1973 MERCURY COUGAR XR7 CONVERTIBLE DOCUMENTATED HISTORY FOR 28 YEARS! 1 OF 1!

1973 Mercury Cougar XR7 Convertible Description

1973 Mercury Cougar XR7 Convertible
-ORIGINAL 83660 Miles!
-TOTAL Documented History from 1991.
-ALL Known history since NEW
-TOTALLY Factory Stock and UNMODIFIED
-RARE 351C-4V
-MARTI Report
-Factory Build sheet-Invoice
-ALWAYS Garaged and very well maintained!
-Runs Like NEW! Drives like NEW!
-This Cougar has been in Arizona from 1996-2017
-ALWAYS GARAGED!

History: This Cougar was originally sold by Castle Ford in Herkimer NY on 04.24.1973 (It still has the original metal Dealer trunk emblem installed) I have the original Dealer Invoice. It was purchased by a local known family. It was purchased by the second owner (son of original owner) and as such began it's Cougar car-show "life and career" at a Mercury Cougar Club show on 08.16.1991. The second owner took meticulous care of this Cougar until he passed away in 2017. (This XR7 was owned by Bob for 26 years. His Mom owned it for 18 years. It was Family owned for a total of 44 years!) NEVER in an accident. Always garaged. I will get back to the family in a moment.
Upon the 2nd purchase it was then "semi-restored" over the winter of 1991. This included a color change from the original Gold to Green, and only a partial drivers-side floor patch. No accidents ever. (ALL Documented in photos) ALL the other sheet metal, floors,rockers are original to this Cougar. The original interior color was an "Avocado green". It is now White. Hence the rare color combination of Gold/green? It was a 1 of 1 combination. (See Marti Report) The paint still looks incredible, and the interior is totally NEW. (Invoice for interior work which included new upholstery,custom door panels & console, carpet, radio & speakers, and painting of trim. Invoice total is $5500.00)
This Cougar was shown throughout the Northeast in numerous National Cougar Club shows as well as "local" club shows. It has won NUMEROUS trophies over its "show career"! (ALL documented in photo scrap book)
In 1996, the owner retired to Arizona and brought this Cougar along with him. In 2017 Bob sadly passed away, and he was buried back in his original home town here in Orange County NY with his family. Upon his passing, the family shipped this XR7 as payment to the local funeral director. Unfortunately they had no other alternative and Mark gladly accepted the car. After this Cougar was shipped from Arizona, (Mark-3rd owner) wasn't too fond of the original Avocado interior and had the interior totally replaced by Golden Customs of Pine island, NY a nationally known shop. The interior work was done at a cost of $5500.00 (Have invoice) Mark drove the Cougar for the summer of 2017, and then decided (He's not really a "car guy") to sell me the car. I originally bought the Cougar for my wife and I to enjoy. I am the 4th owner in 45 years, having purchased the car last summer. A recent death in my family and the loss of a garage space, forces me to sell this beauty. I really would love to keep it, but we have two vintage race cars that keep us too busy to enjoy this rare Cougar. Recent new family responsibilities have made me lose interest, and I am forced to sell. It is one GREAT ride!
Body: Paint looks GREAT! a few chips and minor scratches here and there, nothing big. ZERO rust. Super solid car. Floors & Rockers solid. ZERO sagging. No dings or dents. 1 small "bump' on trunk deck where something "poked" inside trunk when closed. It is the size of a pencil eraser. Paint is a metallic color and looks GREAT. Door jambs are clean and original with very minimal if any over-spray. Drives down road VERY quiet with no loud squeaks and rattles, AMAZING for a 46 year old Classic!
Interior: NEW! (see photos) enough said. I replaced the custom console with a factory original. Original custom console come with car. Tilt wheel, rim-blow horn all work. ALL gauges work. (And are accurate!) I converted drivers factory power seat to manual (have original, "plug and play" factory base-comes with car) as the original only is a 4 way adjustment. Remember 1973 technology! I does work but as my wife and I drove this car (Me: 6' She 5' ) a manual seat was quick and easier! All interior lights and buzzers work. The fasten seat belt light & buzzer STILL work perfectly! ALL window glass in excellent condition. ALL windows work, go up/down with very minimal effort. All Handles and switches work. Dash is clean with ZERO cracks.
Engine: 351 Cleveland 4 barrel Holley (ALL Factory) runs like NEW. Starts right up, and idles perfect.! ZERO leaks.Super strong and FAST! Unknown if ever rebuilt? As it has ZERO 'blow-by". No oil build up or sludge inside valve covers. Runs cool and has new antifreeze.
Exhaust: Factory configuration but custom dual exhaust. (No modifications to car) Flow-master mufflers and custom chrome tips. All welded seams. Sounds GREAT! My wife loves the "rumble". LOL
Transmission: C-6 Automatic. Shifts smooth, and like NEW. Transmission appears to have been replaced at some point. It appears new and not a "rebuilt". Fluid perfectly clean. I have even replaced the bushing in the floor shifter. It is tight and smooth!
Rear Axle: 3.25 9" Ford Factory Rear. ZERO leaks. Tight. ZERO rear end "whine" Fluid changed. New KYB Shocks.
Front end : Tight and has all new bushings and poly sway bar end links. NEW KYB Excell Shocks all around. Car handles and rides well. Power steering works perfectly and has no leaks,squeaks, or "whines".

Brakes: ALL New! Front calipers were rebuilt. New rear wheel cylinders and all springs & associated brake hardware is NEW! Car stops perfectly with ZERO pulsation and/or fade.
Top: Top has ZERO leaks. Looks good. is "dry" in spots. Has a small cut on both drivers/pass side by rear area. Top is not original (black was original color) I was going to replace prior to losing interest. Rear glass is in perfect condition. Top motor is strong. Top goes down/up easily. I have original Avocado and new white top boots.
Lights: Headlights and sequential tail lights work perfectly. All Turn signals and parking lights work. All interior lights, including under hood, and trunk lights work.
Chrome: Original front bumper is in very good condition with a small scrape on pass side corner. No bends and/or dents to either. Rear Bumper appears like new. All headlight bucket assemblies are in excellent condition with zero to very, very minimal pitting observed. Grille like new.
Wheels-Tires: NEW reproduction Magnum 500's with correct Cougar center caps. New chrome lug nuts. NEW Cooper Cobra 225/60 R15 tires. Wheels & tires have 30-35 miles on them. I spent over $1300.00+ on ALL!
I have the factory original 14" wheels (Like new) and full wheel covers + lug-nuts that go to next owner as well.
Title: Title is in my name. Free and clear.
Extras: I have a complete binder that goes with the Cougar which has all the documents and photos as well as other documentation throughout this XR7's "life". I have a complete set of Factory repair manuals. An original Cougar Thick fender cover, two top boots, A Cougar history book, numerous new trim items, etc. Factory wheels etc. (See photo) everything goes with car. Racing slicks in background do not belong to Cougar.
Overall: This '73 XR7 is a GREAT car! This car can be driven and placed in shows immediately! With a few 'twerks and adjustments" it would be ABSOLUTELY PERFECT!
If I wasn't out of garage space, I would keep it forever! It is a cool car with a TOTAL past known history! I would not hesitate to drive this Cougar ANYWHERE! It runs that WELL! Unfortunately, I am spoiled with 21st century technology and would ship it or trailer it before I did that. LOL!
Storage: I will store the Cougar for up to 14 days total, as long as XR7 is paid for in full. I currently have it stored inside my enclosed race car trailer, but my "season" is beginning and I need the space ASAP.
Reserve and right to cancel bids: I do have a very low and extremely reasonable reserve on this Cougar. I do wish to pass it on but I refuse to "give it away"! I am not asking $25-$30K+. My reserve is less than half of that...If you have to ask, you are not a buyer! If you wish to make a LEGITIMATE offer, feel free to email me through eBay. I do have a Cougar collector coming to look at the car, and as a result reserve the right to cancel this listing at anytime. I know I will NEVER find one again like this, you certainly won't for such a low reserve.