Coupes
The 1967 Mercury Cougar boasted V8 power, a posh period interior, and stylish hideaway headlamps. Still, despite its old-school cool, it may have flown under your radar.
When the first-generation Ford Mustang exploded onto the scene in 1964, it captivated a generation of young car buyers. However, the Mustang had a sibling on a similar chassis that many car fans forget about, the Mercury Cougar. As the years passed, the Cougar hit the streets alongside its venerable counterpart, albeit with less household fame. The 1967 Mercury Cougar and XR-7 could be the old-school cool pony cars you forgot amid a sea of first-generation Ford Mustangs.
Is the 1967 Mercury Cougar the same as the Mustang?
While the 1967 Mercury Cougar is a close sibling to the Ford Mustang, it’s not exactly the same. First, the Cougar is three inches longer than the 1967 Mustang, albeit on a similar platform. Moreover, the early Cougars employed striking hideaway headlamps, a feature that never resonated with the Mustang.
Further, the Cougar was billed as a longer, more stylish, “European” counterpart for the Mustang, per Hagerty. And stylish it was; the pony car had a badge akin to the big, British cat on Jaguar models and copious color-coordinated leather. Still, the Cougar wasn’t far removed from its blue-collar Blue Oval sibling. The first-generation Cougars shared their V8 engine options with the comparable Mustang, aside from the Mustang’s Boss 429 and inline-six-cylinder engines.
How much is a 1967 Cougar worth?
1967 was the first year for the Cougar, and it enjoyed moderate success on the market. As a result, there were enough to keep prices accessible for collectors; Hagerty says a 1967 base model has an average value of around $12,000 in good condition.
| Model | Average value |
| 1967 Cougar 289ci | $12,000 |
| 1967 Cougar XR-7 289ci | $14,800 |
| 1967 Cougar 390ci | $20,200 |
| 1967 Cougar GT 390ci | $25,000 |
However, the base Cougar and XR-7 were available with a 200-horsepower two-barrel 289 V8 or a four-barrel V8 pumping out 225 ponies. The latter demands a higher value, closer to $14,400 for the base.
How many 1967 Mercury Cougars are left?
Mercury produced around 437,000 Cougars in the model’s first generation, about 150,000 of which were 1967 models. However, the Cougar Club of America says it has just 3,000 1967 models registered.
While there are undoubtedly many Cougars out there without the club’s knowledge, many have been wrecked or parted out.
Is a 1967 Cougar a good car?
The 1967 Mercury Cougar is an excellent pony car option for collectors and fans who want something Mustang-esque with a touch of class and European-inspired style. Moreover, the model’s popularity continues to thrive, suggesting that a first-generation Cougar could be just as valuable as an investment as it is a fun restomod opportunity.
What do you think of the Cougar? Share your thoughts in the comments below, and keep up with MotorBiscuit for the latest classic car content!