 1969 Mercury Cougar Elminator hardtop coupe |
The
1969-1970 Mercury Cougar was the
second-series Cougar, with a longer, wider body on the same 111.0-inch
wheelbase and two new convertible offerings. Styling was similar to 1967-1968,
but more ordinary, particularly the grille. XR-7s continued to feature a full
set of needle gauges and leather-faced seat upholstery as standard, and wore
blackout grilles for 1970. The former GT and GTE models were reduced to option
packages available with or without XR-7 trim, but continued to pack big-block
V-8s.
A
new variation was the Eliminator package for the hardtop, sporting appropriate
tape striping, a rear decklid spoiler, wide wheels and tires, and a 300-bhp
version of Ford's 351 V-8. Like concurrent Mustangs, these were the last of the
true ponycar Cougars.
For
1971, Ford and Mercury both bulked up their ponycars, making them heavier and
less agile, though more luxurious, than their predecessors. Styling became more
like that of the mid-size Montego, which the Cougar was later based on.
Pluses
of the 1969-1970 Mercury Cougar:
- Clean long-hood/short-deck styling
- Pleasant combination of performance and economy with small-block V-8
- High performance in GT/GTE
- XR-7s are Milestone cars
Minuses
of the 1969-1970 Mercury Cougar:
- Less distinctive styling and somewhat lower appreciation potential than the 1967-1968
- Some electrical headaches
- Rocker panel and floorpan rust
- GT/GTE thirsty and nose-heavy
Production
of the 1969 Mercury Cougar:
- 2-door hardtop: 66,331
- Convertible: 5,796
- XR-7 2-door hardtop: 23,918
- XR-7 convertible: 4,024
Production
of the 1970 Mercury Cougar:
- 2-door hardtop: 49,479
- Convertible: 2,322
- XR-7 2-door hardtop: 18,565
- XR-7
convertible: 1,977
Specifications
of the 1969-1970 Mercury Cougar:
Wheelbase,
inches: 111.0
Length,
inches: 193.8 (1969), 196.1 (1970)
Weight,
pounds: 3,219-3,408
Price,
new: $3,016-$3,692 (U.S.)
Engines
for the 1969-1970 Mercury Cougar:Type Size Horsepower Years ohv V-8 302 290 1970 ohv V-8 351 250/290/300 1969-1970 ohv V-8 390 320 1969 ohv V-8 428 335 1969-1970
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