19-Years-Owned 1972 Mercury Cougar XR-7 Convertible

Description

Originally introduced in 1967 as a luxury-oriented counterpart to the Ford Mustang, the Mercury Cougar featured a longer wheelbase, hidden headlights, and sequential rear turn signals and was marketed as “Untamed Elegance.” The Cougar evolved into a more refined personal luxury car during its second generation (1971-73), with styling echoed Lincoln’s Continental Mark III. 

By 1972, the powerful 429 cubic-inch V8 was discontinued, leaving variants of the 351 Cleveland V8. The premium XR-7 convertible — of which only 1,929 were built for ’72 — was offered with Select-Shift automatic transmission, power disc brakes, and woodgrain interior trim. 

This 1972 Mercury Cougar XR-7 Convertible was restored in 2011-2012, when it received fresh Victory Red paint and a new white top, high-grade vinyl upholstery, carpet, and door panels, refurbished dash and steering wheel, and a rebuilt air-conditioner. The car also features numerous engine and mechanical upgrades, including Holley carburetor, Weiand intake manifold, and a rebuilt transmission. 

Highlights 

• Full restoration in 2011-2012 included: 

  • Original body panels stripped to bare metal and repainted from Ford Red to Victory Red 

  • New white convertible top 

  • New white high-grade vinyl upholstery with embossed walking cougars 

  • New carpet 

  • Door panels replaced 

  • Dash pad restored by Just Dashes California 

  • Steering wheel restored by Best in Show California 

  • Rebuilt A/C compressor (system blows cold) 

• H-code 351 cu-in V8 upgrades and mechanical upgrades included: 

  • New high-performance Holley 750 double-pumper non-choke carburetor 

  • Weiand WEI7516 intake manifold 

  • Federal Mogul aluminum flat top pistons with 4.120 bore 

  • Comp Cam roller cam with Comp Pro Magnum roller lifters and Harland Sharp roller rockers on 7/16-inch screwed-in studs 

  • Valves equipped with beehive springs with Comp Com 7994 one-piece hardened, Chromoly push rods 

  • Cloyes CLO9-1121 double roller timing chain 

  • MSD standard pro billet distributor is paired to an MSD digital 6 AL control box 

  • Howe Racing aluminum radiator 

  • Weiand WEI8209 high flow aluminum water pump 

  • Rebuilt C-6 automatic transmission starting from bare housing 

  • Coan COA60311 10-inch comp torque converter 

  • Detroit Eaton True Trac 9-nch rear end with a Moser 3.50:1 gear ratio 

  • Stainless steel brake, fuel, and transmission lines 

  • Stainless steel exhaust fittings, including Hooker headers and Magnaflow mufflers 

  • Ford 9-inch based Eaton Detroit Truetrac Differential 

Features 

• The chassis number (2F94H506495) decodes as: 

  • 2 – 1972 model year 

  • F – Dearborn (Michigan) assembly plant 

  • 94 – XR-7 convertible 

  • H – 351 cu-in V8 2bbl 

  • 506495 – Sequential production number 

• Power steering and brakes 

• Digital AM/FM stereo 

• 120 mph speedometer and 6,000 rpm tachometer 

• American Racing Equipment wheels 

• Correct-appearing quartz movement clock 

• BFGoodrich Radial T/A tires: 235/60R15 front, 255/60R15 rear 

Known Imperfections 

• Imperfection on passenger side of convertible top 

• Scratches on stainless trim on top of both doors 

• Driver's door window has scratches from a prior bad regulator guide (guide was replaced) 

• Gouges in passenger right rear side panel (near convertible boot cover snap) 

• Glove box does not close flush with the dash 

• Some paint imperfections commensurate with regular road use   

Included

• Convertible boot cover 

• Spare tire and jack 

• Owner’s manual

Ownership History 

The Michigan seller of this 1972 Mercury Cougar XR7 Convertible has owned it since December 2005. The seller says, “My wife and I have owned this Cougar since 2005 and did an extensive restoration of it between 2011 and 2012. The Cougar has all original body panels and was found to be rust free when stripped to bare metal. I have the original build sheet and documentation of parts and cost to do the restoration. We are selling the Cougar due to lack of space.”