1967 Mercury Cougar

Lovingly restored, this incredible 1967 Mercury Cougar is finished in Wimbledon White and a Palomino interior. The interior was refreshed as part of this work, and the engine and original manual transmission were overhauled.

The wheels, which are chrome Cragars, have been fitted with matching new tyres only recently, and a disc brake conversion and power-assisted rack-and-pinion steering make this Cougar uncommonly satisfying and easy to drive.

Offered for sale in need of nothing of any note, this is your chance to get your hands on a rare and uncommonly well preserved example of a car you may not have heard of before today – but soon won’t be able to imagine life without.

The Wimbledon White coachwork looks amazing. Beautifully aligned and featuring the sort of panel quality that makes us think it must have come from a dry state, it all aligns wonderfully: Just take a look at the way the doors fit in their apertures, for example; lovely, aren’t they?

The paintwork is just as good; while we accept that white is one of the easier colours to apply and maintain, the finish to this Wimbledon White example is, nonetheless, excellent.

The chrome Cragar S/S wheels, known as ‘The Original Muscle Car Wheel’ to aficionados, have a composite design with steel outer rims and an aluminium centre. These aren’t only iconic but are also are in great shape with no sign of having been kerbed or otherwise abused. They’re also fitted with matching 215/65R15 Continental Control Contact tyres, all of which have good tread.

As we will never tire of explaining, our experience shows that matching high-quality tyres are an infallible sign of a caring and mechanically sympathetic owner who is prepared to spend the appropriate amount in maintaining their car properly. Their presence does not, of course, preclude the need for a thorough inspection - something the vendor would welcome, by the way – but it does perhaps give you a shortcut into their attitude towards maintenance.

Work to do is minimal. Aside from the customary stonechips and minor marks we always warn you about, the offside rear chrome trim that sits above the rear lamp cluster is wonky and, as you might have spotted in a couple of the photos, the driver side headlamp cover can be a bit hit and miss.

Still, let’s face it, you’re going to have plenty of time on your hands this winter, so fixing them shouldn’t be unduly taxing.

The Palomino interior’s refurbishment included a new headlining, door cards, dashboard, and carpets. It is now, as you can see, in an amazing condition and is every inch the American muscle car interior you’ve always wanted – juts in a better condition than you’re probably used to seeing at this price point.

And, while the front seats might have been designed more for American butts than British backsides, there’s no denying that they’re in great shape with only mild creasing and just the odd small mark. The rear seats are even better and the steering wheel is an absolute joy to hold and behold.

The interior also features a period-style digital radio and a working aftermarket central locking/alarm system. The steering column has been changed to a full chrome 'tilt' option, which is an undeniably cool thing to have, and it’s even got a pair of cupholders in the front centre armrest.

The boot is, let’s be honest, a bit scruffy but it solid and well painted and home to a full tool kit and a matching spare Cragar S/S wheel and Continental tyre, so it’s not all bad news.

Faults? Well, the instrument panel and dashboard both have cracks in them and the former seems to be missing a couple of minor pieces of trim, too. Oh, and the rear windows can be noncompliant.

There are a few rubbing points on the offside sill too, plus a couple on the very edge of the offside door trim and some marks on the passenger’s seat but we really are nit-picking here and there really isn’t anything that screams for attention and you could live with it very easily until you can source the bits you’ll almost certainly want to find to enable it to fulfil its considerable potential.

The engine and transmission have both been refurbished as part of the car’s restoration. The former has also been fitted with a new Edelbrock four-barrel carburettor and an Edelbrock Performer inlet manifold. Long header tubes lead to a Flowmaster twin exhaust system, the combination of which burbles nicely.

Other noteworthy work includes a new aluminium radiator and expansion tank plus Ford 'RACING' rocker covers.

We’ve driven it and can confirm that while it can be a bit temperamental when starting thanks to a recalcitrant starter motor, it otherwise starts, runs, and drives very well.

The engine bay is very well presented; you could open this bonnet in any company and not be embarrassed.

The underside is, if anything, even better. Completely free of rust and corrosion, it not only features plenty of evidence of expenditure but it also sports a set of finned brake drums, FTW.

The Mercury’s MOT certificate, which is valid until June 2021, was gained without a single advisory point.

Please visit the documents section of the gallery of this listing where you will find photos of this and other paperwork that we have.

If you’d like to inspect the car prior to placing a bid – something we would encourage – then please use the Contact Seller button to arrange an appointment.

The price of some of the more ‘traditional’ muscle cars like the Ford Mustang have already risen beyond the reach of the heavy metal buff with more enthusiasm than money, which is just one of the many reasons we are so delighted to be able to offer this slightly left-of-field Mercury Cougar.

Sitting on the Mustang’s well-proven chassis, it is, to our eye at least, an even cooler shape – and who doesn’t love a car with hidden headlamps? That it’s been mechanically and cosmetically restored to such a high standard is the icing on an already very attractive cake.

All of which makes its guide price of between £15,000 and £20,000 look like spectacular value, especially when you consider how we’ve seen the price of other so-called ‘second tier’ classics follow the lead ploughed by their better-known siblings…

Viewing is always encouraged, and this particular car is located with us at The Market HQ near Abingdon; to arrange an appointment please use the Contact Seller button at the top of the listing. Feel free to ask any questions or make observations in the comments section below, or try our ‘Frequently Asked Questions’.