1968 Mercury Cougar Hardtop Coupe

Description

OFFERED WITHOUT RESERVE 

Out of a combination of a lifelong automotive passion and an unyielding desire to support the people of his Alabama community, the Generous Collection was born. Mr. Greg Rusk, a successful business leader in the cardboard industry, with a big heart for helping families and friends in times of need, would regularly pay overly generous fees to acquire an interesting vehicle. After decades of collecting and supporting local automotive enthusiasts, the Rusk family is ready for these vehicles, each with their own story, to write their next chapter back on the road, where they belong. 

The Generous Collection debuts with Part 1 offering over 200 cars in October, all offered without reserve, emerging from years of long-term silent storage. Many additional lots will be offered in the coming months. From the quiet shadows of the Generous Collection to the sunshine of backroads and highways, enthusiasts now have the opportunity to own a piece of a generous car-collecting legacy. 

* * * 

The 1968 Mercury Cougar marked the second year of production for Mercury’s stylish pony car, introduced in 1967 as a more upscale alternative to the Ford Mustang. Built on the Mustang’s platform, the Cougar featured a longer wheelbase and distinctive styling, including a prominent “electric shaver” grille with hidden headlights and a sleek, European-inspired profile. 

For 1968, the Cougar received subtle updates to comply with new federal safety regulations, including side marker lights and shoulder belts. The model lineup expanded to include the XR-7, which added luxury touches like woodgrain interior trim, leather seating, and additional instrumentation. Performance enthusiasts could opt for the GT or XR-7G packages, the latter developed in collaboration with racing legend Dan Gurney, featuring performance upgrades and unique badging. 

Engine choices ranged from the base 289 cubic-inch V8 to the powerful 428 Cobra Jet, introduced mid-year and capable of serious muscle car performance. The Cougar continued to balance luxury and performance, appealing to buyers seeking refinement without sacrificing speed. 

With its blend of elegance, innovation, and muscle, the 1968 Cougar helped solidify Mercury’s identity in the performance car market. As Motor Trend reported in its January 1968 edition, “The Cougar is the gentleman’s pony car. It’s got claws, but it wears a tuxedo.” 

Highlights 

• Offered from The Generous Collection 

• Finish Green with White vinyl top over light green vinyl bucket seats 

• Powered by a 289 cu-in V8 with a two-barrel carburetor rated at 195 hp 

• C4 Cruise-O-Matic three-speed automatic transmission 

• The data plate decodes as: 

  • Body: 65A – 2-door hardtop coupe 

  • Color: RM – Augusta Green Poly paint with Pale White roof 

  • Trim: 1G – Medium Gold Crinkle Vinyl 

  • Date: 09E – 9 May 1968 build date 

  • DSO: 21 – Atlanta (Georgia) District Sales Office 

  • Axle: 5 – 3.00:1 rear axle ratio 

  • Trans: W – C4 Select Shift Cruise-O-Matic 3-speed transmission 

• The chassis number (8F91056734) decodes as: 

  • 8 – 1968 model year 

  • F – Dearborn (Michigan) assembly plant 

  • 91 – Mercury Cougar 2-door hardtop 

  • C – 289 cu-in V8 with 2-barrel carburetor 

  • 56734 – Sequential production number 

Features 

• Hidden headlights 

• Sequential turn signals 

• Side marker lights 

• Energy-absorbing steering column 

• 120-mph speedometer 

• Philco AM radio 

• Shoulder belts 

• Steel wheels with black chrome rim inserts 

• Cooper Cobra Radial T/A P235/60R14 tires 

Known Imperfections 

• While reasonable efforts were made during preparation for the sale, due to the volume of cars in this collection it was not possible to diagnose or detect all imperfections present in the cars. 

• Paint chips, scratches, scuffs, fading, and rust 

• Passenger front fender is dented above headlight 

• Rear is dented just below the bumper 

• Chrome is pitted 

• Driver’s side rearview mirror is loose 

• Driver’s door sill is detached 

• Dashboard trim, seat backs, and seat belts are detached

• Dash is cracked and warped 

• Steering wheel is broken and missing pieces 

• No carpet 

Included 

• Driver’s door sill 

• Full dash trim 

• Seat backs and belts 

Ownership History 

This 1968 Mercury Cougar is offered from The Generous Collection of no reserve automobiles. 

Additional Notes

A Broad Arrow Auctions Specialist is working as an agent on behalf of the owner of this vehicle. Broad Arrow Auctions is a wholly owned subsidiary of Hagerty.  

Contact: Matt Lowney   Phone: 623.308.2640   email: mlowney@hagerty.com  

Alabama Sales Tax Notice to Bidders: Because this car is located in Alabama, the selling dealer may be required to collect and remit Alabama state sales taxes of up to 2% of the purchase amount, even if the buyer plans to register the car outside of Alabama, if (a) the buyer is located in AZ, CA, FL, IN, MA, MI, or SC (capped at $500 in SC), and (b) the buyer does not transport the car out of Alabama using a common carrier (e.g., if the buyer drives the car or transports the car out of Alabama on a personal trailer). Additionally, the selling dealer may be required to collect and remit Alabama county or city taxes from buyers located outside of Alabama, if (a) the buyer does not transport the car out of Alabama using a common carrier (e.g., if the buyer drives or transports the car out of Alabama on a personal trailer), and (b) the buyer fails to provide an executed Drive-Out Certificate for Nonresidents. For additional information, please consult this publication and your own tax advisor regarding sales taxes applicable to cars located in Alabama that are sold to residents of another state.  

Please note that all lots in The Generous Collection are offered after many years of storage, without operation or service, in warehouse facilities. The seller endeavored to provide limited mechanical servicing to bring some cars back to running potential, however, not all cars will be running at time of sale. Because of the extended static display, it must be assumed that all cars will require additional mechanical attention before being driven safely and, in most cases, cleaning to both the interiors and exteriors. All the cars will have imperfections associated with long-term static storage and require extensive sorting to perform best and safely. The burden of determining a car’s status, both mechanical and cosmetic, rests fully on the bidder, prior to bidding and the close of the auction. All lots are sold as is, where is. 

Additionally, due to the location of the collection and limited access to the facility following the close of the auction, all lots must be retrieved while a Hagerty Marketplace representative is onsite beginning Monday, November 3 through Wednesday, November 19. No cars can be retrieved prior to November 3 and any lots remaining after November 19 will be re-located outside in the parking lot for retrieval by their buyers.