Vehicle Description
Both the Mustang and the Cougar grew in 1971, but the Cougar seems
to wear the extra size better than its cousin. This 1971 Mercury
Cougar XR7 convertible represents either an affordable vintage
cruiser or a great starting point for an amazing resto-mod.
The paint is recent and nicely done, and we like the burgundy color
that gives it a grown-up look that suits the Cougar's upscale
mission. The chiseled good looks reflect both the pony car and
Lincoln DNA in its family, and adding big wheels and some attitude
only enhances the image. The narrow front grille with "power dome"
hood are certainly reminiscent of Lincolns of the same period,
while the kicked-up quarter panels behind the doors are pure
Mustang, making for a very attractive package. The late-model color
works quite well on the vintage bodywork, and it's easy to imagine
it with, say, a blacked-out hood and a modest spoiler out back for
some balance. But even as it sits, it's rather handsome and the
Cougar's shape has aged quite gracefully. The front bumper is in
good original condition, but we'll admit the rear bumper needs to
be re-chromed if your intention is to keep it stock. But beyond
that, this is a great-looking car.
If you've driven an early '70s Mustang, you'll feel right at home
here. The bucket seats are a little wider and a little softer, but
the array of round gauges are pure pony car. It's possible that the
interior is original, so the driver's seat has a split and the
fabric is a little faded, but new seat covers are included with the
sale. You'll note nice black carpets on the floors to provide some
welcome contrast and a center console adds to the performance vibe.
The gauges are custom white-faced dials that look great in a
machine-turned instrument panel that definitely works in the XR7.
For entertainment, the original radio was dumped in favor of a JVC
AM/FM/CD stereo, although the door speakers have yet to be
installed (another opportunity for you to do it your way). The
power convertible top is in good shape and the trunk is outfitted
with a full mat set and a full-sized spare tire.
Ford's 302 cubic inch V8 was torquey and very user-friendly in the
Cougar, offering good performance without being fussy. This one has
been significantly upgraded with FITech fuel injection, an
Edelbrock intake manifold, an HEI distributor, and a set of
long-tube exhaust headers, so you know where the real money was
spent. With those cool Edelbrock Racing valve covers and a
serpentine belt drive system, along with a set of adjustable strut
tower braces, it looks far more modern under the hood than you'd
expect. Power steering and power front disc brakes were standard
equipment on the heavier, more luxury-oriented Cougar, but the
recent Flowmaster dual exhaust system has a wonderful low burble
that totally sounds like a muscle car. The automatic transmission
snaps off quick shifts, so this Couger feels a lot like a
late-model 5.0 Mustang rather than a vintage cruiser. The
undercarriage is pretty original, but this car has spent most of
its life in a warm climate so while it's a little grungy, you won't
be worried about its structural strength while you're out cruising.
It's also fitted with 4-wheel disc brakes which look ideal behind
late-model Mustang wheels carrying 235/55/17 performance
radials.
Lots of money was spent where it matters, making this Cougar a
blast to drive and only a few upgrades away from being something
truly special. Take this opportunity and make it your own. Call
now!