With the latest celebration of the Ford Mustang’s 60th birthday, it solely appears becoming to decide on a Choose of the Day with the Mustang’s cousin, the Mercury Cougar. On this case, it’s one of the crucial particular of the early Cougars: this 1968 Cougar XR7-G listed on the market on ClassicCars.com by a dealership in Venice, Florida. (Click on the hyperlink to view the itemizing)
As you possible know, the Mercury Cougar was launched because the Mustang’s fancier relative. With a wheelbase three inches longer and premium options like normal V8, hid headlights, deep loop carpeting, and sequential rear flip indicators. Then, a number of months into manufacturing, Mercury launched the Cougar XR-7, an opulent Cougar with appointments in the perfect of the European custom. Included with this trim degree have been leather-based and vinyl seats, overhead console with visible examine panel and map lights, door panels with door help straps and map pockets, simulated walnut instrument panel, gauges, and toggle switches. Outdoors, C-pillar badges, Deluxe Wheel Covers, and a number of other hash marks on the rear of the rocker panels distinguished the XR-7. All engines have been obtainable with the XR-7, from the usual 289 two-barrel as much as the 320-horsepower Marauder 390 GT, which was normal with the GT package deal.
Minor modifications got here for 1968. Whereas the Mustang was subtly distinguishable from the earlier yr’s model, the Cougar was a lot much less so. Apart of federalized side-marker lights, you’d be hard-pressed to determine a ’68 Cougar. A 302, 390 two-barrel, 427 and, come spring, the 428 Cobra Jet have been added beneath the hood, whereas the 289 four-barrel was discontinued. A custom-looking GT-E package deal that includes the 427 was new, however in any other case issues have been just about the identical as earlier than.
A particular sub-model to the XR-7 launched in March 1968 was the XR7-G, a automotive selling Mercury’s ties to Dan Gurney, who drove for Mercury in NASCAR and Trans-Am circuits. The XR7-G’s construct was farmed out to A.O. Smith, which ready Shelby Mustangs beginning in 1968 after having beforehand been modified in Venice, California. Particular gear included the next:
- Lucas fog lamps
- GT hood with simulated fiberglass scoop and hood pins
- Talbot-type bullet left-hand mirror
- GT exhaust extensions
- Particular XR7-G entrance and rear valences
- XR7-G badges on the C-pillars, trunk, grille, wheel heart caps, and inside
- Rader wheels (modified to Mercury’s styled metal wheel because of a recall)
- Particular console with Shelby-type shifter deal with
- ASC sunroof with toggle switches in console
As manufacturing received below manner, the Rader wheels have been recalled, so Mercury substituted its styled metal wheel. Moreover, it ended up that not all of the vehicles have been transformed into sunroofs. All advised, 622 XR7-Gs have been constructed, with 440 that includes sunroofs. Moreover, 188 sunroof vehicles have been despatched to Hertz for its rental fleet. Each engine save the 289 and 427 was obtainable. The XR7-G package deal added $823.35 to the $3,231.91 base worth of an XR-7, and energy steering and AM radio with antenna have been required choices.
This Black Cherry 1968 Mercury Cougar XR7-G is without doubt one of the Hertz vehicles, plus it’s powered by the 325-horsepower 390 four-barrel. Like all Hertz vehicles, it options an automated transmission, air con, and sunroof. Different options embody Tilt-Away steering column, Darkish Purple leather-based and vinyl, and energy brakes with entrance discs.
This automobile is documented with an Elite Marti Report, which reveals when, how, and the place it was constructed. No Mustang ever reached the echelons of this Cougar – that’s, besides possibly the Shelby GT. Vendor doesn’t give a worth, so click on on the beneath hyperlink to reach on the advert and attain out to the vendor.
Click on right here for this ClassicCars.com Choose of the Day.
