To a large extent, Ford, Chevy, and Dodge dominated the muscle car market, with Lincoln-Mercury trailing in Ford’s wake. Yet, the Lincoln Continental and the Mercury Cougar, two of its most popular vehicles, also performed well.
The Cougar may have been a copy of the Mustang in concept, but its unique styling and performance won over buyers. This 1969 Mercury Cougar XR-7 convertible has an impressive Ford R-Code 428 Cobra Jet Ram Air b/block V8 engine. It’s equipped with a power convertible top, power windows, power steering, and power brakes with front discs. A C6 Cruise-O-Matic transmission is also installed. The outside is finished in Emerald Metallic, while the inside is upholstered in white leather. There are bucket seats, an in-dash clock, and an AM 8-track audio system housed in the center console.
According to Mecum, this model is produced at their Dearborn, Michigan assembly facility. The vehicle was manufactured by Johnnie Haas Motors Inc. in Lakewood, Colorado on June 3, 1969, and sold to the first owner on June 18 of that year.
This model has always been in the luxury segment, and it looks and feels like it. The vehicle rides on factory-required Frestone Super Sports Wde Oval whitewall tires mounted on 5-spoke, Argent stamped steel wheels with brilliant trm rngs and center caps.
The vehicle will come with a Deluxe Marti Report certifying its status as a rare example of the peak of the muscle car era. Just 245 1969 Cougar Convertibles in this trim and color were produced, and their rarity may only increase from here.
In addition to being one of just 127 Cougar convertibles equipped with Ram Air Induction, this vehicle has a 428 Cobra Jet engine and a C6 Cruise-O-Matic 3-speed automatic transmission. Just 96 Cougar convertibles equipped with the 428 Cobra Jet engine were ever built.
If you needed any more convincing to cast a bid on this jewel, consider this its icing on the cake. It boasts a Tracton-Lok rear differential with a gear ratio of 3.00:1, making it suitable for tearing up the track and cruising along the highway at tornado speed.
