1968 mercury cougar xr7 #1968 #cougarxr7 #mercury #ford #302 #donuts # After skipping the 1998 model year, Mercury introduced the eighth-generation Mercury Cougar for the 1999 model year at the 1998 Los Angeles Auto Show. The interior was also revised at this time and now included dual airbags with a wraparound style interior. Internally designated T-7, the first-generation Cougar shared its chassis with the 1967 revision of the Ford Mustang. [62], The exterior design of the sixth-generation Cougar was designed largely in response to the negative market response to the introduction of the fifth-generation Cougar. [58] 1986 saw few changes, highlighted by the addition of a government-mandated center rear brake light (CHMSL) and a power-operated moonroof;[59] for the last time, the Cougar was available with vent windows. Good dash and good vinyl top. Package A included: unique pinstriping, "turbine" style wheel covers, rocker panel moldings with simulated side scoops, and a remote-control racing-style side mirror. The GS trim was largely used for internal purposes, with advertising dropping the designation entirely. Maroon Metallic. A total of 394 GT-Es were manufactured; of which 357 were equipped with the 427 and 37 were built with the 428CJ. Driver Tiny Lund dominated the series and took the championship. 1969 mercury cougar xr7 - Trovit The 8 cylinder, single overhead camshaft naturally . The upright notchback roofline underwent a major revision, with the controversial upswept quarter windows of the previous generation abandoned. Sharing its roofline with the Mustang hardtop, the Cougar received a large "flying buttress" C-pillars, extending into the rear fenders. "Cougarrare, elusive, the most magnificent cat in North America." 1972 Cougar sales brochure. While a feature shared with its Ford Elite counterpart, the Cougar adopted its opera window design nearly directly from the Thunderbird. For 1970, the two-barrel 351 remained the base engine, with the four-barrel engine replaced by a 351 cubic-inch "Cleveland" V8, producing 300hp. 1969 Mercury Cougar XR7. A four-barrel "street" version of the Boss 302 produced 290hp, while a 2x4-barrel "racing" version was officially rated at the same 290hp. As part of adopting the Torino chassis, the Cougar shifted to body-on-frame construction for the first time. The fourth-generation Cougar underwent a revision of its powertrain offerings, largely in the interest of fuel economy. For its third and fourth generations, the Cougar adopted the chassis of the Ford Torino intermediate. The Cougar XR7 was again matched with the Thunderbird, with the standard Cougar becoming the counterpart of the Ford Granada (replacing the Mercury Monarch). Price: Click the link above for price. Price: $5,990. Virtually all original equipment '73 Mercury Cougar XR7 convertible. [33], For 1972, Ford adopted SAE net horsepower ratings, leading to a numerical decrease in advertised engine output. During its production, the sixth-generation Cougar underwent several exterior revisions. 19741976 Mercury Cougar XR-7 2-Door Hardtop. 1968 Mercury Cougar XR-7 project car. Restored Car with a Beautiful Black finish. As a result of the longer wheelbase, the rear overhang was shortened. [55] To reduce production costs, the two model lines shared exterior body parts, including front and rear bumpers, both doors, the windshield, the hood, and front fenders. In the United States, the Ford Cougar was built in both left and right-hand drive, with the latter allowing for its sale in the UK and Australia. Specs and Options; Description; Engine. Slotted above the Montego, the Cougar became the counterpart of the Ford (Gran Torino) Elite. 1972 Mercury Cougar. For its seventh generation, the Cougar introduced the MN12 platform. For 1971, a 240hp 351 Cleveland two-barrel V8 was the standard engine with a 351C four-barrel V8 as an option. 4) (model since September 1970 for North America U.S.) car specifications & performance data review, "Detailed specs review of 1992 Mercury Grand Marquis LS (trailer towing pkg.) To visually stretch the roofline, a compound-curved rear window replaced the nearly flat rear glass and the rear quarter windows were redesigned (with a curve inversely matching the windshield angle). With the exception of Ford Blue Oval badging replacing Cougar emblems on the exterior and interior, both Ford and Mercury versions are essentially identical. The option package was offered with any Cougar engine. $15,999. With the change to the 428CJ engine for the GT-E, the 4-speed manual transmission was also made available for the GT-E package.[24]. 1968 Mercury Cougar XR7-G | Hemmings Great driver,needs nothing. 1975 Mercury Cougar XR7 - Classic Car Liquidators New & Used Mercury Cougar for sale | AutoTrader.ca CL. For 1971, the Cougar was offered in standard and XR-7 trim. [65] Derived from the Cougar LS, the 20th Anniversary Cougar was produced in a near-monochromatic exterior (Cabernet Red with Midnight Smoke moldings); the wheels, all badging, and regular chrome trim were finished in 24 karat gold, with a gold-trimmed C-pillar emblem. Classic Mercury Cougar for Sale on ClassicCars.com [40] In a model consolidation, all third-generation Cougars were offered under a single XR-7 trim level, as the GT and Eliminator editions were retired. Mercury Cougar for Sale in Australia - Just Cars The Bosch-sourced sunroof assemblies were installed by the American Sunroof Corporation in Southgate, Michigan. 1973 Mercury Cougar For Sale - Carsforsale.com The revised front end adopted a larger radiator-style grille and four rectangular headlamps. [2], The Cougar received the 1967 Motor Trend Car of the Year award, becoming the first (and only) Mercury-brand vehicle to do so.[5]. The first Cougar not to offer a V8 as standard equipment, the standard Cougar was produced as a two-door and four-door sedan, adopting the five-door station wagon from the Zephyr from 1982; the model line was repackaged as the Marquis for 1983 as Ford revised its full-size and mid-size product branding. They were also identically optioned, with the exception of paint and interior trim colors, and the California Evaporative Emissions equipment required for the 1970 models sent to California. Model Cougar. To make room for the updated 1999 Ford Mustang and all-new Ford Escort ZX2, the Contour-based Ford Probe continued into production, with Ford shifting the vehicle to the Lincoln-Mercury Division to adopt the Mercury Cougar name. Adapting much of the equipment of the previous LS, the 1993 XR7 adapted chrome exterior trim and a standard digital instrument cluster, with four-wheel disc brakes becoming an option. [58] For 1987, the XR7 dropped the turbocharged engine (and 5-speed manual transmission) in favor of the 4.9L V8. [55] Within Mercury, the Cougar was slotted above the Capri and below the two-door Grand Marquis two-doors (both would be discontinued during its production). White. The team featured drivers, such as Captain Dan Gurney, Parnelli Jones, Peter Revson, David Pearson, and Ed Leslie. 1 day ago. $10,000. The 429 V8 was dropped, leaving the Cougar with three versions of the 351C V8. [55], As with the previous generation, 14-inch wheels and tires were standard, with Michelin TRX tires and metric-size wheels as an option (shared with the Thunderbird and Capri/Mustang). While again derived from the Fox-platform underpinnings of the previous generation, the new model line served as the replacement of the Cougar XR-7, as the Cougar reverted to its early 1970s role of a "luxury sports coupe" (again a counterpart of the Ford Thunderbird). 6 4 Photos. XR (2002 model year) available in either Black or XR Racing Red, with special black and red seats and interior trim, also came with 17-inch silver wheels with black accents on the inner spokes. To expand potential competition for the model line, Ford benchmarked the design of the Cougar against the quartet of GM A-body coupes, placing the model line in competition with the Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme. [66][72][73] To differentiate the XR7 from the LS, the model was fitted with sport seats, two-spoke sport steering wheel, and full analog instrumentation. 35th Anniversary (2002 model year) versions were available in Laser Red, French Blue, Satin Silver, and Black; most came with leather interiors with silver center sections on the seats. While its exterior footprint changed negligibly, in a major change, the wheelbase was expanded nine inches to 113 inches (longer than a Mercedes-Benz 560SEC). offered since early-year 1991 for North America U.S.", "Auto Literature, Car Sales Brochures & Catalogs", "Cool Cat: The History of the Mercury Cougar", "1976 Mercury Marquis Cougar Montego Brochure", "Cool Cats, Celebrating The 198388 Mercury Cougar", "Aero Cats, Celebrating The 198997 Mercury Cougar", "99-02 Mercury Cougar production numbers", 1967 Trans-Am Scores at www.trans-amseries.com, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Mercury_Cougar&oldid=1137490966, Special Edition (2000 model year) available in Zinc Yellow, leather interior with yellow stitching on the seats. The 1999 Cougar shared the Ford CDW27 world-car platform introduced by the Ford Contour/Mercury Mystique. Some XR-7s had the Rally Sport Tachometer and Gauge package (only 25% of all Cougars came with this option). The 19992002 Cougars were available with two engine options, the 2.0L Zetec straight-4 engine with 125hp (93kW; 127PS), and the 2.5L Duratec V6 with 170hp (127kW; 172PS). For 1977, Mercury replaced its Montego intermediate range with the Cougar nameplate. XR7-G | The Cougar Club of America 1997 Mercury Cougar XR7 For Sale in Colonie, New York | Want Ad Digest I will delete ad when it's sold. Rot free 1979 Mercury Cougar XR7 project. Evoking the flagship Continental Mark V, the rear fascia was given a (vestigial) continental tire trunk lid (with a trapezoidal design) and horizontal taillights similar to the Continental Mark IV. The second-generation Cougar used a revised version of the first-generation chassis, again shared with the Ford Mustang; the wheelbase was increased to 112.1 inches. For its eighth generation, the Cougar returned for the 1999 model year as a sports compact hatchback. For the 1969 model year, the Cougar underwent a mid-cycle revision alongside its Mustang counterpart. Mercury Cougar Xr7 Diecast - Etsy Israel [69] For 1997, the Cougar received a new instrument panel (similar to the Taurus/Sable), with cupholders added to the center console;[70] several items were removed as part of de-contenting, including the courtesy lamps, underhood light, and a glove box light. 1968 Mercury Cougars Xr7 for Sale | Used on Oodle Classifieds 244 vehicles matched Now showing page 4 of 17. This is a 1988 Mercury Cougar XR7, and it's the "high performance" version of the sixth generation Cougar, which was sold through 1988 making this a low-mileage, final-year example of the most desirable version of this version of the Cougar. 1951 to 1970 Mercury for Sale on ClassicCars.com - Pg 4 new. After the Cougar changed to the Thunderbird platform in 1974, the body style was raced in NASCAR. [49] The increased number of body styles and market segments resulted in these Cougars to be more popular than any since its 1967 debut, selling about half as many copies as its first version.[49]. From 1989 through 1990, Lincoln-Mercury Motorsport fielded Cougars of the new body style in the GTO class of the IMSA GT Championship. buying and selling classic and collector vehicles. For 1974, four engines were offered for the Cougar. Initially developed as a pony car, it replaced the Cyclone muscle car in the Mercury model line. The 428 Cobra Jet was the largest Cougar engine, rated at 335hp (with or without Ram Air).[12]. 1968 Mercury Cougar Xr7 For Sale 38 Used Cars From $6,500 [18] Further safety upgrades included the addition of locking steering columns and high-backed bucket seats (replacing adjustable head restraints). As market demand shifted away from large two-door coupes, the Mercury Cougar and Ford Thunderbird were discontinued after the 1997 model year, with the final example produced on 4 September 1997. 1978 Mercury Cougar XR-7. Not sure what's wrong with it. [66] LS-trim Cougars were offered with a naturally aspirated 140hp version of the V6, while the XR7 was powered by a 210hp supercharged version (serving as the replacement for the turbocharged 2.3L inline-4). The 351 Cleveland was replaced by the updated 351M and the 351 Cobra Jet was retired (from all Ford vehicles); the 400 and 460 remained options. In 1967, NASCAR race car builder, Bud Moore, campaigned Mercury Cougars in the Trans-Am Series with Ford Motor Company factory support. Interior upgrades included: Hi-Back bucket seats (Eliminator-only for 1969 model year), and unique "black camera case" instrument panels with full instrumentation (including visual warning lights and gauges, tachometer, trip odometer, and rallye clock). Drive it on your trailer. A Cougar "running cat" badge replaced the Mercury crest emblem on the fuel door, and a passenger-side racing-style mirror was added. [66] For 1994, the interior underwent a complete redesign (similar to the Lincoln Mark VIII), with dual airbags replacing the automatic seatbelts. [57] For 1988, the analog XR7 dashboard made its return; along with the deletion of the boost gauge, the tachometer was revised for a lower-revving V8 engine.[60]. However, this generation would prove the most successful in the marketplace, with the XR-7 remaining the most popular version. To better accommodate big-block engines (such as the Ford 429), the Mustang/Cougar chassis was widened 3 inches; the front track was widened from 58.1 to 61.5 inches (only an inch narrower than the Panther-chassis Grand Marquis[30]).[31]. For 1974, Lincoln-Mercury released the third-generation Mercury Cougar, introducing both design and marketing changes to the model line. 1970 mercury cougar XR7 - cars & trucks - by owner - vehicle Over 4 weeks ago on USClassifieds4all. [2], Available for both the standard Cougar and Cougar XR-7, the GT option package was developed as a sportier version of the Cougar. For its first two generations, the Cougar was derived from the Ford Mustang. Does not run. Mercury Cougar XR7 For Sale | Hemmings This prestigious accolade represents the continued growth of the company, and ClassicCars.com's dominance as the world's largest online marketplace for transmission: automatic. View car. runs great, was in garage for 30 years. By the mid-1990s, Ford engineers had completed design work on the third generation of the Ford Probe. It's got everything you want in a car-except front-wheel drive, if you are a front-wheel-drive loyalist. In what would become a long-running tradition for the Mercury brand, 1981 marked the debut of GS and LS trim lines for both the mid-size and XR-7 Cougars. 1971 Mercury Cougar XR7 - cars & trucks - by dealer - vehicle Junkyard Find: 1997 Mercury Cougar XR7 30th Anniversary Edition [66][67] During the development of the 1989 Cougar, the form factor of coupes shifted in the marketplace. Exterior paint colors available for the 1970 Eliminator mimicked the "Grabber" colors in the Ford lineup and included: Competition Orange, Competition Yellow, Competition Blue, Competition Gold, Competition Green, and Pastel Blue. Initially developed as a rebadged version of the Mustang, the 1967 Cougar received its own body design from the ground up, though the popular "long-hood, short-deck" proportions of the Mustang remained. As part of the shift to the wider MN12 chassis, the Cougar again became a 5-passenger vehicle (for the first time since 1982). For the first time, Cougar's two-door models featured a fixed "B" pillar and a fixed steel frame around front door windows, as in the sedan. [63] As part of the introduction of the XR7, the model introduced an instrument panel including a tachometer and turbocharger boost gauge. V-8 Transmission: 4-speed automatic EPA mileage: 17 m.p.g. A heavy exterior revision of the 19741976 generation, the fourth generation was marketed against the introduction of downsized competitors. About this MERCURY COUGAR XR7. [55] While styled with a notchback roofline, the 1983 Cougar was far sleeker than the 1982 Cougar XR7, reducing its coefficient of drag from 0.50 to 0.40[56][55] In 1987, the sixth-generation Cougar underwent a mid-cycle revision with additional aerodynamic improvements, reducing its drag coefficient to 0.36. Check out the wide range of MERCURY COUGAR for sale in Australia. 1994 Mercury Cougar 2dr XR7 Live on Formula Auctions This 1994 Mercury Cougar XR-7 has sleek lines and only 62,000 km on the odometer. Other features included a model-specific trunk lid and C-pillar badging and an imitation trunk lid luggage rack. [2], Intended for a market position between the Ford Mustang and the Ford Thunderbird, the Cougar was intended as a luxury-type pony car. The 1983 redesign of the Cougar was part of an extensive revision of the Ford and Mercury model ranges. Bridgehampton, NY. There were several paint and trim packages: For the 2001 model year, the Cougar was updated with new headlights, front and rear fascias, and updated interior trim. Register today at SalvageAutosAuction.com! The Eliminator Option blacked-out exterior trim expanded from the front grille to include the hood scoop and tail light bezels. [76] Distinguished by its use of Lincoln Mark VIII wheels, the 30th Anniversary Cougar featured model-specific C-pillar emblems, embroidered seat and floormat emblems; the option also included commemorative items shipped to the owner. History | Mercury Cougar XR7-G Registry [58], For the 1987 model year, the Cougar saw few changes to its interior, with the XR7 adopting a fully digital dashboard as standard equipment. $28,900. Mercury gave the Cougar XR7 some unique styling details to separate it from the ordinary Cougar coupe, but unlike the Thunderbird's distinctive basket handle B-pillar, the Cougar XR7's were barely noticeable from most angles and . The sixth generation Cougar (replacing the XR7) reverted the model line solely to the two-door coupe body style. QR Code Link to This Post. The body sides were styled with a wide side molding matching the bumper rub strips (a design added to the 1975 Grand Marquis). [2][7] A 289cuin (4.7L) V8 was offered with either a two-barrel (200hp) or a four-barrel carburetor (225hp); a 390cuin (6.4L) "Marauder" V8 was offered as an option, producing 320hp (GT).[8]. All of the Hertz Eliminators were equipped with the 351-4V engine and FMX automatic transmission. Needs windshield, door speakers and body trim. During the 1970s and 1980s, the Cougar was closely tied to the marketing of the Mercury division; Mercury advertised its dealers as "The Sign of the Cat" with big cats atop Lincoln-Mercury dealer signs. This 1972 Mercury Cougar XR7 convertible has a newly installed power-retractable top and is powered by a 351ci V8 mated to a C6 three-speed automatic transmission. Interior. [55] For 1987, to move the Cougar upmarket, the Cougar LS became the standard trim level, with both V6 and V8 engines available. Package D combined all other packages: Package A, the Interior Decor package, and the Special Handling package. Phone #: (509) 406-5189. For 1975, the Cougar saw revisions to its engine range. NO ROT. 1967 Mercury Cougar XR7 American Classic This classic is a project car and is 75 percent restored. 1997 Mercury Cougar Specs, Price, MPG & Reviews | Cars.com Starting as a 1962 design proposal for the T-5 project (the Ford Mustang), Lincoln-Mercury sought to produce its own version of the vehicle. White Interior with Black. This vehicle has a 2 door coup type body with a front located engine driving through the rear wheels. 1996 Mercury Cougar XR7 specifications - Carfolio.com Four exterior colors were available: white, bright blue metallic, competition orange, and bright yellow. $32,000 (OBO) Featured Private Seller. Serving as the counterpart of the Thunderbird Turbo Coupe, the XR7 was fitted with a performance-oriented suspension, a turbocharged 2.3L engine (shared with the Turbo Coupe and Mustang SVO), blacked-out window trim, and full analog instrumentation. title status: clean. 1973 Mercury Cougar XR7 Convertible Rare Q-Code 351 Cleveland 4 BBL V-8 Engine C-6 3-Speed Automatic Transmission Rare Medium Aqua Blue "Code #5137A" Exterior over White Interior White Convertible Power Soft Top One of Only 87 Produced with this Trim and Paint Combination for 1973 Rare XR-7 Convertible Special Purpose Vehicle Built and Used for Marketing the Cougar Model for Mercury Original . The 429 CID V8 was no longer offered, leaving the only engine choices as the 2- and 4-barrel version of the 351. For 1979, though in its last year, the Cougar adopted several body revisions, with revised taillamps and body-color grille inserts, along with an electronic voltage regulator and a plastic battery tray. To provide the. While coupes had traditionally been offered in Lincoln-Mercury dealerships for several decades, the shift of the Cougar to the sports compact segment presented a challenge to sales personnel acquainted with marketing luxury-segment vehicles to new-car buyers along with attracting younger buyers into Mercury showrooms. [71], 1997 Mercury Cougar 30th Anniversary Edition, At its launch, the seventh-generation Mercury Cougar retained the same model trims as before, with the LS geared towards luxury and convenience features and the XR7 geared towards performance and handling. $34,950 Private Seller CC-1656734 1973 Mercury Cougar XR7 73 cougar on its way back, new exhaust, rebuilt transmission, gas tank, aluminum radiator, 4 barrel . The year 1967 was sensational for Lincoln-Mercury, with the introduction of Cougar exceeding all sales forecast expectations. In 1987, to better distinguish the Cougar XR7 from the Thunderbird Turbo Coupe, the turbocharged inline-4 was replaced by the 4.9L (302cuin) "Windsor 5.0" V8, along with a standard 4-speed automatic. No Reserve: 1973 Mercury Cougar XR-7 - Bring A Trailer [57], The 2.3L inline-four was paired with a 5-speed manual transmission; a 3-speed automatic transmission was optional. Now serving as the flagship model of the Cougar line, the XR-7 was now the direct Mercury equivalent of the Ford Thunderbird; for 1977, the latter had shifted from the Mark IV to the Torino chassis (replacing the Elite). While retaining a common chassis, a primary objective for designers was to maximize the visual differentiation between the Thunderbird and Cougar. Of course, that isn't saying all that much. During the production of the fifth-generation Cougar, the Cougar XR-7 was produced solely as a two-door coupe, with the mid-size Cougar produced as a two-door notchback coupe and a four-door sedan. The body of the third-generation Cougar saw few changes throughout its production; for 1975, the front bumper was updated with the functional addition of two cooling slots below the grille. The Cougar's body, and the New Edge idea in general, was introduced as a concept called the Mercury MC2 in 1997 and was considered a bigger version of the European Ford Puma. runs great, was in garage for 30 years. C6 with shift kit. [2] The Cougar was offered with nearly every Mercury option (including speed control), with the sole exception of power windows. Roush Edition (19992000 model years) Available mostly in white and silver color choices, this car was built under the Roush name with bodywork to the front bumper, back, side skirts, and more. While the nameplate is associated with two-door coupes, at various times during its production, the Cougar was also marketed as a convertible, four-door sedan, station wagon, and a hatchback. Equipment Additional Info Shipping Weight: 3005 lbs Vehicle Length: 190 in Wheelbase - Inches: 111 in Model specs Body styles 2dr Hardtop Coupe Engine types 8-cyl. Replacing the Ford Probe in European markets, the Ford Cougar was manufactured in the United States. Immaculate Condition. Mercury Cougar XR7 For Sale 1978 Mercury Cougar XR7 Price $19,900 1979 Mercury Cougar XR7 Price Auction 1967 Mercury Cougar XR7 Price $58,000 1968 Mercury Cougar XR7 Price $165,000 1971 Mercury Cougar XR7 Price $29,950 Mercury Cougar XR7 s by Year 1979 Mercury Cougar XR7 1978 Mercury Cougar XR7 1971 Mercury Cougar XR7 1968 Mercury Cougar XR7 Mileage 62,946 miles below avg. Yet there is still one Mercury that somehow manages to cruise largely under the muscle car radar: the Cougar XR7-G. It's been long understood, by those who have known of its existence, that the "G" designation for the one-year-only model stood for Gurney, as in road-racing legend Dan Gurney. Package B included the Package A items, as well as adding the interior Decor Group option, which featured upgraded seating surfaces and interior trim panels with door-mounted courtesy lights, and a "rim-blow" steering wheel. The next year (1981) saw the previous Cougar teams switch to the Thunderbird when NASCAR mandated the smaller (110-inch-wheelbase) cars, though oddly the Thunderbirds had to have their wheelbases extended 6 inches because the actual wheelbase of production cars was 104 inches. To commemorate the 25th anniversary of the Mercury Cougar, in 1992, the 25th Anniversary Mercury Cougar was an option package (nearly exclusively on XR7 models). [44][45] Six-passenger seating was standard with a "Twin Comfort Lounge" 50/50 split bench seat with cloth or vinyl upholstery. 351 Windsor V8 motor that still has the factory . Contact. The Cougar XR7-G started life as the high-option XR-7 as produced in the Dearborn Assembly Plant in late 1967 through early 1968. Classifieds for 1951 to 1970 Mercury Vehicles. Mercury Cougar Classic Cars for Sale - Classics on Autotrader A minor grille revision was one of the only exterior changes to the car from the 1971 models. type: coupe. [75] Equipped with 15-inch BBS alloy wheels, all examples were painted green with a tan interior (with green carpet). [41] As division executives sought to avoid overlap with the successful Capri (sold since 1971),[41] the Cougar grew in size to remain a competitor to the Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme and Buick Regal, finding newfound competitors from the release the AMC Matador Coupe and the Chrysler Cordoba. While fenders and doors are common between the two vehicles, in comparison to the 19831987 generation, fewer visible parts are shared.[66]. To improve the crashworthiness, the design added three inches to the overall length. "Cougar A Source Book, edited and annotated by Thomas E Bonsall, 1967 Thru 1976" page 118. XR-7 leather vinyl colors were Black, Dark red, Dark Blue, Parchment, Dark Ivy Gold, Aqua and Saddle. From the full-size Mercury line, the Cougar also offered a 400 cubic-inch V8 and 460 cubic-inch V8 as options. As it was the final year of the generation, the rear bumper was largely unchanged, receiving only minor revisions to the taillamp lenses. 1995 Mercury Cougar XR-7 4-Speed Automatic 3.8L V6 SMPI 12V CLEAN AUTOCHECK. Standard was the a 390 cubic-inch "Marauder GT" V8 (320hp) as well as upgraded suspension, larger brakes, wheels, and tires, and a low-restriction exhaust system.[19]. The Ford Contour/Mercury Mystique (Ford Mondeo MkII) ended production in 2000, with the Cougar outliving it by two model years. The list price on this car was $3,323, or about $23,997 in 2022 dollars. For 1977, the Cougar was introduced in three trim levels: a base trim level and a Brougham trim (for wagons, a wood-paneled Villager trim was offered). Some cars are triple-black, but when you're a 1970s classic, it's hard to deny the appeal of triple-green. A high-performance Cougar S (not to be confused with the concept) was discussed in the press, which was essentially a Cougar with a Contour SVT engine; however, this version never made it into production. In 1968, Bud Moore took his Cougars NASCAR racing in the newly formed Grand American series. The seats underwent a redesign, with a full-width bench seat becoming standard; the 60/40 split bench seat became an option alongside the bucket-seat interior. [36][37][38] A standard Cougar equipped with the Decor Group,[36] the "Bronze Age" Cougar was distinguished by its copper metallic (officially, saddle bronze[36]) appearance and a color-coordinated vinyl roof. [65] Along with a limited-slip rear axle, the only options offered were a power moonroof, power antenna, illuminated entry, keyless entry, automatic climate control, and an engine block heater.