1969 Mercury Cougar XR7 in Yellow Paint & 428 CJ Engine Sound on My Car Story with Lou Costabile

On "My Car Story" we're at Collectors’ Car Garage in Chicago IL at the Cars & Cops Car Show on 5-21-17.

We're looking at a 1969 Mercury Cougar XR7 in Yellow Paint & 428 “CJ” Cobra Jet Engine.

We’re talking with the Owner John Strewe. John’s had this car since 2000. John shares that when he purchased his first new car, it looked exactly like this one, and after he sold it, he wished he had not done that. Years later he saw this car that looked exactly like his old one at a Mercury car show and told the Owner he was going to buy his car, and eventually he did. Here is that car.

What an outstanding example of Mercury history this car is.

ENJOY!

[Irishfan]

Can't blame John one bit, I felt the same way about my first car. I was planning on keeping it, but circumstances got in the way of that. The 351 was what I would call a medium size engine, not small. The small engine would be a 302 in that year of the Cougar. I had a 76 Cougar with a 351, it was plenty of engine. Unless you are going to race the car on the track you really don't need an engine that big. For street and highway driving the 302, which was available in the Cougar, was adequate and easier on the wallet. But then again, I understand those that like to feel the acceleration and didn't care about the dollars flying out of their pockets, the 429 cobrajet was the only engine to have.

[hishamelfiki]

1969 Cougar is one of my favorite cars. The owner is really taking good care of his cougar. Please say hello to the owner. Thanks LOU for sharing this nice 1969 cougar. Appreciate your efforts showing all great cars. Please have a nice day.

[williambrown]

This very car was my dad's car until 1992. I may have been four when he sold it, but I still remember the smell of the leather, the awesome sound of that engine in person- unbeatable. And when I said go fast Daddy... phew. I remember the launch lol. Glad to know it's being so well taken care of!!

[richardh]

Lou and John-  I had a 1969 Mercury Cougar XR7, 351 V8 4V.  It was my first car and I had just turned 17.  Couldn't believe my Dad let me get it, but I had saved money up and bought it.  It was on the Lincoln Mercury dealership's lot in St. Louis. MO, same color but looked cream.  Your video brought back many memories of my XR7.  Thanks so much.  Richard H.

[wickedfirefly]

Nice, 69' xr7 Cougar. Great rev john! Nothing like ur first love! Nice video, I appreciate what u out into it, thanks Lou!

[melodicdreamer]

Those were some really good looking cars.  My father had a 1970 model when I was just knee high to a grasshopper and the times we went cruising in that car are among my fondest memories.  I'll never forget driving around the lake with the top down listening to Guantanamera on the 8-track.  Ah the seventies - good times - some could say better days...anyways...thanks for sharing as always!

[irishpat]

Fantastic, I've had the pleasure of meeting John and he is a True Gentleman and Great Ambassador of The Collector Car Hobby...Next time ask him What he knows about GTO'S :) Thx Great Car and Equally Great owner.

[tippey]

Oh Lou this is a beautiful car! My my you know me I love cougars! This man has a beautiful beautiful car I'm jealous lol! Just a beautiful car I've love cougars my whole life wish they still made them way far ahead of their time and then a Mustang. Give me a cougar over a Mustang anytime. You can sure tell that man loves his cougar! Thanks for bringing it to us so we could see it!

[techmaniac]

Thanks for bringing this car to the channel. Excellent video :)

Beautiful car. Thanks Lou for the video.

[jasonmeehan]

thanks lou, grate video. what a lovely original car. massive options pack.

[edb.]

Another fine product by Ford Lou. A beauty for sure!

[fredpaddon]

I rember looking at them at the sign of the cat!

[petemedina]

Beautiful car sharp I didn't know the cougar came with that 428 motor the ones I've seen didn't have it you don't see many of these cars around compared to the mustangs anyway it's very nice and clean.

[kevinhabener]

I live over in the state of Washington where the Mustangs of these years are more than 3 times as common as the Mercury Cougars. But about 3 hours north of where I am, in British Columbia Canada, the are more people like the owner of this car who want the more different and refined Cougar and chose one of them.

[MrColdwatercanyon]

A guy in school had a black on black xr7 mint 351 Cleveland four speed fully loaded power windows a/c it was sweet and fast

[postaltraining]

same front turn signals as my dad's 69 T-bird. i think that had the 429 / 360hp. i need to get one before those go up in value

great looking cougar!! 0-60 in 5.6 in stock form- F-A-S-T!!!!

and the t-bird had the sequentials too- what a great effect!

[hpowlman]

I would love to see what car was revving in the background

[mikesamra]

That car looks meadowlark yellow. I have a 70 xr7 convertible all restored but it's the 351 4v Windsor. I did rebuild the FMX automatic but the engine I did only top end to.

[swilliams]

If it's a 1969 the color is actually Meadowlark Yellow. It's the exact same as my 1969 Lincoln Mark III. I found a '69 color code sheet on eBay. Beautiful Cougar!!!