Hi Larry, Happy to read this car brings back memories of your 1st Cougar smell :-) Thank you for viewing and sharing. Hope you see many cars on this Channel you enjoy! Please Subscribe, and hit the "bell" so you can see all the cars when they are uploaded on this TH-cam Channel, Lou
In April 1968 my folks were buying a 68 Colony Park wagon. I was 17 at the time out in the show room looking around. Lo and behold there was a new Red with a black vinyl roof 68 Cougar GTE 7L with a 427 in the boiler room. Had a 427 High Performance Premium fuel sticker on the chrome air cleaner . It even had a moon roof.
Wow. Just wow! What a nice car. When I was a child, I remember my Dad running out to the street yelling at the guy in a car just like this one, to slow down... lol. Thank you as always Lou. Have a nice weekend Brother.
A friend I grew up with his dad was a Ford collector and restored a 69 Cougar with a 351 Cleveland motor and it was balanced and blueprinted and gave it to my friend for a graduation gift but he gave it to him in the beginning of the school years in 1988 and when it was done he found me before class and asked if I wanted to cut and have fun in his Cougar and I of course said HELL YEAH!!! and I'm almost certain by the end of the day he was needing new tires but what a great day it was.
Hi yavin99, Happy to read this car brings back memories of your Friends Dad's car :-) Thank you for viewing and sharing. Hope you see many cars on this Channel you enjoy! Please Subscribe, and hit the "bell" so you can see all the cars when they are uploaded on this TH-cam Channel, Lou
I owned a ‘67 XR7, small block, but plenty of power unless you were into racing. The XR7 interior gauge package and toggle switches were purposely designed to have a European sports car flair. Mine was the golden sage color with black vinyl top. Absolutely beautiful. It was a bit of a lemon, though. Always struggled with cooling problems and after the third road trip that stranded me, I traded it. I’d take it back in a heartbeat now! Thanks, Lou. ~ John
This car was what the late 60's American automobiles were all about.They combined luxury and speed, their only flaw was with no overdrive, they quaffed 'hitest' leaded gas like it was going out of style. I was 15 at the time, cars with words like HEMI, Cobra Jet, 4-4-2, and Super Duty grabbed me like flies to honey. Seems that I'm not the only one, look at the auction prices on these cars now. :))
At the encouragement of my late father, my older brother purchased a new “basic” 1968 Mercury Cougar hardtop. With a 289 V8 engine, automatic transmission, AM radio, power steering and brakes, it was a beautiful “burgundy wine colour” with matching interior, and “two-tone white painted top.” I remember well the day fifty-one year’s ago when they were checking it out in our garage at home. Captivated by the styling of the car, I recall the “new car smell” as I sat on its vinyl bucket seats. My dad was very impressed with the peppiness of the engine, but it came at a cost. The sheet metal on the car was ridiculously thin. So much so in fact, that when Dad leaned against the rear fender, he put a dent in it! I noticed the roof emblem on your XR-7 was “sunken in,” which seems to confirm that unfortunate characteristic. Still though, it was a sporty and beautifully-styled car, and thank you for sharing your story.
Hi Fred Kelbert, Thank you for viewing, and happy to read this video reminds you of your Brothers car, and appreciate you sharing the details of his car :-) Regarding sharing this story, you're welcome, Lou
So cool to see a GTE in Augusta Green. My very first car was a standard ‘68 with 302-2V in the same color. This car is 2nd only to the sister 427 W-code version on the Cougar Apex Predator list. Btw, The ceiling panel and map lights you showed were not “custom to this car” but part of the XR-7 package. The main distinguishing appearance features special to the GTE are the grille trim and side trim. ALL GTEs had argent paint as the lower body color. Joe Valenti is well-known in classic Cougar circles for owning some PRIMO cats!!! Thanks for sharing this marvelous car!
My Dad bought a xr7-G 428 from the owner of the dealership in Orange County Calif. Dealer bought it for himself but decided to sell it, it was actually still new with like a hundred miles on it. Light yellow, side badges said 7.2 liter, had hood tie down wires, calf skin bucket seats and interior with walnut (not fake) dash and interior. had extra interior lights. I drove it to our local dairy a few times to buy milk, think it was 50 cents half gallon. Had electric moon roof also and automatic on the floor shifter. It seems it had some type of leather top too. He sold it to some young kid my age on our street in Westminster for $1400. I should have bought it i was driving a VW bug. I soon after got my draft notice and went to Viet Nam with the 173rd airborne brigade.
Hi Brian, Happy to read this car brings back memories of your Dads car :-) Thank you for viewing and sharing. Hope you see many cars on this Channel you enjoy! Please Subscribe, and hit the "bell" so you can see all the cars when they are uploaded on this TH-cam Channel, Lou
I love the first years of the Cougar body's 67-68 before they got too bloated. You see quite a few XR-7's but not the GTE packages. This being a 1 of 2 car is really special. Sadly even at Carlisle, you have to stay close to your car or small detachable items can walk off with a unscrupulous person. Great video.
Dr Valenti also had a 1970 Mercury Cougar Eliminator, with a 428 Super Cobra Jet drive-train that was period correct. He sold it at the Scottsdale West Coast Cougar Club. It was immaculate and I had bid on it but lost by $7000 so I bid on and bought a little cheaper 1968 Cougar XR-7 that was exactly like the one I owned in while in the army in 1968-71 instead. This is an incredible all original find you made here, Lou. There were very few 1968 428CJs made. The 427 had a side oiler but even less of those were made for the Cougar.
Oh Lou you know me I am a cougar lover! This with the blemishes still.makes my heart race. This man that tells about the car is so knowledgeable! I just love this survivor with all the blemishes too. I love cougars better than mustangs always did as a kid too. Just a spectacular old car I love it and the originality too Lou! Thanks for showing this to us!
This is the car I fell in love with when I was Ten years old! One of my sister's boyfriend's drove one and they snuck me into the Drive-in theater in the trunk LoL beautiful car!
Hi Curtis, Happy to read you fell in love with this car at 10 years old :-) Thank you for viewing, sharing and I believe you're going to see many more cars on this Channel you'll enjoy. Hope you Subscribe, and hit the "bell" so you can see all the cars when they are uploaded on this TH-cam Channel, Lou
WOW thanks again for another great Cougar. Same car as my "67 minus the GTE. I fell in love with the XR7 interior, best looking dash in an American car. Those toggle switches wouldn't be legal today but they looked so cool back then and I miss the vent windows. I forgot how nice the interior was. Thanks
How Ford could make some of the most mundane dashes and their sistership Mercurey could just kill it perplexes me...ever see the the dash on a '70 Cyclone GT? KILLER!
They used to do the Ford Motorsport Nationals at Maple Grove Raceway in the mid 80s, and it lasted all weekend. They also used to do an annual Chevy show at Maple Grove, called "Super Chevy Sunday". I was into Fords, but I had a buddy who was a Chevy guy, so each of us bit the bullet and agreed to accompany the other to see these 2 shows.
HI HighlanderNorth1, Thank you for viewing and sharing your knowledge, and happy to read this car brings back fun memories :-) Hope you see many cars on this Channel you enjoy! Please Subscribe, and hit the "bell" so you can see all the cars when they are uploaded on this TH-cam Channel, Lou
A cat that doesn’t meow but roars‼️ 🦁 A beauty! I never noticed it back then but I can see the close similarities to the mustang, so different and so much alike.
Thanks for the video. My dad had a navy blue on blue leather1968 XR7 302 that I remember so well. I was only five at the time. Thanks for the flashback.
Hi Michael, Happy to read this car brings back memories of your Dads car :-) Thank you for viewing, sharing, and you're welcome. Hope you see many cars on this Channel you enjoy! Please Subscribe, and hit the "bell" so you can see all the cars when they are uploaded on this TH-cam Channel, Lou
1968 Cougar Great classic car . This Cougar is an original survivor . It's one of the best Cougars ever manufactured . Great car LOU. Appreciate your hard work sharing all great classics . Wish you all the best and success . LOU please have a great successful business week. Thanks so much. Kind regards HISHAM ELFIKI
HI Hisham Elfiki, Glad you like this "great classic survivor" :-) High praise. Received successful business week, and wishing you the same. Thank you for viewing, and sharing, Lou
Hi Mike, Happy to read this car brings back memories of your Step Dads car :-) Like this one? th-cam.com/video/tQB4NwhP2JU/w-d-xo.html Thank you for viewing and sharing. Hope you see many cars on this Channel you enjoy! Please Subscribe, and hit the "bell" so you can see all the cars when they are uploaded on this TH-cam Channel, Lou
I live in Auburn Maine and I remember the Park Motor Mart on Center Street very well. Steve Cardelli the owner had many famous T.V. commercials where he would smash sticker prices on the windshield of a car with a sledge hammer! He got into trouble with changing the mileage on his cars and he closed up not long after. It's a tire & auto supply store now.
Very nice vehicle. I always wanted a gold colored 1968 Cougar xR7 after seeing my older brother’s friend owning one in the late 1970’s. I think it had the 396 CID big block where you needed to jack up the motor in order to change the spark plugs! 😊😮
Hi Ari, Happy to read this car brings back memories of your Older Brothers Friends car :-) Thank you for viewing and sharing. Hope you see many cars on this Channel you enjoy! Please Subscribe, and hit the "bell" so you can see all the cars when they are uploaded on this TH-cam Channel, Lou
The Cougar was way ahead of it's time with lights that turn in sequence and fold down headlamps, why don't cars have that now? Such a thing of beauty they were.
Hi Dl Franklin, Happy to read you appreciate this car :-) Thank you for viewing, sharing and I believe you're going to see many more cars on this Channel you'll enjoy. Hope you Subscribe, and hit the "bell" so you can see all the cars when they are uploaded on this TH-cam Channel, Lou
It boggles my mind how a car survived through over 5 DECADES and remained that pretty. That thing is gorgeous. I wish my body had held up that well over the last 50 years.
Another great classic car and video, Lou, thanks. Wondering about the back story on this particular “survivor”, I’m always curious regarding how (and who) managed to keep the vehicle original like that for all those years. I had a 1991 Mazda MX-5 from new I vowed to keep forever but was also (fortunately and unfortunately) my daily for many years until it just finally rusted and (very very sadly) wore out around 2013.
I had 68 1/2 Cougar 500GT pace car 428 R code 4 spd Holman moody prepped staggered shock. Was told by Cougar club of America that possible a 40 were made. Built to pace on southern race car circuit & sold after race to Ford dealers
Hi welcome to reality, Happy to read this car brings back memories of your car :-) Thank you for viewing and sharing. Hope you see many cars on this Channel you enjoy! Please Subscribe, and hit the "bell" so you can see all the cars when they are uploaded on this TH-cam Channel, Lou
Very unique car Lou,thank you so much for taking time to send me the link to it.I have learned something new today about these cars,and I truly love to learn all i can about all classic cars,thanks again for your wonderful channel
Hi Kenny Ellis, We have a similar passion to learn about these cars :-) You're on the right TH-cam Channel because the Care Takers of these cars will know the most about them. Glad you're along for the ride, and you're welcome, Lou
The "blacked-out" tail light chrome bars was also an XR-7 GT-E 7.0 Litre exclusive feature, along with the featured grill and side, color-dividing chrome strips.
Hi John, Thank you for viewing and sharing your knowledge. Hope you see many more cars on this TH-cam Channel you enjoy. Please subscribe, and hit the "bell" so you can see all the cars when they are uploaded on this TH-cam Channel, Lou
@@loucostabile Since I owned one of these ... in 'Caribbean Blue' ... my knowledge of the vehicle's unique features is direct. I had wanted to order one with the 428 CJ from the L-M dealer where I worked, but they had this 427 one sitting in the back lot inventory (it drew no sales interest while displayed on showroom floor 😐), and they literally "made me an offer I couldn't refuse." 😃 Unfortunately, this meant no A/C and no 4-Speed ... both being unavailable in the 427 version of the 7.0 Litre. 😒 I subsequently "upgraded" it with the 735 cfm CJ Holley carb and complete Ram-Air system ... including the fully-functional CJ hood scoop ... painted 'Argent' to match the lower color of the 7.0 Litre's body motif. Ultimately traded it in for a '69 Boss 302 Mustang at the Ford dealer I worked for the very next year ... and traded that for a "left over" '70 Boss 429 at my 3rd dealership job a mere 18 months later. (Kept "trading up" in my dealership jobs ... along with my Ford Performance vehicles. 🙂)
The 68 GT-E is my favorite Cougar ever made...although I prefer the early production ones that came equipped with a 390 horsepower 427 side oiler over the later 428CJ equipped versions. Such a beautiful car. I'll take this car over a 68 Mustang 428CJ any day of the week. Always preferred Mercury's over Ford's
@@ragimundvonwallat8961 I'm actually a Mopar guy but I always preferred Mercury over Ford. I always thought 67-70 Cougar's were beautifully styled cars. I'd much rather have this car than a 68 Mustang 428 CJ. I'd really love to have one of the 68 Cougar GT- E's with the 427 Side Oiler...or a 70 Cyclone with the 429 SCJ-4 speed and the 3.91 rear axle. I always loved the looks of the 70 Cyclone. One of the meanest looking muscle cars of that era between the stance and the gun sight grille. A few other Merc's I'd love to have are a 69-70 Cougar Eliminator BOSS 302, a 64 Marauder 427-4 speed, and a 58 Monterey with the 400 horsepower 430 Super Marauder engine with 3 x 2 bbl carbs...the very first American production car with a 400 horsepower factory rating and a one year only engine option. And 49-51 Merc's are one of my all time favorites. My dad had a 50 Merc convertible.
My Dad had a softball team and my uncle (his brother ) was a manager. They was playing in a tournament out of town. Uncle left his 67’ Cougar with Mom. We went to a wedding that night and I asked Mom for the keys. Lol she handed them right over. My brother and another friend we get the car and was just joy riding at a slow pace but I was only 14 without a license so we drove one square block over and over through a alley and around again and again. Then we came to alley and there was a man waiting for us. He screamed at us and I hit the gas lol omg. That car took off like a rocket. I parked the car after that.
I owned a 67 Cougar back in 1974.It was the XR7 model with automatic and 289 V8. It had the XR7 automatic shift console that followed up under the dash to the radio with a chrome slide door right under the radio On the open highway it rode same as a cadillac and most of us owners considered them to be smaller lincolns. Those cars were closer to a lincoln than a ford.They actually were a lincoln in reality. Many millennial gen persons rank them with the at time mustangs, and that is just not true. They were unibody yes, but so was the 4 door luxury mercedes benz And the 289 V8 by mercury in my cougar as others, was not the same engine as the ford 289. The mercury 289 V8 back then had nickle mixed into the cast iron as to where the ford 289 did not . Also the sheet metal gauge on the cougar was 22 gauge as to where the mustang had 18 gauge sheet metal, and that makes the difference in sound deadener and just a harder car
Wowie Zowie. 67 & 68 Cougars were the best. Sadly, Mercury blimped them out after than. The XR7 was the "Lincoln" of pony cars. Thanks Lou and the owner of this beauty. 👍
Nice car. The XR7 logo at 5:26 looks like it was tightened too much or somebody popped it into place with too much force. You can see it in the paint depressed inwards.
Awesome car...ive owned three cougars myself. ...the only thing wrong with that one is the hood scoop....that one is off a 69 & 70 eliminator...the 68 had a twin snorkel scoop and no hood stripe
david rigli you’re not quite right in that regard. All 428 CJ Ram Air Cougars (R Code) in 1968 got that one year only hood scoop and black stripe. You are thinking of the XR7G and the 427 GTE which had the twin snorkel non functional hood scoops. Those two had slight differences from each other as well as not having the black hood stripe.
Amazing looking car realli liked these cougars I had a 68 cougar base model but damn everywhere I would go I would get comment specially when I would pump gas lol thanks lou for this video as always good job 👍🏽👍🏽
Hi mama aska, Thank you for viewing and sharing your knowledge. Hope you see many more cars on this TH-cam Channel you enjoy. Please subscribe, and hit the "bell" so you can see all the cars when they are uploaded on this TH-cam Channel, Lou
Hi Michael, Thank you for viewing and sharing your thought. Hope you see many more cars on this TH-cam Channel you enjoy. Please subscribe, and hit the "bell" so you can see all the cars when they are uploaded on this TH-cam Channel, Lou
Oh Lord! A Cobra Jet backed by a four speed! Now that's what I'm talking about! The things I would do to get a chance to row through the gear box that car or just to go for a ride. Really dig the Cougars over the Mustangs. What gear box did they come with? Keep up the great work Lou.
Hi Enemy of my Enemy, Happy to read this car brings back memories of your & your ex wifes cars :-) Thank you for viewing and sharing. Hope you see many cars on this Channel you enjoy! Please Subscribe, and hit the "bell" so you can see all the cars when they are uploaded on this TH-cam Channel, Lou
I would have ordered optional front seat headrests sooner than the xr7 pkg. Pollution air pump in '68? Must be Calif car. Odd there's no redline on tach, & oil press gage is way over on the right.
Hi Dennis Rivenburg, Happy to read you appreciate this car :-) Thank you for viewing, sharing and I believe you're going to see many more cars on this Channel you'll enjoy. Hope you Subscribe, and hit the "bell" so you can see all the cars when they are uploaded on this TH-cam Channel, Lou
Hi Jim T, Glad to receive a "Wow!" from you regarding the car. Regarding "a bit scruffy"....when you're cleaning a car for a show and a guy with a camera comes walking up and says "Hey, GREAT Car! Can we video it? When? Now!" and he agrees, your usually not all dressed up and ready for a video presentation :-) So you push your hair around, check your teeth that there is no salad in them and we video :-) I'm excited & pleased we get to share this rare Cougar with you, Lou
Classy classy cougar, beautiful style! And another green I love! Nice looking hood, the scoop is very cool, like that it's in black and love those emblems, they're great, they give it tude n a cougar gots to have some tude... or it's just another pussycat. Really sharp lookin ride n very fun vid! Thank you
Hi WIckedFireFly13, You're right one the emblems giving this one "tude" :-) It seems to make all the difference for this car. Thank you for sharing and you're welcome, Lou
Hi Lothar, Just the way we like it :-) Hope you see many more cars on this TH-cam Channel you enjoy. Please subscribe, and hit the "bell" so you can see all the cars when they are uploaded on this TH-cam Channel, Lou
Hi Colt 604, Well this one is not his car, and to make sure he gets to play with it again, probably good idea not to give it the kind of rev you or I might :-) Thanks for viewing & sharing, Lou P.S. Rev was not the problem in this video :-) Enjoy! th-cam.com/video/9Asc-6rRPGU/w-d-xo.html
I was 18 in 68 saw my first cougar the smell of leather ,an luxury,what a car wow!
Hi Larry, Happy to read this car brings back memories of your 1st Cougar smell :-) Thank you for viewing and sharing. Hope you see many cars on this Channel you enjoy! Please Subscribe, and hit the "bell" so you can see all the cars when they are uploaded on this TH-cam Channel, Lou
In April 1968 my folks were buying a 68 Colony Park wagon. I was 17 at the time out in the show room looking around. Lo and behold there was a new Red with a black vinyl roof 68 Cougar GTE 7L with a 427 in the boiler room. Had a 427 High Performance Premium fuel sticker on the chrome air cleaner . It even had a moon roof.
Hi Barry, Happy to read this one brings back memories of the car you remember :-) What a great car! Lou
Wow. Just wow! What a nice car. When I was a child, I remember my Dad running out to the street yelling at the guy in a car just like this one, to slow down... lol. Thank you as always Lou. Have a nice weekend Brother.
Hi Eagle Whitefeather01, Glad you receive a "Wow" from you. Great story about your Dad, thank you for sharing :-) Lou
A friend I grew up with his dad was a Ford collector and restored a 69 Cougar with a 351 Cleveland motor and it was balanced and blueprinted and gave it to my friend for a graduation gift but he gave it to him in the beginning of the school years in 1988 and when it was done he found me before class and asked if I wanted to cut and have fun in his Cougar and I of course said HELL YEAH!!! and I'm almost certain by the end of the day he was needing new tires but what a great day it was.
Hi yavin99, Happy to read this car brings back memories of your Friends Dad's car :-) Thank you for viewing and sharing. Hope you see many cars on this Channel you enjoy! Please Subscribe, and hit the "bell" so you can see all the cars when they are uploaded on this TH-cam Channel, Lou
👍My Dad had a '68 Cougar XR-7 with a 351 Cleveland & front to rear stabilizers. Beautiful!!! 🙂
Hi Janet, Happy to read this car brings back memories of your Dads car :-) Thank you for viewing and sharing, Lou
Cleveland did not come out until 1970.
Nice! This Cougar has it all. So glad it made the trip for you & the rest of us to see.
Hi TheGunfighter45acp, Agreed, I'm glad this car came to the show for us to see, Lou
I owned a ‘67 XR7, small block, but plenty of power unless you were into racing. The XR7 interior gauge package and toggle switches were purposely designed to have a European sports car flair. Mine was the golden sage color with black vinyl top. Absolutely beautiful. It was a bit of a lemon, though. Always struggled with cooling problems and after the third road trip that stranded me, I traded it. I’d take it back in a heartbeat now! Thanks, Lou. ~ John
Hi John, Happy to read this car brings back memories of your car :-) Thank you for viewing, sharing, and you're welcome, Lou
This car was what the late 60's American automobiles were all about.They combined luxury and speed, their only flaw was with no overdrive, they quaffed 'hitest' leaded gas like it was going out of style. I was 15 at the time, cars with words like HEMI, Cobra Jet, 4-4-2, and Super Duty grabbed me like flies to honey.
Seems that I'm not the only one, look at the auction prices on these cars now. :))
Hi Chris, Good times, good times :-) Lou
At the encouragement of my late father, my older brother purchased a new “basic” 1968 Mercury Cougar hardtop. With a 289 V8 engine, automatic transmission, AM radio, power steering and brakes, it was a beautiful “burgundy wine colour” with matching interior, and “two-tone white painted top.” I remember well the day fifty-one year’s ago when they were checking it out in our garage at home. Captivated by the styling of the car, I recall the “new car smell” as I sat on its vinyl bucket seats. My dad was very impressed with the peppiness of the engine, but it came at a cost. The sheet metal on the car was ridiculously thin. So much so in fact, that when Dad leaned against the rear fender, he put a dent in it! I noticed the roof emblem on your XR-7 was “sunken in,” which seems to confirm that unfortunate characteristic. Still though, it was a sporty and beautifully-styled car, and thank you for sharing your story.
Hi Fred Kelbert, Thank you for viewing, and happy to read this video reminds you of your Brothers car, and appreciate you sharing the details of his car :-) Regarding sharing this story, you're welcome, Lou
Cool friggin beans, bro👀👍😎
Hi Christopher, NICE! Lou
So cool to see a GTE in Augusta Green. My very first car was a standard ‘68 with 302-2V in the same color. This car is 2nd only to the sister 427 W-code version on the Cougar Apex Predator list. Btw, The ceiling panel and map lights you showed were not “custom to this car” but part of the XR-7 package. The main distinguishing appearance features special to the GTE are the grille trim and side trim. ALL GTEs had argent paint as the lower body color.
Joe Valenti is well-known in classic Cougar circles for owning some PRIMO cats!!! Thanks for sharing this marvelous car!
Hi Matt's Kustom Kreations, Happy to read this car brings back memories of your car :-) Thank you for viewing and sharing your knowledge, Lou
My Dad bought a xr7-G 428 from the owner of the dealership in Orange County Calif. Dealer bought it for himself but decided to sell it, it was actually still new with like a hundred miles on it. Light yellow, side badges said 7.2 liter, had hood tie down wires, calf skin bucket seats and interior with walnut (not fake) dash and interior. had extra interior lights. I drove it to our local dairy a few times to buy milk, think it was 50 cents half gallon. Had electric moon roof also and automatic on the floor shifter. It seems it had some type of leather top too. He sold it to some young kid my age on our street in Westminster for $1400. I should have bought it i was driving a VW bug. I soon after got my draft notice and went to Viet Nam with the 173rd airborne brigade.
Hi Brian, Happy to read this car brings back memories of your Dads car :-) Thank you for viewing and sharing. Hope you see many cars on this Channel you enjoy! Please Subscribe, and hit the "bell" so you can see all the cars when they are uploaded on this TH-cam Channel, Lou
My parents bought a 1967 XR 7. I was 15, loved it!!! By the way the Marti report says 3 were 4 speeds. Thks
Hi David, Happy to read this car brings back memories of your Parents car :-) Thank you for viewing, sharing, and you're welcome, Lou
I love the first years of the Cougar body's 67-68 before they got too bloated. You see quite a few XR-7's but not the GTE packages. This being a 1 of 2 car is really special. Sadly even at Carlisle, you have to stay close to your car or small detachable items can walk off with a unscrupulous person. Great video.
Hi Kenneth White, Glad you "love" the design of this one :-) Lou
Wow ! Low act indeed.
Dr Valenti also had a 1970 Mercury Cougar Eliminator, with a 428 Super Cobra Jet drive-train that was period correct. He sold it at the Scottsdale West Coast Cougar Club. It was immaculate and I had bid on it but lost by $7000 so I bid on and bought a little cheaper 1968 Cougar XR-7 that was exactly like the one I owned in while in the army in 1968-71 instead. This is an incredible all original find you made here, Lou. There were very few 1968 428CJs made. The 427 had a side oiler but even less of those were made for the Cougar.
Glad you enjoy the "rare Cougar" in the wild T.R. Freeman :-) Lou
T.R. Freeman damn, missed out on another huge gem SCJ cougars go for almost 6 figures 😅
It happened in 2013. The car was AMAZING!
Well ya know what they say...one man's poison another man's apple pie
Oh Lou you know me I am a cougar lover! This with the blemishes still.makes my heart race. This man that tells about the car is so knowledgeable! I just love this survivor with all the blemishes too. I love cougars better than mustangs always did as a kid too. Just a spectacular old car I love it and the originality too Lou! Thanks for showing this to us!
We have a Winner for you Steve Flad :-) You're welcome, Lou
Lou you sure do!
This is the car I fell in love with when I was Ten years old! One of my sister's boyfriend's drove one and they snuck me into the Drive-in theater in the trunk LoL beautiful car!
Hi Curtis, Happy to read you fell in love with this car at 10 years old :-) Thank you for viewing, sharing and I believe you're going to see many more cars on this Channel you'll enjoy. Hope you Subscribe, and hit the "bell" so you can see all the cars when they are uploaded on this TH-cam Channel, Lou
WOW thanks again for another great Cougar. Same car as my "67 minus the GTE. I fell in love with the XR7 interior, best looking dash in an American car. Those toggle switches wouldn't be legal today but they looked so cool back then and I miss the vent windows. I forgot how nice the interior was. Thanks
Hi BartRicky, Happy to receive a "WOW" from you :-) It's my pleasure to share with you and you're welcome, Lou
How Ford could make some of the most mundane dashes and their sistership Mercurey could just kill it perplexes me...ever see the the dash on a '70 Cyclone GT? KILLER!
The '68 GTE is my favorite Cougar ever...... especially the early production 427/4 bbl cars. Loved the BOSS 302 Eliminators though too
Hi Jeremy Thompson, Glad to read this Cougar is a favorite of yours :-) Lou
They used to do the Ford Motorsport Nationals at Maple Grove Raceway in the mid 80s, and it lasted all weekend. They also used to do an annual Chevy show at Maple Grove, called "Super Chevy Sunday". I was into Fords, but I had a buddy who was a Chevy guy, so each of us bit the bullet and agreed to accompany the other to see these 2 shows.
HI HighlanderNorth1, Thank you for viewing and sharing your knowledge, and happy to read this car brings back fun memories :-) Hope you see many cars on this Channel you enjoy! Please Subscribe, and hit the "bell" so you can see all the cars when they are uploaded on this TH-cam Channel, Lou
@@loucostabile
Thanks. I've been watching and occasionally leaving comments on your videos for at least 3-4 years now. Good content. 👍
Best looking Cougars. Much better than what came later on. Good choice Lou and a very rare find!!
Hi patty .s, Glad you enjoy the design of this one. Appreciate the kind words on the rare car choice, Lou
A cat that doesn’t meow but roars‼️ 🦁 A beauty! I never noticed it back then but I can see the close similarities to the mustang, so different and so much alike.
Happy to read you enjoy the looks and roar of this car / cat :-)
Hey Lou. Awesome looking car. I've always loved the styling of the 1st generation Mercury Cougar.
Hey Jason, Glad you enjoy this "amazing" car :-) Lou
Thanks for the video. My dad had a navy blue on blue leather1968 XR7 302 that I remember so well. I was only five at the time. Thanks for the flashback.
Hi Michael, Happy to read this car brings back memories of your Dads car :-) Thank you for viewing, sharing, and you're welcome. Hope you see many cars on this Channel you enjoy! Please Subscribe, and hit the "bell" so you can see all the cars when they are uploaded on this TH-cam Channel, Lou
had a 68 cougar 302 4 barrel dual exhaust with hidden and sequential lights, miss it terribly,but this is a just WOW!
Hi twas brillig. Sounds like you had a fun car :-) Thank you for viewing and sharing, Lou
1968 Cougar
Great classic car .
This Cougar is an original survivor .
It's one of the best Cougars ever
manufactured .
Great car LOU.
Appreciate your hard work sharing all great classics .
Wish you all the best and success .
LOU please have a great successful business week.
Thanks so much.
Kind regards
HISHAM ELFIKI
HI Hisham Elfiki, Glad you like this "great classic survivor" :-) High praise. Received successful business week, and wishing you the same. Thank you for viewing, and sharing, Lou
Amazing car and amazing that the gentleman being interviewed knew so much about a car that he didn’t own! Go Cougars!
Hi Terry Kowsaluk, Glad you find this one "amazing" :-) Hope you see many more cars on the Channel you'll enjoy, Lou
Thank you so much for this video. My first car was a 68 XR7. Had a 302 cu in. Beige with a black vinyl top. Identical interior. Great memories.
Happy to read this video reminded you of your 1st car :-) You're welcome, Lou
Awesome example of a premium ‘68 428 Cobra Jet Cougar
Hi Jim, High praise :-) Lou
I had a ‘69 XR-7 Cougar and a ‘69 mach 1 Mustang with almost every option including heated rear defroster, but have never seen power antenna w/light.
My step dad had a 67 390 4spd. Dan gurney special
Hi Mike, Happy to read this car brings back memories of your Step Dads car :-) Like this one? th-cam.com/video/tQB4NwhP2JU/w-d-xo.html Thank you for viewing and sharing. Hope you see many cars on this Channel you enjoy! Please Subscribe, and hit the "bell" so you can see all the cars when they are uploaded on this TH-cam Channel, Lou
Start up sounded great Lou! Wow 4 speed cougar ! Amazing
Hi Paul, Happy to read "Amazing" :-) Thank you for viewing and sharing, Lou
My favorite "Pony Car". Love the color and the 428 4 speed. Just great thanks Lou.
Hi Rich, Happy to read this one is a favorite of yours :-) You're welcome, Lou
I live in Auburn Maine and I remember the Park Motor Mart on Center Street very well. Steve Cardelli the owner had many famous T.V. commercials where he would smash sticker prices on the windshield of a car with a sledge hammer! He got into trouble with changing the mileage on his cars and he closed up not long after. It's a tire & auto supply store now.
Thank you for sharing your story Dennis Morin of Maine, Lou
Very nice vehicle. I always wanted a gold colored 1968 Cougar xR7 after seeing my older brother’s friend owning one in the late 1970’s. I think it had the 396 CID big block where you needed to jack up the motor in order to change the spark plugs! 😊😮
Hi Ari, Happy to read this car brings back memories of your Older Brothers Friends car :-) Thank you for viewing and sharing. Hope you see many cars on this Channel you enjoy! Please Subscribe, and hit the "bell" so you can see all the cars when they are uploaded on this TH-cam Channel, Lou
Very rare car indeed, from what I have read they only made 1 428 with the manual transmission in this car, very nice.
Hi Raymond, Happy to read you appreciate the rarity of this car :-) Lou
The Cougar was way ahead of it's time with lights that turn in sequence and fold down headlamps, why don't cars have that now? Such a thing of beauty they were.
Hi Dl Franklin, Happy to read you appreciate this car :-) Thank you for viewing, sharing and I believe you're going to see many more cars on this Channel you'll enjoy. Hope you Subscribe, and hit the "bell" so you can see all the cars when they are uploaded on this TH-cam Channel, Lou
Only 1 car still has the sequential turn signals: the Mustang.
Gorgeous Cat ! They don't come much rarer than this survivor ! Thanks Lou !
Hi Rudy, Happy to read you appreciate the rarity of this car :-) You're welcome, Lou
It boggles my mind how a car survived through over 5 DECADES and remained that pretty. That thing is gorgeous. I wish my body had held up that well over the last 50 years.
It’s so good to see these survivor Mercury’s I love them! Thanks for sharing.
Hi Thomas C, Glad you "love" this survivor :-) You're welcome, Lou
this is the holy grail 4 speed XR7 GTE the owner is one lucky man 😍👍
High praise :-)
Cougars were so elegant but could still be a beast. Nice find Lou
Hi FUBAR Model Yard, Glad you enjoy this "Fast Cat" :-) Lou
Another great classic car and video, Lou, thanks. Wondering about the back story on this particular “survivor”, I’m always curious regarding how (and who) managed to keep the vehicle original like that for all those years. I had a 1991 Mazda MX-5 from new I vowed to keep forever but was also (fortunately and unfortunately) my daily for many years until it just finally rusted and (very very sadly) wore out around 2013.
Hi Joe Rosen, Glad you enjoy the video. Sounds like you did your best to keep that Mazda running :-) Lou
I had 68 1/2 Cougar 500GT pace car 428 R code 4 spd Holman moody prepped staggered shock. Was told by Cougar club of America that possible a 40 were made. Built to pace on southern race car circuit & sold after race to Ford dealers
Hi welcome to reality, Happy to read this car brings back memories of your car :-) Thank you for viewing and sharing. Hope you see many cars on this Channel you enjoy! Please Subscribe, and hit the "bell" so you can see all the cars when they are uploaded on this TH-cam Channel, Lou
Really sharp. Thanks for the memories.My also Dad bought an XR7. I think it had the 351 w/automatic.
Hi Russell Simmons, Happy to read this car / video brings back memories of your Dad's car :-) Thank you for viewing and sharing, Lou
Very unique car Lou,thank you so much for taking time to send me the link to it.I have learned something new today about these cars,and I truly love to learn all i can about all classic cars,thanks again for your wonderful channel
Hi Kenny Ellis, We have a similar passion to learn about these cars :-) You're on the right TH-cam Channel because the Care Takers of these cars will know the most about them. Glad you're along for the ride, and you're welcome, Lou
The "blacked-out" tail light chrome bars was also an XR-7 GT-E 7.0 Litre exclusive feature, along with the featured grill and side, color-dividing chrome strips.
Hi John, Thank you for viewing and sharing your knowledge. Hope you see many more cars on this TH-cam Channel you enjoy. Please subscribe, and hit the "bell" so you can see all the cars when they are uploaded on this TH-cam Channel, Lou
@@loucostabile Since I owned one of these ... in 'Caribbean Blue' ... my knowledge of the vehicle's unique features is direct. I had wanted to order one with the 428 CJ from the L-M dealer where I worked, but they had this 427 one sitting in the back lot inventory (it drew no sales interest while displayed on showroom floor 😐), and they literally "made me an offer I couldn't refuse." 😃
Unfortunately, this meant no A/C and no 4-Speed ... both being unavailable in the 427 version of the 7.0 Litre. 😒
I subsequently "upgraded" it with the 735 cfm CJ Holley carb and complete Ram-Air system ... including the fully-functional CJ hood scoop ... painted 'Argent' to match the lower color of the 7.0 Litre's body motif.
Ultimately traded it in for a '69 Boss 302 Mustang at the Ford dealer I worked for the very next year ... and traded that for a "left over" '70 Boss 429 at my 3rd dealership job a mere 18 months later. (Kept "trading up" in my dealership jobs ... along with my Ford Performance vehicles. 🙂)
awesome now that's a performance car name, Lou thanks for posting this
Glad you enjoy this "awesome" one :-) You're welcome mad dog morgan, Lou
The 68 GT-E is my favorite Cougar ever made...although I prefer the early production ones that came equipped with a 390 horsepower 427 side oiler over the later 428CJ equipped versions. Such a beautiful car. I'll take this car over a 68 Mustang 428CJ any day of the week. Always preferred Mercury's over Ford's
same here, mercury is at the top of the hill for me
@@ragimundvonwallat8961 I'm actually a Mopar guy but I always preferred Mercury over Ford. I always thought 67-70 Cougar's were beautifully styled cars. I'd much rather have this car than a 68 Mustang 428 CJ. I'd really love to have one of the 68 Cougar GT- E's with the 427 Side Oiler...or a 70 Cyclone with the 429 SCJ-4 speed and the 3.91 rear axle. I always loved the looks of the 70 Cyclone. One of the meanest looking muscle cars of that era between the stance and the gun sight grille. A few other Merc's I'd love to have are a 69-70 Cougar Eliminator BOSS 302, a 64 Marauder 427-4 speed, and a 58 Monterey with the 400 horsepower 430 Super Marauder engine with 3 x 2 bbl carbs...the very first American production car with a 400 horsepower factory rating and a one year only engine option. And 49-51 Merc's are one of my all time favorites. My dad had a 50 Merc convertible.
Hi Jeremy Thompson, Happy to read this one is a favorite Cougar :-) Lou
My Dad had a softball team and my uncle (his brother ) was a manager. They was playing in a tournament out of town. Uncle left his 67’ Cougar with Mom. We went to a wedding that night and I asked Mom for the keys. Lol she handed them right over. My brother and another friend we get the car and was just joy riding at a slow pace but I was only 14 without a license so we drove one square block over and over through a alley and around again and again. Then we came to alley and there was a man waiting for us. He screamed at us and I hit the gas lol omg. That car took off like a rocket. I parked the car after that.
Great story Don'tell Gucci :-)
I'm drooling here.
Hi Nordveg Figg, You're 1) a "Car Person" & 2) on the right TH-cam Channel :-) Welcome, Lou
I owned a 67 Cougar back in 1974.It was the XR7 model with automatic and 289 V8. It had the XR7 automatic shift console that followed up under the dash to the radio with a chrome slide door right under the radio On the open highway it rode same as a cadillac and most of us owners considered them to be smaller lincolns. Those cars were closer to a lincoln than a ford.They actually were a lincoln in reality. Many millennial gen persons rank them with the at time mustangs, and that is just not true. They were unibody yes, but so was the 4 door luxury mercedes benz And the 289 V8 by mercury in my cougar as others, was not the same engine as the ford 289. The mercury 289 V8 back then had nickle mixed into the cast iron as to where the ford 289 did not . Also the sheet metal gauge on the cougar was 22 gauge as to where the mustang had 18 gauge sheet metal, and that makes the difference in sound deadener and just a harder car
Hi Earl Guyton, Thank you for viewing and sharing details on your 67 Cougar :-) Hope you see many more cars on this TH-cam Channel you'll enjoy, Lou
another beauty lou.....what a car.....nice...
Hi James, Happy to read you enjoy the looks of this car :-) Lou
Wowie Zowie. 67 & 68 Cougars were the best. Sadly, Mercury blimped them out after than. The XR7 was the "Lincoln" of pony cars. Thanks Lou and the owner of this beauty. 👍
"Wowie Zowie" Great comment :-) You're welcome, and glad you're along for the ride, Lou
Another great find Lou
Hi Vern, Happy to read you enjoy this car :-) Lou
My 68 XR7 Nickel dimed me . When it ran good , it was very good.
Hi robert morelli, Sounds like you had a cool costly car that was very good :-) Thank you for viewing and sharing, Lou
As a serious Cougar collector- this is the car we all dream of having 😂😂😂😂
Glad you enjoy and appreciate this one :-)
Nice car. The XR7 logo at 5:26 looks like it was tightened too much or somebody popped it into place with too much force. You can see it in the paint depressed inwards.
Hi damkayaker, Happy to read you like this "Nice car" :-) Thank you for viewing & sharing what you noticed, Lou
Awesome car...ive owned three cougars myself. ...the only thing wrong with that one is the hood scoop....that one is off a 69 & 70 eliminator...the 68 had a twin snorkel scoop and no hood stripe
Hi david rigli, Glad you're a Cougar Fan, and thank you for sharing your knowledge, Lou
david rigli you’re not quite right in that regard. All 428 CJ Ram Air Cougars (R Code) in 1968 got that one year only hood scoop and black stripe. You are thinking of the XR7G and the 427 GTE which had the twin snorkel non functional hood scoops. Those two had slight differences from each other as well as not having the black hood stripe.
Amazing looking car realli liked these cougars I had a 68 cougar base model but damn everywhere I would go I would get comment specially when I would pump gas lol thanks lou for this video as always good job 👍🏽👍🏽
Hi DAn Al, Glad you enjoy this one and consider the car "amazing" :-) Thank you for the kind words on the video, and you're welcome, Lou
Incredible machine
Glad you enjoy this one :-)
That's one beautiful muscle car.....
Glad you enjoy the looks of this car Branon Fontaine :-) Lou
Has everything but a/c. That is one option that should have been on this car
Hi mama aska, Thank you for viewing and sharing your knowledge. Hope you see many more cars on this TH-cam Channel you enjoy. Please subscribe, and hit the "bell" so you can see all the cars when they are uploaded on this TH-cam Channel, Lou
A Rembrandt - Picasso - Dali on 4 wheels .. Wow!
High praise :-)
Very nice :)
Glad you enjoy this one :-)
wow... early Cougar headlamp covers almost never open and close at the same time.
Hi Don, Kinda like they're winking :-) Lou
i had a427 gte great car wish i kept it
Hi David, Happy to read this car brings back memories of your car :-) Thank you for viewing and sharing, Lou
Hum he mentioned the 427 that’s the motor l like
Nice :-)
nice awesome cougar
Happy to read you enjoy this car :-)
I think that his left low-beam headlight was not working, when this 1968 Mercury Cougar GTE was recorded.
Hi Michael, Thank you for viewing and sharing your thought. Hope you see many more cars on this TH-cam Channel you enjoy. Please subscribe, and hit the "bell" so you can see all the cars when they are uploaded on this TH-cam Channel, Lou
Cool car, cool story.
Glad to read you enjoy this episode :-)
Very classy.
:-)
Please review the one next to it, if possible.
The show is over, and I didn't video either of the cars on the sides of this car.
Great find!
Nice :-)
In the 1980s we had a 1967 Cougar with the 302. Great car, but that goofy vacuum tank for the headlight covers wasn't the best design.
She's a beauty!
Hi Adam, Happy to read you enjoy the looks of this car :-) Lou
Cool car, great survivor.
Glad you enjoy this one Scott Massey :-) Hope you see many more cars on the Channel you'll enjoy, Lou
Oh Lord! A Cobra Jet backed by a four speed! Now that's what I'm talking about! The things I would do to get a chance to row through the gear box that car or just to go for a ride. Really dig the Cougars over the Mustangs. What gear box did they come with? Keep up the great work Lou.
Hi Shady Jake, Glad you enjoy all the details on this Cougar :-) Lou
The four-speed trans in these was the 2.32 low-geared Ford T&C 10-bolt "Top Loader".
Gorgeous car
Hi Tyler Lane, Glad to read you enjoy the looks of this car :-) Hope you see many more cars on this TH-cam Channel you'll enjoy, Lou
awesome car my ex wife had a cougar & i had a 69 Torino GT sadly both cars mostly automatics just not the same ripping around town in automatic :(
Hi Enemy of my Enemy, Happy to read this car brings back memories of your & your ex wifes cars :-) Thank you for viewing and sharing. Hope you see many cars on this Channel you enjoy! Please Subscribe, and hit the "bell" so you can see all the cars when they are uploaded on this TH-cam Channel, Lou
This car was sold at auction by the family after the original owner passed away. 228 thousand when the hammer fell.
Gene Still so the gentleman who now owns this car from Texas was the purchaser at that auction?
Kenneth White seller
Kenneth White correction. - yes. This man was the seller.
Hi Electric Hellion, Thank you for viewing & sharing, Lou
mercury fanboy status: very satisfied
Nice :-)
I would have ordered optional front seat headrests sooner than the xr7 pkg.
Pollution air pump in '68? Must be Calif car.
Odd there's no redline on tach, & oil press gage is way over on the right.
Hi Rich V, Thank you for viewing and sharing which options you would have ordered :-) Lou
oh wow it came stock with the 3,91 in the rear =D
:-)
Very nice cougar, they look bigger than the mustang or maybe it's my sixty years young eyes !
Hi Dennis Rivenburg, Happy to read you appreciate this car :-) Thank you for viewing, sharing and I believe you're going to see many more cars on this Channel you'll enjoy. Hope you Subscribe, and hit the "bell" so you can see all the cars when they are uploaded on this TH-cam Channel, Lou
Wow! That Phillip guy really knows his stuff! A bit scruffy looking though ;-)
Hi Jim T, Glad to receive a "Wow!" from you regarding the car. Regarding "a bit scruffy"....when you're cleaning a car for a show and a guy with a camera comes walking up and says "Hey, GREAT Car! Can we video it? When? Now!" and he agrees, your usually not all dressed up and ready for a video presentation :-) So you push your hair around, check your teeth that there is no salad in them and we video :-) I'm excited & pleased we get to share this rare Cougar with you, Lou
That has Maine plates on it thats my state!
Nice :-)
Please see my answer to that in the above comments.
I would very much like one of these, please. Please?
Hope your behind the wheel of the right car for you soon.
Classy classy cougar, beautiful style! And another green I love! Nice looking hood, the scoop is very cool, like that it's in black and love those emblems, they're great, they give it tude n a cougar gots to have some tude... or it's just another pussycat. Really sharp lookin ride n very fun vid! Thank you
Hi WIckedFireFly13, You're right one the emblems giving this one "tude" :-) It seems to make all the difference for this car. Thank you for sharing and you're welcome, Lou
That fully-functional hood scoop was exclusive to the 428 CJ 7.0 Litre cars. The 427s had a different, non-functioning "twin inlet" scoop.
AUTOMATIC WINNER
68 CAMARO , FIREBIRD OR. COUGAR ???
MY FAVORITE IS THE ...COUGAR
WINNER :-)
NICE!...
:-)
What’s the axle/rear end gears that Cougar has?
Hi POWERTECH, No idea. I know the Owner loves it & I think it's cool :-) What do you think? Lou
Don't know as to the CJ cars, but the 427s came with 3.25 "open" diff rears.
American muscle 💪
Hi Lothar, Just the way we like it :-) Hope you see many more cars on this TH-cam Channel you enjoy. Please subscribe, and hit the "bell" so you can see all the cars when they are uploaded on this TH-cam Channel, Lou
I think the 427 GT-E's came with steel belted radials.
Thank you for sharing your knowledge.
@@loucostabile ; Sorry, radials, but not steel belted at the time.
Bliss.
:-)
A caveat: the car was sold in '17 for $208,000.00. Plus a 10% processing fee...
Thanks for sharing.
"Give it a rev."
presses pedal 1/16 down.
Hi Colt 604, Well this one is not his car, and to make sure he gets to play with it again, probably good idea not to give it the kind of rev you or I might :-) Thanks for viewing & sharing, Lou P.S. Rev was not the problem in this video :-) Enjoy! th-cam.com/video/9Asc-6rRPGU/w-d-xo.html
@@loucostabile I know. Still couldn't help but laugh a little.
WOW. There only original once.
Hi William Scott, Happy to receive a "WOW" from you :-) Lou
The hidden headlights and the bars never seem to line up.
Wonder why?
@@loucostabile I don't know you're the expert on cars any thoughts Lou.
Boggles my mind why the manufactures of the retro cars didn't do dark green , navy blue & burgundy .
Hmmm, that would be a good idea.
I don't think I would want to power antenna. Takes up to much trunk space
Thank you for viewing and sharing your thoughts.
Bad-ass cat! It ate Chevy's and crapped out Mopar parts :) ha ha
Thank you Steel Assault for starting my day with your comment and making me laugh out loud :-)
I'm happy to hear you enjoyed the joke/truth. ;)
Electric Razor.
?
@@loucostabile just seeing how much you know about this extraordinary car.