1968 MERCURY COUGAR XR7-G by SHELBY

Description for Mercury Cougar 1968

Item Description:

This is a Complete Real XR7-G, one of only 619 made in Lincoln-Mercury's Factory. The XR7-G was the special tribute car to Dan Gurney for his racing victories including the Ford GT-40, Shelby Cobra, Indy 500, and the Mercury Cougar. He was co-driver with A.J. Foyt of a GT-40 in Ford’s First Victory at the 24 Hours of Le Mans Grand Prix Race. Gurney was Captain of Team Cougar in the 1967 SCCA Trans--Am racing season. This car has all the Cougar XR-7 two-door hardtop features and is loaded with options including AC and Power Sun-Roof (See Replica Window Sticker Invoice List). Plus, it has the Special XR7-G equipment and multiple XR7-G badges added to this historical auto by the Shelby Automotive plant including the rare optional Shelby Traction Master Bars. All photos are of the actual 1968 Cougar XR7-G for sale. This Cougar IS NOT one of the 188 Hertz Rental Sports Cars. The professionally reupholstered saddle bucket seats were done in the exact color in three grains of vinyl. The professional repaint was to the original color – Fawn Beige. DuPont Centauri paint was used with a performance kit. It was painted onto totally sanded bare metal, even the top was painted with two heavy coats. This was done before professionals installed the new black oxford vinyl roof and moon-crater headliner that were applied and tucked under both front and rear windscreens with new weather stripping. This is the only Fawn Beige (Paint Code 6) with a Power SUN-ROOF known to exist of all the XR7-Gs in the WORLD – a unique automobile. It has been garage kept most of the time since repaint and interior upholstery was replaced. I have many new parts plus the original Ford parts that transfer with the car to perfect it further. It also has the original refinished blue air cleaner and snorkel. We have kept this car as original and correct as possible. The original running C8WF 12127 distributor with correct dated numbers goes with the car. This Classic Cougar is ready to drive to shows and events where it will be the unique talk of the show with the Big Block Dress-up Kit. We have the Original Owner’s Manual that shows that this Mercury Cougar XR7-G was originally purchased by Elliot B. Gant, owner of the second largest shirt company in the world.

Links and other Facts of Interest

Hot Rod magazine article: “The 1968 Cougar XR7-G was Mercury’s Answer to Shelby Mustangs”

http://www.hotrod.com/articles/1968-cougar-xr7-g-mercurys-answer-shelby-mustangs/

Mercury Cougar XR7-G Registry

https://xr7g.mercurycougarregistry.com/history/

Cougar Club of America (CCOA)

http://www.cougarclub.org/

The Cougar Club of America website has the registry section with a detailed

history of the XR7-G cougars and the unique Hertz Sports Car program.

CCOA on Facebook

https://www.facebook.com/The-Cougar-Club-Of-America-CCOA-wwwcou garcluborg-472976009430890/

● Motor Trend magazine’s “Car of the Year” the first year made in

1967 and the 1968 has the same first generation features and body –

plus improvements.

● The XR7-G is the only Shelby Modified Mercury Cougar.

● There is an XR7-G on exhibit in The Henry Ford Museum. See

pictures at the website.

● First power sunroof option offered on any American car.

● The Ford Exhibit at the 1968 Hemisfair featured an XR7-G in San

Antonio. This was the first “World’s Fair” in the SW USA!

● Milestone Car Society, http://www.milestonecarsociety.com/ - chose

the 1967 and 1968 Cougar XR-7 in it’s prestigious list that includes

some Shelby GT-350 & GT-500 Mustangs and 1955 to 1960 Ford

Thunderbirds.

● The 1968 Cougar was voted “Best Sporty Car” by Car & Driver

magazine - 1968 Readers Choice Poll

● Gurney built the INDY 500 cars that took first, second, and fourth

positions in winning that race - the same month of May 1968 that this

XR7-G was born. Gurney’s All-American Racing Eagles (AAR

Eagles) that dominated the Indy 500 for years.