Vehicle Description
Mercury finally got their muscle car in 1967, but didn't get the
convertible version until '69. This one runs and drives great. It
could be considered a good example of a survivor type of car
because it hasn't been restored or modified through the years other
than with a couple bolt on upgrades to the engine and receiving a
color change paint job.
That color change was to a nice deep red that still looks pretty
good with a nice shine to it, but does show some use from enjoying
this great car throughout the years. The long, tapered lines of the
fenders work particularly well with the convertible version. It
looks good when the black roof is up, but when the power operated
roof is put down, it presents a striking long and sleek, look which
is also enhanced by an accent line that sweeps downward from the
nose of the car to just ahead of the rear wheels. Up front, the
grill presents a super clean look with horizontal lines that run
all the way across the hideaway headlights and a Cougar badge that
became the Icon for Mercury for several decades. It is trimmed in
chrome along the leading edge of the hood and fenders and
underlined by a sharp looking chrome bumper. Out back are those
classic Cougar taillights that run all the way across the back
underlined be another bright chrome bumper.
Open the door and you will find a Black interior that is most
likely the untouched "survivor" interior of the original car.
Everything is in good shape but has a patina to it that only comes
with age. It has plenty of woodgrain treatment in it giving it a
European flair, and the pleated bucket seats have been broken in
nicely like a comfortable pair of jeans. The black door panel sets
the tone with a wood panel across the top and a Cougar badge in the
center. A three spoke steering wheel also has a Cougar center
button and it sits in front of a stock dash with the speedometer in
the center and engine gauges off on to the sides. The center
console has a couple A/C vents at the top with an FM/Cassette deck
under them and the ventilation controls below the stereo. The
T-handle shifter for the automatic transmission rises out of a wood
grained center console and the passenger gets a wooden glove box
door.
Open the hood and you will find more survivor character in the 351
Windsor engine that first became available in these '69s. A blue
air filter housing sits on top of an Edelbrock 4-barrel carburetor
which flows through a stock intake manifold and heads and out
through long tube headers and a dual exhaust system. Power flows
back through a three-speed automatic transmission to the rear
wheels which are mounted on leaf springs along with a set of
coil-overs which help get the chassis rake right and also help the
car handle better. Up front, a fresh set of hydraulic brakes lines
to the power front discs insure good braking performance while a
beefy sway bar and power steering contribute to good handling. The
rubber meets the road through 205/75R14 Firestone Firehawk tires
mounted on polished Magnum 500 style wheels.
The first year for the Cougar Convertible with a healthy 351
Windsor and an automatic transmission. This car is just itching for
a road trip! Come on down and see if it wants to go to the same
places you do.