When you start to trawl through the options list offered by a manufacturer for a particular model, you begin to realize how easy it can be to create a genuinely unique vehicle. Take the current Fiat 500 as a perfect example. If you sat down and worked through every combination of paint, trim, and option available on the company’s Options List, the total comes to a staggering 500,000 variations! This 1970 Mercury Cougar XR7 is not that unusual, but it does feature one option guaranteed to help it stand out in any crowd. It is a tidy survivor searching for a new home, so the owner has listed it for sale here on Craigslist. It is located in Woodland, California, and the owner has set an asking price of $19,950. I have to say a big thank you to Barn Finder rex m for spotting this slightly quirky classic for us.

Given a quick passing glance, this XR7 appears to present nicely. Its original White paint holds a respectable shine, although the photo quality makes it difficult to determine whether there are any flaws or faults. The panels are straight, and the close-up shots reveal this car to be a rust-free survivor. The trim and chrome shine nicely, and there are no glaring faults with the tinted glass. The original wheels have made way for aftermarket items, but these seem to suit the vehicle’s character. However, if the buyer seeks originality, sourcing the correct factory items should not prove challenging. All of this has allowed me to skirt around what makes this Mercury unusual. Today, vinyl tops have gone the way of the dodo, but in 1970, they were prevalent. Buyers could choose a top in a shade that offered a striking contrast to their paint or one that was a close match. With a few notable exceptions, these tops came in a solid color. However, Mercury offered buyers in 1970 a top in Houndstooth vinyl. Honestly, I am happy to admit that this is the first that I’ve ever seen. It is unquestionably distinctive, but it is also a relatively rare find on an XR7. The included Marti Report indicates that this car is 1-of-544 ordered in that model year. While that doesn’t make it the rarest on the planet, it should still be enough to start plenty of conversations in the street or at a Cars & Coffee. Its condition is extremely good, which is a relief. I’ve had no luck finding a replacement top kit, but I did find a supplier who sells the vinyl by the roll with enough to replace the original top. However, the roll retails for a cool $460, plus what it would cost to have the top made and installed. At least that’s one expense that potential buyers won’t need to consider.

We’ve seen a few survivors recently with interiors that send mixed messages, and this Cougar goes on that list. The original owner ordered the car trimmed in Medium Brown leather, and the overall impression is positive. There are no significant flaws or faults with the seats, headliner, or other upholstered surfaces. The carpet looks respectable, as does most of the plastic trim. The armrests and grab handles show their age, but the biggest concern is the dash pad. The owner has installed a cover, so we can’t ascertain its condition. Hopefully, he has done this to protect the pad from UV rays. If the pad is cracked, that could hit the buyer’s hip pocket pretty hard. Reproduction pads retail for around $525, which is a major “ouch!” Beyond that and some scuffs on the steering column shroud, there are no glaring problems. When they ordered this car, the original owner had their pen poised because they equipped it with air conditioning, a console, a tilt wheel, and an AM/FM/8-track player.

Buyers had a fair selection of engines at their fingertips in 1970 when they ordered their new XR7, and this one’s original owner opted for the 351-4V V8 that produces 300hp. They combined this with a three-speed automatic transmission, power steering, and power front disc brakes. Pointed at a ¼ mile, this classic should complete the journey in 15.4 seconds. There were undoubtedly other vehicles that could better that figure, but this XR7 combined that sort of performance with luxury and comfort that helped it stand out. The engine bay presents in a clean and tidy manner, and it doesn’t flatter to deceive. The owner indicates that this classic runs and drives well. He doesn’t mention any problems or issues, suggesting that this is a turn-key proposition for its new owner.

For buyers who crave a 1970 Cougar XR7, this looks to be a good one. Its original owner ticked many desirable boxes on the Order Form, but its vinyl top makes it stand out as something different. The XR7 has ridden a rollercoaster in the classic market recently, but values are climbing once again. This car isn’t perfect, but it is a tidy survivor, and the asking price looks highly competitive. It has been on the market for less than a day, and I suspect that interested parties might need to act quickly if they want to park it in their garage. I think that it could sell pretty quickly.