1969 Mercury Cougar

XR-7 Convertible

8 - Cyl.

Manual

9F94H544109

Gasoline

1969 COUGAR XR-7 CONVERTIBLE A beautiful, solid, strong & reliable convertible! everything mechaincally rebuilt on a solid, rust- free original car. needs nothing! **** note before anyone has a heart attack.... Mercury NEVER built an ELIMINATOR convertible.. This is the top of the line XR-7 that i " morphed" into an ELIMINATOR during the build up. (I guess it really cannot be called a "clone" since there was never one to begin with!) to the best of my knowledge, i am the third owner of the car. It was owned from 1969 until 1990 by an airline pilot in California. He sold it to a fellow TWA employee in Rochester, MN, and i purchased it from him in 2005. I have the original Build sheet and California registration issued from TRI CITY MOTORS in West Covia, on 2/15/69. Both previous owners took very good care of the CAT and i have a folder full of reciepts documenting service throught the years. This is an original Cougar XR7 convertible. It was came from Ford with the: Burnt Orange Metallic White interior and convertible top Sports Console Power Steering Power disc brake Tilt-a-way steering wheel whisper air AC tinted glass complete Deluxe Seat Belts Heavy duty Battery: ther total for all the options was: $1020.00! When I had the car redone.. in 2 phases... everything was kept original except the engine, transmission, and the toss on goodies. The AC was even redone using virgin R-12.. and blows Ice cold.!!! as stated, i purchased the car in 2005 with about 120k on the odometer. The car was a solid driver, rust free, new top from the PO and a well kept survivor. I droveit that summer.. and had some problems with overheating.. the windows did not line up well (did you know Ford glued them in, back in 69?).. and the AC did not work.. and one day when i started to smell coolant in the car.. i knew it was time to take it "in". I had all work done by a professional Ford Restoration shop in Delaware (BCD- PRESERVATIONS, INC).. a top notch shop that had done a 65 Mustang fastback some years back for me and other award winning cars. In the "1st Phase" of the refurbishment.. i had the enitre front end redone.. every bushing, tie rod end,EVERYTHING.. was rebuilt, relined, as needed. New Brakes. New tires/ wheels (225/ 60r15 BFG RADIAL T/A RWL on new Magnum 500 wheels from Kens Cougars. Note: Just my 2 cents... but if you are looking to buy this, or any other Cougar.... i am putting in a pulg for KENS COUGARS and JOHN'S CLASSIC COUGARS: Both suppliers are "COUGAR ONLY" and know what you need/ want. Support the Cougar suppliers . You may save a couple cents buying supplies from a mustang supplier (nothing against them.. I have a pony too)... but you will find yourself better served to your specific needs by utilizing these 2 companies. ie.. try calling KG Horsey parts and asking them for a check valve to figure out how to fix your headlight door!!! but i digress: The wizzards at BCD took apart my dash to get to the heater box.. and I figured at that point, lets do everything that might need to be done... so all the instruments were cleaned, calibrated, etc.. all new bulbs, any wiring as needed.. basically everything behind the dash is new, or replace, or refurbished. Had a new blower motor, squirl cage, etc put in the heater box although the old ones were still working.. all the control cables lubed, etc. The dash pad, which was solid, but faded, was redyed.. looks perfect! New carpet.. had the windows bonded back in correctly (4.5 years and working great!) I could go on and on.. but basically everything was done.. new door cylinders to the key, etc. Full tune up.., etc... over $8k of reciepts and labor. drove the Cat on a weekly basis for 2 years.. was a great driver.. but the engine was just tired. I had been informed when buying the car, that the engine would need some attention sometime.. so i figured on getting it rebuilt. at that point.. we figured out that the engine WAS NOT the original #'s matching 351 w... so at that point, i figured, what the hell... if i don't have the original engine.. we would take a few 'liberties" with phase II. At the end of the summer in 2008.... i ordered my engine for the Cat from PRO-FORMANCE UNLIMITED in OC, NJ. I basically told them i wanted a strong street engine, bullet proof. not overheating, but some cam. A few months and $6k later I recieved this: click on below to see the final build of my engine before Pro-Formance Unlimited shipped it back to me. sweet! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xELBylu9G54 specifics of the engine include: 351 W Ford crate Engine with 350HP Precision Machined 351w block painted black Cast Iron Precision Ground Micro Polished crankshaft Tri-Metal Clevite 77 Rod and Main Bearings I-Beam Connecting Rods with ARP hardened Rod Bolts HI PO Speed-Pro Flat Top Pistons Hand Filed Performance matched rings 3 piece true double roller timing set Performance Cam shaft custom to achieve idle and throttle 16 hi- rev lifters cast iron cylinder heads chrome moly push rods Melling Hi volume oil pump MSD pro-billet distibutor MSD Blaster II coil and bracket AC sparl plugs 8mm Taylor Ignition wires Hi -flow water pump Dan Gurney style cougar valave covers Fel pro gaskets Edlebrock Performer series intake manifold and 4v carb w/ electric choke I had BCD install the engine with ALL NEW ancillaries (belts, radiator, alt, etc.. even though a lot had just been replaced 2 years earlier.. i wanted everything perfect!!!) Since a new engine was going in.. and i was making this a pretty fast street car... I decided to have the tired FMX tranny ditched.. and we installed a new T-5 with all factory parts from a donor car.. and all new parts as indicated. if i did not tell you it was a manual conversion.. you could never tell.. drives out perfect and looks perfect.. down to the hurst knob.... (how many digits are on that white ball???) This car is a treasure. It is great about town.. shifts smooth.. no problems.. a little grumble lets you know something is there. takes out perfect on the highway.. and let me tell you.. that 5th gear is pretty nice on long trips! We took the Cat on a 200 mile round trip to the Wild Wood Boardwalk Car show 2 months ago. lots of driving.. and a few hours of stop and go traffic. the cat starts on the first crank.. drives perfect. no funny smells.. starts hot or cold, no hesitation, no flat spots, nothing.. just a strong solid, driving car!!! The Merc tracks straight and solid.. no vibrations, no pulling. brakes are perfect. You can drive this Merc anywhere, any time, with modern traffic at modern speeds! other things: I had the USA-1 radio put in when the dash was apart... this has an Aux input in the back and you can play an ipod, or sat radio, etc. right thru the radio. I had the car repainted in 06.. it was the 1st respray.. no body work.. never had it.. did not need it. wheel well areas, torque boxes, floors, rockers.. all solid! Now once i got the new engine and transmission in '08... i decided to go all the way.... so i ordered the Eliminator stripe kit , the rear wing, and hood scoop( it's nonfunctional.. eye candy.. but it looks goood!) I have close to 40k in this car.. and i think it is worth every penny. I suspect if i took it out to a Jan auction in AZ... i should fetch in the mid/hi twenties.. and could break 30.,.... ??? but.. that being siad.. by the time i register.. ship it out.. and possibly back.. pay for full detail job, auction sales comission.. travel, time off work.. would be fun.. but i think i would net about what i am asking for it here... so we will see. I am realistic.. I know that Cougars, for whatever reason, never garner the same attention (and $$) as their Mustang cousins.. and this might not be someone's exact cup of tea. BUT... if you want an ideal crusing car.. that looks like a million bucks... and can run with the big boys (reading this mopar man from jersey??).. yet all in ice cold air conditioned civility.. this is your car! I know it's often said.. but this car NEEDS NOTHING!!!! tHE ORIGINAL ODOMETER HAS ABOUT 125K MILES ON IT. HAS ABOUT 2500 MILES ON SINCE ALL THE NEW BRAKES, FRONT END, ETC (ABOUT 4.5 YEARS BACK) AND ABOUT 1500 SINCE THE ENGINE/ TRANNY. (2.5 YEARS BACK). THE cat IS DRIVEN WEEKLY THE HEAT/ DEFROST/ ac/ WIPERS/ ALL GAUGES, BULBS, LIGHTS, SEQUENTIAL TAIL LAMPS.. FRONT HEADLAMP DOORS.. EVERYTHING WORKS AS IT SHOULD!! THE CLOCK CAN BE FINICKEY SOME TIMES.. THAT'S IT.. BUT IT'S A CAT! ebay only lets you post 24 pics.. which in no way can begin to show you the labor of love in my Cat.. below is a link to over 80 pictures: http://s908.photobucket.com/albums/ac289/sluggoa/69cougar/ Please feel free to email me if you have any questions.. or would like to set up an appoinment to see the car. serious only please!!!!! I HAVE BEEN ON EBAY FOR OVER 11 YEARS WITH 100% FEEDBACK.. PLEASE TAKE A MOMENT TO READ IT.. BID WITH CONFIDENCE! RULES: a few rules PLEASE READ.... PLEASE READ PLEASE READ!!! 1. unless the BIN price is met. i WILL NOT end the auction early. i repeat.. i WILL NOT end the auction early.... please feel free to email me with any and all questions, etc. but NO OFFERS . bid what you think it's worth.. or hit the BUY IT NOW. i.e don't email me and offer..... the auction runs until it is over and the high bidder wins.. OR when/ if the Buy it now price is hit. Period!!! 2. Have funds ready before bidding! 3. Buyer must pay a non refundable $500.00 deposit within 24 hours via paypal. the balance is due within 5 working days. the balance must be paid via wire transer, or cash. U.S. checks, money orders, are acceptable.. but i will keep the car and the title for 6 weeks minimum.. NO EXCEPTIONS!!!!!!!!!!!! 4. Buyer is responsible for arranging and paying for all transport. 5. The vehcile has been described honestly and openly. please feel free to email me with any questions, additional pictures, or to set up a phone call "walk around", etc. the car is available for inspection until auctions end. BUT all questions/ inspections. etc should be done before you bid and/ or auctions end. i.e. do not bid.. then come and look at the car and tell me they paint is not as shiny as you thought. can we make a deal ???? allowance, etc"... NO. This mercury is sold as is/ where is. : In it's present condition: the sale and all pertaining laws, obligations, etc , i.e. the entirety of this tranaction is in the county and state of: Queen Anne's county, Maryland. I hate to end on such negative notes,,, but people have gotten crazy latley. I have been on ebay for over 11 years.. i have 100 feedback. i have sold A FEW HIGH END- cars and one truck and LOTS of parts (check my feedback). i take pride in not fluffing anything up. what you see is what you get.. and in most cases (if u read the feedback) most folks are think my 'things' are better than described. I am not a dealer.. not a curbstoner.. just a car guy trying to keep the hobby alive! If it were a perfect world.. i would not be selling this car. I really like it, and enjoy it.. but i guess i have to some fruition, or maturitiy, whatever... that you can only have and properly maintain so many cars. I guess i have found out that if you own too much stuff.. it (like they say) "owns you". Not trying to get all philosophical... but just letting you know why I am selling such a nice car... I would want to know! Please email me with any questions. RICK! On Nov-15-10 at 03:35:53 PST, seller added the following information: I believe the engine is California legal.. it did come with a decal to "affix" for Ca cars. also. i have the full documentation for everything done.. including the all the restoration work by BCD, all the engine work, printouts, cd, etc by Pro-Formance Unlimited, and any misc things i had purchased (the radio.. still have the philco am that goes with car, tires, etc) all this goes with car.. also have new newly plated tailight housings and a redonde trunk strip from Kens' Cougars that i picked up 2 Carlisle's back... never got the light lens covers and put them on. lastly.. thanks for the emails.. but not really interested in any trades... except.. perhaps a STOCK lower mileage 1993 SVT Cobra. would consider trading up, down, or sideways depending on the car. thanks!On Nov-17-10 at 06:33:45 PST, seller added the following information: To answer a question about the rear end and tranny: the rear end is/ always was a 3:00.1 open. the trans is a T-5Z FORD MOTORSPORT 2.95 w/.63 OD. thanks