Hopefully this is the right category to post this.
My first car in the late 1980’s after high school was my grandma’s 1969 Mercury Cougar XR7 - Dark-ish blue Metallic, black vinyl hardtop, 351W, Auto. I drove it for 5 or 6 years until repairs and reliability issues relegated it to the storage. I ended up selling it 17 years ago for financial reasons and lack of a place to work on it. I’ve regretted it a lot. I had all the original documentation, owners manual, window sticker, owner cards, etc. and it was all original (albeit some concerning rust areas). Still … kicking myself.
I’m starting to look at getting another one that is currently drivable but would still have some minor project areas I could take on to improve it. It seems that in the last while, there seems to be an increase in classic car interest and some cars are going for a lot of money and I don’t know how to gauge values so I’m here to learn:
Where to find the history/rarity of a car and determine value
What adds to the value
What detracts from the value
What/where to check to determine “numbers matching”
Tips and such regarding restoration of various components (paint, soft top fabric, upholstery, engine, suspension, etc.)
As a starter, I found a 1969 convertible that has caught my eye. The engine has been built (original block I think), disc brake conversion, upgraded coil-over suspension (with some frame modification – ack), convertible top works, white soft top/upholstery are a bit tired/worn but are in decent shape, paint is decent but could use some work. The body (undercarriage/floor pan, front/rear quarter panels, door frames, etc.) seem solid from the pictures (I haven’t seen it in person). Engine bay looks decently clean.
I think they are asking a bit much, but I also likely don’t know the current market and I really want to understand what it’s worth, what to look for, and even what it might take (cost/time) for some of the restoration (upholstery/vinyl soft top/paint).
First of all WELCOME. This is the place for all your questions and information. My personal Cougar is a 1969 Cougar XR7 428CJ. Dark Ivy Metallic. Haven’t had it that long, but have learned SOO much from this forum. My advice is as follows. Ears open, comments limited to helping each other, and remember. We ALL love these cars!!! Together we can make every Mercury the best it can be.
Very nice car! Thanks for the encouragement. What is the best way to determine a ball-park values? Is there a registry/database that has details about a given VIN? What about a guide as to what to look for when checking condition or matching numbers to determine value? I imagine there is some subjectivity to it though. I’m definitely curious to hear thoughts from everyone.
Also I wanted to maybe call around to some upholstery shops for estimates on fixing or redoing the convertible top should I choose to pull the trigger. I’m in Utah for reference. Any recommendations for someone close that is reputable. Is it something a shop would need to have to have the car on hand to make (if replacing) or could there be some way to make from a template in the case that the recommended shop is far away from me?
Regardless, determining current value is probably the first step.
Here are a couple of photos I took from the storage unit when selling my original. Brings back memories.
RUN from that car. If not for the bumper guards alone, which are wrong and just awful The car appears to have received an amateur restoration by shop that didn’t know Cougars well. It also appears to been in an accident based on how bent the fender apron is.
Thanks for pointing that out. I would have not caught the fender apron issue, and I’m not sure what to look for even now. Is the issue you are seeing the gaps between the fender and apron between the bolts or something else? If someone has a photo of a non-bent driver’s side fender apron I’d be interested.
Also what are the indicators that it was an amateur restoration?
I get that these things will affect value, but I’d like to know why the “run away” recommendation? I do want a mild project car so I’m okay with some imperfections, I just don’t want to over pay. What is it worth in your mind?
IMHO. Run away from that car… Means… It’s hiding ALOT of sins. I’m new to the Blue Oval stuff. But if that was a GTO. Which is where my GM knowledge comes from. I would say the same thing. Im sure guys with ALOT more knowledge than me can chime in. IMHO
Thanks for the clarification. I’m certainly here to learn and look forward to more clarification/info. @mopauly1965 I’d be interested in what you are seeing despite being new to Blue Oval. You guys are obviously seeing things I am not.
Welcome! My ‘69 convertible for reference. I’d suggest you watch Don’s videos to get you up to speed. I’d also suggest a deeper dive in to that car you posted to see what else may be going on with it. These cars are over 50 years old now and most have been through a number of owners and may have suffered from accidents or rust or ham fisted PO’s or techs doing who knows what to them long ago.
Nice car! I definitely prefer the black convertible over the white. Yours looks lowered a bit … regardless it looks great.
And you’re not wrong about those ham fisted PO’s because I’m probably one of them.
I started watching the videos which prompted me to ask for some more specific photos from the seller. I will definitely have a lot more to look at as well if I end up going to see it in person.
I still haven’t found anything describing what modifications might detract from the value. I like the idea in general of the upgraded brakes, suspension, power steering, exhaust and even some of the engine upgrades but not at the expense of long-term value.
And I’m still curious what folks on this forum think the car I’m considering might be worth. While there are definitely things that are not perfect, it still seems like it has potential for the right price.
PRE PURCHASE INSPECTION. Marti report. I did it when I purchased mine. Do that ABOVE all other advice you get here. No matter what the cost. And even if you don’t purchase the car. WELL worth it.
Are you saying a pre-purchase inspection AND a Marti report or is the Marti report a pre-purchase inspection? I believe they posted a photo of a Marti report. Is this what you mean? I saw before but I didn’t know its significance. I will look at it a bit more closely later.
The general consensus is that modifications reduce the value of the vehicle when compared to a stock restoration. Obviously level of skill and scope of the work factor in here as well. But good quality work (receipts with supplier details) with good components is worth more than shoddy work with poor components. A solid original car has more value than one that has been repaired (floor pans, rust repair) unless that repair was a full tear down, strip/blast, and reassembly from ground up done well. Everyone has their own ideas as to what they are willing to work with as well as their own budget and skill set.
I know I wanted a solid convertible, base model that I could modify to my vision and plans. I’m not a stock, restored with the correct fasteners and stickers kind of guy. Not what I want to do with my car.
I’ve been out of the market since I bought my car so I don’t have anything to offer as to current prices. Sorry.
Marti Report just states what that particular car was born with. It has nothing to do with what happened after sale. Pre purchase inspection shows you what condition the car is in. Then you can decide what things were done to in it’s after life. Then you can choose what you want in your particular car. Mine is mostly stock. I think that’s the way to go. Ford put a lot engineering in these cars. They seem to behave the best if you don’t get off the reservation too much. IMHO
A pre purchase inspection is when you pay a 3rd party to go and physically inspect the car for you. It can take several hours and should be done by a person that knows that model. I can inspect a 67 or 68 cougar but I would not know about what to look for on other year cougars especially a convertible. Finding the right agency to inspect it is important. The list of things to look at might surprise you. It requires a lift and sometimes tools. There is a thread about it here as it was discussed recently.
