Saleofcar.com :Mercury

Mercury Cougar (1969)
for sale

Price: US $42,500.00

Description:

An extremely rare 1 of 1 (Elite Marti Report, framed, etc. included) Cobra Jet XR-7 with its original numbers matching drivetrain. Only 140 XR-7's received the 428CJ and C-6 in 1969. It is almost impossible to find an authentic Cougar like this as most of these cars were stripped and gutted of their drivetrains and components for a Mustang project in years past. Well documented with two build sheets, buck tag, door tag, dash VIN, fender apron stamp exposed along with confidential VIN's on both aprons under fenders. I am the third registered owner of the car and I have the complete history from 12/31/71 along with the original 1971 California registration and copy of the title from the second owner in San Jose, California who purchased the car in 1971 from a Lincoln Mercury Dealers used car lot.
Factory options include:

428CJ Non Ram Air
C-6 Automatic
Traction Lock
Console
Power Front Disc Brakes
Power Steering
Air Conditioning
AM/8 Track Stereo Radio (Yes, still in the car!)
The door tag in included in the pictures and can show all the codes or zoom in on the Marti Report for all codes and details.
When I purchased the car in 2005 I found it still carried the following factory original equipment, none of it ever having been replaced; Full exhaust (too far gone), shocks, steering, suspension, voltage regulator, battery cables, hub caps, etc. While the front disc had to of had the pads replaced, the rear brakes had never been apart. Never modified, raced or abused... not even a change out of the factory AM/8-Track Radio. The interior showed no sign of wear but the California sun was unmerciful and the drivers side of the car was all sun baked. While I do not claim and absolutely do not guarantee anything whatsoever, my personal belief is the car may have only the 65, 500 miles as shown on the odometer.
The engine had been rebuilt and placed it the car (never ran) when I purchased it in 2005. I kept the car in dry storage until I could start the restoration in 2012. I initially restored the car including body/paint, interior and most mechanical except for the engine, rear end and underhood A/C components. The engine actually ran fine but the rings never sealed and it smoked from the previous owners rebuild.
In the last several months I rebuilt the engine, rear end and installed all new A/C. Now, the engine has about 100 miles on it and runs like a proper 428CJ, crazy torque and hp (no, no smoke!). Obviously not a concourse restoration and no rotisserie, but a lot of time, care and Ford/Cougar knowledge going into the project. Good for the local/regional show as is or best start available to anyone who wants to go for the gold.
The Cougar is and always has been rust free and retains ALL of its original sheet metal as well (yes, even front and rear valance, hood, deck lid, etc.). Even the battery tray has not been replaced. Never been in a wreck, a California/Nevada car until I brought it home to Florida in 2005. In 2012 I stripped it down to bare metal it was painted in epoxy primer, high build primer and base coat clear coat in its original color (code C) with the best PPG products. The Cougar was painted as a shell on a rolling chassis with just the doors and decklid attached. While the smog equipment, Holley 735 and intake manifold were lost to history long ago, everything else on this car is how it left Dearborn. In the Fall of 2015 I had a complete mild rebuild on the numbers matching block and heads performed. The original crank and rods (ARP bolts) were used. Different from factory are .030 over Speed Pro #L2303N pistons, a mild comp cam, Performer RPM intake and holley 770 CFM Street Avenger. The original C-6 S servo cast iron tail shaft was rebuilt as well and performs flawless (partial VIN stamped on top pad) . The original N code 31 spline 9 rear end was totally rebuilt. Everything in the engine compartment is new except for the original air cleaner assembly including, complete brake system from booster out, radiator, alternator, regulator, battery, starter, etc. I completely removed and restored the dash replacing the evap core, heater box, all gaskets and seals. I also replaced the firewall pad and underdash insulation. Even the felt in the lower A/C registers has been restored. Interior now has new headliner, carpet and underpad, front and rear seats are new XR-7 in leather. I insulated the roof and sail panels with modern insulation as well. All new switches and motors under dash. A/C components including evaporator core, dryer, condenser, and compressor are new high efficiency R 134a. Unlike many cars for sale, this A/C is fully installed and delivers ice cold air.
Suspension; just all 4 shocks and rubber bushings (sway bar, rear shackles) were replaced as there was no wear on the other components.
Steering; just the control valve and hoses were replaced. Everything else is original... has a little play in the wheel as would be expected from being original to the car.
Exhaust is all new factory spec from the original CJ exhaust manifolds back.
While the underbody is ugly with surface scale and surface rust, every inch is rock solid.
Full inspection of the car is highly encouraged and requested; a full lift for underbody and undercarriage inspection is available as well.
There is really too much detail to list here, contact me with questions if you like, I can answer any and all question you may have about this car as I performed or supervised 100% of the restoration.

_{update: 2016-02-14}