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 1973 Mercury
Cougar XR7 convertible has a sporty look that works with a
luxurious interior to create a unique kind of muscle car, and with
a rare 351C Cobra Jet V8, it's more than just pretty.
Subtlety was lacking in the early '70s but this relatively muscular
cat keeps its performance credentials on the down-low. The chiseled
good looks of the Cougar reflect both the pony car and Lincoln DNA
in its family, and depending on the angle, it's both sporty and
elegant. 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. It was repainted not too long ago
and has a great shine and good sheetmetal underneath, a perfect
Sunday afternoon cruiser that doesn't need any special attention. A
chrome trunk rack is an unusual accessory but we have to admit that
we like how it looks, and a set of Magnum 500 wheels keeps it
looking aggressive. Nobody will mistake it for anything else from
behind, as the downturned taillights and massive chrome bumper are
unique to this model, and it still carries factory Cougar
badging.
If you've driven an early '70s Mustang, you'll feel right at home
in the mostly original interior. The bucket seats are a little
wider and a little softer, but the array of round gauges are pure
pony car. The interior is showing some signs of age, but it's still
serviceable and we're undecided on whether we'd preserve or restore
the seats. The rest is pretty darned nice, including the carpets
and door panels, so leave those alone. The gauges are still bright
and crisp and the woodgrained applique still looks bright. For
entertainment, it serves up the original AM/FM radio and the
options list includes power windows, A/C (works, but needs a
charge), and a tilt steering column. The top is power-actuated and
stows with the touch of a button and is probably only a few years
old.
Ford's 351 cubic inch Cleveland "Cobra Jet" V8 was torquey and very
user-friendly in the Cougar, offering good performance without
being fussy. Given the condition of the engine bay, we have every
reason to believe this is the car's original powerplant and has
probably never been out of the car. Ford Blue paint is nicely
preserved and like the interior, it would probably be a mistake to
start restoring things. Clean it up but don't go too far. Power
steering and power front disc brakes were standard equipment on the
heavier, more luxury-oriented Cougar, and it exhales through a
proper dual exhaust system with both mufflers and resonators, so it
never sounds too aggressive. An FMX 3-speed automatic transmission
is unobtrusive in operation and it carries a heavy-duty 9-inch rear
end with towering 2.75 gears, making this a fantastic highway
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. Magnum 500 wheels can make even a school bus
look sporty, so they're perfect for the Cougar and carry 205/70/14
BFGoodrich radials at all four corners.
A nice combination of performance and luxury, this Cougar ragtop
suggests that you don't have to give up fun when you grow up. Call
today!