Man I love those flower pot steering wheels!!!
To me, that convertible needs a restoration. The current paint job is full of chips and has a big hole in the fender where a spotlight was mounted. The fitment on the hood and trim is terrible. The top needs replacing. Underside of the car looks pitiful (look at the front valence area and even a spray painted gas tank). Someone who didn’t know what they were doing ruined the boot trim by drilling holes instead of using the right boot. The fan shroud is pop riveted together, and don’t forget the poorly repaired accident damage at that fender apron. It’s bowed inward, possibly from being t-boned. Could have been from a major blowout, I’ve seen that as well.
The cat is well optioned and looks solid, but in the current market is a $15k-$20k car, There’s a far nicer 1970 4 speed XR7 on one of the Facebook groups now for $25k that is a far better buy. Good paint, CA / west coast car. Nicely detailed.
Sorry I don’t think I finished responding you @Sir_Ed . I’ll keep yours in mind if I can’t find a ‘69. I’m currently leaning toward the ‘69 model year for nostalgic reasons.
@Electric_Wizard thanks for pointing out the crease.
@DroptopCougr thanks for the additional call-outs.
I was digging through photos of my old ‘69 and started comparing the engine bay and sent the attached photo to the seller asking if it had been in an accident and described other things I noticed from missing bolts, bent horn bracket, odd gaps and what looks to be a zip tie on the headlight and bent A/C condenser tube. It also looks like something was pulled out of the apron area. On some cars I’ve seen what looks like a washer fluid tank there, but my old one didn’t have anything there so I’m not sure what it might be. We’ll see what they say.
I don’t want to insult them, but I might start an offer around $15k and see where it goes once I hear back.
1 Like
Also, was trying to poke around and see what fixing the convertible fabric might cost and found 1969 and 1970 Mercury Cougar & XR7 - Convertible Tops & Accessories | TopsOnline which seemed oddly reasonable but maybe too good to be true.
Anyone ever use TopsOnline? For those that have had your convertible tops replaced/redone, what did it cost (ballpark) and where did you take it?
1 Like
Just had a top installed on my 70 $2338.63
Including new pads & cables which you will need.
1 Like
Did that include the boot cover or well liner? And who did you use?
1 Like
The windshield washer reservoir mounts on the left front apron just behind the radiator support on all 1969-1970 Cougars.
Randy Goodling
CCOA #95
1 Like
Does not include boot cover or well liner. Had a place in Rockford Il so I assume quite aways from you.
1 Like
I am about to sell one of my 1969 cougars. Mine is almost the same car you are looking at but much better condition. I am going to have the interior restoration done in the next couple of weeks after I put a new top on it.
More info from when I bought the car last year, almost all of the issues have been resolved.
Hit me up via Private Message and we can talk about the car and the work I have completed.
Just make sure it’s a reputable shop.
Although my is a vinyl top. 69 xr-7. I found a great shop that’ll do it for Just over 1,100. Also look at the extra support braces on this convertible. They’re prone to rust.