The Mercury Cougar of 1967 - 1968 :

1963 !

There was actually a 1963 prototype Cougar called the "Cougar II". Ford named their prototype cars "Cougar", and this one almost became the Mustang. The name "Mustang" seemed to have to more youthful feel, so Ford used it on the 1964 1/2 Mustang. And when Lincoln-Mercury decided to go ahead with their own luxury version of the Mustang in 1967, they took the name of the Prototype.

1967 :

The Mercury Cougar was first introduced in 1967 as an upscale version of the Ford Mustang, the first generation Cougar was designed to be a luxury Euro-style coupe. Mercury joined the pony car race full speed with its Cougar, based on a stretched version of the Ford Mustang, and at that time, nobody really believed that the few Mercury-Lincoln dealers can face up the market, but they did. The Cougar sold over 150,000 cars and was named Motor Trend Car of the Year.

It also has been known ever since as "the Mustang's bigger cousin", since it rode on a stretched Mustang chassis. Mercury claimed that his car is the best luxury sport car available.

The Cougar find his place between the Mustang and the Ford Thunderbird.

There was only a two-door hardtop available with standard simulated leather bucket seats, hideaway headlights, and a V8 engine. The most popular thing was its affordability, and they sold like wildfire. Any colors, any options you wanted, could all be had.

Two trim packages were also available, available separately or together.

The XR-7 package included a wood-rimmed steering wheel, blackface competition-type instrumentation in a simulated walnut dash, toggle switches, an overhead console, a leather-covered T-handle automatic transmission shifter, and combination leather/vinyl seats. For performance buyers,

The GT package, sold in standard with the GT package was a 390 cid V8 rated at 335 bhp, A 4 barrels Holley carburettor. The package also included a firmer suspension with solid rear brushings, stiffer springs all around, bigger shocks, a fatter anti-roll bar, power front disc brakes, and wide-oval tires, a low-restriction exhaust system and special identification features. On the GT, the manual transmission used with the 390 was different from those used with the 289.

Transmission choices included three or four speed gearboxes or a three-speed automatic with manual shift capabilities of downshifting.

While based on the Mustang platform, the Cougar's suspension was upgraded with a hook-and-eye joint the lower front A frames to dampen ride harshness, six-inch-longer rear leaf springs, and better-rated rear spring and axle attachments.

1968 :

The 1967-68 body styles are similar, one of the changes was the introduction of the GT-E

It initially came with the mild 390 bhp E version of the 427 cid V8 with the performance handling package, styled steel wheels, power disc brakes, a power dome, and non-functional hood scoop.

For '68 the GT-E Cougar ran with the 427ci Ford engine early on, but it was very heavy and thus suffered in acceleration runs. Later in the year it was replaced with the 428 Cobra Jet.

For the insurance, the 428 was rated at 335 bhp, although it was closer to 390 bhp as the 427-E. The longer stroke 428 engine would carry the Mercury performance banner.

Also new for 1968 was a new model option, the XR-7G. The "G" stood for Dan Gurney a Race Pilot, who raced for Mercury at the time. This was a one-year model as Gurney left for Plymouth in 1969.

The "XR7-G" package was available on any Cougar. This package included a fiber glass hood scoop, road lamps, a racing mirror, hood pins, and the optional sun roof. Four exhaust tips exited through the rear valance panel and new spoke pattern styled wheels held radial tires. A special emblem graced the instrument panel, roof pillar, deck lid, and grille.