Cougar Buying Guide Ep.1 - 1970 XR-7 Convertible 428 CJ

Having recently bought a 1970 Mercury Cougar XR7 Convertible with a 428 Cobra Jet, Don started going over the car with a fine-toothed comb and discovered a few things he didn't notice when he first inspected the car with the seller. This was the inspiration for this video, in which we spend some time looking at some of the details, like a forensics team, to find out some important details about this car (both good and bad).

This time, we don't spend any time looking at matching numbers and date codes and engine "correctness" (sharp-eyed viewers will notice the incorrect oil pan... the engine block in this car turned out to be a 390 that was bored out and had the Cobra Jet heads and manifolds bolted on). Our main focus here is to evaluate structural integrity and bodywork. When it comes to expensive and involved repairs, it doesn't get much worse than bodywork, so you want to make sure the car you're looking at is as straight and rust-free as possible.

We hope this video proves helpful! Keep these hints in mind the next time you go to look at a classic car, Cougar convertible or otherwise. Some of the info here is specific to Cougars, but much of it applies to other classic cars as well.

[whereman]

I love your integrity and your pickyness. I say pickyness as compliment because your looking out for your viewers. I am looking at 69 XR7 this Sunday for 14k. You almost have me scared with the good job you showed me. So many variables to watch for. Thank you for the education as well for the honesty.

[nordvegfigg]

You remind me so much of my late father, who came with me when I bought my first car (a 66 Barracuda). He brought a flashlight and a magnet. And went over every inch of that car. Insisted we take it to a nearby garage and have his mechanic put it up on the hoist. I watched him do the same thing when he bought a 68 Merc Park Lane ragtop (My fave car he ever owned). Every used car I've ever bought I've done the same thing. If the seller balks at putting it on a hoist, walk away.

[hemihead]

Good vid . I have been a Mopar guy all my life and don't know much about Ford Products but am looking into buying something different . These vids help . But the first thing a seller is going to think when you point out things to him will be be " He is just trying to lowball me " .

[steel]

Nice car. Back in the late 80s I owned a 70 cougar XR7. I sold it for peanuts (it ran but the engine needed replaced or rebuilt). It was a beauty inside & out (powder blue with blue interior).

[PhilXRCat]

Don: So glad you made this video. I have '67 XR7 and look forward to the videos on my year. Until then, I'm going to use some of the tips from this one.

[WallyS]

My '69 taillight problem was actually a fried plug from the turn signal harness into the body harness. You guys had the plug. Thanks.

[txnetcop]

Time for another build...got CAT fever AGAIN! You are extremely knowledgeable.

[displayfireworks]

In Pennsylvania these cars rusted to hell in about 8 years. I had a 67 Cougar GT in 1976 and could hear and see rain on the road on the drivers floor. Strange thing I remember about the car is it had the quietest windshield wipers. I also remember if you put the four way flasher on and also the turn signal at the same time it would make the both tail light flash a cool double turn signal pattern. Great review on this car.

[arfshesaid]

its good to just look at it, just look at it, great job man, its like Andy Rooney meets Ed Bassmaster Cougar seminar

[policeofficer]

…not the “Cougar Value’s” I googled… but still fascinating

[Tiyod]

Very good vid . I wish i had an expert like you to inspect before i bought my car !

mercuryman

[garywood]

I drove about 80 miles to look at a 1969 Lincoln Mark iii  which was said to be a low mileage   original owned by the persons grand father.  The price was right in the middle for being above what it's worth by the age but lower than the claims in the Ad .
    Sure enough I had wasted a trip because   of just 3  things, first I saw  paint over spray in really tight spots ( I knew the Mkiii was dragged through the river of paint to fill every seam below the roof since almost all MKiii had vinyl roofs), second was the brake pedal  wear in the bottom right side from sliding over to the gas and back on a car said to have only about 60'000 miles, and finally  a quick look under the car showed a serious corrosion problem on frame mounted Brake Line .
     I didn't need to see anymore  because it was 160'000  miles with fresh paint, and that meant  Engine work, brake work, and a  possible Transmission rebuild  which gets me a   20+ year old used car with poor paint  and 160'000 miles.  
  Maybe if they paid more for a good paint job and replace the brake pedal and brake lines, it could have fooled me since the best part was the inside .  My guess was a light weight driver and long trips alone which could explain the 160K miles and nice interior. 

[garywood]

The best way for me to avoid that windshield Feathering effect from the wiper blade abbrasion is to take a wet piece of a paper towel and pinch it on the blade to run along the whole flap to wipe off pollutants and diesel soot .
Then i wipe along the resting spot on the glass to remove ant dirt and dust build up because those dirty blades can be like sandpaper grinded into the glass even if you use them in the rain . Sometimes i mix Windex in the washer fluid to remove chemical build-up on the glass to stop the haze .
My neighbour didn't believe me about air borne pollution and soot in the city from Diesel trucks...they squirted the glass and ran the wipers for a few seconds.... then i wiped the blade off to show how the white kleenex had 2 black strips where I pinch it and ran the whole length .

[zuss]

You are great if i was to buy a classic car i would contact your company. Thanks Joe

[rickesslinger]

I've been doing auto upholstery for over 40 years I'm having a hard time finding any information on exactly where to place the folding glass window on a 1970 Cougar Robbins top did not supply any marks on the material just trying to make sure it is right before I attempt to fold it

[startrekking]

If so could you tell me how much you paided for this, just bought a 70 base cougar check everything you would look for the one that I bought some one restore it done a great job repaint ford Lazar red no rust swelling at all I've had several cougars this one is best by far, 30 board over energizer cam headers pistons roller rockers and much more, does all of this take away from value, thanks I always watch your your the best.

[DavidJSmith-hlkb]

Very good YT video on buying a Cougar!...Do you offer inspection services or could you recommend an inspector if I was in the market to buy one? Thanks and God Bless!

[whyiterp]

don
I have gaps i have gap pas door to fender do ya think i can tweAk the frame back towrads thE rear a 3/16" THE FENDER AND COWLhave small reveal.

[Wolfe]

Video could've been better most of the time it was struggling with focus on the surface and the flashlight!
Edit: Although a very helpful video

[radioguy]

Just shows how hard it is to find a mint original, thats why I switched to newer cars. not as nice maybe but way easier.