Mercury Cougar | Buyer's Guide

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9 жыл бұрын

Have you always dreamed of owning a Mercury Cougar? Hagerty Classic Cars magazine Executive Editor Stefan Lombard talks you through the ins and outs of these muscle cars, including potential trouble spots and exactly what you should look at before making a purchase. (Special thanks to our studio location, www.petrollounge.com in Austin, Texas.)
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Пікірлер: 157

@bryanweston7737 Жыл бұрын

I've owned a 1967 Cougar since I was 16...still have the same car - now I'm 67! 289 4 bbl, C4 automatic, a long time ago, I added Sears coil shocks to rear - to alleviate the sagging rear end look many early Cougars have. Also added a real Mustang Boss 302 rear stabilizer bar, and the Gabriel Strider shocks set to Xtra Firm up front. I still love this car, and it still puts a smile on my face every time I drive it...!

@Mikhail-Tkachenko Жыл бұрын

I also have a 67 Cougar, 289 2bbl, 3spd on floor. Same color as in this video. All original 47k miles. The original owner had dual exhaust with glasspacks installed back in 67, which it still has. Also has the same problem with the sagging leaf springs in the rear. I just put air shocks on it for now. Will eventually see about getting the rear springs resprung.

@royboy9361 2 ай бұрын

Get a Scott Drake export brace. They are a must for any Cougar.

@ggooch1430 3 жыл бұрын

My Mom used to drive a 1967 Cougar GT with the 390. She was a really cool Mom

@royboy9361 2 ай бұрын

I’ll be 66 this year, our XR-7 G has been in the family 41 years. I have loved Cougars since I was nine.

@donniestroud8812 4 жыл бұрын

The '67 Cougar is the most beautiful piece of American muscle design ever. I had to give mine up in the 90's. I was the second owner. Literally bought it from a little old lady in California. She had the owner's manual and the little tag that hung from the rear view stating that the interior was, indeed, genuine leather. I cry now.

@808smycarbreaks_9 3 жыл бұрын

I bought one very recently with a 289 3 speed, and it needing work is an understatement. The floor pan was rusted out, missing a bunch of interior parts and overall bad condition; but I’m 17 and wanted a different car thank my ‘96 mercury sable( which I love). I plan on making it my daily driver so I don’t plan on keeping it factory original. With my knowledge of cars and my dedication to work on my new project car, I’m going to spend a lot of money, time, love and enjoyment with it!

@user-yn4ww1yy2v Ай бұрын

👍 When I was but a lad in the mid 70s, he took me with him in search for the perfect used Cougar. He bought three of them, one with an incredible 351 Cleveland engine and two others for various parts. He ended up with a (converted) Cougar XR-7 with perfect black-leather interior and the full XR-7 dash, map lights, etc. He also had front to rear stabilizers installed. That car was a running-BEAST!!

@hotwheel6663 6 жыл бұрын

Yep 67'-68' Cougars are Sweet!

@KGisthename 3 жыл бұрын

69?

@russtowle5674 2 жыл бұрын

they kinda started fuckin them up after that

@donmorris4129 4 жыл бұрын

In High School I drove a 1967 Metallic Blue Cougar.... loved that car!! Now kids are on Skateboards and Bicycles, sign of the times....lol.

@TheVamxie 3 жыл бұрын

Getting a blue cougar HAH you were def a kid. The big boys got pop her cherry red or gloss\ or matte black.

@donmorris4129 3 жыл бұрын

@@TheVamxie .... must of hit a Nerve, enjoy your Skateboard... lol.

@c7xr7 9 жыл бұрын

Of course I always enjoy a video that talks about the Mercury Cougars from the '60's. Cougars share many of the same issues that you would have with a Mustang, rusting in the same areas. Vinyl tops present a problem as most cars were not painted under the tops and rust ate away sight unseen. Finding body parts, while not anywhere near as easy as the Mustang it is still possible and actually easier than it was before the internet days. Electronics can be a nightmare if they have been fooled with over the years, they require much patience to get working correctly but some nice solid state replacements have been created over the years for relays and turn signal motors.

@user-mb9ke5dz7l 3 жыл бұрын

I have a 1967 Cougar this exact color. 289 3spd on floor. Entirely original with 47k miles.

@royboy9361 2 ай бұрын

Only 3% of Cougars had standard transmissions. They are scarce indeed.

@tedlytle790 Ай бұрын

My buddy had a '70 Cougar he inherited in 1980 when he got his driver's license at 16, a few months before I did. So many great memories cruising around in that car. Thought the flip-up headlamp covers were the coolest thing. He had one cassette tape always playing in the car. To this day, every time I hear a song from Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers "Damn the Torpedoes' album, I am transported back to cruising in that red 1970 Cougar.

@paulpeterson4311 2 жыл бұрын

When I was a kid my Grandfather had a 68 Mustang SIX & My Grandmother had a 68 Cougar with the 302 4-brrl & dual exhausts. OMG talk about night & day!!! The Cougar road soooo much nicer and was soooooo much quieter The Cougar had the most fantastic muffled exhaust rumble when riding in the rear seat.

@larryc1964 2 жыл бұрын

I read somewhere years ago that Ford put a lot more insulation and with the longer wheelbase you will also get a better ride in the cougar from those days. The article I read also said that Ford was trying to make the cougar in a European style design so it was more of a luxury Mustang so To speak

@pablomontoya2208 9 жыл бұрын

There are other cougar websites but those are different

@brianobert8751 6 жыл бұрын

pablo montoya i had a 67 1/2 XR7 GT 390 HI PO 4SPD every option available

@Piff000 5 жыл бұрын

That made me chuckle

@stevendefehr4393 Жыл бұрын

I caught that too 😁 Maybe made in China ??? Cheers everyone from western Canada

@josemadrid2662 2 жыл бұрын

I just got a 1969 XR-7.. Original California matching 351- 4v. Body and engine is solid.. minor interior repairs drove it an hour an half home.. I've only had it a few hours and love it...

@waynesidor8838 4 жыл бұрын

Did he mention the sequential turn signals? Either I missed it, or that is a big whoops.

@friendlypiranha774 5 жыл бұрын

I have always liked these Cougars.

@trainliker100 3 жыл бұрын

My first car was a 67 Cougar bought used about a year old. It was bought in Chicago and I had the "Ziebart" rust proofing done to it. The "push button" windshield pump he talks about is more like a pedal than a button. You are actually doing the pumping with your left foot. Pretty neat, actually. Mine was a 289. My older brother happened to have a supercharged Studebaker Avanti with the Studebaker 289 and, of course, it was more powerful. But mine seemed very weak compared to it. After driving it cross country to California, I found out that the spark plug wires were hooked up in the wrong order on one bank. The engine was seemingly running normally, but with the firing at the wrong points was developing full power. It made quite a nice improvement to get those cylinders firing properly. Then I bought a 1969 one new (green) and, unfortunately, it got wrecked and totaled. This was replaced with another new 1969 (blue). I think the 67/68 and 69/70 styles are more timeless than most other designs of the time, and certainly better than when Cougars later got fat and pug like.

@achriscilley3965 3 ай бұрын

They don't make them like that anymore. I have had conversations with my kids over the years, and have made the comment, listen carefully when you shut the door of today's cars versus yesterday's the sound today is cheaply made compared to the solid sound it makes of old cars. Solid well built and made to last, yeah they surely don't make them like that anymore. Thanks for sharing these beautiful machines and allowing me to remember and reflect on the good old days.

@wanyelewis9667 2 жыл бұрын

Bought a '67 XR-7 back in 1979 while in college. It was a beautiful brown with a white vinyl covering the roof. 289 2bbl with 200 hp. Brown leather throughout; wood trim on the dash; all the gauges. The engine wasn't properly maintained before I bought it & and it soon developed fatal problems. By the time we got done fixing it, we could have put a brand new 302 in it for the same money. Once the engine was running well, it was a nice riding car. Eventually, rust doomed the body and it was sold for scrap.

@michaelfiguly1654 2 жыл бұрын

I've owned all the pioneering year Cougars from 67 to 72, I missed out on the 73 but loved all of them.

@Rick-wn5oh 4 жыл бұрын

I had a 68 Cougar that exact color. And the sound was amazing with this car. It had the 302 V8 engine. As a young guy in the 70s, of course, I went out and wrecked it. To this day I regret that. Yeah my headlights never open and closed at the same time.

@fiddlesnsticks Жыл бұрын

What IS this color? It sort of looks green but also could be gold? Great video!

@Rick-wn5oh Жыл бұрын

@@fiddlesnsticks I always called it Pea Green. But then what do I know about colors, I'm a guy

@et76039 11 ай бұрын

One lady claimed my Cougar was "flirting with" her 🤔, as in winking at her. 😁

@garywood9525 6 жыл бұрын

I think the radio was an option on the Mustang and Cougar because the 390 S code V8 pretty well filled the interior with that rumble most males love from a Detroit V8 in a muscle car .

@chrisriner2156 2 жыл бұрын

They are something special!!!

@brentf3068 9 жыл бұрын

VERY Well presented, Sefan! I look forward to your next instalment.

@blackbolt3685 2 жыл бұрын

I've always had love for these cars since I was little,and,would love to own one,they have a great style and this one looks very clean 👍🏿

@larryc1964 2 жыл бұрын

Ditto!!!👍

@stevedoylerewind7454 Жыл бұрын

any idea what this car may be worth? just curious

@steel90912 6 жыл бұрын

I once owned a 68 cougar. I regret selling it.

@kodnuddi2729 3 жыл бұрын

How much did it cost

@beezowdoodoozoppitybopbopb9488 2 жыл бұрын

@@kodnuddi2729 bout tree fiddy

@1972mercurycougar 3 жыл бұрын

1971-1973 Cougars, deserve a second look too!! All 351C V8 powered, a few 429cj also in 1971. Wonderful driving cars, and sequential turn signals rock!! Also XR7 interiors in these, coupe and convertible, are amazing when right!! Tunnel back roof very cool. 3300- 3500 lbs. Loaded up.

@Daftchild89 2 жыл бұрын

I have 2. Lol. My dad gave me his but before he did I bought my own. I got offers all the time for them. Cool cars.

@3121cKOne 4 жыл бұрын

That car is really in perfect shape except for the headlight grille on the drivers side is sagging and misaligned, fix that. My Best Friend in High School owned a 1968 Mercury Cougar in the same color green, great times... Great memories!!!

@Ragna___ 2 жыл бұрын

Those headlights! Those taillights! ❤️

@MikeGuy993 9 жыл бұрын

Really enjoy these videos, informative and interesting

@RivetGardener 2 жыл бұрын

excellent video on a classically beautiful car. The design and style was top notch. The edges/outward curve of the body along its length is gorgeous.

@brettcadman5324 3 жыл бұрын

I lucked out on a 67 this summer. I've owned other classics, but the lines are surreal. She has a potent 302 with manual 5 speed. She's a keeper 😃

@usmankhatri8278 3 жыл бұрын

That's cool. For what price you got that?

@MostlyElectrolytes Жыл бұрын

I wanted one really bad and almost passed up on a limegold one (same exact color here). Bought it, planned on painting it and about 2 months into it I fell in love with the color. Put some decent wheels and tires on it (I went square, I hate the staggered look) and added dual exhaust. One of the best cars I've ever had and still regret selling it over 25 years later.

@majik_man 3 жыл бұрын

I'm going to look at the 69 Cougar XR-7. I actually really prefer the vertical lines on the grills that they started in 69 over the previous years. Also quite a bit bigger.

@Gieszkanne 4 жыл бұрын

I saw it the frist time in "From dusk till dawn" . Love at first sight.

@larryc1964 2 жыл бұрын

I passed on a dk green 390 68 xr7 7 years ago back when I lived in Augusta Ga. Kicking myself ever since. It didn’t need much and for $5000, I don’t know what I was thinking 🤪

@realmaindrianpace 9 жыл бұрын

While the windshield in the same as Mustang, the roof and trunk lid are not.

@mrt2734 3 жыл бұрын

Gorgeous Vehicle!

@paulsparrow6981 3 жыл бұрын

There were so many variations of the Coug; XR-7, GT. I would've liked to hear a bit more about the variety of engines, options, models, etc.

@Ms.Irod2024 3 жыл бұрын

Blessed to own one

@larryfondren7679 4 жыл бұрын

Another bad ass ford love it love your videos keep it up.

@mrgallardo7069 4 жыл бұрын

I remember in 1995 in Southern California when I was 15 a guy was selling a 68 cougar in mint condition for 500 bucks. Damm I wish I had the money to buy it ☹️

@javierduran1390 4 жыл бұрын

My dad had a 67 cougar and sold it for 300 bucks back in the day, it sucks I am trying to buy one and I wish some one would sell my one for 500 bucks!!

@EccentricMiller 3 жыл бұрын

My dad sold his 67 for 300 In the 80’s. To many of these stories 🤣 I hear his story all the time and it ends with “I should have never sold it.”

@steel90912 6 жыл бұрын

BEAUTIFUL CAR.

@maintain.faith.3657 2 жыл бұрын

Great work The Car makes it easy

@metalbeast83 Жыл бұрын

i had one pretty much exactaly like this it was still all original excet the motor. it had a 351w a friend of mine in ca helped me build up the motor an transmission.

@terrygorman5810 Жыл бұрын

Dad bought a green 67 as soon as it was available. Next year, traded it in for a 68 gold XR7.

@jasongaudreau2075 3 жыл бұрын

My all time favorite vehicle. The Cadillac of mustangs!! Here in 2021 every year/model of mustang has been done. Time for the Cougar to rise. Her name is just flat out appropriate these days. Ole’ sexy girl just givin them young boys a rise.

@xployalist 8 жыл бұрын

Well, I was debating personally whether the classic 60s-70s American car that I should aspire to would be either the Mustang or Cougar, due to parts availability, but the information about the larger rear legroom's sold me.

@CarGroves 5 жыл бұрын

Plus Cougars are cooler looking

@brianlane6118 13 күн бұрын

Had a 67’ GT with the 390 marauder that I bored out to a 401. Won a lot of races at the drags

@casongrover897 9 жыл бұрын

That's the purrfect license plate for that car!

@535banshee 2 жыл бұрын

In the market right now for one.

@jasonleekinney Жыл бұрын

Great video. To the point and very informative. And no click-like-subscribe assault! Lolz I subscribed. Thank you for posting.

@bigkobecapone 2 ай бұрын

Just picked up my 94 cougar I love him even though he is acting up

@branon6565 6 жыл бұрын

That Merc is badass....

@markthomas5683 2 жыл бұрын

The front suspension is a little different than a mustang. I had one, and I remember there being some extra bushings to soften it out I guess.

@ezcondition 8 жыл бұрын

i love them cars

@geraldsutherland3635 6 жыл бұрын

The one unique feature not mentioned is the rear signal lights. There are 3 bulbs on each side that flash in a staggered 1,2,3 to indicate which way you are turning. it used an mechanical/electrical mechanism in the trunk to accomplish this. I had a 1967 Cougar with a 289 cu in engine as my first car. The interior was mint, but the mechanical and body were toast.

@startrekking359 5 жыл бұрын

They're called sequential turn signals

@sixpack375 4 жыл бұрын

My first car at 16 yo. A beautiful dark green 67 cougar. No a/c and i didnt care... But man was it sweet.

@jeffcampbell2710 Жыл бұрын

This is the second most beautiful car made in America. Followed only by the 65 Riviera.

@barriefarmsjr 6 жыл бұрын

Make sure you get the right cougar club

@ecglaw0 9 жыл бұрын

You should have shown the XR7 model which has a far more impressive interior. The '68 XR7 kept that '67 XR7 interior virtually in tact. I own a 1968 XR7 and am stopped by someone who wants to photograph or talk about it every time I drive it which is weekly. I had a '67 with a 289cu 4bbl, the 1968 has a 302cu 2bbl. Either has way more than sufficient muscle. With a 390, the car is a virtual bullet. Vintage tv commercials from 1967 and 1968 on KZfaq ie the one with Arnold Palmer feature that classic XR7 interior.

@thug_573 7 жыл бұрын

I've been intrested why i havent really seen too many 76 mercury cougars on sale anywhere and i've been intrested is it because, *People hate the cars so much they are just put to the junkyards* , *people love em so much nobody wants to sell em* or is it because nobody is asking em? the only way we were able to get one was since i buddy of ours bought cars from US and sold them to those who ordered em and he would store em in our farm for the winter and when he brought a 76 cougar we bought it since none of them were shipped here other than privately

@nimbusxd91 3 жыл бұрын

Awesome car

@matthewconnor1619 3 жыл бұрын

Had 68 was cool only 302 auto but was neat if you were around Shelby twp in 84 you would know it painted it Royal burgundy and put magnum 500 wheels on it .

@martinfranek392 4 жыл бұрын

Super classics,beatiful CAR ! :-)

@lifeofelias5231 3 жыл бұрын

crazy how I'm lookin at these comments hearing that back in the day these cars were sold for 400-800$, I'm 18 right now saving up for this car.

@zapcodeknock4503 7 жыл бұрын

The grill and body on these are quite spectacular and they are pretty rare, you almost never see a cougar running the streets. Where have all the Merc's gone to. I'm guessing you will say the junkyard... otherwise they're kept in storage for what it seems like, given the rarity of such vehicles. Good video on it though, nice condition on that one.

@jayhinton9074 4 жыл бұрын

I’ve got a nice one, they are around:)

@zapcodeknock4503 3 жыл бұрын

@@jayhinton9074 I'm guessing in the south and in the midwest.

@bbo40 Жыл бұрын

The one I owned in the early 80's , it rusted out under the cowl and when it would rain it would come in onto the front floor ! Being a 16 year old with no $$$$ and even less 'know how' I "fixed" the problem with trash bags and a lot of adhesive chalk.

@michaelknight2897 4 жыл бұрын

I LOVE the 67 68 cougar. As a computer geek, I am afraid to buy one. I need to grow some balls.

@fldude46 6 жыл бұрын

my wife had one just like that one

@philshifley4731 3 жыл бұрын

I like the other cougar website as well.

@nomiclas 9 жыл бұрын

The one thing few ever talk about is the uni-body and the terrible front end setup.They came with upper control arms with the springs on the top.They "A' frame cross bar had plugs rather than zerks for greasing and the quickest way to get a zerk in was to cut a hole in the spring tower.This happened only a small % of the time and most front ends wore out amazingly quick.They also had a strut bar for the lower control arm that was set in rubber biscuits,they wore out and deteriorated.To further add to the misery the power steering had a valve in drag link with hoses dangling under the car,vulnerable to road hazards.Absolutely one of the worst front ends ever engineered on a car.For Ford engineering was an Oxymoron.It was however a cash cow for parts suppliers and mechanics for decades.

@Guy-mx4fb 6 жыл бұрын

St Pauli thanks, i was looking into a68 i found online at a good price but all those mechanical issues not cool

@hotwheel6663 6 жыл бұрын

Florida Scot Heard with Big block 390 hard to change spark plugs?

@user-ho9mn5zg1k Жыл бұрын

I've had 3 cougar 74. 91 now 1995 kitty x Great cars all of my cars where. V8 bring them back now danny. A❤

@jamesvanscoy7717 3 жыл бұрын

Best yrs of the cougars 67-68

@jamesvanscoy7717 3 жыл бұрын

So sweet

@melrose9252 3 жыл бұрын

69 and 70 were better.

@victorcarmenate6106 3 жыл бұрын

I just bought a 67 cougar but it has a lot of rust, especially on the floor

@sillygooserecords5466 3 жыл бұрын

I want one so bad

@williambasore9658 9 жыл бұрын

If you want to know more about Cougars please check out classiccougarcommunity.com and Legendary Cougar Magazine. There is a very active and incredibly friendly and helpful group of Cougar enthusiasts that would be happy to share their knowledge and experience.

@rafaelmeneses5066 6 жыл бұрын

This car is better than factory. Also your headlights should not move up if the vacuum system is not leaking. I have a 40k original car and the panels don't line up like a restored car.

@mikeking9777 2 жыл бұрын

CHECK WINDOW REGULATORS. IF REAR SIGNALS NOT WORKIN PROPERLY, CHECK SMALL PLASTIC BOX THAT COVERS THE CRANK WHICH ACTIVATES THE REAR SIGNALS(TRUNK). HEAT TENDS TO COMPRESS (SUCK IT IN) AND KEEPS CRANK FROM TURNING. FRONT SHOCK TOWERS/ TUNNELS, FOR CRACK(NON NARCOTIC CRACK)BUSHING IN GEAR SHIFTER, IF AUTO. HEATER CORE. IF FRONT POWER DRUM, CHECK BRAKES. AND GIVE IT A BIG THUMBS UP IF IT STILL HAS THE DAN GURNEY MOTORTREND CAR OF THE YEAR DECAL IN REAR SIDE WINDOW.👍

@AndyBettencourt 3 жыл бұрын

How can this be a buyers guide with no mention of years, options, rare models, engines, etc? Thanks for pointing out where to look for rust but this was very incomplete.

@sillygooserecords5466 3 жыл бұрын

I'm curious about those other "cougar websites"

@jasonrohan7471 3 жыл бұрын

Did you hear the kitty purr? Oh that sound.

@redbarrel4299 Жыл бұрын

Hey guys needed some help. I wanted to purchase a 68 cougar as a flip project. I have the opportunity to get one for 2,200. There’s an engine(302) and tranny in it that he believes is original but the engine is seized. None of the accessories are on the engine but he has them still. He recently replaced the floor pan and rhino lined the bottom of the car. The trunk will need a new pan welded in. And the paint is pretty bad probably like a 2/10. Interior is all there probably like a 6/10 Is there any money to really be made in this one even if I had to drop a rebuilt motor in it. (I understand there’s probably a lot more info needed) Any help is very much appreciated.

@leonardovillasenor3598 8 жыл бұрын

beautiful car nice presentation i have a question could you tell me whats that color name i have a ford maverick green but its hard to find the original paint i like that color how can i find it i will appreciate your help thaks and take care that car hard to finde one of a kind

@Pkusaywa 8 жыл бұрын

Tough to tell from paint samples, it's either Lime Frost or Sea Foam Green. Mustangs used the same colors but were named different. Example: My 67 Cougar is Glacier Blue and the identical color for the Mustang is Brittany Blue.

@rebokfleetfoot 6 ай бұрын

had one, should have kept it

@goonyloony6315 3 жыл бұрын

There’s a cougar in someone’s front yard collecting rust should I take it?

@bcut 3 жыл бұрын

Yea!! And never ever sale it!

@OnTwiggysTerms 6 жыл бұрын

Can you please make one of these for 71’ body style Chevy Novas?

@alexd.3246 2 жыл бұрын

Three seats in the rear? Am I missing something, everything i see on the net suggests two.

@sergh8605 6 жыл бұрын

Just subscribe thank you.

@paulpeterson4311 2 жыл бұрын

Oh those wipers!!! Barf!!!!!

@startrekking359 5 жыл бұрын

Headlight covers are sagging fix them

@Jamez84 Жыл бұрын

Every mustang owner was a little jealous when they pulled up next to a cougar.

@patrdenver 2 жыл бұрын

Is 2000 a good price to get one

@fordtruck193 5 жыл бұрын

My first car was a 68 xr7 w/390. Should have kept it. This video fails to mention the sequential turn signals that were one of the best parts of these cars.

@CarGroves 5 жыл бұрын

Best part for sure, go pick up another one. You can find projects for cheap ie my channel lol