1971 Mercury Cougar XR-7 Convertible

Mercury's Cougar models were sold from 1967 to 2002.  ( They became a varied series of cars over the years.)  The Cougar shared basic platforms with Ford models. Originally with the Ford Mustang, but later versions of the Cougar were based on the Ford Thunderbird, and the last was a version of the Contour / Mondeo. They were assembled at the Dearborn Assembly Plant in Dearborn, Michigan from 1967 to 1973, at the San Jose Assembly Plant in Milpitas, California from 1968 into early 1969 and at the Lorain Assembly Plant in Lorain, Ohio from 1974 to 1997.

The 1971-1973 Mercury Cougar was the last of the Cougar ponycars. In 1971, the Cougar was restyled but weighed less, and had only a one inch longer wheelbase than its General Motors competition. A new styling feature, the front end now had four exposed headlights, (  as the famous "disappearing headlights" were eliminated.) The center grille piece was now larger. The rear featured a semi-fastback with a "flying buttress" sail-panel. The Convertible stayed , as did the XR-7 and the GT package. The "Eliminator package" was eliminated, ( ironic, isn't it ? )  but the "Ram Air option" continued. Cougar now leaned toward luxury, though there were no good sales until 1973, when a six-year sales slide finally ended.

Only three engines were offered: there was a healthy 429 Cobra Jet big-block for 1971 only , other engines were the standard 240 hp 351 Windsor 2-barrel V8, and the 285 hp 351 Cleveland 4-barrel V8 , which was then de-rated after 1971 with the industry's switch to SAE net horsepower quotes. Although still considered one, the Cougar was really less of a ponycar in these years, and more like a cousin to the living large mid-size Montego , which it eventually became by shifting to that platform for 1974.

Today ,1971-73's Cougars  are collector consideration worthy , especially XR-7 Hardtops  and the super-rare Ragtops,( both XR-7 and base models.)  The total production of the 1971 Mercury Cougar was 62,864 . After 1974, the following years of the Mercury Cougar changed to the Thunderbird/Torino chassis. Basically, the "Ponycar" became a big ol' Cow ...too bad.  Proof positive that a "good thing" CAN come to an end. ( I've had two Cougars in the past, a 1967 and a 1968... Growing up, my neighbor across the street had a white on white 1971 Cougar XR-7 Hardtop, and even then, at 9 years old , I had my eye on owning that car someday ! )