Mercury Cougar XR-7 428 SCJ Hardtop 1969
Car producer :  |
Mercury |
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Model: |
Cougar XR-7 428 SCJ Hardtop 1969 |
Year: |
1967-1970 |
Type: |
Coupe |
The third year of production, brought several new additions to the Cougar line up. A convertible model was now available in either standard or XR-7 trim. On the exterior, the grille switched from vertical bars to horizontal bars. Taillights still spanned the entire rear of the car and retained vertical chrome dividers, but were now concave rather than convex. Body sides now featured a prominent line that swept downward from the nose to just ahead of the rear wheel wells. A new performance package appeared and several disappeared. The GT, XR-7G and the 7.0-L GT-E disappeared, but the 390 and 428 V8s remained. 302 engines were dropped, except for the "Boss" version, available only with the Eliminator package. The new standard Cougar engine was a 250 horsepower 351 Windsor. A 290hp (216 kW) 351 Windsor V8 was also added to the engine line up. The Eliminator performance package appeared for the first time. A 351-in3 four-barrel Windsor V8 was standard under the hood, with the 390 four-barrel V8, the 428CJ and the Boss 302 available as options. The Eliminator also featured a blacked-out grille, special side stripes, front and rear spoilers, an optional Ram Air induction system, a full gauge package including tachometer, upgraded "Decor" interior trim, special high-back bucket seats, rally wheels, raised white letter tires and a performance-tuned suspension and handling package. It also came in a variety of vibrant colours, such as White, Bright Blue Metallic, Competition Orange, and Bright Yellow. Only two Cougars were produced with the Boss 429 V8, making them the rarest Cougars ever built. Both were factory drag cars, built for "Fast Eddie" Schartman and "Dyno" Don Nicholson. A little known 1969-only model was the Cougar Sports Special. The Sports Special package included unique pin striping, "turbine" style wheel covers and rocker panel mouldings with simulated side scoops. Décor interior and performance suspension were available for the Sports Special, as were any of the optional Cougar engines, other than the Boss 302. Somewhat oddly, no badges or decals denoted the Sports Special option on either the interior or exterior.