Vehicle Description
When Mustangs grow up, they want to be Cougars. With the same long
nose, short deck styling as the Mustang, but in a slightly larger,
more luxurious package, this 1970 Mercury Cougar XR7 offers
grown-up performance for people who like a little luxury with their
muscle. Of course, perks like A/C, a vinyl top, and an automatic
transmission only help the Cougar's case, and this one has the
bonus of having been used in the film "Driving Miss Daisy." Cool,
right?
Recently refinished in what appears to be its original code 2 Light
Ivy Yellow, the Cougar's lines are clean and instantly
recognizable. From the finned front grille and hidden headlights to
the kick-up behind the doors, it looks powerful. It doesn't have
any add-ons or stripes, which we like, and the crease that runs
from nose to the rear wheel arches gives it a tight look that
Mustangs lack. The beautifully restored vinyl top fits well and
looks great, with no wrinkles or tears in the material. The paint
is well applied over super straight sheetmetal, and the bright
finish reveals that a lot of time was invested in getting
everything blocked and flat. All the chrome and trim has been
polished up or replaced, proper Cougar badges affixed to the
quarters, and the full-width taillight is in superb condition.
The all-black interior was the most popular choice in 1970, and it
still looks awesome today. The seats and door panels might just be
original, and maybe even the carpets, which are showing some age.
Nothing major, mind you, and it would be a mistake to restore
anything. The gauges show bright, clear markings and a tach is a
nice find in a luxury-oriented car like this. Options include
factory A/C (needs to be serviced), a console with a T-handle
shifter, and a rim-blow horn that has a reasonably convincing
woodgrain to it. The aftermarket AM/FM/cassette stereo radio works
properly and is a nice upgrade, and for the 1970s, that was
state-of-the-art in in-car entertainment. Even the trunk is nicely
finished with a reproduction mat and full-sized spare tire.
Power for the big cat comes from a 351 cubic inch "Cleveland" V8,
which is a perfect fit in the Cougar's engine bay. A 4-barrel
carburetor gives the big Cat surprisingly sharp reflexes and a big
hit of power at almost any speed. It has been recently detailed
with Ford Blue paint, reproduction decals, and a few other bits
that keep it looking authentic. The rest of the engine bay is tidy,
and you could work on taking it up another notch without too much
effort. Underneath, the chassis is clean and well-maintained, with
a great-sounding dual exhaust system whose tips are just barely
visible beneath the rear valence, again emphasizing the Cougar's
subtle muscularity. The C4 3-speed automatic transmission shifts
cleanly and there's a fresh gas tank hanging out back. Factory
steel wheels carry standard hubcaps and a set of 215/70/14 Uniroyal
whitewall radials.
The car is nicely documented with proof that it was used as Morgan
Freeman's daughter's car in "Driving Miss Daisy" and we have to
admit we like the combination of Mustang DNA and big car luxury
that this Cougar represents. Call today!