves us wanting more because the seller is short on specific details. The listing indicates an odometer reading of 69,000 miles, but not whether the mileage is genuine. We are also flying blind on the Cougar’s possible numbers-matching status. However, they confirm that it runs and drives well, making it a turnkey proposition for the new owner.
The figures tell the story, with Kevin Marti confirming the rarity of the 1970 Mercury Cougar Houndstooth Edition. I don’t remember seeing one before, but that is unsurprising, given that so many manufacturers produce Special Editions. I delved into the Barn Finds archive, searching for another example. Of the 230 Cougars we have featured since Day One, there was one with a Houndstooth vinyl top. However, it lacked the distinctive interior trim integral to the package. That makes this classic the first full-blown Houndstooth we have seen. I wonder if it will be the last.
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Comments
That brown top has to go man go!
Would u rather have a mopar with a mod top roof? Remember this was 1970.
At least the top matches the seats!
Today’s younger buyers would not like just 2 doors, crank windows & no a/c.
No way, should you remove that vinyl top. That’s part of the “houndstooth” package and matches the interior. Cool piece of history.
Good looking car. Active bidding is likely just warming up. The only thing that might hold it back is the lack of AC, luckily, many car shows are early in the morning or in the evening rather than the heat of the day.
Steve R
Vintage A\C is available at a reasonable cost…. Nice Cougar!
Unique and interesting car. I don’t think I’ve ever seen one of these special editions. Did I miss the Marti Report?
I did not see a Marti report either. My guess is that Adam got his production numbers from Marti’s Cougars By The Numbers book.
My guess is that this car has been repainted as the original factory pinstripes are gone and the Cougar emblem is missing from the decklid. From what is shown this car looks to be very nice. It would have been nice though to see some underside photos.
Seller should have invested in a Deluxe Marti Report to prove that it is what is claimed.
Very few people have the knowledge, incites, & experience to judge these cars as Randy!
I see something eerie in that opening photo…. a phone booth, WOW. 54 year old cars have always had some type of touching up or paint work. Still this is a very nice example. Somebody’s gonna get a sweet ride.
Notice the rotary dial on the phone – if it’s old enough, it might not even have a steel cable connecting the handpiece – back when people were better behaved.
Another North East Ohio car, there must be something going on. Probably twenty minutes from me. I had never heard of this edition but I really like the interior, the roof, meh. What is that blank space in the dash above the console for?
That’s where the central a/c outlets would be placed. Odd, unlike astro ventilation on ’68-’81 camaro & firebird w/o a/c, there are no upper level vents for fresh air when windows are closed.
Mercury did offer a ventilation system for a Cougar that did not have A/C. If that system was ordered there would be vent in that center location. Not very many people ordered it. In 40+ years of dealing with Cougar parts I have never had a car with that system in it.
I remember looking at one of these in a new car showroom in October 1969. It was the Houndstooth Edition, with butterscotch body paint. It seems to me it was stickered for about $4600. I purchased a Mustang Fastback 351 instead, which was stickered for $3,913 and paid $3,300 plus tax and tag.
I had the same car, Houndstooth top and interior as in the photo. I would of thought it was my car, but I had a goldish color body paint. XR7, no ac, had a clock, tack, 351 C, automatic, power steering & brakes, also crank windows. What a pain to change the right rear spark plug. A great running and comfortable car, but the rust killed it after 15 years. Motor went into a “Drag car”, for a few more years. I remember it being referred as a grandpa car, but I called it my “Luxury Mustang”.
Owned a 1970 Mercury Cougar too. Was green with a white vinyl top. It had the black and white houndstooth interior. Have never heard of this special edition before or seen one like mine with just the interior houndstooth fabric. Mine also had the 351 and 2 barrel carb. Was pretty darn fast. Wish I hadn’t sold it but divorce mandated it. Have looked for it for years in the surrounding area with no luck. I consider the 1970 Cougars to be the best looking of the bunch, but of course, I’m prejudiced since I owned one. Really hated to see it go, the wife….not so much.
Wait, you didn’t hate to see the wife go???
I have a 70 Eliminator that has the decore style interior with the black and white houndstooth interior. No vinyl top as that was not an available option with the Eliminator package. So there are other Cougars out there with just the houndstooth interior and no vinyl top.
GM also offered a houndstooth interior in at least the 1969 Camaro. Perhaps other years and models as well.
I remember seeing just one of these houndstooth roofs back in the 70’s and I also remember thinking then, as I do now, “Why?”.
My 69 VW squareback has Ford Ranchero hounds tooth upholstery.
Love the houndstooth, but I would prefer to see the black/white variation with the black exterior.
We sold a new 67 Eldorado black with black vinyl roof and black and white houndstooth interior, very sharp car.
Nice cat. I see it has those classic cragars I myself would have gone with a set of keystones. That hound tooth interior is to die for.
Up to $15,100 with 3d23hrs to go. GLWTA!