Go to any car show and you're guaranteed to see row after row of early Mustangs, but what you won't see is another 1967 Cougar as nice as this one. With the same great 289 as the Mustang with a more upscale overall look and feel, the Cougar remains an appealing, affordable alternative to the usual pony car. OK, so the guys in charge of naming colors at Mercury weren't the most creative fellows around, but the handsome code I... Lime Frost paint looks exactly right on the slightly more formal cat. There's no denying that there's some Mustang DNA flowing through its veins, but Mercury's mission was different from the Mustang and as a result they gave it a very unique look where almost none of the critical parts were interchangeable. And check out the considerably more detailed bodywork, with crisp folds for the peaked fenders and on the quarter panel, plus the slick hood that includes a central power dome that would be Mercury hallmark for years to come. The paint was done a few years ago and shows signs of use and age, but that doesn't do anything to diminish the overall good looks and it's easy to see that this car has led a pretty good life even if it could use a little TLC today. The chrome is in good condition and highlights the folding headlights and "electric razor" grille, plus the taillights that were clearly designed to match (there's a new module so the sequential indicators work properly). There are a lot of enthusiasts who will argue that the first Cougar was also the best-looking, and this car makes a compelling argument. The Cougar can also lay claim to a more luxurious and attractive interior than the Mustang, and rendered in matching green vinyl it speaks volumes about the car's intended audience. The upholstery appears to be entirely original, and here is where you could really add some value with fresh seat covers, which are inexpensive but make a huge impact, and the car comes with fresh door panels. The factory gauges appear to be original and in good condition with some light fading, and they're joined by a column-mounted tach and a trio of auxiliary gauges under the dash in a very cool custom pod that looks like it was born there. From the slender chrome shifter for the 3-speed automatic transmission to the aircraft style sliders for the heater and defroster, chrome was definitely in style. The trunk is in good order with a heavy-duty protector for the gas tank and a full-sized spare tire assembly. The same smooth 289 cubic inch V8 powers the Cougar as the Mustang, and thanks to a 4-barrel Holley carburetor, it makes at least the factory-quoted 225 horsepower and moves the handsome hardtop with ease. Dressed in Ford Blue livery and rebuilt 3-4000 miles ago, it's been upgraded with the aforementioned Holley, an Edelbrock intake manifold, and an electronic ignition system. It starts easily, looks right, and is a delight around town or on the highway, where the muted burble from the recent dual exhaust sounds exactly right. The C4 3-speed automatic transmission spins the original rear end, and while the undercarriage is quite original, it's also in very good condition. Vintage-looking Torque Thrust wheels are a great look on the subtle Cougar wear newer 215/65/14 Yokohama radials all around. A handsome, upscale coupe that will stand out simply because it isn't the usual pony car. Call today!
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