One of the most sought-after 1968 Mercury Cougar models is the XR7 GT-E edition with the 427cid (7.0-liter) V8 factory-rated at 390 horsepower, and the Super-Competition Handling package.
The Pick of the Day is a 1968 Mercury Cougar XR7 coupe finished in Augusta Green with “original numbers-matching correct W Code 427 4V and C-6 Select-Shift Merc-O-Matic transmission,” according to the North Liberty, Indiana, private seller advertising the muscle car on ClassicCars.com.
“In 1968, the only Ford product available with the 427 engine was the GT-E Mercury Cougar,” the seller says. “Only 256 W Code 427 GT-E Cougars were made, making it in a unique and highly sought-after variant of the Cougar.
“Of these 256 W Code GT-E’s, considering other original options of this car, there were 43 painted Augusta Green, 4 were equipped with front seat headrests and only one car with rear seat shoulder harnesses. This is that car!”
The seller also notes that this Cougar had a frame-up restoration in 2010 and features period-correct Firestone Wide Oval radial tires, a black vinyl roof, original tinted glass, black leather bucket seats, power steering and power disc brakes.
According to the seller, this authentic GT-E is “registered with the Cougar National Database and the Cougar GT-E registry,” documented with its window sticker and Deluxe Marti Report, and shows 76,351 miles on the odometer.
The asking price for this special-edition performance XR7 GT-E is $159,900.
To view this vehicle on ClassicCars.com, see Pick of the Day.
Love the early Cougars. This one is a gem!! My only pet peeve with cars like this with headlight doors is that they never seem to be adjusted correctly so they align evenly with the rest of the grille! Its in the details! Same with Dodge Chargers, and others! Awesome car otherwise!
I believe they were the first American car equipped with Radial Tires from the factory as standard equipment. They were Michelins. I owned a 1968 XR-7 GTE in 1972 that was Red with no vinyl roof and also had the 427. A fun car to drive.
they were Goodyear FR70x14 with white sidewall 😉
Never heard of one…Wow!
All the 1st generation cougars are getting snapped up and increasing in value. If you want one, my advice is get in now as I see these cars doubling in the next 5 years. That Augusta green is a beautiful color.
I bought a 1968 XR-7 from my dad in 1977. Same green with black vinyl top. Mine only had the 302 but did come with a 4 barrel carb and A/C. Mine also had leather, the funky fake wood dash and that cool swing-a-way steering wheel. The gas crunch hit and I traded it for a Toyota Corolla. Wish I still had it.
I had the same exact car bought from a friend in 79 with a saddle leather interior. Same motor, totaled it into a tree when I was 16. Still miss it.
The limited-edition ’68 Mercury Cougar XR7-G also came with radials, as pictured in the full-page April ’68 Life magazine ad (“Mercury’s got it. A Cougar with an electric sunroof.”). Those shown were FR-70-14 BFG Silvertown Radial 990 Wides, with only the word radial in raised white letters. I believe the recommended cold running pressure was 24 pounds. The maximum was 32. Six rayon plies on the tread, 2 on the sidewall.
Also, there were 357 427 GT-Es made..Not sure where the 256 number came from. Perhaps seller means XR-7 versions 😉
My first car in 1974 was a bronze hard top 302 1968 cougar. Long ago and far away.
I bought a 68 XR-7 GT with a 390 4-speed in 1972, it was an amazing auto as a 1st car. I smile every time I see a ’67 or ’68 drive by.