The XR7-G was Mercury’s answer to the Shelby Mustang. The XR7-G added a new layer of luxury, performance and appearance items to make this Cougar the ultimate in luxury performance for 1968.
The Cougar Club of America describes the XR7-G option:
In 1968, famous race car driver, Dan Gurney, signed with Lincoln-Mercury to promote cars that year and this special Cougar became Lincoln-Mercury’s way of celebrating the contract. Although not a Dan Gurney Special-- which is a completely different car–the G did stand for “Gurney”. The XR7-G hit the showrooms in March of 1968. The only promotions were a full-page ad in the April 26, 1968, issue of Life magazine and a commercial ad for the power operated sunroof.
The XR7-G package was based on certain equipment added to or in place of, the basic XR7 equipment. The special features included Lucas fog lamps; Mustang hood-locking pins; a fiberglass, simulated air scoop; a bullet-shaped, racing-type rear view mirror shipped in from England; GT exhaust extensions–a pipe-in-a-pipe chrome tips; special XR7-G lower valance; and unique XR7-G emblems on the pillars, trunk latch, head light door, dash, and wheel center caps; and lastly, the spider-webbed wheels. The spider-webbed wheels were also known as “Rader Wheels”, which were later replaced with the five-spoke style steel wheels. Lincoln-Mercury later recalled the Rader Wheels, replacing all XR7-Gs with the five-spoke style steel wheels. Lastly, all XR7-Gs had unique consoles with Shelby-type shifter handles, different than all other Cougars.
Six different V-8s of engine power existed to pick from: 302-2V, 210hp; 302-4V, 230hp; Marauder 390-2V, 280hp; Marauder 390-4V GT, 325hp; 427-4V, 390hp; 428-4V CJ, 335hp. Of the two larger engines, only six cars were known to have a 428CJ in them.