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Incredibly Rare 1971 Mercury Cougar XR-7 Will Blow Your Mind, Only 22 Made

1971 Mercury Cougar XR-7 53 photos
Photo: Bogdan Popa/autoevolution/Napoli Classics
1971 Mercury Cougar XR-71971 Mercury Cougar XR-71971 Mercury Cougar XR-71971 Mercury Cougar XR-71971 Mercury Cougar XR-71971 Mercury Cougar XR-71971 Mercury Cougar XR-71971 Mercury Cougar XR-71971 Mercury Cougar XR-71971 Mercury Cougar XR-71971 Mercury Cougar XR-71971 Mercury Cougar XR-71971 Mercury Cougar XR-71971 Mercury Cougar XR-71971 Mercury Cougar XR-71971 Mercury Cougar XR-71971 Mercury Cougar XR-71971 Mercury Cougar XR-71971 Mercury Cougar XR-71971 Mercury Cougar XR-71971 Mercury Cougar XR-71971 Mercury Cougar XR-71971 Mercury Cougar XR-71971 Mercury Cougar XR-71971 Mercury Cougar XR-71971 Mercury Cougar XR-71971 Mercury Cougar XR-71971 Mercury Cougar XR-71971 Mercury Cougar XR-71971 Mercury Cougar XR-71971 Mercury Cougar XR-71971 Mercury Cougar XR-71971 Mercury Cougar XR-71971 Mercury Cougar XR-71971 Mercury Cougar XR-71971 Mercury Cougar XR-71971 Mercury Cougar XR-71971 Mercury Cougar XR-71971 Mercury Cougar XR-71971 Mercury Cougar XR-71971 Mercury Cougar XR-71971 Mercury Cougar XR-71971 Mercury Cougar XR-71971 Mercury Cougar XR-71971 Mercury Cougar XR-71971 Mercury Cougar XR-71971 Mercury Cougar XR-71971 Mercury Cougar XR-71971 Mercury Cougar XR-71971 Mercury Cougar XR-71971 Mercury Cougar XR-71971 Mercury Cougar XR-7
The 1971 Cougar marked the beginning of the second generation, and Ford operated several changes, not only in styling but also as far as engines were concerned.
The standard engine on the new Cougar was a 351 Cleveland unit rated at 240 horsepower, but Mercury customers could order a four-barrel version as an option. Ford removed the Boss 302 and Boss 429 engines from the Cougar lineup, so the icing on the cake was now the 429 Cobra Jet with 370 horsepower.

The 1971 Cougar could be had in the standard version and the mightier XR-7, despite Mercury offering the same engine lineup on both models. However, the XR-7 still flexed exclusive goodies, including an updated dashboard design.

Now, get ready to be amazed.

A 1971 Cougar XR-7 convertible in spotless shape recently landed online with one big mission: to find a new heated garage where it can maintain its 99% original condition.

Napoli Classics, the garage responsible for finding a new owner for this Cougar, claims the car only received a single repaint throughout its life. Otherwise, everything is original, sporting the factory powertrain, color, and trim.

I won't comment on its condition because it's obvious this Cougar looks flawless, so let's have a look at the Marti report. The document proves this XR-7 is a true collectible, as Mercury built only 22 with the same paint and trim codes. The black paint alone is extremely rare, as only 91 Cougar XR-7s rolled off the assembly lines with this finish. The vehicle also sports a tilt steering wheel, which, according to the document, was installed on only 640 cars.

Speaking of what you get on this XR-7, the car also comes with power steering, power front disc brakes, AM radio, and tinted glass, all original and installed by Mercury in 1971.

Fitted with the 351C engine, the Cougar XR-7 starts, runs, drives, and stops like on day one. It doesn't require anything other than a heated and dry garage, despite considering its shape, it can easily become a museum piece where Ford enthusiasts can admire the beautiful lines of the second-generation Cougar.

The selling price is unsurprising, and you must get inside to feel the red leather to understand that this car can't sell for pocket money. I also find it a bit more affordable than most people expect a 99% original 1971 XR-7 to be, especially given its condition. The garage is willing to let the car go for $33,000 and offers financing options.

You won't need a trailer to take it home, though you should still use one if you leave far from Milford, Connecticut. The odometer indicates 93,000 miles (close to 150,000 km), and the mileage is exempt.
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About the author: Bogdan Popa
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Bogdan keeps an eye on how technology is taking over the car world. His long-term goals are buying an 18-wheeler because he needs more space for his kid’s toys, and convincing Google and Apple that Android Auto and CarPlay deserve at least as much attention as their phones.
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