1970 Mercury Cougar XR7 Hardtop 351 Cleveland V8 Automatic Classic Vintage Colle

When Mustangs grow up, they want to be Cougars. With the same long nose, short deck styling as the Mustang, but in a slightly larger, more luxurious package, this 1970 Mercury Cougar XR7 offers grown-up performance for people who like a little luxury with their muscle. Of course, perks like A/C, a vinyl top, and an automatic transmission only help the Cougar's case, and this one has the bonus of having been used in the film "Driving Miss Daisy." Cool,... right? Recently refinished in what appears to be its original code 2 Light Ivy Yellow, the Cougar's lines are clean and instantly recognizable. From the finned front grille and hidden headlights to the kick-up behind the doors, it looks powerful. It doesn't have any add-ons or stripes, which we like, and the crease that runs from nose to the rear wheel arches gives it a tight look that Mustangs lack. The beautifully restored vinyl top fits well and looks great, with no wrinkles or tears in the material. The paint is well applied over super straight sheetmetal, and the bright finish reveals that a lot of time was invested in getting everything blocked and flat. All the chrome and trim has been polished up or replaced, proper Cougar badges affixed to the quarters, and the full-width taillight is in superb condition. The all-black interior was the most popular choice in 1970, and it still looks awesome today. The seats and door panels might just be original, and maybe even the carpets, which are showing some age. Nothing major, mind you, and it would be a mistake to restore anything. The gauges show bright, clear markings and a tach is a nice find in a luxury-oriented car like this. Options include factory A/C (needs to be serviced), a console with a T-handle shifter, and a rim-blow horn that has a reasonably convincing woodgrain to it. The aftermarket AM/FM/cassette stereo radio works properly and is a nice upgrade, and for the 1970s, that was state-of-the-art in in-car entertainment. Even the trunk is nicely finished with a reproduction mat and full-sized spare tire. Power for the big cat comes from a 351 cubic inch "Cleveland" V8, which is a perfect fit in the Cougar's engine bay. A 4-barrel carburetor gives the big Cat surprisingly sharp reflexes and a big hit of power at almost any speed. It has been recently detailed with Ford Blue paint, reproduction decals, and a few other bits that keep it looking authentic. The rest of the engine bay is tidy, and you could work on taking it up another notch without too much effort. Underneath, the chassis is clean and well-maintained, with a great-sounding dual exhaust system whose tips are just barely visible beneath the rear valence, again emphasizing the Cougar's subtle muscularity. The C4 3-speed automatic transmission shifts cleanly and there's a fresh gas tank hanging out back. Factory steel wheels carry standard hubcaps and a set of 215/70/14 Uniroyal whitewall radials. The car is nicely documented with proof that it was used as Morgan Freeman's daughter's car in "Driving Miss Daisy" and we have to admit we like the combination of Mustang DNA and big car luxury that this Cougar represents. Call today!