Why you need a Mercury Cougar! History and Buyers Guide
Вставка
- Опубліковано 7 лют 2025
- Stay tuned for future episodes! If you enjoyed the video don't forget to subscribe, like, and comment. Thanks for watching!
Instagram! / maddenmadne. .
Reed - / reed_madden. .
Drake - / drake_67_gt. .
Bought a 69 Cougar convertible with a 351 Cleveland for 1700 bucks back in 85 while in the Marines. A brand new XR7 cost about 17k at the time to give you some perspective. Had a new top and a dent in the fender. Fixed the dent and gave it a new paint job and foolishly sold it when I was discharged 2 years later.
Wish I still had it. Loved that car. Lots of fun memories though!
I’m a Jeep man now, but my 1967 Mercury Cougar was my favorite car ever. Drove it from summer 1987 to summer 1991. The extra wheelbase made it a cornering beast.
I’ve owned a Sea foam green std 351W 69 for over 20 years now. Every time I run it I have to fix something new, lol. I kind of like that though, I’m just a couple years older than the car and as long as I can keep going I’m going to keep the cougar going 😂👍👍
Great video. Never see too much on the cougar compared to the mustang. I always wanted a cougar, it was my dream car. I ended up getting a 68 roughly 4 years ago. It’s definitely a project with lots of money spent and we’re not even 1/2 done. On this one, I enjoy the journey. But I do want to buy another 67 or 68. On that one I would take your advice and buy one that’s already been worked on/restored. A 20-25k restored cougar would be much cheaper and less stressful then doing it yourself lol. Thanks for the video.
thanks man, and good luck with your cougar. At the end of the day you're still saving a classic.
My first car was a Mercury Comet Caliente 1967. Always wanted a Cougar.
mercury was making such cool cars in the 60s. both the comet and cougar are my favorites
My first car was a 68 Cougar. Bought it when I was 18, for $1,500. Still have it today and am almost finished with the restoration project I've always wanted to do.
My uncle had a 1968 XR-7 in dark green with a tan interior and chrome Cragar rims. Beautiful.
Great video Madden Madness! I just purchased a 1968 mercury cougar XR-7. Matching J code. Almost zero rust. Has a 302 4b. My dad and I are working on fully restoring it as it still has the original paint and most of the interior in it. I plan on keeping it in the family for ever and not selling it. My father had a 1968 and 1969 dodge charger. He always tells me he regrets selling them. But how could we of known. I know the mercury cougar line is the next one to go up in price over the next years to come. Just like the dodge chargers and challengers.
I'm 67 and the second owner of a 67 cougar for 46 years with four wheel disc, electric Head lights 17x8 wheels did the restoration myself but not the paint, was at a car show the other day and was the only cougar,I like that. There was 12 69 comaros 7 - 67 comaros thanks!
I also own a 67. What size tires did you put on those 17 inch wheels?
@@jackmidst8304 245s sumitomo with 620 coil springs, top of tire to fender is three inches, just checked for you p.s the wheels have a 4 1/2 back space, there are some 17inch with 4 3/4 back space out there they will work even better
@@jackmidst8304235x17
@@jackmidst8304235/17
Had '70 Cougar while in college and bought it because sync tail ltg movement. Looking for muscle car now in my old age for me and my dogs to drive around. You peaked my interest in looking for Cougar with 428.
I also had a 1970 Cougar, I loved the sync tail lights and the flip head lights. It was a great car!
The Marti report on my '68 Cougar showed that it was not a good candidate for a concours restoration, as it had minimal (for Texas, anyway) equipment. It has an original drivetrain, but a later engine (whoa there, keyboard warriors, the engine is part of the powertrain, but not part of the drivetrain).
While there is a lot of parts commonality with the same year 1967-1973 Mustang, caution is advised. The rear suspension is different, and the leaf springs are different lengths. The exhaust system is also different (1967-1968, anyway), so it is clear that the two cars were meant to both handle and sound differently. The first two years also had a nose high stance. The classical Cougars always had V8 engines.
The dashpads are different, but can swap out. It is said that the windshield and back glass are the same, but I'd like to be certain. The wiring harnesses for a base model and an XR7 are different between those Cougars. The hidden headlights add to the complexity of the vacuum system and wiring.
The Cougar had the same mechanical and unibody shortcomings as similar year Mustangs. Doing a true concours restoration would likely cost more for a Cougar than a Mustang, but the fixes for the aforementioned shortcomings are the same.
So why get one? They were USUALLY not as abused as Mustangs. Also, adults could actually ride in some degree of comfort in the back seat, unlike the Mustang. The sequential taillights were almost a trademark, and seen on very few other cars of that era. One lady exclaimed that my car was "flirting" with her; the stock headlight doors open one at a time, and so were "winking" at her. 😜
you gotta sick car man, 68 was a great year for the cougar. im glad people like you see the value in them and what they do better than the mustang
@@maddenmadness, mine has an very low VIN and was bucked in August 1967, so it can claim to be ONE of the first 302 cars. Recently, someone was selling a '68 with such an extremely low VIN that it was POSSIBLY the oldest existing 302 car.
I was fortunate to have a friend that was more like a brother. Got my 68 XR7 from him for $1200 or $1300.
My first car ever was a 67 XR7 that had the black vinyl roof. Kind of a wreck but I loved it. I then moved up to a 70 Eliminator with a 351C. Great car, wasn't the fastest muscle car around but sure was good looking.
I always thought the 67 handled better however.
Peace!
My father wouldn't let me have a new car as my first car (I wanted a Pinto), so he sent me shopping the used car lots with my mother. That guaranteed that my first car would not be boring! We came home a Jamaican Yellow '68 Cougar! it had a black interior and a black vinyl top. After I drove it as long as possible, it had to go, but I found one online (this one is Grecian Gold with a Nugget Gold interior) from Redlands California. No rust and completely original. Never going to let that one go!
Cool story! definitely got a better car in the end with the cougar. Thanks for watching
I've owned three 67 and 68 Cats. Great looking cars, far classier than all other Pony Cars.
my first car was a 1999 Cougar 2.5 V6.
20 years fast frward i want the DaddyCar 1967 Cougar XR7. I am happy that they are still in some ok pricerange :)
Thank you very much for the informative video. I'm deep into the Mercury Cougar lately.
Greetings from Bulgaria 😊
Thanks for watching
I have a 73 xr7 convertible and i love it
I’m late to your video, but well done! I owned a ‘67 XR7 identical to the green example shown at 4:02 that I purchased used after graduating in 1972. (Yes… I’m a baby boomer. 😉). I’ve had several cars over the years but I still think it was the most attractive car I’ve ever owned. Mine had the OEM XR7 wheels and white letter tires. I’m always on the lookout for a ‘67 or ‘68 XR7. Thanks for the tips! ~ John in Ohio
thanks for watching John I'm glad you enjoyed it. Good luck with your search
Nice work. I did what you said and don't plan on full restoreing it. Althought with a few more thousand I would have spent lass then 18 or 20. Mine had a moter that needed work, a roof, clutch petel, carpet and tires. many extra rust repair pan welding. we're into it for about total10k paid 3,500. and we are ready to register. It was fun. I sugjest redoing one yourself.
Sounds like a sick project. yeah, ive wanted to do what your doing to a cougar since Stacy David restored one on gearz. i just have gotten to it yet maybe someday
Two 70 cougars were given to me not at the same time in the middle 80s one was a factory Cleveland car was i had them now
Ihave a 1995 also had my first couger a 1974 both were v8 great cars ❤
It is a really nice car but it is rare and hard to find one at a reasonable price that is in good condition.
A paint job or other little cosmetic things?
I miss my 68 everyday!should have never sold her.had a brand new truck when I owned her and I would still drive her everyday!
I don't blame you if I had a 68 id drive it every day too
I had a 68 302 4 barrel too. Miss that car big time.
As someone who owns two 68’s, this video is not armed with enough information so I consider this video to be misinformation. You need to do a deeper dive into the bigger block cars like 390 and 429
Yes, I had a 69 428 SCJ. That is a really different beast. It is worth searching for something original, that is the appeal of a Cougar actually. Plus they are capable of pleasing performance and durability. And on the down side, 1967 was a long time ago, some may look alright but destroy your budget and free time.
I used to have one. It was my first car
Bring back the cougar eleminator body type from the 60,and 70
Are restoration and reproduction parts readily available?
West Coast Classic Cougars has everything
This is my favorite muscle car. 68 cougar looks wicked in Satin black. Perfection 🤌
Absolutely, satin black looks insane
I wish there was a fastback Couger.
that would have been so cool
@@maddenmadness yeah
Someone a custom made Fastback Cougar, you should check it out.
I'm of the biased opinion, that a 67-70 Cougar, is still an affordable way to get into a classic muscle car.
You know price changes as they get older
Bro I'm 19 and my first car I a 67 mercury cougar with a stroked out 302
Sick ride man, glad to hear they're getting into good hands.
What is a "RE-stored" one? You mean restored one? :P
So just stopping by to make fun of the way I talk.... have a nice day
@@maddenmadness Yes, please fix :D
@@sdmoparmaninsd6713 fair enough. ill work on it
owen 1970 cougar restored fun car 351 winser
great year, great engine
OR... you could buy a different generation Cougar for less money in better condition. EVERYONE wants a 1st gen Cougar but almost noone has 1st generation Cougar money. I just bought my soon to be 12 year old grandson his first car and he wanted a classic Mustang/Cougar/Capri, I gave him a $2000 budget to and after scouring our semi local Facebook Marketplace and Craigslist he found a running and driving and still licensed and daily driven 75 Cougar for $1200, No it's not a 1st gen and yes it still needs alot work, needs some engine work, some interior work and a paint job (it's the Ginger Brown, paint code 5T2575) but it's STILL a great looking car and we have 4 years plus to get it there. My point is there is ALWAYS an way to get your dream car without paying dream car prices.
Been wanting to make a video about these. they're underrated and and affordable. a perfect gateway for the younger generation to get a classic
@@maddenmadness Yes they are, most of the 70's Muscle cars were, I have a 74 Malibu that's my daily driver but I bought a 84 C-10 a couple month to do stuff around my homestead so I think I'm going to retire the Malibu as a DD and fix it up to a little of higher level, not a full on show car but more of a better than average Cars and Coffee car. You should do a top ten ish video on the "Smog era" Muscle Cars, Most people include The Smog Era is a part of the "Malaise Era" but I do not, they are 2 different Eras because of the technology chaged in 1978 with the Electric Igition, EFI, 4 corner disc brakes and the materials used in manufatoring overall changed in 78, to me the Smog Era was from 73-77 and the Malaise Era was 78-87. IF I can be so bold to make suggestions in no particular Order it should be the Gen 2 Camaro/Firebirds, the 3rd gen 73-77 Malibus, The 3rd gen Cougars/Torinos, The Ford Maverick (no I'm not kidding), The 73-77 Dodge Charger/Plymouth Furys, the Plymouth Duster (because was the same body basically for ALL the years), the Dodge Aspen/Plymouth Volaire, The 4th Gen Nova/Omega, Ventura/Apollo/Skylark, The AMC Javelin/AMX, the 73-76 Dodge Darts. I would name the C3 Corvette an honorable mention because I don't consider the Vette a Muscle Car, it's nicknamed "The American Sports car" for a reason.
@@TheREALOC1972 i think i already made that video awhile back, heres a link ua-cam.com/video/UyM5H3kfISU/v-deo.html
@@maddenmadness I saw that and even commented, That was special edition cars video not the run of the mill cars your gonna see on Facebook Marketplace or Craigslist that the average guy is going to be able to afford.
@@TheREALOC1972 Okay i see what your saying now. that's a good video idea
im 25 and currently own a 67 xr-7 that is fully restored, payed 18k Canadian for it 3 years ago, From a owners perspective this is a terrible buyers guide, there are many things that were missed to look out for when buying them, you also glossed over a lot of details on a history standpoint.
Yeah man, i saw the channel hargery made a video more like your wanting. i mainly was focused on the used market in this video. maybe ill revisit this car in the future and go into more detail. but thanks for watching anyways.
I wouldn't characterize a paint job as a "little thing". A decent paint job starts at $10,000.00.
yeah should of said "a cheap Paint job"
Evidently finding a Cougar with a 3 or 4-speed MANUAL is non-existant. Another reason to pass on this car other than they were heavy pigs compared to a Mustang.
But a great poser car for sure.
5:00 242k miles 🤮