Hi there,
So, I have been on the hunt for a 1971-1973 Cougar Convertible (Red with white interior) for over 10 years. Auto-tempest brought up my “unicorn” (it was actually on Craigslist). I couldn’t afford a 67-70 Cougar nor any classic Mustang (anything decent starts at $25,000 & up), so I took a chance (many cars I see in the $7,000 to $20,000 range online are usually “flips” - which I avoid religiously due to the usual questionable repairs or hiding of rot).
The one I found is a survivor, it’s not a trailer queen, and it isn’t a flip. The ownership going back to the original owner is in my hands… 29,195 original miles (it spent 1972-2007 in Florida nicely garaged). It then was taken to Iowa and has been with the 2nd owner for 13 years (also garaged). It has never been driven in snow & rarely in the rain. It has not been beaten by the sun, and it has been protected from rodents & other ills. It was run almost weekly during the decent weather months (it never sat for more than a month). The under carriage is in incredible condition. The interior is unmolested, and the plastic parts are original & in incredible shape. The seats are not showing any signs of being ready to start splitting at seams (I do not know if they are original tho, as there is no “Cougar” embossed on the upper seats - if anyone recognizes the seat style, please let me know). The convertible top is in great shape (the rear plastic window/apron was recently replaced tho) & the top goes up and down as easy as when it came from the factory. And the factory steering wheel is in good shape also (the inner rubber horn ring works).
The car is also in incredible condition. I drove it from Iowa to my home in Illinois (350 miles) & it drove incredibly smooth (I suspect that I will need to rebuild the carb tho given the seals will most likely need to be addressed). Issues are minimal - the A/C doesn’t work (it needs to be changed to R134a, I am pretty sure the unit functions otherwise - I’ll know within the week). The drivers door lock won’t lock (should be an easy fix). And the instrument cluster won’t light up at night (I will be changing the #5 4amp fuse tomorrow). Otherwise, once I tune it up & change all of the fluids - I should be ready to use it
I have the Marti report. It definitely was a repaint (it was blue when manufactured), but you can barely tell. It appears the car was repainted in the 80’s. I will be doing a tuneup on it tomorrow (using Motorcraft parts to keep things stock).
These pictures should speak for themselves. It isn’t perfect. It isn’t a rotisserie queen. It is about as stock as a Cougar can be. The only change is to the stereo (and speakers), it has the classic car 2 post digital AM/FM Stereo.
I just clay bar’d & waxed the car today… (see pics) and just replaced the “Dean Alpha 365” whitewall tires… with new Hankook Kineroy’s (blackwall tires @ Discount Tire).
I plan on attending as many car shows as possible with this beauty, and I’d be interested in hearing what other Cougar owners think of it (and what ya’ll think it is possibly worth).
Here is the Marti report.
DOOR DATA PLATE INFORMATION
Serial Number 2F94H52####
2 1972
F Built at Dearborn
94 Cougar XR-7 2-Door Convertible
H 351-2V V-8 Engine
Serial Number of this Mercury scheduled for production at Dearborn
01/72 January, 1972
76F Cougar XR-7 2-Door Convertible
3B Light Blue Paint, Ford #3429-A
DW White Leather Bucket Seats/Black Components
X FMX Select Shift Automatic Transmission
2 2.75 Conventional Rear Axle
23 Jacksonville DSO (District Sales Office)
DEALER #: 23C137
Your vehicle was equipped with the following features:
White Power Top w/Glass Backlite
E78X14 Belted White Sidewall Tires
Convenience Group
Power Steering
Power Front Disc Brakes
Air Conditioner - Manual
AM/FM Stereo Radio
Console
Protection Group
Color Keyed Racing Mirrors
Tinted Glass Complete
Wire Wheel Covers
Your vehicle was actually produced on January 21, 1972 – three days behind schedule.
As far as what its worth, probably more than what you paid for it since it was such a long quest, i’d definitely insure it properly! Go to Hagerty and use the value tool to help.
I’ve owned a green 1970 Chevy Mallibu w/ 396 & 4 speed muncie (in 1982), a 1967 Pontiac Firebird w/ 326 & 2 spd powerglide (in 1983), a 1985 Mazda RX7 GLS-SE, a 1979 Nissan 200SX, a 1984 Chevy Corvette, a 77 Triumph Spitfire, over 12 Subarus (mostly 81-88 GL Wagons), & 6 Chrysler Sebring Convertibles. And I’ve wrenched on all of them.
I have the 1972 Ford Service manual on electrical (I have every 1972 service manual Ford printed), and asked them to go down the rabbit hole (this could get… expensive). Normally, I’d do it - but we are talking about original wiring (& I don’t want to make things worse). Everything works, except for the clock, the cluster lighting, and the interior lighting. We’ll see if this turns into a debacle (hoping not).