Cougar Buying Guide Ep.2 - 1967 XR-7 289

In this video, Don does a detailed inspection on a 1967 Mercury Cougar XR-7 to show some of the things you should look for when buying one of these classic cars. Some of the insight here can potentially save you hundreds, even thousands, when you go to negotiate with a seller. Also, it will help those of you trying to sell, to more accurately advertise the strengths and weaknesses of your car.
We've also done a similar video with a 1970 Cougar convertible, so you may want to check that out too. kzbin.info/www/bejne/fJrdk2WspJtrrKM
To look up the parts mentioned in this video, visit www.cougarpartscatalog.com
Subscribe to our channel to keep up with our latest uploads! And while you're at it, like us on Facebook to keep up with miscellaneous cool Cougar stuff. WestCoastClassicCougar

[@hotwheel6663]

Man this Guy is the Cougar Guru. I learned a lot watching these Episodes.

[@danielboone72]

Thanks for the info. You are very good at explaining things and how important or not important it is when buying. I've learned a lot already and I don't have a cougar!

[@prophetpaddler]

Thanks for posting these videos! I've owned Cougars since 1975 and love learning from the professionals!

[@cobrajetter]

30 + years working on Cougars and I learn something new every time. Thanks Don!

[@sternk13]

Holy cow, when I saw this was a pale yellow car, and from Oregon, I thought it might be the one I owned back in 1975. I was just about convinced when you showed the hood had gotten hit in the center. But it is not. I'd still like to find that car one day.

[@karlk6860]

Very good video, and I learned a lot! I have just started my quest for a Cougar and you certainly pointed me in the right direction as far as inspection. Thanks for sharing!

[@Tommerd]

I found a '67 XR-7 in an auto wrecking yard in 1981 and it only 14 years old but needed a LOT of work. I can't even begin to imagine what you'd have to do so many years later. It was rusting out back then!

[@williemccoy259]

Thank you so much for this video. I was going to travel over 4 hours to look at a '67, (and still might), but this has opened up my eyes!

[@pnutbutrncrackers]

Excellently done video, Don, on one of my favorites. You could've sung its praises a little more regarding certain features, I felt, but I understand that the video's purpose is mainly factual -- and you did terrific.

[@volpage77]

Great video ! I just picked up a 1967 Cougar . These videos are really cool and helpful . I posted 1 video of the exhaust so far .

[@Bangkok-ik1fp]

excellent excellent excellent job! I'm taking you on my next purchase!

[@gilsmiths]

I have a 68 Mustang but these videos still hold true for other cars as well. I have never seen it mentioned on the web yet but I used a small digital camera for cowl inspection through the heater box. Mount it to a telescopic pole and rotate while on burst mode and you get some pretty good shots. Can work on drivers side too if the camera is small enough.

[@henrietn]

Man this video Is worth gold !

[@jempie93]

I'm picking up my first Cougar tomorrow. It's a 1968 289 auto car with manual brakes in pretty rough shape but totally free. It comes with a whole second front clip along with extra doors, the original motor in pieces which is junk form sitting apart, a few C4s, most of the interior, grill, lights, quarter extensions, ect.

[@brianeastman3547]

Awesome job man

[@pjesf]

This was fascinating 👍🏻

[@genebaldwin2941]

I just bought my 1st Cougar a 1968 base model non numbers matching off Craigslist Phoenix, site unseen (other than pictures), I did send my buddy's brother in law to broker the deal. It's on a transport headed my way, should be here in Illinois Wednesday. I'm sure we'll be doing business soon, as I believe it to be nice, but far from perfect.

[@coffeefish]

Tons of great advise. This is must see youtube.

[@BestTits]

it actually looks really good

[@howardbenoit7474]

love that cougar

[@MickeyValentineA]

Going to pick up a 390 X-code tomorrow for $4,800, this video has helped a lot on what to look for. I had a C-code Mustang but there's things on Cougars, like the hood, that are harder to come by. Thanks for this vid :D Although it has been a year, do you still plan on doing a mechanical go-over of a 67-71 Cougar?

[@coreyjones1518]

Thank you for the info.

[@seanr1013q]

appreciate you brother!

[@mrgitarman]

Great video. If I could pick one cougar this would be it. Just right color and year for me. I wish more people would drive classic cars like this and enjoy them. They are not all extinct but mostly only for show anymore. I dive my Challenger and it's fine it's not perfect. It turns heads anyway and I don't have to be that careful.

[@Donny.C.wlWilliams]

Thanks Don

[@jerrywilson4795]

Now I won't sleep tonight after just getting a nice looking 67 but not watching this video first ! One of the good things is a lot of receipts from your company - ouch ! but I'm sure that's not the end of the story ! It's in the shop for 3 day's , mostly suspension /steering ! Getting that look from the wife ! "COUGAR FOR SALE"

[@Tommerd]

I want to time-travel back to '67 or can Mercury retool their factories and sell them special interest or something the way they originally were done? I'd buy one in a heartbeat.

[@B1970T]

This guy is Cougar God , unsurpassed by none.

[@evanpaul2869]

super good thanks but im really looking forward to the mechanical one thanks!

[@deuce3478]

The VIN not matching is the deal breaker for me. Logic tells me that car is staying in Oregon, unless there are States that will not inspect the VIN, or let the door plate slide for identification? I suppose if it was a Mustang number on the apron, and missing the door plate, it would be a big red flag. Great job on the Video Don. You remind me of my old boss at the Triumph/BSA/Norton shop. Your knowledge and skills rock.

[@howardbenoit7474]

you're a smart man

[@PhilXR7Cat]

Nice video. Now I just have to take a look at my '67 XR7 and either smile or cringe. I already know a few problem areas and hopefully don't find many more. Would have like to have seen some footage from some junkyard cars regarding some of the rust issues, like the cowl and back window . Just a quibble on my part

lotta details, what was the mechanical video?

[@DJayFreeDoo]

I need to matrix download your knowledge. Because some day i want to get this car.

[@70goldtop]

I think if you add up all the times he said "not a deal breaker" kind of make it a deal breaker.

[@boardgamedesignsmanufacturing]

Don, any advise on how to prevent the rust from forming around the rear window moulding?

[@WestCoastClassicCougar]

+Michael Skulls - Only drive your car indoors?

[@boardgamedesignsmanufacturing]

lol

[@macanmurda2001]

22:26 his face when then guy sneezed ,🤣🤣 no bless u ?? 🤣🤣

[@stephengrahn9361]

67 289 xr7 is my favorite

[@mikealvarez3922]

How much would this particular car be worth today? I believe I saw it at a dealership

[@wolfeman351]

I lovw the vids. Bought more than one part from you guys. Think about getting a tv show? Heck, goof balls that make ducks have a show.

[@mrgitarman]

These cars were powerful and didn't handle well usually. And run on polyglass tires. No wonder they had wrecks. My Challenger has been through several events with me alone and I drive very well.

[@leighallman1]

Hi guys i have found a 68 Cougar with 302 Auto in the Netherlands that i plan to buy & ship back to SW France. It has been painted in XR7 blue around 10 years ago & is gleaming..apart from a small rust spot in front of rear wheel & bottom of 1 door where the rubber is gone on the windows. regarding the rear wheel area is this a big repair? any help would be great Leigh

[@WestCoastClassicCougar]

A competent body shop should be able to fix it pretty easily, if it's just a small spot. Not sure if you have many people who do this kind of work in France though.

[@ndrwcarter4]

hey @West Coast Classic Cougar, do you think it would be worth it to restore a 1967 base model cougar with a 289, and a 3 speed in the floor transmission, its kinda rusty and the only reason i was considering getting it is because of the floor shift transmission by the way, it is numbers matching

[@WestCoastClassicCougar]

Depends on what you mean by "worth it." If it's a car you want to keep and enjoy and make it your own, then sure, go for it. '67 Cougars are inherently cool. But if you're hoping to sell it for a profit, don't get your hopes up. You'll spend more than it's worth. It's all about the enjoyment though. The good thing about a stick shift car is that it's easier to upgrade it to a 4-speed or even a modern 5-speed (T5 for example).

[@ndrwcarter4]

oh alright but yeah i didnt know quite how vaaluable they were, but by the way its an ivy frost exterior,and interior car.

[@garywood9525]

West Coast Classic Cougar I was not pleased to see the FORD stopped using the Manual shift in the F-150 because in my area when we get about 8" of snow you can control the torque to the wheels and rock the truck out of a rut with the base model RWD . The new 6 and 8 speed Automatics seems great but I've heard Transmission shop horror stories that it's not uncommon to pay $4000.00 to fix a high tech tranny after the warranty expires . My view is that I can buy a new manual transmission for what the automatic might cost just to fix while it's still a used used unit unless its a full rebuild. Go with a standard because it can also be easier to convert to a auto with the console shift and removing the clutch pedal. FORD offered the manual shift in their Thunderbirds up to 1960 , but very few people wanted one on a car for that price when the square birds from 58-60 pushed the luxury 4 seater image. But I would have ordered a manual in 1960 and knowing me for my taste I would have got the 430 Lincoln engine and rare Sun roof.

[@Mikhail-Tkachenko]

I have a 1967 Cougar, 289, 2bbl, 3 speed. Trying to figure out if the 3spd floor shifter is factory or not. Is there a way to tell? The man who owned the dealership when the car was sold in late 1966 told me he remembers selling my specific Cougar and that it's factory. However this man is 98 years old, so I'd like to see if there's additional evidence I might be able to figure out.

[@WestCoastClassicCougar]

Order the Marti Report for your car. It will give you the production info about your car, where it was sold, and more: www.martiauto.com/martireports.cfm

[@johncronin5311]

Great

[@davidjimenez933]

My 67 had pebble stone seats i never saw another cougar with those seats

[@scott1977ful]

I have a '67 wish i had the money to restore it.

[@renesagahon4477]

Me too!

[@ODiddy67]

I'm planning to look for numbers which are NOT matching. I can't break up a good matching numbers car with what I want to build, etc. It'd be terrible to destroy a 40+ year old car which has made it this far.

[@hansonschmid9548]

I found a 70 Cougar on ebay a while ago with a numbers matching 315 Cleveland and Hurst 3 speed manual transmission, is that a rare option, I know I've never seen one before.

[@ndrwcarter4]

you do mean 351 cleveland right

[@hansonschmid9548]

yes, I'm sorry spell correction got me on that one

[@garywood9525]

About 6 years ago an old couple that had a lawn sale also had their 1968 Green XR7 in the driveway they were selling. It had black interior and well kept because this was a nice area with well kept homes and garaged cars so the paint was original and nice as was the inside and lower body with no signs of rust repairs. They insisted they bought it new as a 1967 but the door Tag had the 8 for the year and I reached up steering column to feel for the 1968 collapsing unit that we had on out 68 Torino . It had the 68 steering wheel and mandatory shoulder belt for 68 like our Torino and the mandatory 68 side makers. They may have bought it in the fall of 67 , but I never have seen a 67 Mustang or Cougar with so many year end additions from the new model change- over when the older engines run out of stock . I've seen the odd early engine or alternators added in for the next year from a long production year into August , but the VIN code said 68 plus all the changes.

[@johnross8996]

Gary wood We

[@jamesguralski5156]

What's a far price for that yellow cougar?

[@donrush5690]

$18k as of 3-25-19 IMHO

[@tonystone8902]

Well, I have a '67 Cougar XR-7 GT . S code 390 ( Ford S code - not Merc S code ) with factory installed Holley 4150 dual feed, C6, and color code T : Candy Apple Red. One of 26 '67 XR-7 GT'S still known left to exist according to the CCOA database. As virtually all the S codes were 4 speeds, mine is probably one of one w/ the color code T.

[@tonystone8902]

+Scott S Not Color code T, FORD S code - not S code Merc - and a C6. No fuckin way. Mine was the ONLY one of one. ....... man, 3 Boss 429 Rancheros made it out the back door in 1970. No proof of their existence. I'm telling you what I got,. And she is 1 of 1.

[@tonystone8902]

+Tony Stone NO BULLSHIT, it's in my garage & still ROCKS. Needs a rebuild. ///// Cougar & Mustang assemble lines were side by side. Z code _ Mustang // W code = Cougar, For some reason, my XR-7 GT was given the Ford S code. CCOA says no such Cougar was ever built. //// But I got the proof and the XR-7 GT IN da garage. Challenge anyone v to prove they have another one.............. exactly Factory built as mine.

[@tonystone8902]

+Scott S Color Code T was Candy Apple Red. The rarest color code. Like I said, my XR7-GT is one of one. Even burnt out, it's a $!6,500 car.

[@mrgitarman]

This is meant for not getting the shaft by those who market a car hiding issues. Price point correct is another thing

[@Cougar111469]

I have it listed in the Los Angeles Craigslist "Cars + Trucks" section under the heading "1968 Mercury Cougar XR7 Project- $1000" . All the pertinent info is there. If anyone is interested in it let me know. I did a lot of work to it at one time and bought a bunch of stuff for it. I'd hate to see it get crushed, but I just can't hold onto it any longer.

[@easports5103]

Still got this ?

[@scottymizzo415]

hey do you have any cougars for sale looking for a 1966-67?

[@WestCoastClassicCougar]

We do not currently have any cars for sale, but you can check out our page that shows Cougars others have for sale: secure.cougarpartscatalog.com/Classic-Cougars-For-Sale.html. Another good place to check is the ClassicCougarCommunity.com Marketplace: classiccougarcommunity.com/forum/viewforum.php?f=9

[@seanfagan6998]

What do you think your gonna get for 10gs The car is 50 years old.

[@terryward4679]

Mines got none of these problems,original,no body work,numbers match all original,no rust,whats it worth?

[@WestCoastClassicCougar]

+Terry Ward Sounds nice! Probably your best bet to get opinions on value would be to join the Classic Cougar Community Forum ( classiccougarcommunity.com/forum/ ) and post some pictures and info there. There are a bunch of Cougar experts there (including some of us) who would be happy to weigh in and discuss it.

[@robertpetricko4846]

Sexiest and Classiest Car Ever!!!

[@Cougar111469]

Nice rides, man. I've got a sad, basket-case '68 XR7 that I've owned since 1990. It was my daily driver and weekend drag racer until 1999 when the engine blew. I've tried for years to restore it completely, but between my other car projects and being the dutiful only son of aging parents, that task has become impossible. I can't afford to store it anymore. If it doesn't sell soon, the next step is charity donation or the scrapyard. Anyone interested?

[@easports5103]

I’ll take it

[@CRXJDM88]

I am sry but I have to disagree with this video if you net pick everything on a 67 /68 you are better off not buy an older car it is physically impossible in this timeframe to find a car that's all original with all the papers and still looking really good my uncle got a67 it was in a big hit in 96 he brought it back with a sledgehammer straining out the frame and radiator support. But still look good

[@0rvelazqu]

What if your want to build a hot rod!

[@WestCoastClassicCougar]

Body damage and rust issues still apply, but of course all the originality / correctness stuff doesn't matter much in that case...

[@troymunson631]

I owned a 1967 Cougar XR7,I wanted to buy another but after watching this video I am dead set against it.Too many rust areas and too hard to get parts.

[@WestCoastClassicCougar]

50 year old cars are not for everyone!

[@mrgitarman]

Just be like me and don't let rust and imperfections keep you from enjoyment

[@him89]

can I work for you?

[@waxcactu]

wow if you put all the non deal breakers together i wouldn't touch it with a barge pole

[@troymunson631]

Bad feature replacing the heater hose you have to drop the heater no simple job.

[@oliasofsunhillow7116]

From the fan, water gets in under the front of the hood!

[@henryhiggins2021]

13:29 he's just dying to have a dig in there .

[@D-FIANT415]

I'd hate for you to inspect mine🙁

[@Bangkok-ik1fp]

D Money but you would like to know all of this before you bought it

[@jaredbridgeman246]

Lesson learned, be careful buying a classic car, especially off eBay!!!

[@tonystone8902]

I've never heard of ANY color code denoted by a number. Mercury used letters of the alphabet, not numbers.

[@wanyelewis9667]

Esthetically, they were nice cars. But they really weren't well-built, or made to last decades...like most cars today. There are more poorly designed or poorly drained areas where rust can develop than you can shake a stick at. I had a '67 XR-7 in for my last couple years of college and a few years afterward. It eventually rusted out so badly that the driver's side floor board was gone and the brake lines leaked.

[@clarktferrill]

If you say not a deal breaker...One more time... Samuel L.Jackson.

[@BUSTER.BRATAMUS]

looking at a 67 GT,, your video is scaring me away!! Yikes

[@jecrpalier]

Unfortunately these vids are for collectors. The average driver is in a lot worse shape than this car. Also do u want to drive your car or hang it on a wall like some jackoff. Drive it dent it rot it out. It's made to be used not worshiped. It's a car not an art piece. Good god what a joke

[@coffeefish]

He said again and again, don't let this stop you from buying the car. The inspection of the car should just protect a buyer from paying 15K for a car that's only worth 8K. I could own and drive one worth 4k and be perfectly happy.

[@jecrpalier]

coffeefish no car u buy is going to be in that good a shape at 50yrs old. Besides. 4K for a good running driver. Sure. Good luck finding that. You findnone running. Good paint. Nice wheels. I think not. You'll have a butchered car with parts off anywhere and plenty of problems. Besides the idiots who want these cars restored in pristine condition for 8k. Your a fool tnhinking your gonna get that level for 8. Your gonna get a pretty beat up driver for 8

[@jecrpalier]

coffeefish car wS restored pretty damm well. I have a 2013 I bet that has more shit wrong with it than this car. Love the Dofus people that don't know what it will take to get to to that level.

[@jecrpalier]

And then want one of these fully working well not rust no rot no paint flaws for 4K. Tell me more bullshit

[@coffeefish]

jecrpalier What are you talking about? You could not have misunderstood my comment more. I meant that I could drive around a 4K dollar clunker and be perfectly happy. Some buyers have more to spend, that's fine with me too.