There’s something cool about marching to the beat of another drummer. Why choose a red Mustang like everyone else when you can have something different, something more interesting? For that reason, this 1970 Mercury Cougar XR-7 convertible listed for sale on ClassicCars.com by a dealer in Jackson, Mississippi, is our Pick of the Day. (Click the link to view the listing)
The Mercury Cougar was introduced as a more upscale Ford Mustang. Featuring a longer wheelbase and standard V8, the Cougar was available in standard and elegant XR-7 trim levels, the latter featuring leather seating surfaces and a fancy walnut-toned dashboard with Euro-inspired switches.
With the redesigned 1969, a convertible was introduced. Styling was refined with a Buick-esque character line that clearly set the Cougar apart from other pony cars. The hidden headlights were still there, but the grille was tamer, lacking the electric shaver look of 1967-68. However, that grille returned for 1970, giving the Cougar a tougher look even though it was still very much a pussycat.
In 1970, Mercury introduced the 351 Cleveland. Standard was a two-barrel rated at 250 horsepower, but the four-barrel version was rated at 300 horsepower. If you wanted to move up from there, your only choice was the 428 Cobra Jet, though if you were open to the outrageousness of the Cougar Eliminator, you also could opt for the Boss 302.
This 1970 Cougar XR-7 convertible is equipped with the 428 Cobra Jet with ram air. Unlike in 1969, all Cobra Jets were coded “Q” in the fifth character of the VIN, so ram air was an option rather than being included with a separate engine. However, what makes this Cougar different than other CJ ragtops is the color: Dark Blue (more popularly known as Presidential Blue on Fords). This was a color used in 1968-69, but not available in 1970, so the original owner spent around $100 to create a truly unique vehicle among all Cougars. Other options include power windows, air conditioning, automatic transmission, Traction-Lok rear, AM/FM radio and “styled steel” wheels.
The seller is asking $115,900 for this cat. Of the 49 XR-7 convertibles built with the 428 Cobra Jet, 37 had ram air. If this was an equivalent Mopar, they’d be asking another 100 grand. A deal? You decide!
To view this listing on ClassicCars.com, see Pick of the Day.
Front grille should have the XR 7 logo instead of the cat
Good catch
Y’know, when I was writing the story, I noticed the same thing but forgot to follow up with it. Thank you for posting this!
I didn’t know the noses were different till I caught one at the Greenwich Concours maybe 10 years ago.