134523 / 1969 Mercury Cougar XR7

When you take a close look at examples like this 1969 Mercury Cougar XR-7 it's hard to understand why the Cougar didn't share the limelight with other pony cars like the Mustang, Camaro, and Challenger. This Cougar features incredible styling, a legendary drivetrain, and is heavily optioned.

It all starts with the body that sits in a fresh coat of the factory-correct Dark Aqua Metallic paint. Combine that shade of blue with the white touches throughout and you have a stunning ride. According to the Marti Report that is included in the sale, this is 1 of only 46 XR-7's with this paint and trim combination. The beneficiary of a complete nut and bolt restoration, today this Cougar sits as an amazing testament to how incredible these cars were when they rolled off the showroom floor.

Pull the hood pins on this ride and you will reveal one of the nicest engine bays we have ever seen. Stuffed into the engine compartment is the original 428 cubic inch Cobra Jet that was rated in 1969 to make 335 horsepower. According to the deluxe Marti report, this engine/transmission combination was only built into 96 XR-7's in 1969. From the transmission the power travels down the driveshaft to a 9" that houses the Traction Lok rear axle.

Open the doors to the XR-7 and you'll be greeted by a vibrant white interior that accents the dark aqua blue exterior quite nicely. The FKA coded interior meant white bucket seats with an aqua console, carpet, dash, and steering column. The interior looks just as good if not better than the day it rolled off the showroom floor. To the left of the driver are the power window controls, while in front is the dash that features a gas, speedometer, RPM, oil pressure, and water temperature gauge.

[donrush]

Check out the West Coast Classic Cougar video, "Is it Numbers Matching?"  We go through this car from one end to the other to verify all the numbers prior to restoration.  Thank You RK for keeping this video up, it is a testament to the late Tom Lawerance of KTL Restorations.

[lloydgrub]

My 1st car. 351 Windsor. Xrz same color white leathrr int.

[ellobo]

BIG GUS IN CLEVELAND HAD A 351, BLUE WITH BLACK VINYL TOP .