Vehicle Description
57,390 original miles. Two owners from new. Fantastic color
combination with beautiful original interior. M-code 351 Cleveland
V8, automatic. Nicely optioned, heavily documented. A gorgeous
Cougar XR7 that's a lot more car than a garden-variety
Mustang!We're seeing quite a bit of interest in anything that's not
a Mustang these days: Falcons, Comets, and particularly the
Cougars, which all benefit from the Mustang's awesome parts support
but offer something a little bit out of the ordinary. Think of this
1970 Mercury Cougar XR7 convertible as a Mustang for adults with a
more grown-up look that's arguably far more attractive than a
comparable 1970 Mustang. Finished in bright red paint (one of only
190 built, by the way) it definitely looks sporting and the longer,
leaner Cougar looks athletic where the Mustang can look chunky.
With just two owners, including the first owner who kept it for
nearly 40 years, it's led an easy life as a summertime cruiser and
the condition of the undercarriage and bodywork bears this out. It
almost looks like original paint, but it was repainted perhaps 25
years ago and was recently treated to a professional cut and buff
with color correction so it looks amazing. There's a deep shine,
the color is vivid, and like all cars that have never been fully
disassembled, it fits together extremely well. Even gaps, doors
that close solidly, and crisp body lines highlight the stylish
Cougar bodywork and a simple black pinstripe highlights the unique
curve of the quarter panels. And since it's a Cougar, you're
probably eager to know whether the headlights work (they do) and
whether the sequential taillights are operational (they are).
There's also some nice chrome, including those outrageously
expensive-to-restore taillights, and polished stainless along the
rockers that makes the car look lean. From any angle, this is a
really good looking car.If you're wondering about how
well-maintained this car really is, look no farther than the black
leather interior, which is almost entirely original. That's right,
the seats, door panels, dash pad, and other soft parts date to 1970
and are in such good condition that you could be forgiven for
thinking it has been restored. There are newer carpets on the
floor, but aside from that, it's original. Even better, everything
works, including all the gauges which include a factory tach. The
Marti Report says this car originally came with an AM/8-track radio
but during a recent freshening it was fitted with a factory AM/FM
stereo unit that works well (the original AM/8-track unit is
available if the new owner wants to have it). Other equipment
includes a tilt steering column, remote driver's side mirror,
intermittent wipers, and a center console. The back seat looks
virtually unused, the seat belts are still flexible and supple, and
even the clock keeps time. Overhead there's a brand new power
convertible top with a glass back light that fits better than any
folding top we've ever seen, and it stows under a matching black
boot. The trunk is correctly dressed with a new plaid mat but the
original mat is underneath, and that just might be the original
spare tire. Nice, right?Power comes from the desirable M-code 351
'Cleveland' V8 with a 4-barrel carburetor. It's rated at 300
horsepower and 380 lb-ft. of torque, which is impressive as hell.
It makes the Cougar feel downright fast around town and effortless
on the highway. The engine bay is highly detailed with correct Ford
Blue engine enamel, a factory air cleaner assembly, and even the
little stuff is right: hoses and clamps, Autolite battery, and
original-style ignition components. It runs superbly, starting
easily, idling nicely, and generally pulling the bright red ragtop
around with genuine enthusiasm. There's a wonderful burble from the
fresh dual exhaust system and thanks to rebuilt suspension
components and fresh shocks, it rides superbly. The 3-speed
automatic feels energetic, not lazy, and firmly clicks through the
gears without any hesitation. Best of all, there are 3.00 gears out
back on a Traction-Lok limited slip, so it's comfortable on the
highway and hooks up well under any conditions. The chassis is as
nicely detailed as the engine bay, with red oxide primer on the
original floors, lots of new hardware, solid torque boxes, and a
fresh gas tank hanging out back. Ride and handling are comfortable
yet confident, and it looks awesome sitting on those 14-inch Magnum
500 wheels with fresh 215/70/14 BFGoodrich T/A
radials.Documentation is extensive, including the original window
sticker, owner's manuals, Ownercard and warranty card, and even the
original registration lip. There are also some period Cougar
brochures and a Deluxe Marti Report.Look at the details, the
specifications, and the history, and this car nails it on every
level. Cougars are red hot on the market and if you're looking for
something a little more polished than a Mustang and not as formal
as an Oldsmobile or Buick, perhaps this is the better choice. It's
fun to drive and looks awesome. A really impressive car that's
ready to enjoy right away. Call now!Harwood Motors always
recommends and welcomes personal or professional inspections of any
vehicle in our inventory prior to purchase.
