Rare 302/4-Speed: 1968 Mercury Cougar XR-7

The owner of this 1968 Mercury Cougar XR-7 describes its condition as jaw-dropping, and when you examine the supplied photos, it seems like a fair assessment. Its overall presentation is stunning, and its drivetrain configuration increases its overall desirability. For potential buyers, it appears that they can immediately slip behind the wheel to partake in a spot of relaxed classic cruising. If I’ve managed to tempt you to the point where you long to own the Cougar, you will find it located in Lakeland, Florida, and listed for sale here on eBay. Bidding has reached $17,000, but this figure falls short of the reserve.

The owner of this 1968 Mercury Cougar XR-7 describes its condition as jaw-dropping, and when you examine the supplied photos, it seems like a fair assessment. Its overall presentation is stunning, and its drivetrain configuration increases its overall desirability. For potential buyers, it appears that they can immediately slip behind the wheel to partake in a spot of relaxed classic cruising. If I’ve managed to tempt you to the point where you long to own the Cougar, you will find it located in Lakeland, Florida, and listed for sale here on eBay. Bidding has reached $17,000, but this figure falls short of the reserve.

Augusta Green with a Black Oxford top probably rates up there with the best of them when it comes to classy paint combinations. It looks elegant at the best of times, and this XR-7 carries it well. The paint has a beautiful depth of color and shine, with no visible flaws or blemishes. The panels that it covers are equally impressive. I can’t spot any dings or dents, and there’s no evidence of rust. The owner doesn’t mention any issues with the Cougar’s underside, and the lack of obvious surface corrosion across various areas of the car suggests that this could be a rust-free survivor. The chrome and trim are spotlessly clean, as is the glass. These Cougars had two known weak points. The vacuum-operated headlight doors could turn up their toes as the years passed, while the sequential rear lights could malfunction. The owner states that both of these items function flawlessly, while the styled chrome wheels appear to be in as-new condition.

If the Cougar’s exterior is impressive, the interior is good enough to knock your socks off. It presents impressively in Tan, with not a mark to be found anywhere. There is no wear on the seats or door trims and no signs of damage on the console. The carpet is spotless, as are the headliner and dash pad. The burled walnut dash looks luxurious, and not only is it loaded with gauges that include a tach, but the walnut wheel perfectly complements it. I hesitate to use the term showroom fresh, but it has to rate close to that level. If I’m surprised by anything, it is that the original owner didn’t order this XR-7 with air conditioning. However, The Cougar does score a rear defogger, and the console houses the factory AM radio and clock.

It isn’t clear whether the XR-7 is a numbers-matching vehicle, but the engine bay houses an F-Code 302ci V8 that should be punching out 210hp. The car also features a four-speed manual transmission and power steering, adding to this classic’s driving appeal. This wasn’t the most potent combination that Mercury offered in 1968, but it should be sufficient to fire the Cougar through the ¼ mile in 16.5 seconds. The engine bay’s presentation matches the rest of the vehicle, but I am disappointed by one thing. I’m surprised that with a classic of this caliber and potential value, the seller offers no information on how well it runs or drives. We are left to rely on visual impressions, and if these are an accurate indication of its mechanical health, This Mercury should be ready and raring to go with its new owner behind the wheel. However, the owner does indicate that out of the total 1968 production of 32,712 XR-7s, this car is 1-of-4,777 to feature the 302/4-speed drivetrain combination.

There’s no question that this 1968 Cougar XR-7 is a beautiful car, and it manages to perfectly combine the charm and performance of a classic pony car with a luxurious motoring experience. The V8/4-speed drivetrain combination should offer its next owner a rewarding driving experience, and with values climbing slowly, it could also represent a solid long-term investment. That begs the question of what its potential value would be. Given its overall condition, it should easily be knocking on the door of $35,000. On a good day, that figure could climb considerably higher. We can’t be sure where the reserve is, but I think that I can provide some insight. It isn’t the first time the owner has offered this classic for sale, and it failed to meet the reserve during the previous auction. This was despite the bidding reaching $29,700 off the back of some pretty spirited action. Potential buyers will need to brace for it to once again climb to that level, but do you think he will find a buyer this time?

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