looking for American muscle - '68 Cougar??

[foxpaws]

I have been 'looking' for a while for a muscle car project - and don't want something too mainstream...

Found this 390 number matching Cougar locally - needs a lot of work - bad paint job - been in at least 2 accidents - but not much rust - needs cragers, engine needs lots of cleaning/restoring, interior is actually the best part of the car - it is all there - down to the kitty kat floor mats.

Any idea of 'real' value...

RARE 1968 Mercury Cougar 390 V8

[Jim Richards]

I can't help on values, but that looks like a fantastic project!

[911boost]

Wish i would have known you were looking Fox, I just sold my big block Buick SportWagon. Definitely not mainstream and it had lots of potential.

As for the Cougar, I am not a big fan of the 390, but I know a lot of the parts aren't hard to get if you don't mind reproduction parts. Check out some of the Mustang specific websites, as I think they have special Cougar sections. I think the XR7's (?) are pretty cool.

Bill

[matt711]

I prefer my "cougars" in the 38-42 range....

Nice looking car, always liked the cougar over the mustang.

[genrex]

'68 Cougars are probably my favorite cruising car ever. The interior is perfect in my opinion (I'm so glad it's all there!) and the sequentially-blinking taillights are so cool. If you get this car, I think you will have many many happy memories, cruising around town, cruising on country roads...

_

[Gretch]

figure $40 grand minus the cost of what you have to do to it....... I am guessing if you pay more than $20k you are over paying.

[Gretch]

figure $40 grand minus the cost of what you have to do to it....... I am guessing if you pay more than $20k you are over paying.

[BE911SC]

CL ad says 10.9 ask.

390 Cougar could make for a fun '60s 'muscle' project. Definitely different. The FE 390 makes it more unusual than the common 289/302 versions. Yes, Cragars would look great on there. If truly no rust (rear window, under the vinyl top, trunk pan, rockers, etc.) then see if you can make a deal.

Edit: Two accidents? Look for unibody damage--mis-aligned panels, doors that don't shut properly. How serious were the accidents? Look for welds where repairs may have been made. Does the car track straight? Drive another car while seller drives the Cougar--does it look straight or do the rear wheels track to one side or the other?

[scottmandue]

Great car! Most of the mechanicals are mustang so easy to get part.

Only warning, back in the day a friend was restoring one... back then body parts were VERY hard to find... maybe they are making repo fenders and such now but I would check on that before buying.

That is to say "been in two accidents" any bent or broken body panels/trim pieces may be difficult to find.

[Baz]

Needs lowering and corner balance.

[intakexhaust]

Clicked the ad. Foxpaws, from your description compared to the ad, I'd be very reserved of the deal. For values, might want to check some back issues of Hemmings Motor News.

I wouldn't worry of parts. Currently my bro' is going through a '67 or '68 - 100% original Cougar. Has a 289 w/ auto. Not particularly attractive with a cream color exterior and burgundy interior, but its a rock solid car with ORIGINAL paint. I think the driver seat vinyl split out but he was able to source a replica vinyl replacement. Might visit him today and take some pics.

Good luck

edit: If the car is correct and no wrecks, the doors on these early Cougars should line-up perfect, close and latch like a vintage Mercedes.. clickity click without slam. They have a higher quality build than the Mustang of the same years.

[Laneco]

Foxpaws - can't give you a value idea but I'll share that this car is on the "Lane Drag Home List".

Meaning if either Steve or I find one that we can cash out - don't need to call the other person - just DRAG IT HOME.

That said, the Cougars were usually VERY highly optioned. This one is almost a strippy for a Cougar. Steve says 6,000 to $8,000 should buy the car provided there truly is no rust and no structural damage. Take that with a grain of sale, my husband is a cheapie.

angela

[Baz]

The seller of the BMW bike I just bought was asking $3K and I offered $2.5K and he said sold.

[cairns]

From Hagerty; values seem to be all over the map but most are in 15 to 20K range

Choose a Submodel for the 1968 Mercury Cougar to view classic car value trends for this vehicle
Year Make Model Submodel Body Type Engine Average Value Trend
1968 Mercury Cougar Hardtop Coupe $12,885
1968 Mercury Cougar Hardtop Coupe 8-cyl. 302cid/230hp 4bbl $15,494
1968 Mercury Cougar Hardtop Coupe 8-cyl. 390cid/265hp 2bbl $15,754
1968 Mercury Cougar Hardtop Coupe 8-cyl. 390cid/280hp 2bbl $16,184
1968 Mercury Cougar Hardtop Coupe 8-cyl. 390cid/325hp 4bbl $17,438
1968 Mercury Cougar Hardtop Coupe 8-cyl. 428cid/335hp 4bbl $18,036
1968 Mercury Cougar GTE Hardtop Coupe 8-cyl. 427cid/390hp 4bbl Hi-Perf $102,870
1968 Mercury Cougar GTE Hardtop Coupe 8-cyl. 428cid/335hp 4bbl $48,483
1968 Mercury Cougar XR-7 Hardtop Coupe $16,010
1968 Mercury Cougar XR-7 Hardtop Coupe 8-cyl. 302cid/230hp 4bbl $19,200
1968 Mercury Cougar XR-7 Hardtop Coupe 8-cyl. 390cid/265hp 2bbl $19,498
1968 Mercury Cougar XR-7 Hardtop Coupe 8-cyl. 390cid/280hp 2bbl $19,956
1968 Mercury Cougar XR-7 Hardtop Coupe 8-cyl. 390cid/325hp 4bbl $21,582
1968 Mercury Cougar XR-7 Hardtop Coupe 8-cyl. 428cid/335hp 4bbl $22,402
1968 Mercury Cougar XR-7G Hardtop Coupe $23,346
1968 Mercury Cougar XR-7G Hardtop Coupe 8-cyl. 302cid/230hp 4bbl $27,900
1968 Mercury Cougar XR-7G Hardtop Coupe 8-cyl. 390cid/265hp 2bbl $28,416
1968 Mercury Cougar XR-7G Hardtop Coupe 8-cyl. 390cid/280hp 2bbl $29,080
1968 Mercury Cougar XR-7G Hardtop Coupe 8-cyl. 390cid/325hp 4bbl $31,516
1968 Mercury Cougar XR-7G Hardtop Coupe 8-cyl. 428cid/335hp 4bbl $32,574

[Jim Bremner]

I would guess that it has MUCH more than 98k miles. Figure 298k The engine bay is missing the V brace that runs from the firewall to the shock towers. REPLACE it with "Export Brace" it will help stop the Shock Towers from cracking just above the upper a-arms. Trust me it's not fun to try and drive one with cracked shock towers. I broke them on a smallblock car and this is a Big Block Car.

If you have trouble changing the spark plugs try removing the cross bolts that hold the engine mount (with a floor jack under the oilpan (well padded) and lift the engine or rotate it side to side to gain clearance.

Before you buy one ask if you can pour water in the cowl vent. Cars that have been hit often leak here. It's a $2,000 fix

I did manage to break the spotwelds on the cowl/firewall area. I know the moment that I broke them and on what turn in the Santa Monica mountains on the 2005 New Years Day cruise

Turn the radio off and find a road with out any other cars. roll the windows up and go from 0-50 and listen for howls. let it coast back down to 20 and back up to 50 If there's howls up or slowing down that's the rear-end figure $1,200 Only buy FORD gears if you can. A 3:25 gear would be a great choice

The Intake manifold is cast iron and is in the 80 pound range! the engineers for some reason decided to run the push rods through the intake manifold. To swap one you need to remove the upper valvetrain.

From the waterpump to the block there's a stupid hose that's 2" long and if it fails you need to remove the water pump in order to change this hose. Do not buy cheap hose. this job sucks.

[RWebb]

Originally Posted by Laneco

Foxpaws - can't give you a value idea but I'll share that this car is on the "Lane Drag Home List".

Meaning if either Steve or I find one that we can cash out - don't need to call the other person - just DRAG IT HOME.

That said, the Cougars were usually VERY highly optioned. This one is almost a strippy for a Cougar. Steve says 6,000 to $8,000 should buy the car provided there truly is no rust and no structural damage. Take that with a grain of sale, my husband is a cheapie.

angela

how easy is it for her to find and add the options she might want as a DIYer?

[johnsjmc]

I have had a number of v8 mustangs( mostly small block )and one 1968 Mustang 390 fastback.
The cowl often leaks as was already mentioned. Power steering leaks are common and the engine is a heavy boat anchor Not nearly as powerful as the 428 . On a rebuild even if running well now expect cracked piston skirts and other grief.
Many parts common to mustang are cheap and plentiful but I suspect the Cougar only stuff is much more expensive and harder to locate.

[onewhippedpuppy]

Originally Posted by Laneco

Foxpaws - can't give you a value idea but I'll share that this car is on the "Lane Drag Home List".

Meaning if either Steve or I find one that we can cash out - don't need to call the other person - just DRAG IT HOME.

That said, the Cougars were usually VERY highly optioned. This one is almost a strippy for a Cougar. Steve says 6,000 to $8,000 should buy the car provided there truly is no rust and no structural damage. Take that with a grain of sale, my husband is a cheapie.

angela

I tend to agree with Steve, that car looks way expensive for what is definitely a project. I've seen Mustangs and Cougars in good driver condition for $10k that are much nicer, and just need tinkering vs a pretty comprehensive restoration.

With that said, those are seriously cool cars. A good set of period alloys would make a world of difference, Ford had some really ugly hub caps going on back then.

[foxpaws]

Thanks so much everyone -

I certainly don't expect a 45 year old car to not have a few (or many) problems - and it looked like a 198,000 mile car to me.

Jim - thanks for all the real-world advice - to me it really looks like it has been hit front passenger side - hood is slightly kiltered - the front center emblem is cocky - front passenger side headlight cover has been pushed back. I wonder if it took enough damage to have hurt the v-brace and that is why it is missing. All your other advice is well noted too!!!

Baz - two words - Gabriel Highjackers...oh, maybe some traction bars, Crager Keystones - 9" on the rear... smile...

Price did seem high at $10,900 for a lo-optioned 390 car - I was thinking more in $7,500 range a'la Steve/Angela. Although, I rather like lo-optioned cars, far less to deal with when restoring.

[Nostril Cheese]

The 390 is a heavy engine. Although with a C6, you can tow quite well. Not my first choice for a project. A 289 or 302 iss gonna be a better all around engine.

My grandpa drove a '67 Cougar with the 302 4V for years. That was a really nice car.