This photograph shows the great 1969
Mercury Cougar.
Mercury
Cougar
is the name applied to a diverse series of automobiles sold by the Mercury
division of Ford Motor Company from 1967 to 2002. As was common with Mercury
vehicles, the Cougar shared basic platforms with Ford models. Originally, this
was the Mustang, later the Thunderbird, and the last a version of the
Contour/Mondeo. The Cougar was important to Mercury's image for many years, and
advertising often identified its dealers as being "at the sign of the
cat." Female models holding big cats on leashes were used on Cougar ads in
the early 1970s. The car was assembled at the Dearborn Assembly Plant (DAP)
(one of six plants within the Ford
Rouge Center)
in Dearborn, Michigan from 1967 to 1973, at the San Jose
Assembly Plant in Milpitas,
California from 1968 into early
1969 and at the Lorain Assembly Plant (LAP) in Lorain, Ohio
from 1974 to 1997.
First
generation (1967–1970)
The introduction of the Cougar finally gave Mercury
its own pony car. Slotted between the Ford Mustang and the Ford Thunderbird, the
Cougar would be the performance icon and eventually the icon for the Mercury
name for several decades. The Cougar was available in two models (base and
XR-7) and only came in one body style (a two-door hardtop). Engine choices
ranged from the 200 hp (149 kW) 289 in3 two-barrel V8 to the
335 hp (250 kW) 390 in3 four-barrel V8. A notable performance
package called the GT was available on both the base and XR-7 Cougars. This
included the 390 in3 V8, as well as a performance handling package and
other performance enhancements. The 1967 Cougar, with the internal code T-7,
went on sale September 30,
1966. It was based on the 1967 refaced first-generation Mustang,
but with a 3-inch-longer (76 mm)
wheelbase and new sheet metal. A full-width divided grille with hidden
headlamps and vertical bars defined the front fascia—it was sometimes called
the electric shaver grille. At the rear, a similar treatment saw the license
plate surrounded on both sides with vertically slatted grillework concealing
taillights (with sequential turn signals), a styling touch taken from the
Thunderbird. A deliberate effort was made to give the car a more
"European" flavor than the Mustang, at least to American buyers'
eyes. Aside from the base model and the luxurious XR-7, only one performance
package was available for either model: the sporty GT. The XR-7 model brought a
simulated wood-grained dashboard with a full set of black-faced competition
instruments and toggle switches, an overhead console, a T-type center automatic
transmission shifter (if equipped with the optional Merc-O-Matic transmission),
and leather/vinyl upholstery. The GT package, meanwhile, supplied a much larger
engine, Ford's 390-in3 (6.4 L) FE-series big block to replace the
small-block 289-in3 (4.7 L) standard powerplant. Along with this came an upgraded
suspension to handle the extra weight of the big engine and give better
handling, more powerful brakes, better tires and a low-restriction exhaust
system. Introduced with the music of Herb Alpert and the Tijuana Brass' The
Work Song, the Cougar was a sales success from its introduction and helped the
Lincoln-Mercury Division's 1967 sales figures substantially. The Cougar was
Motor Trend magazine's Car of the Year for 1967. The Cougar continued to be a
Mustang twin for seven years, and could be optioned as a genuine muscle car.
Nevertheless, it gradually tended to shift away from performance and toward
luxury, evolving into something new in the market — a plush pony car. The signs
were becoming clear as early as 1970, when special options styled by fashion
designer Pauline Trigère appeared, a houndstooth pattern vinyl roof and
matching upholstery, available together or separately. A reskinning in 1971 saw
the hidden headlights vanish for good, although hidden wipers were adopted.
Between 1969 and 1973, Cougar convertibles were offered. Not much changed for
the Cougar in its second year. The addition of federally mandated side marker
lights and front outboard shoulder belts were among the minor changes, but the
biggest changes were under the hood and in performance for the XR-7 model. A
210 hp (157 kW) 302-in3, two-barrel V8 was the base engine on all
XR-7s and early standard Cougars. Three new engines were added to the option
list this year: the 230 hp (172 kW) 302-in3, four-barrel V8; the
335 hp (250 kW) 428-in3, four-barrel V8; and the 390 hp
(291 kW) 427-in3, four-barrel V8. In addition, the 289-in3 engine was made
standard on base cars without the interior decor group midway through the model
year. Mercury was serious about the Cougar being the performance icon for the
company. The XR7-G, named for Mercury road racer Dan Gurney, came with all
sorts of performance add-ons, including a hood scoop, Lucas fog lamps, and hood
pins. Engine selection was limited only to the 302, 390, and 428 V8. A total of
619 XR7-Gs were produced, and only 14 Gs were produced with the 428 CJ. The
mid-year 7.0-L GT-E package was available on both the standard and XR-7 Cougars
and came with the 427 V8. The 428 Cobra Jet Ram Air was available in limited
numbers on the GT-E beginning 1
April 1968. Conservatively rated at 335 hp (250 kW), the
428 Cobra Jet could produce much more (306 kW (410 hp)) from the
factory. A total of 394 GT-Es were produced, 357 with the 427 and 37 with the
428. The GT-E came with power front disc brakes as standard. The third year of
production, 1969, brought several new additions to the Cougar lineup. A
convertible model was now available in either standard and XR-7 trim. These
highly anticipated soft tops proved quite popular and today are considered, by
many, among the most desirable of the '67-'70 production run. On the exterior,
the grille switched from vertical bars to horizontal bars, and a spoiler and a
Ram Air induction hood scoop were added as options. A new performance package
appeared and several disappeared. The XR-7G and the 7.0-L GT-E disappeared, but
the 390 and 428 V8s remained. The 290 hp (216 kW) 351 Windsor V8 was added to
the engine lineup. The Eliminator performance package appeared for the first
time. A 351-in3 four-barrel V8 was standard under the hood, with the 390
four-barrel V8, the 428CJ and the Boss 302 available as options. The Eliminator
was the new top-of-the-line performance model of the Cougar lineup. It also
featured a blacked-out grille, special side stripes, front and rear spoilers,
an optional Ram Air induction system, and a more performance-tuned suspension
and handling package. It also came in a variety of vibrant colors, such as
White, Bright Blue Metallic, Competition Orange, and Bright Yellow. Only two
Cougars came with the Boss 429 V8, making them the rarest Cougars ever built.
Both were factory drag cars built for "Fast Eddie" Schartman and
"Dyno" Don Nicholson. For 1970, the Cougar appearance was similar to
the 1969 model, but numerous changes were made inside and out. It now sported a
new front end which featured a pronounced center hood extension and electric
shaver grille similar to the 1967 and 1968 Cougars. Federally mandated locking
steering columns appeared inside, and the aforementioned new nose and taillight
bezels updated the look on the outside. The 300 hp (224 kW) 351
"Cleveland" V8 was now available for the first time, though both the
Cleveland and Windsor engines were available, if the buyer selected the base
model two-barrel motor. The 390 FE engine was now dropped, and the Boss 302 and
428CJ soldiered on.
The photograph that the winner of this auction will receive is a very
nice and very rare non period photo that reflects a wonderful era of Mercury
and Trans-Am automotive history in a wonderful way. This is your rare chance to own this
photo. It has a nice large format of ca. 8" x 10" (ca. 20 x 26
cm). It makes it perfectly suitable for
framing.
Shipping costs will only be $ 7.00 regardless of how many photos you
buy. For 5 or more photos, shipping is free!
(Note: A. Herl, Inc. does not appear on
photo, for ebay purposes only)
No copyright
expressed or implied. Sold as collectable item only. We are clearing out our
archives that we have gathered from various sources.
All items always sent well
protected in PVC clear files and board backed
envelopes.
We have
photographs that came from professional collections and/or were bought from the
original photographer or press studio! They are all of professional and
excellent quality.
After many decades
of professionally collecting photographs and posters we are clearing out our
archives. They make the perfect gift and are perfectly suited for framing. They
will look gorgeous unframed and will be a true asset nicely framed with a
border. They are a gorgeous and great asset in every home, workshop, workplace,
restaurant, bar or club!
First come -
first served. And you can always contact us for your requests. Please ask any
questions before the auction ends.